Games Every Designer Should Play

By: Stuart Lilford
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  • Summary

  • This is ’Games Every Designer Should Play,’ the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join your lecturers in game design: Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant, as they explore the essential games that have left a lasting impression on the industry and on us. In each episode, we dissect and analyse a game that shaped the landscape of game design. From classic titles to contemporary masterpieces, we unravel the intricate layers of gameplay, narrative, and art direction, offering valuable insights for both aspiring and seasoned game designers. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, seeking to understand the principles of great game design, or simply love exploring the artistry behind your favorite games, this podcast is your go-to source. Subscribe now for a front-row seat to the fascinating world of game design, and discover the games that every designer should play. At the end of the episode one of us will reveal to the others the game for the next episode. Will it be beloved by all or could it be controversial? You’ll have to listen to the end to find out!
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Episodes
  • EP03: Inscryption - Games Every Designer Should Play

    EP03: Inscryption - Games Every Designer Should Play
    Jul 4 2024

    Welcome to Episode 03 of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Lecturers in Game Design, Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they delve into the mysterious card-battler INSCRYPTION, exploring its emergent gameplay and ability to keep things fresh.

    Spoiler alert for Inscryption! 🚨 We STRONGLY advise you play before listening. You can grab it here.

    In this episode, we discuss emergent gameplay, subverting expectations and keeping things fresh, ARGs, using sound design and VFX to bolster atmosphere, adaptive difficulty and FMVs go bad!

    Featuring feedback from listeners(?) and the verdict: Is Inscryption a must-play for every designer?

    📧 Email us your comments or questions on the game discussed in the next episode at shouldplaypodcast@gmail.com

    It's Stuart's turn to choose the game we must play for the next episode. Will it be beloved by all or could it be controversial? You'll have to listen to the end to find out! 👀

    Don't forget to subscribe, like, and share! #GameDesign #Podcast #GamesEveryDesignerShouldPlay #Inscryption

    Thank you for tuning in! 🎧✨

    === CREDITS ===

    Music by Vasil Trofimov from Pixabay.

    Sound Effects by floraphonic Pixabay.
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • EP02: Cocoon - Games Every Designer Should Play

    EP02: Cocoon - Games Every Designer Should Play
    May 17 2024

    Welcome to Episode 02 of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Lecturers in Game Design, Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they delve into the exceptional puzzle game COCOON, exploring its controlled design and simple player actions.

    Spoiler alert for Cocoon! 🚨 We advise you play before listening. You can grab it here.

    In this episode, we discuss the KISS rule, controlled design, restrictive level design, using sound design to reward the player, affordances, demonstrating progression within the front end, and rage quitting!

    Featuring feedback from listeners and the verdict: Is Cocoon a must-play for every designer?

    📧 Email us your comments or questions on the game discussed in the next episode at shouldplaypodcast@gmail.com

    It's David's turn to choose the game we must play for the next episode. Will it be beloved by all or could it be controversial? You'll have to listen to the end to find out! 👀

    Don't forget to subscribe, like, and share! #GameDesign #Podcast #GamesEveryDesignerShouldPlay

    Thank you for tuning in! 🎧✨

    === CREDITS ===

    Music by Vasil Trofimov from Pixabay.

    Sound Effects by floraphonic Pixabay.
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • EP01: Portal - Games Every Designer Should Play

    EP01: Portal - Games Every Designer Should Play
    Apr 26 2024

    Welcome to Episode 01 of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Lecturers in Game Design, Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they delve into the iconic game PORTAL, exploring its innovative mechanics and design insights.

    Spoiler alert for Portal! 🚨 We advise you play before listening. You can grab it here.

    In this episode, we discuss environmental storytelling, pacing and progression, the importance of playtesting and iterative design, and the debate of Cut scenes vs. non-interruptive dialogue.

    Featuring feedback from listeners and the verdict: Is Portal a must-play for every designer?

    📧 Email us your comments or questions on the game discussed in the next episode at shouldplaypodcast@gmail.com

    It's Adrian's turn to choose the game we must play for the next episode. Will it be beloved by all or could it be controversial? You'll have to listen to the end to find out! 👀

    Don't forget to subscribe, like, and share! #GameDesign #Podcast #GamesEveryDesignerShouldPlay

    Thank you for tuning in! 🎧✨

    === REFERENCES ===

    • Narbacular Drop by the DigiPen Institute of Technology
    • DoubleFIne Adventure Documentary when Tim Schafer shares his notebooks on Grim Fandango
    • Robert Yang's Level with Me videos on YouTube
    • Game Maker's Toolkit video on Valve's "Secret Weapon" (Playtesting)
    • GDC Talk - Level Design Workshop: Solving Puzzle Design by Ubisoft's Jolie Menzel
    • The Art of Game Design by Jesse Schell
    • Game Theory

    === CREDITS ===

    Music by Vasil Trofimov from Pixabay.

    Sound Effects by floraphonic Pixabay.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 9 mins

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Profile Image for Stuart Lilford

Witty and Knowledgeable

This podcast is very enjoyable. The hosts are knowledgeable and the conversation is informative and humourous. a great podcast if you are interested in game design. Plus that Stuart guy sounds like a really handsome bloke.

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