#83 The Three Pillars of Game Design

This is part of a series where we explore the game design blog written by Daniel Piechnick. Mathew Dunstan Discord Email Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

Grab Bag episode! We go through a bunch of smaller topics, including careers in board games. The Bits Podcast with Peter Discord Email Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

This is part of a series where we explore the game design blog https://daniel.games/ written by Daniel Piechnick.   Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: [email protected] Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

Grab Bag episode! We go through a bunch of smaller topics, including development and how to make your game less fragile. Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: [email protected] Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

Peter has a new model that breaks down ALL OF BOARD GAME DESIGN! NOTE: Peter consistently uses "ergonomics" wrong in this episode! Ergonomics is the *reduction* of work; when he says he 'reduces ergonomics' that should be increases ergonomics (or reduces work). Sorry! Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: [email protected] Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

Exactly 10 years ago AJ sent a message asking questions about the design of Exploding Kittens. Today he finally gets some answers from the LEGENDARY Elan Lee! Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: [email protected] AJ's favourite artist: https://www.instagram.com/nicolettabaldari/ Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

Board game contracts with special guest Zachary Strebeck! We talk through EVERYTHING board game contracts, including specific percentage numbers, what to avoid, what to look for. Everything, guys. It's EVERYTHING. You can find Zack here: https://legalmoveslawfirm.com/ Peter's checklist: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X... Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: [email protected] Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

Ever wonder how much a full time board game designer makes? Today we deep dive into the money Peter has made from board game design over the years in total, in 2025 specifically, and broken down by how much money each board game made. Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: [email protected] Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

Elan Lee explains what Exploding Kittens is looking for, and go through many examples of published games that would be a great fit. Tune in to see if you have a game Exploding Kittens is looking to publish! Visit https://www.explodingkittens.com/page... to submit your game ideas to the company! Fun Problems discord  Email: [email protected] Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

Hosts Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon discuss how to give useful game-design feedback by matching your advice to the designer’s experience. They cover empathy, asking what feedback is wanted, sandwiching critiques, and focusing on tools and experience to help designers improve. Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: [email protected] Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!