The Game Design Round Table

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

Hands-On with AI: From Tabletop Redesigns to the Compiler Paradigm

In this episode, host Dirk Knemeyer and co-host David Heron dive deep into their hands-on workflows with artificial intelligence in game design and software development.

Sep 9
58 min

The Economics and Ethics of Live Service Game Design

In this episode, hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron dive into a complex listener question regarding the incentives and ethics of Games as a Service (GaaS). They explore

Aug 25
56 min

The Great Contraction: Navigating the Video Game Job Market

In this episode, host Dirk Knemeyer is joined by co-host David Heron, a veteran game executive known for his six-year tenure at Warner Brothers, to discuss the "great con

Aug 12
1 h 09 min

The No-Hit Wonder Strategy: Survival and Success with Jake Birkett

In this episode, hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron sit down with Jake Birkett, the veteran indie developer behind Grey Alien Games. Jake is perhaps most famously known

Jul 29
1 h 00 min

Bizarro World: Indie Devs Feel the Fury Over AI in Games

The show is hosted by Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron. In this episode, they dive deep into the current cultural and technical landscape of AI in game development. The disc

Jul 14
58 min

Revisiting Civ 7

In this episode, host Dirk Knemeyer, a long-time game designer and industry veteran, sits down with co-host David Heron, known for his deep technical and design experienc

Jun 30
57 min

Season: RPG - Exploring the Success Behind Neon Odyssey with Mikey Gilder

In this episode, hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron sit down with Mikey Gilder, the Chief Creative Officer of Avantress Entertainment, known for their hit actual play sh

Jun 16
1 h 00 min

Listener Questions, AI and the Future of Game Design

Host Dirk Knemeyer, a veteran in user experience (UX) design, is joined by co-host David Heron, a long-time game industry professional known for his work across major con

Jun 3
56 min

Listener Questions May 2026

In this episode, host Dirk Knemeyer is joined by co-host David Heron to answer a series of deep dives from their community. The discussion explores the technical and phil

May 19
1 h 04 min

Design Talk - Exploring Claude with Dirk & David

Join host Dirk Knemeyer and Co-Host David Heron as they discuss Dirk's transformative first month using Claude. Dirk, who previously avoided technical tools like the term

May 5
56 min

Design Talk - Buried Giant with Cole Werhle

Join hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron as they welcome back Cole Werhle, the designer of hits like Root and Oath. In this episode, Cole details his major career move fr

Apr 21
51 min

Design Talk - Exploring Nevaros with Raven Zachary

Hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron are joined by Raven Zachary, a veteran tech executive and product leader known for his work in spatial computing, AI, and the internet

Apr 7
58 min

Design Talk - NYT Games with Rohit Crasta

Join hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron as they welcome Rohit Crasta, a longtime game designer and former lead designer of Wordscapes who now serves as a lead designer f

Mar 24
1 h 08 min

Civ Series 13 - Rogue Hex with Reed Erlandson

In this episode of the Civ Series, hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron sit down with Reed Erlandson, designer of Rogue Hex. Reed shares the inspiration behind the game an

Feb 24
56 min

Design Talk - Designing large group games with Rikki Tahta

In this Design Talk episode, hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron are joined by Rikki Tahta, designer of the hit bluffing game Coup. Rikki shares the origins of Coup, how

Feb 10
49 min

Season: RPG - Interlude: The Final Round Table

Today, hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron sit down today to have a discussion about RPGs stemming from a comment left by a user from the Discord channel. They dive into

Jan 28
53 min

Season: RPG - Exploring RPGs with Rob Daviau

Today, Rob Daviau joins us again after a year to contribute to a conversation about RPGs. Dirk, David, and Rob talk about some of the practicalities of RPG's and GMing, a

Jan 20
56 min

BtC with Ellie Dix and Dirk Knemeyer - Series Wrap-Up

Today, in an unusual turn of events, Ellie Dix, host of the series Behind the Cardboard, and Dirk Knemeyer, co-host of TGDRT, have a powerful conversation reflecting on t

Jan 6
45 min

Season: RPG - D&D with Mike Mearls

In this episode of the RPG series, host David Heron speaks with Mike Mearls , a key figure behind Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. They dive into what makes both D&D and M

Dec 9 2025
1 h 26 min

BtC- Brett Gilbert on Abandonment and Rejection

In this episode of Behind the Cardboard, host Ellie Dix sits down with designer Brett Gilbert for a candid conversation about one of the most challenging parts of game de

Dec 2 2025
45 min

Chart trend

Position in the Design chart (US), last 90 days.

#1#100#198JunJulAugSep

#25

all-time peak

days in the top 50 since Nov 2024

Chart positions

Where The Game Design Round Table ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 21, 2026).

#48 ▼ 1 Design US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

I recently discovered Game Design Round Table and have been consistently impressed by the wealth of knowledge and insights share in each episode. No matter the topic - you’re guaranteed to learn something new every time you tune in. Go ahead and give it a “follow,” this podcast will quickly become a favorite in your feed!

mvelasco07 · Jun 2023

GDRT has been providing thoughtful and relevant conversations with designers and game creators for years, and offers a progressive and thorough look into game design across the entire gamut of disciplines.

jonbmc · Nov 2021

In the early episodes, the show had a slow start, but at some point in time, I found myself not being able to stop listening. Dirk and David have been a permanent part of my morning and evening commutes for work for quite a while now. I am only on episode 117, but I’ve learned so much about what it means to be a professional game designer, and what it takes to succeed in the industry. Even more with tips and tricks of the trade. Then their guest list has been amazing with their own stories and advice. I find the show a must, no matter what kind of games you design; as the cast has proven time and time again, inspiration can be pulled from anywhere.

Gatene · Aug 2021

I have enjoyed this show from the beginning. For those who want a good set of rules/ideas/axioms for designing both tabletop and digital games this is the place. The hosts and guest hosts have a whole lot of real world game design experience. For those with a real interest in actually designing a playable and sellable game. Not really a game reviewing site.

Evhtjjfbtn · May 2020

We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.