In episode 127 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication, we chat with game designer, publisher, and trauma psychotherapist Galen McCown about how getting involved with the Syracuse game design community helped him grow as both a creator and collaborator. We also discuss his love for solo and two-player games, his fascination with post-apocalyptic themes, and how compact “mint tin” games make great travel companions. Galen dives into his process of collaborating with artists to bring worlds to life, drawing inspiration from 90s arcade classics, and incorporating catch-up mechanics to keep players engaged. The episode also highlights how games can serve as powerful tools for therapy and learning, the value of niche historical themes, the challenges and rewards of both pitching and publishing, how game design contests can motivate completion, and how documenting his Kickstarter journey through a blog provided transparency and insight for others in the community. Featuring: Galen McCown - Guest Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 126 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with John D. Clair about his journey from gamifying mazes to becoming a full-time tabletop designer. He shares how setting clear goals, focusing only on games he is excited about, and reworking mechanics from games that inspire him shaped his design approach. John shares how he reimagines mechanics from games he loves, making luck-based designs more dynamic by eliminating “nothing” turns, working with publishers—specifically creative control—rulebook FAQs, data from digital platforms like Board Game Arena, designer inspiration cycles, second editions, and the definition of a true 2v2 game. Featuring:  John D. Clair - Guest Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 125 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with Roberto Panetta, designer of Gems of Iridescia and founder of Rock, Stone & Dice Games. Roberto shares how his background in toy and game retail gave him the marketing and sales experience to start his own publishing company. He opens up about reigniting his creativity after feeling uninspired, collaborating with family to build the story and theme behind his first game, and learning the power of feedback from fellow designers. We also discuss common misconceptions about “pretty” games, the pros and cons of bringing your design to digital platforms, and why clear rulebooks matter. Roberto also talks about his experience with how welcoming and supportive the tabletop design community is, and his convention recommendations for new designers entering the space including UNPUB, Protospiel, and smaller playtest-focused conventions. Featuring:  Roberto Panetta - Guest Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 124 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with game designer Serena Fadlun about creating games that increase human happiness and how she literally dreamed her career into existence when a vision of her future son inspired her to start designing. Serena shares how she blended her work experience (from translating top-secret movie scripts to a career in psychology and mental health) into her game theme and mechanics, continuing to apply her knowledge of statistical analysis and short term research methods into playtesting. They also discuss her decision to release a free print-and-play game that collected optional donations to support future research, a shared fear of public speaking, insights from Yale’s Science of Wellbeing course, and how interacting with social media can be challenging but rewarding in the tabletop world. Featuring:  Serena Fadlun - Guest Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 123 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with game designer Mitch Wallace about how a wide range of hobbies and a YouTube rabbit hole led him into game design. He shares how his curiosity sparked idea after idea, and how the original concept for Art Society evolved through rounds of feedback to find a balance that’s not too much or too little, but justtttt right. We explore the power of the two-sentence “elevator” pitch when approaching publishers, the importance of aligning game mechanics with theme, and how playing a wide variety of games can elevate your design skills. Mitch also talks about learning to reset, rethink, and refine your ideas, being open to feedback, and staying confident in finding the right publishing fit. We also touch on using inserts as part of the gameplay (not only to organize), multipurpose components, the suspense of waiting for your game as publishers get it to influencers and reviewers first, the joy of a convention launch, and the challenge of coming up with tiebreakers. Featuring: Mitch Wallace - Guest Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 122 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication, we talk with owner of MaKa Games and designer of License to Krill, Matthew Kambic, about how a pun inspired his debut game — and how he brought it to life with a custom plushie component. Matthew shares how his engineering background, early love of games, and deep dive into research (contrary to popular belief, he’s not a marine biologist!) helped shape the project. We talk about the trials and tribulations of manufacturing, Kickstarter strategies, building crowdfunding communities through comments, and the importance of critical but constructive feedback from playtesters outside your inner circle. We also discuss the details of the surprisingly complex manufacturing process behind the plushie (including some unusual state-specific laws!), the importance of building strong vendor relationships, and the financial realities of quantity pricing and investment. Featuring: Matthew Kambic - Guest Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 121 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication, J. Evan Raitt shares how an infamously frustrating game first sparked his interest in design, which eventually led to a make-your-own-game elective in college and most recently to the creation of Shifting Stones. We talk about the theme being inspired by his fascination with traditional Mayan glyphs, how other types of designers or artists can fill creative gaps, the importance of player options in abstract games, clever touches like dual-sided reference cards, collaborating closely with fast-paced publishers, and how casual conversations can turn connections in the industry into real opportunities. Featuring: J. Evan Raitt - Guest Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 120 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Pete Petrusha of Imagining Games about adapting the Eisner award-winning Image comic series, CHEW, into a Forged in the Dark foodie crime drama TTRPG! They discuss several delicious topics including the concept of meeting needs and answering questions with your game designs (what’s something I can play in the hallway with my friends at PAX right now?), obtaining the rights to use ALL the art from the entirety of the comic, incorporating an IP into an RPG - in this case, adapting and building within a pre-existing RPG system to make unique mechanics for the theme - winning an ENNIE award, and more. So take a breather from our clucked up world for a second and listen to some fantastic food for thought! Featuring:  Pete Petrusha - Guest Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 119 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Ann Journey about what inspired her to create a game about going back in time to see the dinosaurs, rather than bringing them here to the modern day and age. (Because that never goes well!) They talk about revisiting and combining concepts and mechanics from previous game designs to make something new, the value of friendly local game stores and in-person playtesting groups, bringing a developer on board (more brains are better than one), gamer love for upgraded components, and the importance of great graphic design when it comes to multi-use components. They also take a look at how Crustaceous Rails ended up being a completely local production, the trials and tribulations of producing colored miniatures, and the team’s use of marketing to tackle hidden challenges that surfaced after launch - in this case creating a colorful game about dinosaurs that people started to assume was for kids at a first glance. Featuring:  Ann Journey - Guest Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 118 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Pat Marino, game developer and Director of Hobby Games for The Op about capturing the excitement of the Cuphead video game in a unique tabletop experience that resonated with existing fans and the board game community. They explore what it takes to work with licensed IPs including navigating the approval process, scouting at licensing expos, and creating contract terms and timelines. Pat also breaks down the importance of designing for different player types (completionists, story-driven players, challenge-seekers, etc.), and how offering multiple gameplay options can make a game more accessible and enjoyable for everyone at the table. Featuring:  Pat Marino - Guest Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 117 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with game designer Simon Weinberg about his journey from reviewing terrible games to realizing just how tough it is to make good ones. He shares lessons from navigating the publishing world like understanding a company’s catalog before pitching, being patient during the long evaluation process, and the importance of building friendly, professional relationships with publishers. They also discuss waking up from dreams of complete game ideas, defining your goal as a designer, how card and dice games are easiest to iterate (and recruit playtesters for), writing wacky designer diaries, bribing dragons, and that yes - game design is in fact, a real job! Featuring:  Simon Weinberg - Guest Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 116 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with game designer Leonie Grundler about what inspired her nature-themed tableau builder, Biome. They discuss how inspiration can come from the worst places - like being laid off from a tech startup and catching COVID - how binge-playing Wingspan sparked the idea for the game, and tough design questions like: Should games aim for perfect balance, or can a few spicy, overpowered cards keep things interesting? They also explore the practical side of choosing to self-publish, finding playtesters in your own backyard, launching Lioness Games, sourcing manufacturers, and being your game’s greatest advocate. Featuring: Leonie Grundler - Guest Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 115 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with game designer and co-founder of Lost Boy Entertainment, Cameron Ring, covering everything from the value of short form video and social media marketing in the tabletop industry, to the importance of making games you find fun. Danielle and Cameron talk about Lost Boy Entertainment’s roots as a family business, leaning into the inspiration of classic game mechanics to develop something new, having fun with wacky game themes (Piles! makes laundry fun!), teaching playtesters gaming vocabulary, and bribing your friends and family with food and drinks to test your games. Featuring:  Cameron Ring - Guest  Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 114 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Ace Ellett, half of Bluefish Games - the company he and his wife Anna founded as a result of their love for escape rooms and puzzles. Danielle and Ace talk about what went into the fictional world of Hincksville and the character Bluefish created as a mechanism to drive their puzzle/mystery series. They discuss how to playtest escape room games, the art of hiding clues in plain sight, the importance of including a balance of different puzzles to keep everyone playing entertained, how to choose materials wisely (and cost effectively), and what makes the perfect “at-home puzzle experience”. The Case of the Curiously Correct Blueprints is an audiobook mystery, so they also talk about the different challenges to consider that were different when compared to designing a “standard” escape puzzle - although, there are no rules when it comes to escape rooms! Featuring:  Ace Ellett - Guest  Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 113 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Nicole Amato about transitioning into tabletop design after starting out as a video game journalist, small local game jams leading to big opportunities and how people choosing to use your innovative game mechanic in their prototype is flattering! They also chat about the ”politics” of popular (and extinct) video game conventions and the industry crossover there as well as their hack of using magic recording pens to help take notes. Listen to the rise of the ”2-player renaissance” and the age-old publish vs. crowdfund conundrum on this episode! Featuring:  Nicole Amato - Guest  Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 112 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Bug Boll about their first published solo design in the RPG space, Sentai & Sensibility! A new, niche-themed adventure from 9th Level Games where the unique - but surprisingly similar - worlds of Super Sentai and Jane Austen collide! They talk about the process of writing an RPG, adapting an existing rule system for a new theme, the importance of choosing to be whatever color Power Ranger you want, consulting experts on topics you are not familiar with, and injecting your own interests into game design - RPGs are not always about dragons in space folks! And of course, Bug provides expert advice to new designers looking to create their own RPGs and stories. Featuring: Bug Boll - Guest Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 111 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with TAM about his game, Floristry, which is the first release by UP Games - a new publishing company in the tabletop space that he is a co-founder of! Danielle and TAM talk about how game design has always been a passion (growing up without easy access to games led to inventing games to share with family and friends), the rise of 2-player date/cafe games, important things to consider when incorporating an app into your game, and distributing games in other languages. Featuring: TAM - Guest Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 110 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication, your friendly neighborhood editor, Amanda Rivera, takes over as host once again as we recap the fifth season and catch up with Danielle! They talk about this season’s guests, their games, and reflect on some of the amazing advice they shared for new and aspiring game designers. Danielle talks about her upcoming games, the many prototypes she is working on, several exciting nominations, awards, and special guest appearances – oh my! Other interesting highlights from the season five recap: - Games as inclusive, accessible, approachable, and engaging experiences! - Where IS the best place to display an oversized convention special guest sign with your name on it? - Tabletop Gaymers 10 Year Anniversary! - Danielle’s new blog “Missing Pieces” for the Tabletop Game Designers Association. - And, a Greek mythology lesson from Danielle! Featuring:  Danielle Reynolds - Guest Amanda Rivera - Host

In episode 109 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Ian Clayman about collaborating with the game design team at Exploding Kittens - and an awesome surprise guest - to create a new game based on the longest running reality TV show, Survivor. Ian dives into his unique approach for working on this well-known IP, the Exploding Kittens game development process, and how he got his foot in the game industry door by networking and snagging an internship at Exploding Kittens.  Survey says, both show super fans and Exploding Kittens enthusiasts agree that Survivor: The Tribe Has Spoken feels like the real deal - minus the lack of navigating island obstacle courses, weathering storms, and battling bugs! Featuring:  Ian Clayman - Guest  Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 108 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication, we chat with Connie Vogelmann about her design Apiary. What started as her journey as a playtester for Stonemaier Games, quickly dominoed into an invitation to a designer day where she showcased Apiary and ultimately led to it being signed. Connie shares the lessons she learned along the way, including the tools she used for prototyping and how tweaking the theme to ”bees in space” helped refine the game’s mechanics. Connie and Danielle discuss other topics including the advantages of working with large publishers with access to blind playtest audiences, the importance of filtering playtester feedback, the impact of online feedback (including the good, the bad, and the memes), and the lessons she’s learned about rapid prototyping, efficiency, and keeping your sanity through the many iterations of game design.  And if you were wondering, yes, she actually did do beekeeping for a bit! Featuring:  Connie Vogelmann - Guest Danielle Reynolds - Host