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

Feb 25, 2021 · 1 hr 54 min
Designer Notes 56: David Dunham
In this episode, Soren interviews independent game designer David Dunham, best known for his work on the narrative strategy games King of Dragon Pass and Six Ages. They are joined by writer and designer Meg Jayanth, best known for her work on 80 Days. The
Aug 21, 2020 · 3 hr 3 min
Designer Notes 55: Meg Jayanth
In this episode, Soren interviews independent game developer Meg Jayanth, the writer on 80 Days. They discuss how fan fiction is similar to modding, if 80 Days is a criticism of the Bioware companion system, and why it’s important to do your work.
Jul 27, 2020 · 1 hr 51 min
Designer Notes 54: Jon Ingold - Part 2
In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game developer Jon Ingold, who co-founded inkle and is best known for his work in interactive fiction, including All Roads, 80 Days, and the Sorcery! series. They discuss how to get the player to trust the designe
Jun 18, 2020 · 1 hr 28 min
Designer Notes 53: Jon Ingold - Part 1
In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game developer Jon Ingold, who co-founded inkle and is best known for his work in interactive fiction, including All Roads, 80 Days, and the Sorcery! series. They discuss why Plundered Hearts is his favorite Infoc
May 26, 2020 · 2 hr 23 min
Designer Notes 52: Roger Keating
In this episode, Bruce Geryk interviews veteran game developer Roger Keating, co-founder of Strategic Studies Group (SSG). Roger is best known for his work on the Warlord series as well as many digital wargames. They discuss what it was like to do pathfin
Feb 14, 2020 · 2 hr 26 min
Designer Notes 51: Michał Drozdowski and Przemysław Marszał
In this episode, Soren and Leyla Johnson interview Creative Director Michał Drozdowski and Art Director Przemysław Marszał of 11 Bit Studios, best known for their work on This War Of Mine and Frostpunk. They discuss why This War of Mine does not judge
Dec 18, 2019 · 2 hr 24 min
Designer Notes 50: Alex Hutchinson
In this episode, Soren interviews game designer Alex Hutchinson, Creative Director at Typhoon Studios and best known for his work on Spore, Assassin’s Creed 3, and Far Cry 4. They discuss how they both would have screwed up SimCity, how working at Ubiso
Nov 1, 2019 · 2 hr 29 min
Designer Notes 49: Adam Saltsman - Part 2
In this episode, Soren interviews game developer Adam Saltsman, who co-founded indie publisher Finji and is best known for his work on Gravity Hook, Canabalt, Hundreds, Capsule, and Overland. They discuss how Mario speed runs are the original infinite run
Oct 15, 2019 · 1 hr 55 min
Designer Notes 48: Adam Saltsman - Part 1
In this episode, Soren interviews game developer Adam Saltsman, who co-founded indie publisher Finji and is best known for his work on Gravity Hook, Canabalt, Hundreds, Capsule, and Overland. They discuss how Cave Story showed him that he could make games
Aug 5, 2019 · 1 hr 27 min
Designer Notes 47: Brendon Chung - Part 2
In this episode, Soren interviews independent game developer Brendon Chung, best known for his work on Atom Zombie Smasher, Thirty Flights of Loving, and Quadrilateral Cowboy. They discuss why Xbox Live Indie Games didn’t take off, what exactly happens
Jun 29, 2019 · 1 hr 34 min
Designer Notes 46: Brendon Chung - Part 1
In this episode, Soren interviews independent game developer Brendon Chung, best known for his work on Atom Zombie Smasher, Thirty Flights of Loving, and Quadrilateral Cowboy. They discuss how to make an adventure game inside of Doom, why he won’t read
Jun 5, 2019 · 2 hr 26 min
Designer Notes 45: Rami Ismail
In this episode, Soren and Leyla Johnson interview independent game developer Rami Ismail of Vlambeer, best known for his work on Super Crate Box, Ridiculous Fishing, Luftrausers, and Nuclear Throne. They discuss why he started a company with someone he c
Dec 31, 2018 · 1 hr 41 min
Designer Notes 44: Clint Hocking - Part 2
In this episode, Soren Johnson interviews veteran game designer Clint Hocking, who started his career working on the original Splinter Cell and was also the Creative Director of Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory and Far Cry 2. They discuss why games always need
Nov 24, 2018 · 1 hr 53 min
Designer Notes 43: Clint Hocking - Part 1
In this episode, Soren Johnson interviews veteran game designer Clint Hocking, who started his career working on the original Splinter Cell and was also the Creative Director of Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory and Far Cry 2. They discuss how his early time as
Oct 6, 2018 · 1 hr 46 min
Designer Notes 42: David Sirlin - Part 2
In this episode, Soren Johnson interviews veteran game designer David Sirlin, best known for his work on Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, Yomi, and Puzzle Strike. They discuss how many hit points are too many hit points, whether his work is post-mo
Aug 8, 2018 · 1 hr 59 min
Designer Notes 41: David Sirlin - Part 1
In this episode, Soren Johnson interviews veteran game designer David Sirlin, best known for his work on Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, Yomi, and Puzzle Strike. They discuss why games with more mechanics are not deeper, whether fighting games sho
Jun 22, 2018 · 1 hr 38 min
Designer Notes 40: Brian Reynolds - Part 3
In this episode, Soren Johnson interviews veteran game designer Brian Reynolds, best known for his work on Colonization, Civilization 2, Alpha Centauri, and Rise of Nations. They discuss why Big Huge made Rise of Legends instead of Rise of Nations 2, why
May 16, 2018 · 2 hr 28 min
Designer Notes 39: Brian Reynolds - Part 2
In this episode, Soren Johnson interviews veteran game designer Brian Reynolds, best known for his work on Colonization, Civilization 2, Alpha Centauri, and Rise of Nations. They discuss when Brian discovered Twilight Struggle, how Alpha Centauri influenc
Apr 24, 2018 · 1 hr 42 min
Designer Notes 38: Brian Reynolds - Part 1
In this episode, Soren Johnson interviews veteran game designer Brian Reynolds, best know for his work on Colonization, Civilization 2, Alpha Centauri, and Rise of Nations. They discuss how his original dream job was to write compilers, all the bad decisi
Mar 12, 2018 · 1 hr 56 min
Designer Notes 37: Chris Hecker - Part 2
In this episode, Soren Johnson interviews independent game developer Chris Hecker, best known for his work on Spore and SpyParty. They discuss accessibility versus depth, when SpyParty suddenly became fun, and why Chris Hecker ruined Spore.