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.
74 Available Episodes (74 Total)Average duration: 01:59:04
Apr 13, 2023
Designer Notes 74: Charlie Cleveland
03:14:01
In this episode, Soren and Leyla interview veteran game designer Charlie Cleveland, founder of Unknown Worlds and best known for his work on Natural Selection and Subnautica. They discuss why Charlie Cleveland moved to Cleveland, how he did Kickstarter before Kickstarter, and whether Subnautica was intended to be a survival game. This episode was recorded on March 20, 2022.
Mar 15, 2023
Designer Notes 73: Liz England
02:57:50
In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game designer Liz England, best known for her work on Scribblenauts, Sunset Overdrive, and Watch Dogs: Legion. They discuss how she organized her mom’s RPG inventories, what is the boiling point of a lion, and whether system complexity matters if the player can’t see it. This episode was recorded on September 17, 2022.
Jan 10, 2023
Designer Notes 72: Harvey Smith
02:38:58
In this episode, Soren and Leyla interview veteran game designer Harvey Smith, best known for his work on the Deus Ex and Dishonored series. They discuss what TDA stood for at Origin, if Dishonored is just Thief but faster, and why it is sometimes better to be heavy handed. This episode was recorded on March 23, 2022.
Nov 29, 2022
Designer Notes 71: Matthew Davis
02:50:13
In this episode, Soren interviews independent game developer Matthew Davis, co-founder of Subset Games and best known for his work on FTL and Into the Breach. They discuss whether FTL is a roguelike, how they resolve conflict at Subset, and whether Soren can convince them to add unlimited undo to Into the Breach. This episode was recorded on Sept 19, 2022.
Oct 09, 2022
Designer Notes 70: Justin Ma
01:59:42
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 industry interview, why the AI in FTL can’t behave like a human, and whether Into the Breach should have unlimited undo. This episode was recorded on March 24, 2022.
Aug 15, 2022
Designer Notes 69: Chris Delay - Part 2
01:53:31
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. They discuss how to play Prison Architect without a prison, why the game needed cutscenes, and how to design an economy when the world is ending. This episode was recorded on March 24, 2022.
Jun 27, 2022
Designer Notes 68: Chris DeLay - Part 1
02:53:20
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. They discuss why they hid the credits screen for Uplink, who Darwinia’s Dr. Sepulveda is based on, and whether you can have too much fun playing Defcon. This episode was recorded on March 22, 2022.
May 18, 2022
Designer Notes 67: Old World
02:08:49
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 approach Early Access differently, and why Soren didn’t want to give up on the name 10 Crowns.
Mar 28, 2022
Designer Notes 66: Luca Redwood
01:30:09
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 unlucky, and why you need to build a boat. This episode was recorded March 18, 2019.
Feb 19, 2022
Designer Notes 65: Robin Hunicke - Part 2
02:01:46
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 their authority in large companies, how they almost accidentally made Journey a competitive game, and why they decided to let thatgamecompany run out of money to ship the game. This episode was recorded December 1, 2021.
Apr 13 | 03:14:01
Designer Notes 74: Charlie Cleveland
Mar 15 | 02:57:50
Designer Notes 73: Liz England
Jan 10 | 02:38:58
Designer Notes 72: Harvey Smith
Nov 29 | 02:50:13
Designer Notes 71: Matthew Davis
Oct 09 | 01:59:42
Designer Notes 70: Justin Ma
Aug 15 | 01:53:31
Designer Notes 69: Chris Delay - Part 2
Jun 27 | 02:53:20
Designer Notes 68: Chris DeLay - Part 1
May 18 | 02:08:49
Designer Notes 67: Old World
Mar 28 | 01:30:09
Designer Notes 66: Luca Redwood
Feb 19 | 02:01:46
Designer Notes 65: Robin Hunicke - Part 2
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