The Game Design Dojo Podcast
by Brian McRae and Ike Herman: Indie Game Developers, Designers, Podcasters
Brian and Ike explore game design, production, and publishing topics from an indie perspective with their combined 26+ professional years in the video game industry. Discover how you can start your own studio in today's fast changing digital download landscape by developing and publishing on mobile, consoles, and other platforms. Dive deep into the art of game design and explore how to best express your unique vision with your audience using everything from modern to retro design tools and tactics.
Episodes
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GDD 026 : Limitless Production
Get more done in less time for lone wolf developers, hobbyists, large teams, and everything in between. Listen now to Game Design Dojo Episode #026
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GDD 025 : Virtual Reality Deep Dive
In this expansive episode Brian and Ike discuss the dream, tech, design, best practices, and market strategies of virtual reality for game developers. Listen now to Game Design Dojo Episode #025
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GDD 024 : Design – Metroidvania #1
In this first Metroidvania discussion Brian and Ike define the popular gameplay style, discuss its history, cite game examples, and explore player motivations. Listen now to Game Design Dojo Episode #024
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GDD 023 : Production – Lean Startup Decoded
How to use the "Lean Startup" method for game development. A discussion and exploration of how and when to use it for your projects. Listen now to Game Design Dojo Episode #023
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GDD 022 : Design – Physics Gameplay
An exploration on using physics as the core mechanic as opposed to just a supporting simulation system. Listen now to Game Design Dojo Episode #022
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GDD 021 : Business – Monitizing Your Game
Brian and Ike dive deep into different ways to monitize your games, and how to tie your monitization strategy with your brand. Listen now to Game Design Dojo Episode #021
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GDD 020 : Puzzle Design
In this episode, Brian and Ike dive into puzzles and how to implement them in your game design. They compare games using puzzles as their main gameplay or as a feature thrown into the gameplay. They'll also discuss how they go about using puzzles in their own games. So, enjoy! Today's Developer...
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GDD 019 : How To Get Contract Work
Brian and Ike discuss the practicalities of how to get a company off the ground and rolling. If you're looking for work-for-hire, then this episode provides some useful ways to obtain client work and how to build up your business development. Today's Developer Diary Ike is back! He is fresh after...
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GDD 018 : Deep Thoughts About Death In Games
Brian and Ike talk about death in video games where the character dies or vehicle explodes at the end of the game loop. They discuss what death brings to a video game and why it may be important to include it your game. So, get ready for some great insight! Today's Developer Diary Brian is...
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GDD 017 : Audio and Soundtrack for Games – An Overview
We received an inquiry from a fan and it inspired us to discuss how to use music and sounds in video games. Brian and Ike tackle this topic with great detail using some of their personal experiences. So, enjoy! Today's Developer Diary Ike's watching movies and Brian talks about his experience at...
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GDD 016 : When is a Game Done?
We received a Facebook question from our friend Bradley Erickson asking us "How do you finish and ship the dang thing after months(or years) of iteration and work?" after we published the episode 'How to turn an idea into a game?'. So, we got together and recoded this episode to answer his...
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GDD 015 : What To Do With $10K?
There's a million ways you can spend $10,000 but what would be the best way to make sure you get the biggest bang for your buck? Brian and Ike discuss a few different scenarios on how they would handle a big chunk of money. Today's Developer Diary Ike launched his game Rhythm Friends on iOS and...
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GDD 014 : How To Turn an Idea Into A Game
The first step to designing a video game is transforming an idea into something that is playable in three key gameloops. Brian and Ike explain these loops and give examples. Today's Developer Diary Brian and Ike are baffled about Flappy Birds popularity and the simplicity of the game. Perhaps,...
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GDD 013 : PAX East And Kickstarter, Lessons Learned
Brian shares 15 tips from his experiences at PAX East 2104, the Indie Megabooth, and launching a Kickstarter campaign. Source is live and doing great on Kickstarter! So far it's 16% funded after about 6 days. The game received an awesome response at PAX and now just waiting and hoping to reach…
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GDD 012 : Two Ways You Can Get Funding For Your Game
Detailed strategies on how you can get publisher funding for your game or go the crowdfunding route. Complete with real world war stories from the trenches. Exciting NEWS!!! "Source" by Fenix Fire is live on Kickstarter! "Source" is not just another project to Brian, it is THE project. He gives...
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GDD 011 : Beginner’s Guide To Enemy AI
Crash course in how to set up AI for your game, complete with pro tips from our resident AI programming expert, Ike. GDC 2014 has come and gone, we give a little recap of our highlights of the conference. The most exciting part was after Brian's speech at the Unity Booth fans from this podcast…
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GDD 010 : Screenshots – Get The Attention Your Game Deserves
On this episode of Game Design Dojo, Brian and Ike discuss ways to capture the best screenshots for your marketing channels, and may also help guide your game's production. It's GDC (Game Developer's Conference) week and we recommend that anyone who has the opportunity to go should most…
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GDD 009 : How To Add Replay Value To Your Game
Replay value is one of the most import aspects of creating a compelling video game experience that keeps players coming back again and again. Brian and Ike explore three ways to pump up your game's replay value for ultimate publishing success. A great outlet for video game developers are local…
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GDD 008 : How To Make 2014 A Great Year For Game Developers
Happy 2014! It's a new year and times are changing fast in our video game industry. It's important to evaluate your skills and abilities in order to make smart, achievable goals to make your company a success. Packed with insights and examples this episode will help you get going in the the right...
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GDD 007 : Camera and Cinematography For Games
In this episode Brian and Ike discuss camera and cinematography with a focus on the various angles, styles, and uses in game design. How to choose a camera, iterate on it, and reference film cinematography are all covered in this jam packed episode. We got feedback! It's such a great feeling when...
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GDD 006 : Characters, Control, and Mechanics
In this episode of Game Design Dojo, we discuss how game characters and gameplay mechanics go hand in hand with level design and control schemes. How many controls do you give the player and why? Characters and control are the backbone of your game's interactive experience and we walk through...
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GDD 005 : Getting Started With Procedural Level Design
This episode is an exploration on how to approach creating a procedural level design system for a variety of game styles, and what to look for when it's up and running. Getting Started With Procedural Level Design Procedural Level Design is basically the design of the game and making it fun while...
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GDD 004 : The Power of Focus Testing
Brian walks through a recent focus test, his take aways, and how to process the information and feedback he receives. The Power of Focus Testing Focus testing is a great tool for video game designers. Once you have a core loop (start a level, progress, and die) you can gather feedback in order to...
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GDD 003 : Forming an Indie Video Game Studio
Forming an Indie Game Studio is a BIG decision and often times a scary one. This podcast episode focuses on key points to consider when forming an Indie Video Game Studio and how to gather the best team possible in order to achieve your company's vision. We share what we look for and how our...
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GDD 002 : Self Publishing vs Mobile Publisher Part 2
Brian and Ike continue to discuss Self Publishing including areas of marketing, user acquisition, and funding. Self Publishing vs. Mobile Publisher Part 2 In today's video game market, marketing is essential for your video game's survival and become successful. The debate continues - should you...
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GDD 001 : Show Introduction and Self Publishing vs Mobile Publisher Part 1
Meet hosts Brian and Ike as they introduce themselves, the Game Design Dojo, and dive right into whether or not to self publish a mobile title. The Game Design Dojo In game design one never truly masters, but is constantly practicing. Much like in martial arts where one never really achieves full...
About this show
Brian and Ike explore game design, production, and publishing topics from an indie perspective with their combined 26+ professional years in the video game industry. Discover how you can start your own studio in today's fast changing digital download landscape by developing and publishing on mobile, consoles, and other platforms. Dive deep into the art of game design and explore how to best express your unique vision with your audience using everything from modern to retro design tools and tactics.
Hosted by
Brian McRae and Ike Herman: Indie Game Developers, Designers, Podcasters