Beyond Solitaire

Episode 246 - Mark Diaz Truman on RPG vs. Board Game Design

This week on the pod, Mark Diaz Truman of Magpie Games drops by to discuss the Root RPG, RPGs in general, and his recent adventures in board game design. https://magpiega

Episode 245 - C. Thi Nguyen on Playing for the Right Reasons

This week on the pod, Professor C. Thi Nguyen (@add-hawk.bsky.social) pops by to discuss his work on games, why we play them, and how dangerous it is to wind up playing b

Episode 244 - Alice and Jessica Hong on FamBam Games

This week on the pod, sisters Alice and Jessica Hong drop by to discuss FamBam Games, the company they started together, and the process of making games that delight both

Episode 243 - Morten Monrad Pedersen on Solo Design

This week on the pod, Morten Monrad Pedersen, head of the Automa Factory and designer of Skoventyr and Shajarat, discusses his takes on solo game design and what solo gam

Episode 242 - Megan Rhodes Victor on Archaeogaming as Scholarly Play

This week on the pod, Prof. Megan Rhodes Victor (@archaeovictor.bsky.social) discusses her new edited volume, Archaeogaming as Scholarly Play, and her work as an archaeol

Episode 241 - Aaron Trammell on How D&D Changed the Way We Play

For the Season 13 opener, Aaron Trammell drops by to discuss his new book, How Dungeons & Dragons Changed the Way We Play. It's a fascinating look into the issues th

Episode 240 - Shelly Jones on Board Game Cozy Mysteries

This week on the pod, Dr. Shelly Jones drops by to discuss their work as a scholar who incorporates games and RPGs into their work--and their career as an author who has

Episode 239 - Denver Walker on Flying Pig Games

This week on the pod, Denver Walker comes by to discuss her life as a co-owner and CEO of a wargame company, as well as her own game designs. https://flyingpiggames.com/

Episode 238 - Amabel Holland on Swords Against - Beginner's Box

This week on the pod, Amabel Holland comes by to discuss her upcoming game--if it can be so called--and the mysteries that it holds. I am very excited to play it. https:/

Episode 237 - David Thompson on Managing Multiple Designs

This week on the pod, David Thompson drops in for our seasonal check-in! We discuss the progress of our games together, check in on David's work with several other c

Episode 236 - Tilak Vyas on Line by Line

This week on the pod, Tilak Vyas drops by to talk about his poetry game, Line by Line, that is forthcoming from Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Thr

Episode 235 - Ari Shapiro and Alyssa Stevenski on Library Gaming

This week on the pod, I chat with Alyssa and Ari, who coordinate gaming programs for teens in my local county library system. Some of them even include me!  Check out Th

Episode 234 - Paul and Liz on the Evolution of Foxes & Lions

This week on the pod, Paul Wright and I discuss Foxes & Lions, how it has developed over the past year or so, and what we're excited about next. Also, it's on P

Episode 233 - Waleed Ma'arouf on Design at Asmodee

This week on the pod, Waleed Ma'arouf, a designer at Studio Big, discusses their work in education, how they joined the Arkham Horror LCG design team, and their curr

Episode 232 - Esther Wright on Rockstar Games and American History

This week on the pod, Dr. Esther Wright (@enwright.bsky.social), a lecturer at the University of Cardiff, speaks about her work on Rockstar Games, the way they represent

Episode 231 - Brooks Barber on Hawk & Dove

This week on the pod, Brooks Barber (rollplusfun@bsky.social) drops by to discuss his new venture, Hawk & Dove. He's starting a new historical games publishing busin

Episode 230 - Danielle Reynolds on Mass Market Design

This week on the pod, Danielle Reynolds (@tokengaymer.bsky.social) stops by to discuss her game design career, her current work at Relatable, and her dedication to paying

Episode 229 - Taylor Shuss on Walkable City

This week on the pod, Taylor Shuss drops by to discuss his new game, Walkable City, which is all about urban planning. We also catch upon his historical designs and talk

Episode 228 - Joe Dewhurst on The Pure Land

This week on the pod, Joe Dewhurst discusses his upcoming game, The Pure Land, as well as his continued work as a game developer and COIN solo mode expert.  Check out Th

Episode 227 - Shadi Torbey on inPatience

Shadi Torbey, designer of the legendary Oniverse series, talks solo game design, running his own company, and being an opera singer. https://inpatience.com/ Check out Th