Know Direction Network

Game Design Unboxed 137: A Place for All My Books

In episode 137 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with freelance game designer and developer for Druid City Games, Michael Mihealsick who shares industry  insights from years of working for multiple companies, taking on freelance projects, and continually refining his game design craft.   We discuss the rise of cozy game design and what that means for different players, the niche book-collecting concept featured in this episode’s game highlight, “A Place for All My Books,” and how ditching a victory point tracker allowed for a competitive game to still feel safe and inviting. Other topics in this episode include how games can adopt an audience or become a lifestyle experience, the feeling of being “typecast” as a designer, the definition of laundry day and frankenstein in game designer language and artwork differences for the same game in different countries. Listen Now! (mp3) Featuring: Michael Mihealsick – Guest Danielle Reynolds – Host

Intrepid Heroes 180 – The Finale (Murder in Metal City Session 14)

The exciting conclusion to Murder in Metal City! Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams (Dreams) John Godek – Xabi Fraglorious Rue Dickey – Whose Boughs Are Lit Within (Boughs) Tim Nightengale – Dexter Rayne Starfinder 2nd Edition Actual Play Podcast Listen Now!(mp3) Watch Now!(mp4)

Game Design Unboxed 136: Tricky Pigs

In episode 136 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with freelance game designer (and Danielle’s co-designer on Tricky Kids), Steven Ungaro, who shares his “zero-to-three-games-in-a-year-hero” design journey. They discuss how discovering hobby games led him down the research rabbit hole many aspiring designers fall into, and how resources like the long-running Ludology podcast have evolved over the years. Because it is Steven’s specialty, the episode covers a lot about trick-taking games, including designing for “bad hands,” the genre’s popularity in the Midwest, and making it more accessible to non-trick-takers. They also talk about how playtest feedback can shift your perspective on terminology, mechanics, and rule clarity, common phobias in games, matching art aesthetics to theme, and how players can rely on familiar stories (like The Three Little Pigs) when learning new games. Listen Now! (mp3) Featuring: Steven Ungaro – Guest Danielle Reynolds – Host

Know Direction Beyond 105: Starfinder Society’s Jessica Catalan

Paizo’s Starfinder Society Developer Jessica Catalan updates Alex and James on the past, present, and future of SFS. Recorded live on Twitch. Listen Now! (mp3)

Intrepid Heroes 179 – The Killer (Murder in Metal City Session 13)

At last our heroes find the Professor’s killer! But wait, he was trying to save the universe? Clearly there is more to the story. Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams (Dreams) John Godek – Xabi Fraglorious Rue Dickey – Whose Boughs Are Lit Within (Boughs) Tim Nightengale – Dexter Rayne Starfinder 2nd Edition Actual Play Podcast Listen Now!(mp3) Watch Now!(mp4)