The Game Design Round Table (TGDRT) podcast. Meaningful conversations about game design. Hosted by @dknemeyer & @DavidVHeron with @chicalashaw.
Joined November 2013
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- Following 92
- Followers 1,740
- Likes 242
124 Photos and videos
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3 Sep 2019
Join our community!
Discord (highly recommended): discord.gg/bx74ukp
Reddit: reddit.com/r/TGDRT/
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/TGDRT/
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Apr 23
What happens when a top designer slows down to go deeper? π²π§
Dirk & David talk with Cole Wehrle about:
ποΈ Leaving Leder Games to start Buried Giant Studios
π’ Why making βfewer games more slowlyβ matters
π» How digital playtesting is changing design
#GameDesign #BoardGames
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How is AI changing game design? π€π²
Dirk & David talk with Raven Zachary about:
π Nevaros, a browser-based exploration game
π§ Using AI as a design partner
π Iteration as the key to learning
βοΈ Building without being a programmer
#GameDesign #AI #IndieDev
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Mar 26
What makes a great social word game? π§©β¨
Dirk & David talk with Rohit Crasta about:
π° Designing Crossplay
π± Moving beyond microtransactions
π§ Native apps vs game engines
π© The impact of Wordle-style sharing
A thoughtful look at design in the NYTβs daily ritual ecosystem.
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Feb 25
How do you innovate within a civ-style framework? πΊοΈπ²
Dirk & David sit down with Reed Erlandson, designer of Rogue Hex, to explore:
π· Hex-based systems & emergent gameplay
βοΈ Balancing complexity with accessibility
π§ Designing meaningful player choices
#GameDesign
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Feb 10
What makes a bluffing game work? ππ²
Dirk & David sit down with Rikki Tahta (Coup) to talk:
π Hidden information & tension
βοΈ Technical design challenges
π₯ Designing for large groups
β±οΈ Pacing, engagement & elimination
#GameDesign #Tabletop #BoardGames
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Jan 28
A community-driven RPG discussion π²
Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron dive into a conversation sparked by a Discord comment β exploring the role of cards in combat mechanics and Davidβs connection to D&D.
Thoughtful insights rooted in player experience.
#RPGPodcast #GameDesign
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Jan 20
Rob Daviau returns to talk RPGs π²
Dirk, David, and Rob dig into:
π§ Practical realities of RPGs & GMing
π¦ Challenges from tariffs
πͺ The impact of less face-to-face play
A meaningful conversation that opens up deeper ideas around RPGs and the GM experience.
#RPGPodcast #TTRPG
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A behind-the-scenes conversation ποΈ
Ellie Dix (@EllieDixTweets ) joins Dirk Knemeyer to reflect on the series, its core themes, and how production thinking shapes game design and creative work.
Plus a look at whatβs coming next.
#GameDesign #Tabletop
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9 Dec 2025
What makes D&D work at its core?
David talks with Mike Mearls, one of the key figures behind 5E, about:
πΆ What makes D&D & MTG compelling
π οΈ First steps into TTRPG design
π The good & bad of online discussion
βΏ Accessibility for all players
π Encouraging strong GMs
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2 Dec 2025
How do you handle rejection in game design? π²π¬
Ellie talks with designer Brett Gilbert about:
ποΈ Why some concepts get abandoned
π« Why designers & publishers walk away
πͺ Pitching resilience
π Reframing setbacks as growth
π§ Staying grounded in a competitive industry
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26 Nov 2025
In this new episode, Dirk & David sit down with legendary designer Keith Baker (@HellcowKeith ) to talk:
π The origins of Eberron
π How each edition carries its core forward
π₯ Influence on projects like Phoenix
π Player autonomy & narrative flexibility
#Podcast #GameDesign
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18 Nov 2025
What makes a successful convention experience in the tabletop world? π²βοΈ
In this new episode, Ellie talks with designer Marcus Ross about:
π§ How to get the most out of every trip
βοΈ Tools like Tabletop Simulator
π The joys & challenges of traveling for events
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12 Nov 2025
What does realistic success look like in the RPG space today? π²
Dirk & David reflect on the seasonβs highlights β from surprises and takeaways to the rise of solo RPG play.
A thoughtful wrap-up full of insight and perspective.
#RPGPodcast #GameDesign #TabletopRPG
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4 Nov 2025
How can digital tools level up your game design? π»π²
In this episode of BtC, Ellie Dix talks with designer & playtesting expert Chris Backe (@chrisbacke ) about:
𧩠Virtual playtesting platforms
πΉοΈ Mastering Tabletop Simulator
π Creating real player experiences online
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28 Oct 2025
In this new episode, Dirk Knemeyer & David Heron reflect on recent RPG podcast episodes ποΈπ
They dive deeper into:
β¨ Conceptual ideas about RPG design
π€ TribeNetβs powerful community and connection for Dirk
#RPGPodcast #GameDesign #TabletopRPG
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22 Oct 2025
How do you balance authenticity and strategy online? π¬
Ellie chats with Chrissy Fagerholt of EAP Toys & Games β designer of The Lunch Room and Go Big or Go Broke β about:
π― Being real on social media
π‘ Sharing wins and failures
π€ The power of women in game design
#RPGPodcast
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14 Oct 2025
How does a play-by-email RPG stay alive for decades? π²
Dirk & David talk with Jeff Perkins, creator of Tribe Net, about:
π Its evolution from Tribe Vibes
𧩠The art of hand moderation
π₯ Keeping a creative community thriving
π§ Listen now:
#RPGPodcast #GameDesign #TabletopRPG
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7 Oct 2025
In this new episode of BtC, Ellie Dix talks with Ross Connell about:
ποΈ The power of visuals in defining a gameβs identity
π What makes a game truly marketable
π‘ Creative tactics to boost engagement
A must-listen for designers looking to make their games stand out! π²β¨
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30 Sep 2025
What does it mean to write for RPGs? βοΈπ²
In this episode of RPG, Dirk Knemeyer & David Heron talk with MJ Newman (@natsunoyoru) about:
βοΈ Writing for big publishers vs small ones
π Adapting mechanics to capture atmosphere
π» What makes horror RPGs stand out
#RPG #GameDesign
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23 Sep 2025
What does it mean to build your brand as a game designer?
In this episode of BtC, Ellie Dix talks with Bez Shahriari (@stuffbybez) about:
π§ Defining your creative purpose
π― Designing with a specific audience in mind
π Letting your brand shape your games, events & community
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