Just listened to the slay the spire episode and I am impressed at how bad of interviewers these hosts are. They clearly want to seem smarter than the guest at all costs and it’s awful to listen to

I recently discovered Game Design Round Table and have been consistently impressed by the wealth of knowledge and insights share in each episode. No matter the topic - you’re guaranteed to learn something new every time you tune in. Go ahead and give it a “follow,” this podcast will quickly become a favorite in your feed!

Probably not as interesting if you’re not a designer, but I am and it’s always something worthwhile. They have a wide range of guests, and the combination of tabletop and digital expertise works nicely.

GDRT has been providing thoughtful and relevant conversations with designers and game creators for years, and offers a progressive and thorough look into game design across the entire gamut of disciplines.

In the early episodes, the show had a slow start, but at some point in time, I found myself not being able to stop listening. Dirk and David have been a permanent part of my morning and evening commutes for work for quite a while now. I am only on episode 117, but I’ve learned so much about what it means to be a professional game designer, and what it takes to succeed in the industry. Even more with tips and tricks of the trade. Then their guest list has been amazing with their own stories and advice. I find the show a must, no matter what kind of games you design; as the cast has proven time and time again, inspiration can be pulled from anywhere.

I have enjoyed this show from the beginning. For those who want a good set of rules/ideas/axioms for designing both tabletop and digital games this is the place. The hosts and guest hosts have a whole lot of real world game design experience. For those with a real interest in actually designing a playable and sellable game. Not really a game reviewing site.

This is a podcast worth your time. The hosts and guests are all quite knowledgeable about game design and are a pleasure to listen to. Frequently topics are brought up which I had not thought about before and, after listening, leave me more skilled as an aspiring game designer.

I've been listening to this show for years. Dirk has done a great job of including co-hosts with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Some of the best episodes are when Dirk, David and Rob answer questions. Game designers can learn a lot from the experience and thoughtful insights of the hosts. This podcast is unique in that you get content related to both board game design and digital game design. I find it engaging either way.

A wealth of amazing interviews and communal knowledge. This podcast has been very helpful as a game designer aspiring to go professional. With a large backlog and great quality, it’s worth looking into all the older episodes. There are some gems. Keep up the great work! -Lamestar Games

A must for anyone interested not only in how games are made but in the ins and outs of game mechanics. The hosts ask great questions and keep the dialogues with their guests lively and moving.

I wish you would go back to the longer format though. It felt like a conversation then. Now it feels rushed. Totally different vibe. In fact, I used to never miss an episode. Now I'm not 100% on listening to every one. Don't get me wrong, the podcast is still one of the best in the genre, but it really is a different podcast now. Before I'd give it a 10/10 and now it's sitting at a solid 7.5/10. Bring back the longer format 2018! If that means less frequent episodes, so be it! Love you guys. Keep up the great work.

I really enjoy listening to the podcast. In a short time, I have come to feel like I know and like the hosts. It's always an enjoyable listen and they have particularly insightful view into game design, especially in the Q&A episodes. I particularly like the polite atmosphere. I think it helps to communicate the care they bring to their craft.

A well balanced mix for both new and old game designers. Touches on all the different forms of gaming out there today, board, card, RPG computer, you name it. If you want to hear interviews with the movers and shakers in game design THIS IS IT!

Just listened to the episode with Kathryn Hymes and I thought it was fantastic. Thoughtful discussion and reallly interesting points of view. Subscribed.

The Game Design Roundtable is an expertly produced, invaluable resource for game designers or game players. The hosts bring such engaging, intellectual, rigorous, and pleasurable content to the community. The diversity of the guests is amazing. I have meant forever to take the time to submit a review, but listen through a different app so it took a few extra steps. This podcast is a true testament to the genius of the internet and the new age of content. Thanks so much guys.

Thank you to Dirk, David, and Rob for providing such good information for new game designers. It's not always easy to hear--a lot of illusions get shattered in the listener mail responses--but it's better to learn from the voice of experience than to make avoidable mistakes.

This show is absolutely fantastic for anybody interested in getting into board game design. Dirk, David and Rob are great, and the podcast is very well done. There is very little intro fluff, and basically zero static-- two things I despise. Keep it up guys!

I am a semi-retired boardgamer who spends many hours painting my minis. So I have lots of time to listen to podcasts. I started listening to TGDRT from episode one, and am now up to episode 70, sometime in 2014. It has been fascinating listening to all the discussion, although as a boardgamers the ears sometimes gloss over when the discussion is computer games, with one hughe exception: I LOVE hearing all the updates to At the Gates. Wonderful content whether you're a designer, player, or a minis painter who listens to tons of gaming (and other) podcasts. Thank you all so much!

Engineer here - hoped in on episode 141 and really enjoyed it. Very thoughtful dialogue - guests offered fantastic perspective

Thanks go to these guys for jumping right to the point in every episode and talking about game design in a smart, understated way. I can never shake the feeling, though, that the show is really meant to be a marketing vehicle for their own designs.

Listening to the entire series for a second time. Can't thank you enough Dirk, David, Rob, and Jon (wish you'd come back for an update on At the Gates)!

I really like your podcast. It’s very informative and i learn a little more in both the table top and video game development.

I'm just dipping my toes in the water of tabletop and digital game design, and this podcast is so inspiring! I've been through 50 episodes now, and I'm sure I'll re-listen and get more out of them once I've had a little more experience actually designing games. The guest episodes are great, but I actually enjoy the John/Dirk/David episodes with specific themes the best. Great job guys, keep it up!

I love this podcast. As a tabletop gamer and beginning designer the hosts pose questions and get into conversations I am asking myself. They make me think of design and games in new ways that get me excited to design my own stuff. My only criticisms is I wish there was a disclaimer on if the episode was going to be tabletop or digital heavy. I'm not into the digital stuff so I wouldn't mind skipping those episodes. However even when I do listen to those Dirk always finds a way to ask or answer a question bringing it back to general design theory.

There are many great topics covered in older episodes and I really like cherry picking episodes to listen to. Not every episode grabs me, but most do.

Before I started listening to this series, I had never thought so deeply into the inner workings of interactive entertainment. With a solid understanding of theme and mechanics, I feel far more confident about working on my own projects. Thank you Dirk, Jon, and many others who took part in the podcast. I look forward to hearing more from you guys.

I’ve made a run at designing games halfheartedly a few times before, but recently trying to get really focused on a project. Trying to get serious about it, and I found this podcast. I’ve been binge-listening since I found it, and its been really great to keep me passionate with great advice to get better.

I worked at the senior level in a very large game company with a broad understanding of the market and a deep understanding of game development; yet I find myself learning considerably from the collaborative discussions, insightful guest interviews, and excellent topics to the point where I have encouraged others to listen in as well. This is now my top podcast on my list. Bravo gentlemen.

Been listening to this podcast for several months and find it both entertaining and educational. Thanks guys for a quality podcast, very much appreciated! Keep up the good work, please!!!

I stumbled across this podcast in search of some interviews with independent game makers. I enjoy the casual talk between the hosts as well as the guests. I have all intentions of listening through their entire library of past episodes. Great show. Good audio quality.

One of my favorite podcasts. Even if you only like playing games it's great to hear about the details of what makes a game tick. I've also become more appreciative of board games and have started playing more because I heard about them from here.

As an aspiring game designer this podcast has really caught me up to speed with different elements of the industry. I feel much more confident now in my own designs and how to approach moving forward. I would highly recommend this podcast to anyone even just interested in board gaming. Very interesting topics and wonderful discussion.

I'm a hobby game designer and I've been listening for well over a year now. I find your conversations engaging and interesting as well as informative. It's great to get the table top perspective as well the digital. It's helped me to come up to speed on concepts and both good and bad designs. Congrats on the milestone. Keep up the great work!

Not an aspiring designer here, just a fan of games, but this podcast always gets me thinking about the game I'd like to create someday and why exactly I like (or dislike) the game I've played recently. Good chemistry with the hosts and guests. Thanks!

Invaluable insights to aspiring A and AA tabletop and digital games. The discussions feature fascinating theme, scope and pace.

I really enjoy this every week!

Simply amazing. Every game designer should listen to this.

I've been listening for about a month now, and I always find the conversations engaging, breezy but packed with insight. It's definitely helped to keep me focused and on-track in my own work. I especially love to listen while cutting out cards.

The show is always informative and entertaining. I really enjoy the interviews and behind the scenes dev talk about various projects/industry experiences. I'm interested in digital game development as a hobby and find advice and insight from the show helps with the smaller scale projects I work on in my spare time. Keep up the good work!

This is, by far, the best game design podcast I've heard. It spans both video and tabletop gaming w/o rabbit trailing into off topic discussions. Kudos to the hosts.

I absolutely love this podcast. I have been burning through the back episodes over the past few months. It is a great way to learn through osmosis considerations of game design. And the fact that they cover both digital and physical games helps ensure the theory and ideas remain honest to game design in general, and not rooted in any specific form or genre. If you have any interest in game design then I cannot recommend this high enough.

I was super sad to see Jon step back from the table, but I understand the level of dedication it takes to get an awesome product on the shelves. Please keep this podcast alive and kicking. It has been a very insightful show and I’ve enjoyed listening to your discussions on a weekly basis. It’s the one podcast I listen to and am always sad to hear when the discussion comes to an end. The only thing negative I have to say is that every once in a great while the F bomb gets dropped and while this is acceptable in any regular conversation I’m having–so I understand when it slips into a conversation you’re having–I often listen to the program at work and it makes me cringe when I hear it. My son is 8 and he often listens with me in the car. It’s definitely not a deal breaker, but it is my only complaint. Keep producing the goods. If nothing else it’s gotten me interested in Edison Vs. Tesla :) Thanks so much guys for all the work you put into the show. Gary Boyd Tidal Games, LLC

I've been listening to the podcast for the last 20 episodes or so and I think it has something to offer both aspiring and experienced game designers. The hosts sometimes have strong opinions about particular game mechanics or games, and don't fawn over their guests, which is refreshing. Sadly, Jon has just left to focus on his game At The Gates, but don't let that deter you from listening - Dirk and his guests will I'm sure keep the quality level high.

Its nice to hear a Dev facing podcast where I can take things away, disagree, and or just listen too. Conversations are smart and well balanced.

Found this a few days ago and have been listening back since. At about 5 in I’m loving the conversations and the depth they reach. As a want to be game maker/designer I’m loving it. Keep up the great work.

I really enjoy listening to Dirk and Jon. I grew up loving the Civilization franchise and was delighted to find that Jon is was the designer on that game. Hearning about the problems with the end game that all 4X games seem to have and how Jon is working on a possible solution, with his game At The Gates, is really exciting. I also love that Dirk designs board games, ( have Eclipse and Space Cadets) now I want Edison Vs Telsa and Tomorrow as well.

At this a little dry but always incredibly sincere, thoughtful, and insightful. Jon and Dirk ask the questions we all want to about game design and mechanics--and proceed to look at every angle. No bro ness, which is also great. More guests please!

While this podcast has not been around for very long, I can see it going on for years and years. Jon and Dirk have engaging conversations with each other and their guests also the different viewpoints on game design are what give this show its crunchy goodness. I have learned so much from each of them, which in turn I can apply to my computer and table-top game designs. I look forward to each and every episode because I know it will get my creative juices flowing and satisfy my hunger to learn. If you are a computer or a table-top game designer, you owe it to yourself to listen to this show.

This is quickly becoming my favorite game development podcast. As a late comer to this industry (co founded my first game company at 35) the experience and wisdom is so helpful! Both sobering and inspiring.

For an amateur designer & gamer like myself, this show has been a great resource for exposing myself to games I might not have come across yet. They also do a lovely job of discussing mechanics in ways I wouldn't have considered that have definitely made me think and spurred some creative juices.