Designer Notes
Why do we make games? Every designer has a different and very personal answer to that question. Soren Johnson, founder of Mohawk Games, sits down with noted designers to find out by examining their careers as a whole.
- Update frequency
- every 36 days
- Average duration
- 123 minutes
- Episodes
- 90
- Years Active
- 2014 - 2025
Designer Notes 70: Justin Ma
In this episode, Soren interviews independent game developer Justin Ma, co-founder of Subset Games and best known for his work on FTL and Into the Breach. They discuss how he bombed his first game in…
01:59:42 |
Sun 09 Oct 2022
Designer Notes 69: Chris Delay - Part 2
In this episode, Soren and Leyla interview independent game developer Chris DeLay, co-founder of Introversion Software and best known for his work on Uplink, Darwinia, Defcon, and Prison Architect. T…
01:53:31 |
Mon 15 Aug 2022
Designer Notes 68: Chris DeLay - Part 1
In this episode, Soren and Leyla interview independent game developer Chris DeLay, co-founder of Introversion Software and best known for his work on Uplink, Darwinia, Defcon, and Prison Architect. T…
02:53:20 |
Mon 27 Jun 2022
Designer Notes 67: Old World
In this episode, Tom Chick and Bruce Geryk interview Soren and Leyla Johnson about their new historical 4X, Old World. They discuss whether the Old World timeline really makes sense, how they approac…
02:08:49 |
Wed 18 May 2022
Designer Notes 66: Luca Redwood
In this episode, Soren interviews Luca Redwood, the developer of 10000000, You Must Build a Boat, and Photographs. They discuss why 10000000 has no commas, how he makes sure the player never gets unl…
01:30:09 |
Mon 28 Mar 2022
Designer Notes 65: Robin Hunicke - Part 2
In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game developer Robin Hunicke, co-founder of Funomena and best known for her work on MySims, Boom Blox, and Journey. They discuss why developers overperform t…
02:01:46 |
Sat 19 Feb 2022
Designer Notes 64: Robin Hunicke - Part 1
In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game developer Robin Hunicke, co-founder of Funomena and best known for her work on MySims, Boom Blox, and Journey. They discuss why HyperCard was so great, …
02:07:26 |
Thu 03 Feb 2022
Designer Notes 63: Josh Sawyer - Part 2
In this episode, Soren interviews veteran RPG designer Josh Sawyer, best known for his work on Icewind Dale, Fallout: New Vegas, and Pillars of Eternity. They discuss the purpose of grinding, the dif…
02:19:02 |
Mon 10 Jan 2022
Designer Notes 62: Josh Sawyer - Part 1
In this episode, Soren interviews veteran RPG designer Josh Sawyer, best known for his work on Icewind Dale, Fallout: New Vegas, and Pillars of Eternity. They discuss how making a website for a tatto…
01:54:16 |
Wed 08 Dec 2021
Designer Notes 61: Chet Faliszek
In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game developer Chet Faliszek, who co-founded Stray Bombay and is best known for his work at Valve on games such as Left 4 Dead and Portal 2. They discuss wha…
02:50:05 |
Sat 20 Nov 2021
Designer Notes 60: Andy Schatz - Part 2
In this episode, Soren interviews independent game developer Andy Schatz, who founded Pocketwatch Games and is best known for his work on Monaco and Tooth and Tail. This episode was recorded March 23…
01:45:55 |
Wed 20 Oct 2021
Designer Notes 59: Andy Schatz - Part 1
In this episode, Soren interviews independent game developer Andy Schatz, who founded Pocketwatch Games and is best known for his work on Monaco and Tooth and Tail. This episode was recorded March 23…
01:47:34 |
Thu 16 Sep 2021
Designer Notes 58: Rob Daviau - Part 2
In this episode, Soren interviews board game designer Rob Daviau, best known for his work on Risk: Legacy and Pandemic: Legacy. They discuss the criteria for a good Legacy game, how to put just a lit…
01:13:35 |
Thu 15 Jul 2021
Designer Notes 57: Rob Daviau - Part 1
In this episode, Soren interviews board game designer Rob Daviau, best known for his work on Risk: Legacy and Pandemic: Legacy. They discuss bluffing his way through his first game job interview, how…
01:25:31 |
Sun 25 Apr 2021
Designer Notes 56: David Dunham
In this episode, Soren interviews independent game designer David Dunham, best known for his work on the narrative strategy games King of Dragon Pass and Six Ages. They are joined by writer and desig…
01:54:44 |
Thu 25 Feb 2021
Designer Notes 55: Meg Jayanth
In this episode, Soren interviews independent game developer Meg Jayanth, the writer on 80 Days. They discuss how fan fiction is similar to modding, if 80 Days is a criticism of the Bioware companion…
03:03:42 |
Fri 21 Aug 2020
Designer Notes 54: Jon Ingold - Part 2
In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game developer Jon Ingold, who co-founded inkle and is best known for his work in interactive fiction, including All Roads, 80 Days, and the Sorcery! series.…
01:51:48 |
Mon 27 Jul 2020
Designer Notes 53: Jon Ingold - Part 1
In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game developer Jon Ingold, who co-founded inkle and is best known for his work in interactive fiction, including All Roads, 80 Days, and the Sorcery! series.…
01:28:44 |
Thu 18 Jun 2020
Designer Notes 52: Roger Keating
In this episode, Bruce Geryk interviews veteran game developer Roger Keating, co-founder of Strategic Studies Group (SSG). Roger is best known for his work on the Warlord series as well as many digit…
02:23:14 |
Tue 26 May 2020
Designer Notes 51: Michał Drozdowski and Przemysław Marszał
In this episode, Soren and Leyla Johnson interview Creative Director Michał Drozdowski and Art Director Przemysław Marszał of 11 Bit Studios, best known for their work on This War Of Mine and Frostpu…
02:26:11 |
Fri 14 Feb 2020
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