Justin Gary
@justingary.bsky.social
Entrepreneur Game Designer. Founder of Stone Blade Entertainment and Gamer Entertainment. Author of Think Like a Game Designer.
Hard to believe how far the Think Like a Game Designer Podcast has come—next week is Episode 100 🎙️
I pulled together 10 insights that kept coming up again and again—ideas I keep returning to and expect to carry with me for years.
👉 justingarydesign.substack.com/p/10-lessons...
I pulled together 10 insights that kept coming up again and again—ideas I keep returning to and expect to carry with me for years.
👉 justingarydesign.substack.com/p/10-lessons...
10 Lessons from 100 Episodes of Think Like a Game Designer
What I’ve learned about creativity, craft, and building things that matter
justingarydesign.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Hard to believe how far the Think Like a Game Designer Podcast has come—next week is Episode 100 🎙️
I pulled together 10 insights that kept coming up again and again—ideas I keep returning to and expect to carry with me for years.
👉 justingarydesign.substack.com/p/10-lessons...
I pulled together 10 insights that kept coming up again and again—ideas I keep returning to and expect to carry with me for years.
👉 justingarydesign.substack.com/p/10-lessons...
In this episode, Theresa Duringer shares insights on what makes a great digital adaptation, why performance and UX are inseparable from game design, and how to bridge the gap between physical and digital play without losing what makes tabletop special.
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/theresa-du...
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/theresa-du...
Theresa Duringer — UI as Game Design, Onboarding Without Friction, and the Ethics of AI (#100)
Think Like A Game Designer Podcast
justingarydesign.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:20 PM
In this episode, Theresa Duringer shares insights on what makes a great digital adaptation, why performance and UX are inseparable from game design, and how to bridge the gap between physical and digital play without losing what makes tabletop special.
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/theresa-du...
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/theresa-du...
Industry veteran Jaimie Wolanski (Catan, Ticket to Ride, Exploding Kittens) joins me on the podcast to share tough truths about retail, building teams you trust, and knowing when to let go.
👉 Listen now: justingarydesign.substack.com/p/jaimie-wol...
👉 Listen now: justingarydesign.substack.com/p/jaimie-wol...
Jaimie Wolanski — Tough Truths, Retail Realities, and How Games Create Connection (#98)
Think Like A Game Designer Podcast
justingarydesign.substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Industry veteran Jaimie Wolanski (Catan, Ticket to Ride, Exploding Kittens) joins me on the podcast to share tough truths about retail, building teams you trust, and knowing when to let go.
👉 Listen now: justingarydesign.substack.com/p/jaimie-wol...
👉 Listen now: justingarydesign.substack.com/p/jaimie-wol...
AI is reshaping creative work—but the real question is how we use it responsibly.
Read my take on hybrid human–AI design and creative ethics 👇
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/the-ethics...
Read my take on hybrid human–AI design and creative ethics 👇
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/the-ethics...
Upstream Art in the Age of AI
The ethical case for hybrid human–AI tools
justingarydesign.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:10 AM
AI is reshaping creative work—but the real question is how we use it responsibly.
Read my take on hybrid human–AI design and creative ethics 👇
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/the-ethics...
Read my take on hybrid human–AI design and creative ethics 👇
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/the-ethics...
I interviewed game design legend Vlaada Chvátil 🎲
(Codenames, Through the Ages)
We talk about why great games don’t need marketing, how designing for joy fuels longevity, and what makes collaboration actually work.
👉 Listen now justingarydesign.substack.com/p/vlaada-chv...
(Codenames, Through the Ages)
We talk about why great games don’t need marketing, how designing for joy fuels longevity, and what makes collaboration actually work.
👉 Listen now justingarydesign.substack.com/p/vlaada-chv...
Vlaada Chvátil — Designing for Joy, Building Great Games, and Letting Quality Do the Marketing (#97)
Think Like A Game Designer Podcast
justingarydesign.substack.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:53 AM
I interviewed game design legend Vlaada Chvátil 🎲
(Codenames, Through the Ages)
We talk about why great games don’t need marketing, how designing for joy fuels longevity, and what makes collaboration actually work.
👉 Listen now justingarydesign.substack.com/p/vlaada-chv...
(Codenames, Through the Ages)
We talk about why great games don’t need marketing, how designing for joy fuels longevity, and what makes collaboration actually work.
👉 Listen now justingarydesign.substack.com/p/vlaada-chv...
Want a simple way to level up next year?
Do an Energy Audit:
✨ Top 3 energizers
💀 Top 3 drains
Protect what fuels you. Batch/Automate/Delegate what doesn’t.
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/energy-is-...
#Productivity #SelfGrowth #CreativeWork #FocusTime #EnergyManagement
Do an Energy Audit:
✨ Top 3 energizers
💀 Top 3 drains
Protect what fuels you. Batch/Automate/Delegate what doesn’t.
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/energy-is-...
#Productivity #SelfGrowth #CreativeWork #FocusTime #EnergyManagement
The Energy Audit
Find what drains you—and fix it.
justingarydesign.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Want a simple way to level up next year?
Do an Energy Audit:
✨ Top 3 energizers
💀 Top 3 drains
Protect what fuels you. Batch/Automate/Delegate what doesn’t.
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/energy-is-...
#Productivity #SelfGrowth #CreativeWork #FocusTime #EnergyManagement
Do an Energy Audit:
✨ Top 3 energizers
💀 Top 3 drains
Protect what fuels you. Batch/Automate/Delegate what doesn’t.
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/energy-is-...
#Productivity #SelfGrowth #CreativeWork #FocusTime #EnergyManagement
Exploding Kittens CEO Carly McGinnis joins the podcast! 🎙️
From Hollywood hustle to leading a global game company with 25M+ games sold, Carly shares how she scales teams, navigates creative chaos, and builds a culture that brings big ideas to life.
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/carly-mcgi...
From Hollywood hustle to leading a global game company with 25M+ games sold, Carly shares how she scales teams, navigates creative chaos, and builds a culture that brings big ideas to life.
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/carly-mcgi...
Carly McGinnis — Startup Scrappiness, Trusting Your Team, and the Rhythm of Leadership (#96)
Think Like A Game Designer Podcast
justingarydesign.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Exploding Kittens CEO Carly McGinnis joins the podcast! 🎙️
From Hollywood hustle to leading a global game company with 25M+ games sold, Carly shares how she scales teams, navigates creative chaos, and builds a culture that brings big ideas to life.
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/carly-mcgi...
From Hollywood hustle to leading a global game company with 25M+ games sold, Carly shares how she scales teams, navigates creative chaos, and builds a culture that brings big ideas to life.
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/carly-mcgi...
⏳ Why Deadlines Aren’t the Enemy — They’re Your Secret Weapon
👉 Read the article here and try setting your next milestone today:
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/deadlines-...
👉 Read the article here and try setting your next milestone today:
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/deadlines-...
Deadlines Are Magic
Why the Best Designers Embrace Constraints
justingarydesign.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:05 AM
⏳ Why Deadlines Aren’t the Enemy — They’re Your Secret Weapon
👉 Read the article here and try setting your next milestone today:
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/deadlines-...
👉 Read the article here and try setting your next milestone today:
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/deadlines-...
Great games follow a clear order of operations:
1️⃣ Engine Design – Find the fun.
2️⃣ Engine Development – Build the structure.
3️⃣ Component Design – Define each piece.
4️⃣ Component Development – Balance the details.
5️⃣ Polish – Make it shine.
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/leveraging...
1️⃣ Engine Design – Find the fun.
2️⃣ Engine Development – Build the structure.
3️⃣ Component Design – Define each piece.
4️⃣ Component Development – Balance the details.
5️⃣ Polish – Make it shine.
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/leveraging...
Every Game Needs a Solid Foundation
The five phases of design that keep your game from collapsing
justingarydesign.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Great games follow a clear order of operations:
1️⃣ Engine Design – Find the fun.
2️⃣ Engine Development – Build the structure.
3️⃣ Component Design – Define each piece.
4️⃣ Component Development – Balance the details.
5️⃣ Polish – Make it shine.
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/leveraging...
1️⃣ Engine Design – Find the fun.
2️⃣ Engine Development – Build the structure.
3️⃣ Component Design – Define each piece.
4️⃣ Component Development – Balance the details.
5️⃣ Polish – Make it shine.
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/leveraging...
Reposted by Justin Gary
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)
(*or the opposite, in the case of the goalie)
June 20, 2025 at 6:24 PM
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)
(*or the opposite, in the case of the goalie)
Reposted by Justin Gary
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:
🎲✂️
Every so often I find myself writing down quotes, which I'll be sharing in this thread:
🎲✂️
July 14, 2025 at 9:40 AM
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:
🎲✂️
Every so often I find myself writing down quotes, which I'll be sharing in this thread:
🎲✂️
Thank you so much!
Really great article by @justingary.bsky.social about the design, development and publishing of Ascension over the past 15 years, lots of great advice for designers.
Highly recommend.
boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...
Highly recommend.
boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...
Designer Diary: 5 Lessons Learned from 15 Years of Ascension | BoardGameGeek News
boardgamegeek.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Thank you so much!
Reposted by Justin Gary
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...
Cole Wehrle — Cute Creatures, Brutal Games, Asymmetric Design, and Subverting Expectations (#88)
Think Like A Game Designer Podcast
justingarydesign.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:42 AM
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...
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...
Kyle Thiermann — Deadlines, Mentors, Curiosity, and the Craft of Connection (#94)
Think Like A Game Designer Podcast
justingarydesign.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:40 PM
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...
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
💡 Want to level up your creativity? Subscribe now for insights, lessons, and exclusive content: justingarydesign.substack.com
Think Like A Game Designer | Justin Gary | Substack
Delivering 20 Years Of Game Design Experience Straight To Your Inbox! Unpacking Game Design Lessons And Their Applications In Everyday Life With Brilliant Game Designers From Across The Globe! Click t...
justingarydesign.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:43 PM
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
💡 Want to level up your creativity? Subscribe now for insights, lessons, and exclusive content: justingarydesign.substack.com
Reposted by Justin Gary
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...
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/touko-tahk...
Touko Tahkokallio — Curiosity, Physics, and the Power of Mental Playtesting (#94)
Think Like A Game Designer Podcast
justingarydesign.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:54 AM
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...
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...
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/touko-tahk...
Touko Tahkokallio — Curiosity, Physics, and the Power of Mental Playtesting (#94)
Think Like A Game Designer Podcast
justingarydesign.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:54 AM
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...
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/touko-tahk...
Reposted by Justin Gary
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
About - Think Like A Game Designer
Delivering 20 Years Of Game Design Experience Straight To Your Inbox! Unpacking Game Design Lessons And Their Applications In Everyday Life With Brilliant Game Designers From Across The Globe! Click t...
justingarydesign.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:28 AM
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
Reposted by Justin Gary
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-...
The fix is simple: set a deadline.
👉 Read the full article here: justingarydesign.substack.com/p/deadlines-...
Deadlines Are Magic
Why the Best Designers Embrace Constraints
justingarydesign.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:30 AM
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-...
The fix is simple: set a deadline.
👉 Read the full article here: justingarydesign.substack.com/p/deadlines-...
Reposted by Justin Gary
Reposted by Justin Gary
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...
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/jordan-wei...
Jordan Weisman — From Battletech to Shadowrun: The Power of Curiosity and Collaboration (#93)
Think Like A Game Designer Podcast
justingarydesign.substack.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:42 PM
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...
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/jordan-wei...
Reposted by Justin Gary
What We Earn by Struggling: Finding Joy, Purpose, and Flow in the Work That Tests You.
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/the-meanin...
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/the-meanin...
What We Earn by Struggling
Finding Joy, Purpose, and Flow in the Work That Tests You
justingarydesign.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:06 PM
What We Earn by Struggling: Finding Joy, Purpose, and Flow in the Work That Tests You.
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/the-meanin...
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
About - Think Like A Game Designer
Delivering 20 Years Of Game Design Experience Straight To Your Inbox! Unpacking Game Design Lessons And Their Applications In Everyday Life With Brilliant Game Designers From Across The Globe! Click t...
justingarydesign.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:28 AM
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-...
The fix is simple: set a deadline.
👉 Read the full article here: justingarydesign.substack.com/p/deadlines-...
Deadlines Are Magic
Why the Best Designers Embrace Constraints
justingarydesign.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:30 AM
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-...
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...
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/the-meanin...
What We Earn by Struggling
Finding Joy, Purpose, and Flow in the Work That Tests You
justingarydesign.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:06 PM
What We Earn by Struggling: Finding Joy, Purpose, and Flow in the Work That Tests You.
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/the-meanin...
justingarydesign.substack.com/p/the-meanin...