Best Game Design Round Table Podcast Podcasts (2025)

1
The Only Way is Up, Baby - One on One Physics! 32:41

13d ago32:41

32:41

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! This week Matt and Scott create a truly unique game. One on One fighting mechanics with procedural generation and physics? No problem at all! Have a listen and enjoy the two of them mashing these mechanics and genre together to make something quite wonderful. Thanks for listening and please le…

1
#89 - Storytelling in a World of Green! ft. The Wildsea 54:14

20d ago54:14

54:14

How would you adapt to a world drowned in endless greenery? Today we tackle the challenge of navigating the realm of "The Wildsea", a setting where travel is nigh impossible except for the most innovative of explorers. Prompt: Travel gets dangerous! How do you protect what matters most?

1
Beyond the Hills - Another Walking Sim? 31:28

28d ago31:28

31:28

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! This week on the Gaming Blender we draw 'Walking Simulator' again but this time we venture out into the new world making a narrative choice game based around a humble caravan. There's a lot of Switch 2 chat along the way as well. Thanks for listening and please leave us a review and subscribe …

1
#88 - Decay, & The Little Guy Problem 42:44

1M ago42:44

42:44

Time is a slow and deadly killer, and the world changes even as no one is looking. Today we talk through the impact of decay on stories and settings, and why the untold stories of long-since-lost artifacts are so "steeped with stuff" to be curious about. Today's Prompt: Explorers find a rotted locale, and a single curiosity that surely isn't the pr…

1
Brick'ed - The Survival Puzzle Game 34:11

1M ago34:11

34:11

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! Have you ever wondered what it would be like to play as the blocks in Tetris? Now you don't have to as Scott and Matt explore turning one of the most popular games of all time into a Puzzle Survival game. There's also a well deserved chat about the 20th anniversary of God of War and the upcomi…

1
A Walking Simulator IN SPACE - Replicated Vengeance 32:22

1M ago32:22

32:22

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! We hope you have your walking boots on! This week Scott and Matt take a dive into walking simulators combined with some Dark souls difficulty and the results are out of this world! They also take some time to discuss the reasons behind the closures of one of Matt's favourite studios, Monolith.…

1
Time Hoppers - The Racing FPS 35:12

3M ago35:12

35:12

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! This week we have returned to the world of Racing and First Person Shooters. Throw those together and add some Time Travel and you have quite the insane racing game on your hands! Thanks for listening and please leave us a review and subscribe if you enjoyed it. It really helps us out. https:/…

1
Sins of the Father - An Assassin Life Sim Game 31:36

3M ago31:36

31:36

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! This week on the Gaming Blender we look to create a Assassin based One on One fighter with Life Sim elements. What we end up creative is a mix of probably every mystery game in the last 10 years but we think it's a good one! We also discuss how games have disappointed us in the past but don't …

1
#87 - Ability Scores, & Other Game Design Ramblings 41:00

3M ago41:00

41:00

A blur of an episode as we talk about designing games with intent, and how "ability scores" play a role in that - how do game designers convey themes and genre through the mechanical aspects of their game? Prompt: What if everyone had their highest ability score floating above their head?

1
Within - The Rogue-lite Horror (+ Nintendo Switch 2) 33:07

3M ago33:07

33:07

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! Hello, we're back for 2025! We dive straight into the world of Nintendo and discuss what they have in store for us with the Switch 2. From there we try and create our own Horror game with Roguelite and RPG elements which proves a worthy challenge to start the year with. We also try to answer t…

1
#86 - The Good Kind of Sad, & The Wedding Crash 48:33

4M ago48:33

48:33

Tragedy is a tale as old as time. How do we write melancholy in a satisfying and meaningful way? How far can we push tragedy before we lose the favor of the reader or audience? In this episode, we discuss what makes sadness "good" and how to use it to enhance our storytelling. Prompt: Start and end a (sad) story with the same sentence.…

1
My Big Rig - The Mobile Racing Game 32:53

5M ago32:53

32:53

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! Have you ever wondered what happens when you combine guitar hero, mobile gaming and racing? Us neither but we're willing to give it a go! We also have a discussion on female video game characters and generally have a lot of fun. Enjoy! Thanks for listening and please leave us a review and subs…

1
#85 - Fan Prompts! Camp Crusades & Critter Unions 51:35

5M ago51:35

51:35

One of the more unhinged episodes of ours, surely - welcome back to fan prompts, where we take your one-sentence ideas and improv with them off the deep end!

1
The Final Game - The Base Management Battle Royal 34:46

5M ago34:46

34:46

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! Scott's back! This week we go into the the wonderful world of Battle Royal's and Base Building. The game we create hopefully has something for everyone. We also begin the great 'Matt's Wheel of News' which brings a discussion about No Man's Sky. We Hope you enjoy. Thanks for listening and plea…

1
#84 - Death Games, & The Cost of The Fight 37:45

5M ago37:45

37:45

Twenty contestant, one prize, and a brutal path to victory - sound familiar? The thrill and horror of a well-written "death game" resonates in a morbidly exciting way. Why are we intrigued with these type of plotlines, and what themes does it distort? What is unique about this plotline that ultimately always leads to revolution? Prompt: Create your…

1
Wicked - The Video Game 33:30

6M ago33:30

33:30

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! In this episode of the Gaming Blender Podcast, Matthew and gust host Beth explore the concept of creating a new video game based on the film Wicked. They discuss the mechanics of movie tie-in games, focusing on puzzles and permadeath, while also navigating the challenges of character dynamics …

1
A Hairy Rhythm Game - Nit Time 34:15

6M ago34:15

34:15

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! In this episode of the Gaming Blender podcast, hosts Scott and Matthew discuss Matthew's tech troubles with his new PC, the recent release of the new Dragon Age game, the issue of review bombing in gaming, and engage in a fun hypothetical game creation challenge involving a rhythm game mechani…

1
#83 - Immortality, & The Color of Life 43:44

6M ago43:44

43:44

We've got a sleepy episode today about immortality! We're specifically focusing on the perspective of a timeless being in a world that relentless move forward without them - what values do they hold, how do they carry themselves, and how do they view their fleeting compatriots? All this and more on today's episode of Your Rivers Are Wrong c: Prompt…

1
Ultimate Team Mech Battles - Colossus 33:04

7M ago33:04

33:04

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! In this episode of the Gaming Blender, hosts Matthew and Scott discuss their personal updates, including Matthew's recent honeymoon and the challenges of building a gaming PC. They then dive into the concept of creating a new hypothetical video game that combines MMO elements with crafting and…

1
Little Podcast Update 0:55

7M ago0:55

0:55

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! Little podcast update as Matt's away on his honeymoon...... awwwwww!! Thanks for listening and please leave us a review and subscribe if you enjoyed it. It really helps us out. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gaming-blender/id1597738101 Also please get in touch with us at @gamingblen…

1
Scavenger Hunted - Dark Souls + Sports! 37:25

7M ago37:25

37:25

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! In this episode of The Gaming Blender, hosts Scott and Matt discuss their recent gaming experiences, including the release of the PS5 Pro and the challenges of game development. They delve into the concept of creating a hypothetical game, exploring mechanics, narrative, and the evolution of co…

1
#82 - Dialogues, & The Strongest-Worded Email 32:01

8M ago32:01

32:01

What goes into a well-written dialogue? Well, it's gotta be snappy but subtle, concise but emotional, and informative but not too informative. It's complicated! Let's break down the nuances of an effective dialogue in all sorts of media, and how you can improve the conversations between multiple characters. Prompt: Write a very conclusive email!…

1
Creating a Horror Game in Victorian England 32:56

8M ago32:56

32:56

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! In this episode of The Gaming Blender, Matt and Scott discuss the recent release of Star Wars Outlaws and the challenges faced by big-name game developers. They then proceed to create a hypothetical horror game set in Victorian England, where players take on the role of a detective investigati…

1
#81 - Reputation, & The World's Best Interview 47:38

8M ago47:38

47:38

We're back at it! Jumping into Season 8, we talk about reputation - how does it inform the reader of a world, and how does it function differently in a living, unfinished world as opposed to a published story? Finally, does a reputation drive or inhibit a character's progress? We talk Mistborn, Rebecca, and lots of other updates on ourselves in thi…

1
Lord of the Rings Special - The Middle Earth Party Game 35:23

8M ago35:23

35:23

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! In this episode, Matt and Scott discuss the recent Lord of the Rings news, including the release of Rings of Power and the cancellation and revival of an upcoming Lord of the Rings MMO. They then brainstorm a hypothetical party game set in the world of Lord of the Rings, where players compete …

1
Last Clan Standing - The Interactive Movie Battle Royale 33:22

9M ago33:22

33:22

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! In this episode of the Gaming Blender podcast, Scott and Matthew discuss a hypothetical game called Last Clan Standing. The game is set in a country that has fallen into anarchy after the death of a long-serving dictator. The country has splintered into small rival factions resembling criminal…

1
Creating a Hypothetical Puzzle Game in Space 26:51

9M ago26:51

26:51

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! In this episode of the Gaming Blender, Matt and Scott discuss the concept of a hypothetical puzzle game. They explore the idea of a puzzle game set in space, where the player must fix a fleet of ships in order to complete a quest. The game incorporates permadeath and loot boxes as mechanics. T…

1
Hero Shooter Mayhem in Gods Among Men 32:30

10M ago32:30

32:30

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! Scott's back! In this episode of the Gaming Blender podcast, Matt and Scott discuss the gaming industry and their recent gaming experiences. They then proceed to create a hypothetical game, a hero shooter set during the Trojan War. Players choose mythological heroes with specific abilities gra…

1
An Explanation 0:46

11M ago0:46

0:46

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! Apologies for the lack of episode - get in touch using the details below! Thanks for listening and please leave us a review and subscribe if you enjoyed it. It really helps us out. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gaming-blender/id1597738101 Also please get in touch with us at @gaming…

1
#80 - Fan Prompts! Crab Villains & Good Zombies, Actually 47:28

11M ago47:28

47:28

Welcome to the season finale! We celebrate the close to season 7 (finally) with four fan prompts submitted by you! Join us as we improvise the lives of failed underwater scientists, magic hat dimensions, space refugees and the perks of zombification. All this and more, tune in!

1
The Hedge Fund RTS in 'Absolute Bankers' 30:24

11M ago30:24

30:24

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! In this episode, Matt and Guest Star Pete discuss the recent gaming showcases by Sony and Xbox. They also generate ideas for a real-time strategy game with a career mode and survival mechanics. They explore the possibility of creating a satirical game about hedge fund managers, where players h…

1
#79 - Big World, Small Heroes! Improvised Worldbuilding Challenge 42:47

11M ago42:47

42:47

We're back with a big story! The whole episode is a prompt, with the goal to build a world for heroes to explore. We choose the tiniest of adventurers to make our world seem ever larger, and we improv a scene with what we've built! Join us on a haphazard adventure on this episode of Your Rivers Are Wrong.…

1
Game Design Challenge: Creating Four Games in 20 Minutes 33:57

11M ago33:57

33:57

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! The conversation features a unique game design challenge where the host, Matt, is tasked with creating four different games in 20 minutes each. The games are designed on the spot, with randomized genres, mechanics, and narratives. Each game presents a creative and imaginative approach to game …

1
The Power of Narrative in Video Games - The Heart of France 36:00

12M ago36:00

36:00

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! In this episode of the Gaming Blender podcast, Matt and special guest Tom discuss the importance of narrative in video games. They explore the challenges of creating compelling narratives and the impact of player choices on storytelling. They also brainstorm a game concept that combines puzzle…

1
#78 - Revenge, & The Morning After 34:10

1y ago34:10

34:10

You've waited your whole life for this moment, the pinnacle of justice served...but who am I, to deliver judgment? Today we talk revenge stories! Why they work, why the aftermath is so important, and what it means for characters who journey down that road. Prompt: Describe the morning after revenge.

1
Uncovering the Truth and Breaking Free in 'A Matter of Time' 33:18

1y ago33:18

33:18

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! In this episode of the Gaming Blender, Scott and Matthew discuss their gaming experiences and delve into the concept of creating a new video game. They explore the challenges of managing a gaming backlog and the fear of missing out on playing certain games. The main theme of the conversation r…

1
#77 - Monsters, Why? & The Maw of the Pond 41:14

1y ago41:14

41:14

Monsters! You know 'em, you love 'em, but why? Today we breakdown the purpose of monsters in literature, how to give meaning to form, and what makes some monsters so memorable. Prompt: Create a monster that lives in a randomly-generated setting.

1
Unleash Your Inner God of Construction in 'Builders of Divinity' 32:13

1y ago32:13

32:13

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! In this episode of The Gaming Blender, Matt and Scott discuss the concept of an open-world physics-based crafting game. They imagine a game where players take on the role of an architect or mason in different historical eras, tasked with building grand structures using basic materials and tech…

1
Contractors R Us - The Simulation Battle Royale 34:08

1y ago34:08

34:08

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! Welcome back to The Gaming Blender. For week's game we unveil the hypothetical hilarity of Contractors Are Us, a battle royale game set in the ruthless city of Third-Party-Topia, where businesses claw for survival. Imagine running a company that's jack-of-all-trades, master of none, taking on …

1
#76 - Can Story Exist Without Worldbuilding? & The Watchful Room 32:48

1y ago32:48

32:48

Can worldbuilding and storytelling exist without each other? We dive into examples of each on its own, how they stand alone, and when they demand the presence of the other. A fun dive into truly breaking down the definition of story. Prompt: Describe a scene that involves no people.

1
Rally Steam - Vehicles and the Nemesis System 37:34

1y ago37:34

37:34

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! Hey, game aficionados, fear not—we have returned, and the Game Blender is whirring away once more. So how about a side of steampunk chariot racing game, where your decisions and disasters echo through a dystopian world? Gear up for a wild ride as we concoct game worlds where innovation is king…

1
#75 - Fan Prompts! Black Holes & Happy Cultists 39:31

1y ago39:31

39:31

We're cruising through our first Fan Prompts of 2024! Join us as we take on your story ideas from Youtube and Twitter.

1
Farm Total War! 34:24

1y ago34:24

34:24

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! Strap on your overalls, folks, because we're pitching a strategic farming game that's not just about planting seeds, but also planting the seeds of an empire. Picture fortifying your homestead, reviving an ancient colony, and juggling the challenges of diplomacy and defence. We dream up a stea…

1
Houdini in Action - 80 Level Podcast 25:45

1y ago25:45

25:45

Send us a text Ian Smith, CG Supervisor at SideFX walks us through Project Pegasus (learning tech demo showcasing Houdini workflows with Unreal Engine 5). Explore non-destructive, procedural content generation in gamedev and how different tools can be used to create detailed open-world environments. Ian talks about software strengths and emphasizes…

1
#74 - Power, Structure, & The Loudest Voice 44:54

1y ago44:54

44:54

Today! We reflect on a quote from the Grishaverse author Leigh Bardugo, and the establishing of powers in worldbuilding. How do you demonstrate setting through power dynamics, or utilize mystique to get your players invested? A complicated talk on the essence of storytelling that was very fun to dive into. Prompt: "Create a prologue that explains t…

1
Underwater MMO - Death From Below 32:52

1y ago32:52

32:52

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! Fasten your seatbelts for a high-octane brainstorming session, where we ditch the typical MMO fare for a wild ride featuring vehicle-based gameplay and an assassin targeting mechanics. Scott and I conjure up a universe where strategic target selection meets the thrill of the chase. We chart a …

1
#73 - Solo Journaling TTRPGs, & A Mundane Gal's Diary 40:35

1y ago40:35

40:35

Is a TTRPG really a TTRPG if you play by yourself? Today we discuss the increasingly popular solo journaling genre! A niche within a niche of tabletop games, we break down the boons and banes of a story improvised entirely on your own, and name a couple of our personal recommendations. Prompt: A journal entry of a mundane girl in a magical world.…

1
Cooking Food in 3D - 80 Level Podcast 27:45

1+ y ago27:45

27:45

Send us a text Designated digital chef Patrick Foley (PATRICK_4D) takes us to his kitchen. He shares interesting facts about a unique niche in digital art - photorealistic food renders, and delves into the importance of lighting, texture, and why choosing a specialty can supercharge your career. Patrick also discusses how he builds his brand with s…

1
Dating Sim with Permadeath - Cold Hearts 31:49

1+ y ago31:49

31:49

Fancy setting us a gaming challenge? Get in touch here! It's official, we've lost our minds. Picture an open-world sandbox where you search for love while dodging the ever-looming threat of permadeath. We craft a narrative of forbidden love and survival, where every shadowy alley could lead to eternity or end it. So, plug in your headphones, and le…

1
Time Travel with VFX - 80 Level Podcast 26:50

1+ y ago26:50

26:50

Send us a text Trent Claus, VFX supervisor from Lola Visual Effects joined our podcast. Learn about the complex process of creating realistic aging effects for characters in major films: from the challenges of preserving actors' unique features to the intricacies of the facial anatomy. Trent shares fascinating insights into the evolution of VFX and…

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