This is a great post. I say this all the time to my boys about hockey. I don't worry about the goals. You put in the effort, and the goals will come.* (*or the opposite, in the case of the goalie)

I've been listening to "Think Like A Game Designer", insightful game designer interviews by @justingary.bsky.social . Every so often I find myself writing down quotes, which I'll be sharing in this thread: 🎲✂️

Thank you so much!

I recommend listening to this fantastic episode of the "Think Like A Game Designer Podcast"; tons of insightful comments on balancing, Root, and much, much more! Thank you very much @colewehrle.bsky.social and @justingary.bsky.social justingarydesign.substack.com/p/cole-wehrl...

Big-wave surfer + storyteller Kyle Thiermann joins the podcast! 🌊✍️
 We talk fear as fuel for creativity, surfing six-story waves, and how curiosity can reshape your work—and your relationships. 🎧 Listen to the full episode: justingarydesign.substack.com/p/kyle-thier...

On my Substack, Think Like a Game Designer, I interview top designers, share actionable creativity tips, and break down the art of making games you can apply to life too. 💡 Want to level up your creativity? Subscribe now for insights, lessons, and exclusive content: justingarydesign.substack.com

Game designer Touko Tahkokallio has mastered both tabletop and digital play. In this episode, he shares how to stay playful under pressure, why “mental playtesting” beats rushing to prototype, and how a physics mindset fuels creativity. justingarydesign.substack.com/p/touko-tahk...

Game designer Touko Tahkokallio has mastered both tabletop and digital play. In this episode, he shares how to stay playful under pressure, why “mental playtesting” beats rushing to prototype, and how a physics mindset fuels creativity. justingarydesign.substack.com/p/touko-tahk...

On my podcast, Think Like a Game Designer, I interview top designers, share actionable creativity tips, and break down the art of making games you can apply to life too. Subscribe now for insights, lessons, and exclusive content: justingarydesign.substack.com/about

Every aspiring game designer has that idea—the one they’ve been thinking about for years but never actually make. Why? Fear disguised as perfectionism. The fix is simple: set a deadline. 👉 Read the full article here: justingarydesign.substack.com/p/deadlines-...

Jordan Weisman—creator of Battletech, Shadowrun, and Crimson Skies—has shaped generations of players and creators. This episode is a masterclass in lifelong creativity and emotional courage. justingarydesign.substack.com/p/jordan-wei...

What We Earn by Struggling: Finding Joy, Purpose, and Flow in the Work That Tests You. justingarydesign.substack.com/p/the-meanin...

On my podcast, Think Like a Game Designer, I interview top designers, share actionable creativity tips, and break down the art of making games you can apply to life too. Subscribe now for insights, lessons, and exclusive content: justingarydesign.substack.com/about

Every aspiring game designer has that idea—the one they’ve been thinking about for years but never actually make. Why? Fear disguised as perfectionism. The fix is simple: set a deadline. 👉 Read the full article here: justingarydesign.substack.com/p/deadlines-...

What We Earn by Struggling: Finding Joy, Purpose, and Flow in the Work That Tests You. justingarydesign.substack.com/p/the-meanin...

Jordan Weisman—creator of Battletech, Shadowrun, and Crimson Skies—has shaped generations of players and creators. This episode is a masterclass in lifelong creativity and emotional courage. justingarydesign.substack.com/p/jordan-wei...

🎮 Jonathan Grant (Zynga, Orbital Games, We Thought It Would Be Easy) joins us to talk making bold bets, growing through feedback, and why the best games are full of mystery. Don’t miss this deep dive into creative risk & game design! 🎧 Listen now: justingarydesign.substack.com/p/jonathan-g...

I spent 8 years avoiding writing my book—then finished it in 2 by changing one thing: I made winning easy. Learn the system that helped me write a book, design games, and stay sane. Read the full post & subscribe: justingarydesign.substack.com/p/make-winni...

🎮 Want to level up your game design skills? Think Like a Game Designer delivers 20+ years of industry insights. Subscribe to get free articles, lessons, podcast interviews, and access to exclusive content and community. justingarydesign.substack.com/about

I spent 8 years avoiding writing my book—then finished it in 2 by changing one thing: I made winning easy. Learn the system that helped me write a book, design games, and stay sane. Read the full post & subscribe: justingarydesign.substack.com/p/make-winni...

In this episode, Elan and I discuss into how his company built their rigorous playtesting culture, why marketing is inseparable from product design, and how pitching to Target and Walmart is just another kind of game. justingarydesign.substack.com/p/elan-lee-b... bsky.app/profile/elan...

Tim Ferriss is truly one of a kind. From 5 NYT bestsellers to a podcast with over 1B downloads, and early investments in Uber, Facebook, and more—his impact is massive. Now he’s bringing his talents to game design with the launch of Coyote. justingarydesign.substack.com/p/tim-ferris...

New Substack Post is live! justingarydesign.substack.com/p/how-to-cro...

In this episode of The Peoples Behind the Meeples, I share insights from decades of experience in the tabletop industry, the evolution of Ascension over the years, and my perspective on what makes lasting, impactful game design. gamefound.com/en/blog/post...

Here are the five most important lessons I've learned, each has transformed Ascension from a prototype to a global phenomenon. justingarydesign.substack.com/p/justin-gar...

Tim Ferriss is truly one of a kind. From 5 NYT bestsellers to a podcast with over 1B downloads, and early investments in Uber, Facebook, and more—his impact is massive. Now he’s bringing his talents to game design with the launch of Coyote. justingarydesign.substack.com/p/tim-ferris...

After years of studying great games and interviewing brilliant designers, I've come to appreciate a framework that cuts through the complexity and gets to the heart of what makes games truly memorable. Check it out: justingarydesign.substack.com/p/building-g...

In this episode, @colewehrle.bsky.social and I dive deep into the tension between control and chaos, discussing how historical research fuels good design, and why the best games ask players to grapple with uncomfortable truths. justingarydesign.substack.com/p/cole-wehrl...

New podcast just dropped! justingarydesign.substack.com/p/amy-lowe-f...

Jonathan Grant and Jordan Weisman sat down with me to discuss my journey from winning Magic: The Gathering championships to creating hit games like Ascension and SolForge! 🎥 Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhND...

Creativity isn’t a divine gift for a chosen few—it’s a practice. You don’t create because you’re good at it. You get good at it because you create. justingarydesign.substack.com/p/the-sound-...

In this episode, we explore how to treat your life like a design problem, why marketing is part of the art, and how vulnerability and weirdness aren’t liabilities—they’re the keys to resonance. justingarydesign.substack.com/p/derek-sive...

New post went live: justingarydesign.substack.com/p/celebrate-...

Whether you're a founder, designer, or someone trying to follow your passion while staying afloat, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. justingarydesign.substack.com/p/dominic-cr...

New post just dropped! justingarydesign.substack.com/p/a-game-des...

it's been a hot minute since I've podcasted, and I forgot how fun it could be. thank you for the great convo and questions, Justin!

I always find Think Like a Game Designer worth listening to, but despite me knowing very little about the comics world, I really enjoyed @dafnap.bsky.social as a guest. One particular part I totally vibed with starts at about 46:40, discussing generative AI.

My substack is all about exploring creativity through the lens of a game designer and applying the lessons I learned to games and everyday life. It’s a great hub for finding articles on game design and creativity, along with podcast episodes and show notes. #gamifyyourlife #tips

If you’re a fan of game design, or just curious about the process behind building a unique hybrid TCG, you're in the right place. Read my 5 Quick Lessons About Crowdfunding: justingarydesign.substack.com/i/164586811/...

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. justingarydesign.substack.com/p/day-0-pres...

Whatever you’re building, whatever you’re chasing, remember this: you don’t need permission to start. You don’t need to have all the answers before you begin. You just need to take the first step. justingarydesign.substack.com/p/playtest-y...

Kohji Nagata — Building Parallel, Designing with Obsession, and Falling in Love with Your Creations. Listen to the full episode here: justingarydesign.substack.com/p/kohji-naga...

In this episode, Dafna reveals what it really means to be an editor in comics—from juggling creators and licensors to surviving the relentless pace of monthly publishing. justingarydesign.substack.com/p/dafna-pleb...

The promised AI revolution isn’t some distant future—it’s happening now. Every day, creative professionals face the unsettling reality that AI capabilities are evolving faster than we can adapt. Read my new post here:👇🏼 justingarydesign.substack.com/p/the-golden...

Meet Justin Ziran: the mind behind your favorite games. From Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon to HeroClix, he’s spent decades leveling up player experience. His secret? Listen to my recent episode of Think Like A Game Designer to find out: justingarydesign.substack.com/p/justin-zir...

🎲✨ Game design meets creative storytelling! Ben Orlin, author of Math Games with Bad Drawings, joins Think Like a Game Designer to explore the intersection of math, games, and engaging design. Listen now 👉 justingarydesign.substack.com/p/think-like...