In episode 115 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with game designer and co-founder of Lost Boy Entertainment, Cameron Ring, covering everything from the value of short form video and social media marketing in the tabletop industry, to the importance of making games you find fun.

Danielle and Cameron talk about Lost Boy Entertainment's roots as a family business, leaning into the inspiration of classic game mechanics to develop something new, having fun with wacky game themes (Piles! makes laundry fun!), teaching playtesters gaming vocabulary, and bribing your friends and family with food and drinks to test your games.

Featuring:

Cameron Ring - Guest

Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 114 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Ace Ellett, half of Bluefish Games - the company he and his wife Anna founded as a result of their love for escape rooms and puzzles.

Danielle and Ace talk about what went into the fictional world of Hincksville and the character Bluefish created as a mechanism to drive their puzzle/mystery series. They discuss how to playtest escape room games, the art of hiding clues in plain sight, the importance of including a balance of different puzzles to keep everyone playing entertained, how to choose materials wisely (and cost effectively), and what makes the perfect “at-home puzzle experience”.

The Case of the Curiously Correct Blueprints is an audiobook mystery, so they also talk about the different challenges to consider that were different when compared to designing a “standard” escape puzzle - although, there are no rules when it comes to escape rooms!

Featuring:

Ace Ellett - Guest

Danielle Reynolds - Host