Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 10 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

Think Like A Game Designer

Claim This Podcast

by Justin Gary

4.9(183 reviews)

115 episodes

Updated Daily

Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸

Podcast Authority

Beta

GoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more

Quality85

Social0

YouTube0

Engagement99

Learn more

Podcast Overview

In Think Like a Game Designer, award-winning designer and Stone Blade Entertainment CEO Justin Gary speaks with world-class game designers and creative experts from various industries. Each episode deconstructs the creative process, offering insights into the art of game design and the broader cultural, technological, and business influences shaping a myriad of creative mediums. Join us for actionable advice and unique perspectives that will enrich your understanding of what it means to be creative in and out of the gaming world. <a href="https://justingarydesign.substack.com/s/think-like-a-game-designer-podcast?utm_medium=podcast">justingarydesign.substack.com</a>

Language

🇺🇲

Publishing Since

1/22/2019

View on Apple Podcasts RSS Feed

🇺🇸 Charts #3

Outreach generated

Apple 142

Spotify 827

Instant mention tracking

Perfect fit!

Unlock The Full Podcast Authority Score Report

See how your podcast performs across key metrics

Podcast Authority

Beta

GoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more

Quality85

Social0

YouTube0

Engagement99

Learn more

Excellent Areas

Good Performance

Growth Opportunities

excellent

Episode Length

1h 18m

Performing excellently!

good

Listener Reviews

177 reviews (4.9/5.0)

Recommendations available

Unlock the full report to see detailed tips

needs improvement

Publishing Consistency

Every 24 days

Recommendations available

Unlock the full report to see detailed tips

+16 More Metrics

Unlock comprehensive insights including:

• YouTube presence analysis
• Social media reach metrics
• RSS compliance scoring
• Podcast 2.0 features
• Technical standards

What's Included in Your Full Report

Detailed Analytics

Complete breakdown of all 19 authority metrics
Personalized recommendations for each metric
Industry benchmarks and comparisons
Technical RSS feed analysis and compliance scoring

Growth Strategies

Step-by-step action plans for improvement
Quick wins to boost your score immediately
Pro tips from successful podcasters

Get your free podcast insights report

See how your show performs across every key metric

Instant delivery

No spam

Attract Better Guests

High authority scores make your podcast more attractive to industry leaders and influencers who want to appear on credible shows.

Secure Sponsorships

Sponsors look for podcasts with proven authority and engagement. Your score demonstrates your podcast's value to potential partners.

Grow Your Audience

Understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you make data-driven decisions to expand your listener base effectively.

1 verified contact email on file for Think Like A Game Designer

Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.

See contact details

Recent Episodes

May 21, 2026

Nate Heiss — Removing Ego from Design, The Magic of Roguelikes, and Building Across Digital and Tabletop (#104)

Host Justin Gary interviews game design veteran Nate Heiss about removing ego, the magic of roguelikes, and building across digital and tabletop experiences.

May 7, 2026

Mark Rosewater — Designing for Emotion, Embracing Complexity, and 28 Years of Iteration (#103)

About MarkMark Rosewater is the Head Designer for Magic: The Gathering and one of the most influential voices in modern game design. With decades of experience shaping one of the most successful and enduring games in the world, Mark has led the design of countless sets and pioneered many of the systems that define Magic today. Known for his deep understanding of player psychology and his ability to translate complex ideas into elegant design, Mark has spent his career exploring what makes games resonate on an emotional level. In this episode, he shares hard-earned lessons about creativity, audience connection, and why great design starts with how you want players to feel.* Check out <a target="_blank" href="https://secretlair.wizards.com/eu/mood-swings">Mood Swings</a>, a new game by Mark Rosewater* <a target="_blank" href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/making-magic">Making Magic</a>* <a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/magic-the-gathering-drive-to-work-podcast/id580709168">Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast</a>* <a target="_blank" href="https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/">Mark Rosewater Tumblr</a>* <a target="_blank" href="https://bsky.app/profile/maro254.bsky.social">Mark Rosewater Bsky</a>Justin’s Ah-Ha! MomentsWhy You Should Fear Indifference More Than Criticism: Strong negative reactions mean people care about your game. Indifference means it didn’t land at all. The best games spark emotion, even when that emotion is mixed or uncomfortable.The Real Goal of Game Design Is Emotional Impact: Mechanics are only a means to an end. What players remember is how the game made them feel: tension, excitement, surprise, or triumph. The most effective designs start with the emotional experience and use mechanics to deliver it.Why Complexity Can Be a Strength When Used Correctly: Magic: The Gathering continues to grow as a game because of its depth and the space it offers for expansion. Yet the secret to a complex game is that it still needs enough clarity for new players to enter. When creating a game with complexity, the goal is to preserve what makes your game compelling while making it accessible.Show Notes“Good design is all about making wrong choices.” (00:11:17)Becoming a great designer requires exploring, testing, and discovering what doesn’t work. Every wrong choice teaches you something. The faster you’re willing to be decisive and commit to your ideas, the faster you get to something that actually works. Don’t hesitate—commit and learn from it.“The data is so essential.” (00:20:50)Mark explains how much of Magic’s success comes from constantly listening to players and analyzing behavior. There’s no shortage of data (playtests, player feedback, sales trends, format popularity) but the challenge is knowing what to do with it. He says that data is all about finding patterns and understanding what’s actually driving player behavior. Players will tell you what they like, but not always why. Part of the designer’s job is to interpret those signals and turn them into better decisions about what to build next.“The idea essentially is can we sell somebody a basic game that is expandable if they want it to be expandable, but not if they don’t.” (00:45:52)Here Mark is talking specifically about the structure of his new game. The goal is to create a complete experience out of the box, while still allowing for expansion over time. That’s a difficult balance. If the base game feels incomplete, casual players drop off. If expansions feel unnecessary, engaged players lose interest.“I’ve had 28 years of iterative loops.” (01:12:33)Mark has been revisiting Mood Swings for nearly three decades, refining and rethinking it over time. While this is an extreme version of iteration, it highlights a broader truth, which is that some ideas take years to fully realize. Sometimes the idea for a game will evolve alongside your skills and perspective. The lesson is to hold onto ideas that matter, keep testing them, and recognize that the right version may only emerge much later.“If you can make your audience see themselves in your game, you will be very successful.” (01:30:17)Mark and I discuss how the way a game ties to a player’s identity drives replayability. Systems like colors in Magic or classes and races in Dungeons & Dragons give players a way to express who they are through play. That sense of self-expression creates a deeper connection, turning the game into a space where players can explore different versions of themselves in a safe and meaningful way. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2">justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe</a>

April 23, 2026

Ross Thompson—Real-World Marketing, Influencer Strategy, and Building Community That Lasts (#102)

Ross Thompson is a marketing strategist focused on helping tabletop games and consumer brands grow through real-world connection. A veteran of the industry with over 15 years of experience in community building, events, and marketing, he most recently served as Director of Marketing at Atomic Mass Games, where he worked on titles like Star Wars: Legion, Marvel Crisis Protocol, and Star Wars: Shatterpoint. He now serves as Media and Events Director on the board at GAMA, focusing on strengthening the industry through better events and stronger connections between creators, retailers, and players. In this episode, Ross shares practical strategies for building real-world communities, working with influencers more effectively, and finding the right retail partners to support long-term growth.If you’ve ever had a game idea but didn’t know how to turn it into a real, playable design, my Design Labs program walks you through the entire process. With 60+ lessons, practical assignments, and a private Discord community, you’ll learn how to move from inspiration to prototype, playtesting, iteration, and publishing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2">justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe</a>

115 total episodes available with 54 transcripts

Recent guests on Think Like A Game Designer

Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.

Nate Heiss

Guest

Drew Corkill

Guest

Keith Baker

Guest

Monty Cook

Guest

Raph Koster

Guest

Richard Garfield

Guest

John Zinser

Guest

Elizabeth Hargrave

Guest

Eric Lang

Guest

Theresa Duringer

Guest

Jaimie Wolanski

Guest

Vlaada Chvátil

Guest

See every guest on Think Like A Game Designer

Similar Podcasts

Discover related shows you might enjoy

The Game Design Round Table

Dirk Knemeyer & David V. Heron

So Very Wrong About Games

Pickaxe

Fun Problems

AJ Brandon and Peter C. Hayward

Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast

Mark Rosewater

Using AI at Work

Chris Daigle

Gamecraft

Mitch Lasky / Blake Robbins

The Board Game Design Lab

Gabe Barrett

Shut Up & Sit Down

Board Game Barrage

The Tim Ferriss Show

Tim Ferriss: Bestselling Author, Human Guinea Pig

Board Game Hot Takes

The Dice Tower

Tom Vasel, Julie Ahern, and Eric Summerer

You Are Not So Smart

Invest Like the Best with Patrick O'Shaughnessy

Colossus | Investing & Business Podcasts

a16z Podcast

Andreessen Horowitz

Deep-dive analytics for Think Like A Game Designer

Frequently asked questions

Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

What is Think Like A Game Designer?: In Think Like a Game Designer, award-winning designer and Stone Blade Entertainment CEO Justin Gary speaks with world-class game designers and creative experts from various industries. Each episode deconstructs the creative process, offering insights into the art of game design and the broader cultural, technological, and business influences shaping a myriad of creative mediums. Join us for actionable advice and unique perspectives that will enrich your understanding of what it means to be creative in and out of the gaming world. <a href="https://justingarydesign.substack.com/s/think-like-a-game-designer-podcast?utm_medium=podcast">justingarydesign.substack.com</a>
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates daily.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 10 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

Legal Disclaimer

Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.

All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.

We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.

By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.