Think Like A Game Designer Newsletter

Articles

Justin Ziran - Digital Magic: Fear and Success, Leading with Bold Decisions, and Redefining Innovation (#82)

2 weeks ago | justingarydesign.substack.com | Justin Gary

Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -1:23:44Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Before We Get Started — Big News!We've just launched a 7-Day Game Design Crash Course that’s included will all paid subscriptions! As a member, you also get full access to my article archive and the subscriber-only Designer Newsletter, and you’ll be helping keep this publication and podcast free for the wider community. Justin Ziran is a veteran of the collectible and strategy games industry.
What Games Teach Us

3 weeks ago | justingarydesign.substack.com | Justin Gary

Before We Get Started — Big News!We've just launched a 7-Day Game Design Crash Course that’s included will all paid subscriptions! As a member, you also get full access to my article archive and the subscriber-only Designer Newsletter, and you’ll be helping keep this publication and podcast free for the wider community. Games have always been more than just entertainment.
James Introcaso - Game Masters, the Rise of Indie RPGs and Showing Up for Luck (#81)

4 weeks ago | justingarydesign.substack.com | Justin Gary

Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -58:54Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. James Introcaso is an award-winning tabletop game designer and storyteller whose work has helped shape the modern landscape of roleplaying games. As the lead game designer at MCDM Productions, James was integral to developing roleplaying systems that captivate players worldwide.
Your Game Design Crash Course

1 month ago | justingarydesign.substack.com | Justin Gary

Game design isn’t just about mechanics or rules—it’s about creating experiences. Think back to a game that stuck with you. Maybe it was the thrill of a last-minute victory, the tension of a close match, or the laughter shared with friends. Those moments don’t happen by accident. They are carefully designed, tested, and refined to keep players engaged.
Day 3: Building an Experience Engine

1 month ago | justingarydesign.substack.com | Justin Gary

A game’s engine is what makes it work—its fundamental structure, interactions, and systems. Just like a car’s engine, it determines how the game runs and it’s what keeps players engaged. Engine design focuses on three key questions:What is the Core Play Loop? What is the Fundamental Tension? Why is this Fun? A well-designed engine guides the entire experience, influencing player decisions, mechanics, and long-term engagement.
Day 0: Press Start to Play

1 month ago | justingarydesign.substack.com | Justin Gary

As a game designer, I know firsthand how truly awesome the creative journey can be—especially when you realize how much your creative works delight, connect, and inspire people. As an artist, there’s something magical about transforming an idea into an experience that brings people together, challenges their minds, and sparks joy.
Day 4: The Simple and Stupid Prototype

1 month ago | justingarydesign.substack.com | Justin Gary

The goal of prototyping is to test a core game concept as quickly and cheaply as possible. A prototype is not about making a polished product—it’s about learning. The sooner you can test your ideas, the faster you’ll discover what works, what doesn’t, and how to improve.
Day 2: The Six Keys to Design

1 month ago | justingarydesign.substack.com | Justin Gary

The six-steps of the Core Design Loop are essential for transforming abstract ideas into refined mechanics and unforgettable experiences. In my book, Think Like a Game Designer, this process is broken down into practical, in-depth lessons. It’s also a recurring topic on my podcast, in many articles, and as the focus of my course, where I explore its application specifically for game design.
Day 1: Games are Experiences

1 month ago | justingarydesign.substack.com | Justin Gary

To be a great game designer, you must anticipate how players will emotionally respond to the rules you create. This requires empathy and a deep understanding of why people play games—what excites them, challenges them, and keeps them engaged. A great designer not only predicts the choices players will make but also understands how those choices will feel.
Day 5: Iterate!

1 month ago | justingarydesign.substack.com | Justin Gary

Iteration is at the heart of game design. The Core Design Loop is a cycle, not a straight path, and the Iteration step is where real progress happens. Every playtest provides valuable data, but what you do with that data is what separates good designers from great ones. Your goal in each iteration is to analyze playtest feedback, adjust your design, and test again—as quickly and efficiently as possible. This is how raw ideas evolve into refined, engaging games.