In this episode, Jordan Weisman and Jonathan Grant talk with renowned game designer Justin Gary, discussing his journey from winning Magic: The Gathering championships to creating successful games like Ascension and SolForge Fusion. They explore the evolution of game design, the importance of creativity, the challenges of crowdfunding, and the impact of AI on the industry. Justin shares insights on navigating risks, the creative process, and the significance of building a community around game development.

Check out the new SolForge Fusion expansion mentioned in this episode, Shadows over Solace:
https://gamefound.com/projects/stoneblade/shadows-over-solis?refcode=hrtpe5I8bkOYWNsguSijmA

00:00 Jordan Weisman and Jonathan Grant welcome Justin Gary
03:39 Justin's Journey in Game Design
06:36 Innovations in Game Mechanics
09:26 Working with Legends: Richard Garfield
12:31 The Core Design Loop
15:30 Common Mistakes in Game Design
17:17 Setting Boundaries for Success
20:22 The Ego Paradox in Creation
24:15 Understanding Fear and Risk
28:07 The Innovator's Dilemma
34:56 Magic: The Gathering's Impact on Game Design
43:09 Finding Joy in Leadership
45:57 Trusting Your Team for Success
54:02 The Evolution of Crowdfunding in Game Development

Follow Justin:
https://x.com/Justin_Gary

Check out Justin's podcast, writings, and book here:
https://justingarydesign.substack.com/

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-thought-it-would-be-easy