Games Every Designer Should Play
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!
Episodes
Welcome to this bonus episode 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 Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they dive into the wonderfully chaotic, physics-driven world of Soccer Physics.
🚨 Spoiler alert for the game! We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening.
In this episode,...
Welcome to Episode 18 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 Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they discuss Dorfromantik and what this award-winning cozy game can teach aspiring designers.
🚨 Spoiler alert for the game! We recommend playing Dorfromantik before listening, althoug...
Welcome to this bonus episode 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 Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they descend into the minimalist, addictive, and brilliantly designed world of Downwell.
🚨 Spoiler alert for the game! We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening.
In this...
Welcome to Episode 17 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 Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they see what's between the panels in Gorogoa.
🚨 Spoiler alert for The Game! We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening.
In this episode, we explore what Gorogoa teaches us abo...
Welcome to Episode 16 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 Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they blast off into the vibrant, gravity-defying world of Super Mario Galaxy.
🚨 Spoiler alert for The Game! We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening.
n this episode, we explo...
Welcome to Episode 15 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 Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they venture into the brutal, beautiful, and uncompromising world of Dark Souls.
🚨 Spoiler alert for The Game! We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening.
In this episode, we u...
Welcome to a Special Christmas Episode 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 game design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they return to Shadow Moses to unpack the legacy of Metal Gear Solid — one of the most influential and idiosyncratic games ever made.
🚨 Spoiler alert for the game! We stron...
Welcome to Episode 14 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 Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they roll into the wacky, colourful world of Katamari Damacy.
🚨 Spoiler alert for The Game! We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening.
In this episode, we discuss how Katamari...
Welcome to a Special Bonus Halloween Episode 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 Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they discuss Mouthwashing — a visceral indie game that shows us how to tell a powerful narrative.
🚨 Spoiler alert for The Game! We STRONGLY advise you t...
Welcome to Episode 13 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 Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they try to communicate the chaotic pressures of Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes.
🚨 Spoiler alert for The Game! We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening.
In this episode, we...
Welcome to Episode 12 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 Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they descend into the chaotic, grotesque, and endlessly replayable world of The Binding of Isaac.
🚨 Spoiler alert for The Game! We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening.
In t...
Welcome to Episode 11 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 Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they navigate the dark corridors of Resident Evil 2 (2019) - a modern remake of a survival horror classic.
🚨 Spoiler alert for The Game! We STRONGLY advise you to play before listen...
Welcome to Episode 10 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 Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they dive into Return of the Obra Dinn—a genre-defying deduction game that puts players in the role of a 19th-century insurance investigator aboard a ghost ship.
Spoiler alert ...
Welcome to Episode 09 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 Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they dive into Subnautica—a survival game that blends mystery, exploration, and tension beneath the waves.
Spoiler alert for The Game! 🚨 We STRONGLY advise you to play before ...
Welcome to Episode 08 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 Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they dive into Titanfall 2—a masterclass in movement, pacing, and level design.
Spoiler alert for The Game! 🚨 We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening.
In this episode,...
Welcome to a Special Bonus Christmas Episode 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 Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they delve into Tetris, exploring its elegant simplicity, how it mastered the core gameplay loop, and the importance of player choice.
Spoiler alert for The Ga...
Welcome to Episode 07 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 Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they delve into Batman: Arkham Asylum, exploring its groundbreaking Freeflow Combat, immersive environment, and how it set a new standard for superhero games.
Spoiler alert for The G...
Welcome to Episode 06 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 navigate the reverse bullet-hell of VAMPIRE SURVIVORS, discussing its perfected core game loop and the beauty of its simplicity.
Spoiler alert for The Game! 🚨 We STRONGLY a...
Welcome to Episode 05 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 absurd comedy slapformer THANK GOODNESS YOU'RE HERE!, exploring its blend of comedy and game design as well as it's approach to backtracking and reactions to ...
Welcome to Episode 04 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 seminal first-person shooter BIOSHOCK, exploring its rich narrative and immersive world-building.
Spoiler alert for Bioshock! 🚨 We STRONGLY advise you play b...
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