The monthly game design podcast you haven't been waiting for

Introductions to Niche Genres

We're back with a very special episode, as co-host Ryan Anderson walks us through their design methodology for the combat in Wintermoor Tactics Club.  We break down how Ryan intentionally approached Wintermoor so that it would introduce new players to turn-based strategy games, and we use those same lessons to analyze how Fall Guys, One Night Werewolf, and Good Sudoku function as introductions to their own genres.

Wintermoor Tactics Club is out now on PC, Switch, PS4, and Xbox One.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions for future topics? Contact us on Twitter or email mailbox@pgipodcast.com. And if you liked the show, please review us on Apple Podcasts or share this episode with a friend!

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Header image from Wintermoor Tactics Club by EVC Games

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roleplay

Roleplay - Priming Proactive Players

Jon and Kyle sit down to discuss player proactivity in tabletop roleplaying. What is the difference between proactive and reactive play? Why is proactivity important for collaborative storytelling? And how do you create a space where your players feel comfortable and encouraged to be proactive? We answer all these questions and more in this jumbo-sized Roleplay extravaganza.

Questions? Comments? Have your own opening rituals to get your players in the roleplaying mood? Contact us on Twitter or email mailbox@pgipodcast.com. And if you liked the show, please review us on Apple Podcasts or share this episode with a friend!

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Header image from Wizards of the Coast

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quickplay

Quickplay - Death Stranding & Animal Crossing

The gang breaks into Death Stranding and Animal Crossing, two games that are perhaps more similar than they first appear.  We discuss how adding friction to mechanics can make the player feel more present in the game world and debate whether there is such a thing as a wrong way to play a game.

Questions? Comments? Thoughts on other franchises that have more in common than people expect? Contact us on Twitter or email mailbox@pgipodcast.com. And if you liked the show, please review us on Apple Podcasts or share this episode with a friend!

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Header image from Animal Crossing New Horizons by Nintendo. Screenshot and custom designs by Keiya (cheeseism.com)

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quickplay

Quickplay - Doom Eternal

The gang digs into the audacious design of Doom Eternal, which manages to be too similar to its predecessor for new players to learn, yet is also too different for some existing fans to enjoy. You can punch the ribs out of a giant brain with a gun bolted on top, though, so Jon and Rob love it anyway.

Questions? Comments? Other examples of sequels that diverged from their predecessors? Contact us on Twitter or email mailbox@pgipodcast.com. And if you liked the show, please review us on Apple Podcasts or share this episode with a friend!

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Header image from Doom Eternal by id Software

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quickplay

Quickplay - Clash Royale

After taking a few months off, we're back ready to discuss the latest and greatest in digital games... by talking about a five-year-old mobile game. Rob's been grooving on Clash Royale's clan battles, and the gang discusses how these types of alternate game modes can expand a game's audience by providing multiple modes of play that appeal to different players.

Questions? Comments? Enjoying some classic games yourselves? Contact us on Twitter or email mailbox@pgipodcast.com. And if you liked the show, please review us on Apple Podcasts or share this episode with a friend!

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Header image from Clash Royale by Supercell

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