Beyond Solitaire

Episoade

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  Episode 248 - Isaac Vega on Rose Gauntlet Entertainment 14.09.2026 57min

  This week on the pod, veteran game designer Isaac Vega discusses Rose Gauntlet Entertainment, which he co-founded with Lindsey Rode, and its associated charitable foundation. rosegauntlet.com Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learnin...
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  Episode 247 - Alita Robertson on Kart 07.09.2026 55min

  This week on the pod, Alita Robertson, Developer and Producer at Leder Games, drops by to discuss Kart--our upcoming game about kids having a downhill kart race through the neighbors' yards. It's excellent. Check it out here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ledergames/kart?utm_source=LederGames&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=KartKS Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/pr...
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  Episode 246 - Mark Diaz Truman on RPG vs. Board Game Design 31.08.2026 1h 8min

  This week on the pod, Mark Diaz Truman of Magpie Games drops by to discuss the Root RPG, RPGs in general, and his recent adventures in board game design. https://magpiegames.com/ Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Gam...
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  Episode 245 - C. Thi Nguyen on Playing for the Right Reasons 24.08.2026 1h

  This week on the pod, Professor C. Thi Nguyen (@add-hawk.bsky.social) pops by to discuss his work on games, why we play them, and how dangerous it is to wind up playing by someone else's rules. Check out his books, Games: Agency as Art and The Score to learn more! You can also find him at https://objectionable.net/ Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-univer...
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  Episode 244 - Alice and Jessica Hong on FamBam Games 17.08.2026 56min

  This week on the pod, sisters Alice and Jessica Hong drop by to discuss FamBam Games, the company they started together, and the process of making games that delight both their own large family and families around the world. https://fambam.games/ Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponso...
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  Episode 243 - Morten Monrad Pedersen on Solo Design 10.08.2026 54min

  This week on the pod, Morten Monrad Pedersen, head of the Automa Factory and designer of Skoventyr and Shajarat, discusses his takes on solo game design and what solo gaming means to him. https://automafactory.com/ Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful...
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  Episode 242 - Megan Rhodes Victor on Archaeogaming as Scholarly Play 03.08.2026 58min

  This week on the pod, Prof. Megan Rhodes Victor (@archaeovictor.bsky.social) discusses her new edited volume, Archaeogaming as Scholarly Play, and her work as an archaeologist in the real world--and in video game settings. How do we note the passage of time and find meaning in digital worlds? She would be the one to ask. She can be found on Instagram as @archaeologicalvictor and on YouTube under the same handle. Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-...
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  Episode 241 - Aaron Trammell on How D&D Changed the Way We Play 27.07.2026 58min

  For the Season 13 opener, Aaron Trammell drops by to discuss his new book, How Dungeons & Dragons Changed the Way We Play. It's a fascinating look into the issues that come with quantifying bodies as a collection of stats, the religious ideas that went into the game, and more. The book will be out from Duke University Press in September: https://dukeupress.edu/how-dungeons-dragons-changed-the-way-we-play Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-...
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  Episode 240 - Shelly Jones on Board Game Cozy Mysteries 08.06.2026 54min

  This week on the pod, Dr. Shelly Jones drops by to discuss their work as a scholar who incorporates games and RPGs into their work--and their career as an author who has written a series of cozy mysteries set at a game store. https://shellyjonesauthor.com/ Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simul...
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  Episode 239 - Denver Walker on Flying Pig Games 01.06.2026 51min

  This week on the pod, Denver Walker comes by to discuss her life as a co-owner and CEO of a wargame company, as well as her own game designs. https://flyingpiggames.com/ Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https:/...
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  Episode 238 - Amabel Holland on Swords Against - Beginner's Box 25.05.2026 1h 2min

  This week on the pod, Amabel Holland comes by to discuss her upcoming game--if it can be so called--and the mysteries that it holds. I am very excited to play it. https://hollandspiele.com/ Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check th...
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  Episode 237 - David Thompson on Managing Multiple Designs 18.05.2026 1h

  This week on the pod, David Thompson drops in for our seasonal check-in! We discuss the progress of our games together, check in on David's work with several other co-designers, and discuss the status of our design philosophies in general. Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, whe...
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  Episode 236 - Tilak Vyas on Line by Line 11.05.2026 45min

  This week on the pod, Tilak Vyas drops by to talk about his poetry game, Line by Line, that is forthcoming from Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations. Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling....
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  Episode 235 - Ari Shapiro and Alyssa Stevenski on Library Gaming 04.05.2026 53min

  This week on the pod, I chat with Alyssa and Ari, who coordinate gaming programs for teens in my local county library system. Some of them even include me! Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmi...
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  Episode 234 - Paul and Liz on the Evolution of Foxes & Lions 27.04.2026 1h 2min

  This week on the pod, Paul Wright and I discuss Foxes & Lions, how it has developed over the past year or so, and what we're excited about next. Also, it's on P500! Go support it here: https://www.gmtgames.com/p-1229-foxes-and-lions-renaissance-city-states-in-the-age-of-machiavelli.aspx Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center f...
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  Episode 233 - Waleed Ma'arouf on Design at Asmodee 20.04.2026 1h 6min

  This week on the pod, Waleed Ma'arouf, a designer at Studio Big, discusses their work in education, how they joined the Arkham Horror LCG design team, and their current design work for a fresh crop of games. Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful ...
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  Episode 232 - Esther Wright on Rockstar Games and American History 13.04.2026 1h 1min

  This week on the pod, Dr. Esther Wright (@enwright.bsky.social), a lecturer at the University of Cardiff, speaks about her work on Rockstar Games, the way they represent American history, and what we can learn from the stories they tell about America and themselves. Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through...
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  Episode 231 - Brooks Barber on Hawk & Dove 06.04.2026 53min

  This week on the pod, Brooks Barber ([email protected]) drops by to discuss his new venture, Hawk & Dove. He's starting a new historical games publishing business, moving his family to the Netherlands, and still designing games! https://www.hawkanddovegames.com/ Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through...
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  Episode 230 - Danielle Reynolds on Mass Market Design 30.03.2026 53min

  This week on the pod, Danielle Reynolds (@tokengaymer.bsky.social) stops by to discuss her game design career, her current work at Relatable, and her dedication to paying it forward. Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check the...
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  Episode 229 - Taylor Shuss on Walkable City 23.03.2026 54min

  This week on the pod, Taylor Shuss drops by to discuss his new game, Walkable City, which is all about urban planning. We also catch upon his historical designs and talk about design in general! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fowers/walkable-city-the-urban-planning-boardgame Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learnin...