Designer Notes

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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.

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96 episodes
Updated July 6

Episodes96

Newest first

Jun 23, 2023 · 2 hr 44 min
Designer Notes 76: Tanya Short
In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game designer Tanya Short, co-founder of Kitfox Games and best known for her work on Moon Hunters and Boyfriend Dungeon. They discuss why her parents had to get a second phone like, how she accidentally made a rog
May 3, 2023 · 1 hr 46 min
Designer Notes 75: Moonbreaker
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 Moonbreaker is the first digital miniatures game, if players wo
Apr 13, 2023 · 3 hr 14 min
Designer Notes 74: Charlie Cleveland
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 be
Mar 15, 2023 · 2 hr 57 min
Designer Notes 73: Liz England
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 w
Jan 10, 2023 · 2 hr 38 min
Designer Notes 72: Harvey Smith
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
Nov 29, 2022 · 2 hr 50 min
Designer Notes 71: Matthew Davis
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
Oct 9, 2022 · 1 hr 59 min
Designer Notes 70: Justin Ma
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
Aug 15, 2022 · 1 hr 53 min
Designer Notes 69: Chris Delay - Part 2
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 priso
Jun 27, 2022 · 2 hr 53 min
Designer Notes 68: Chris DeLay - Part 1
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,
May 18, 2022 · 2 hr 8 min
Designer Notes 67: Old World
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
Mar 28, 2022 · 1 hr 30 min
Designer Notes 66: Luca Redwood
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
Feb 19, 2022 · 2 hr 1 min
Designer Notes 65: Robin Hunicke - Part 2
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 accid
Feb 3, 2022 · 2 hr 7 min
Designer Notes 64: Robin Hunicke - Part 1
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 HyperCard was so great, why AI development is game design, and how Steven Spielb
Jan 10, 2022 · 2 hr 19 min
Designer Notes 63: Josh Sawyer - Part 2
In this episode, Soren interviews veteran RPG designer Josh Sawyer, best known for his work on Icewind Dale, Fallout: New Vegas, and Pillars of Eternity. They discuss the purpose of grinding, the difference between viable and optimal characters, and why R
Dec 8, 2021 · 1 hr 54 min
Designer Notes 62: Josh Sawyer - Part 1
In this episode, Soren interviews veteran RPG designer Josh Sawyer, best known for his work on Icewind Dale, Fallout: New Vegas, and Pillars of Eternity. They discuss how making a website for a tattoo parlor led to his game career, what is the purpose of
Nov 20, 2021 · 2 hr 50 min
Designer Notes 61: Chet Faliszek
In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game developer Chet Faliszek, who co-founded Stray Bombay and is best known for his work at Valve on games such as Left 4 Dead and Portal 2. They discuss what shampoo sales have to do with Old Man Murray, why he t
Oct 20, 2021 · 1 hr 45 min
Designer Notes 60: Andy Schatz - Part 2
In this episode, Soren interviews independent game developer Andy Schatz, who founded Pocketwatch Games and is best known for his work on Monaco and Tooth and Tail. This episode was recorded March 23, 2018. They discuss what Monaco and Rashomon have in co
Sep 16, 2021 · 1 hr 47 min
Designer Notes 59: Andy Schatz - Part 1
In this episode, Soren interviews independent game developer Andy Schatz, who founded Pocketwatch Games and is best known for his work on Monaco and Tooth and Tail. This episode was recorded March 23, 2018. They discuss how he tried to live out Ultima’s
Jul 15, 2021 · 1 hr 13 min
Designer Notes 58: Rob Daviau - Part 2
In this episode, Soren interviews board game designer Rob Daviau, best known for his work on Risk: Legacy and Pandemic: Legacy. They discuss the criteria for a good Legacy game, how to put just a little PvP in a game without overdoing it, and why he remov
Apr 25, 2021 · 1 hr 25 min
Designer Notes 57: Rob Daviau - Part 1
In this episode, Soren interviews board game designer Rob Daviau, best known for his work on Risk: Legacy and Pandemic: Legacy. They discuss bluffing his way through his first game job interview, how he designed Betrayal at House on the Hill without eithe