Fun Problems

By AJ Brandon and Peter C. HaywardLeisure Games

Fun Problems episodes

April 11, 2025 #51 - Audience Sell-Sheets
Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon explore what makes an effective sell sheet, providing feedback on listener-submitted examples. Throughout the discussion, they offer actionable advice on how to improve clarity, visual hierarchy, and focus in order to capture the interest of potential publishers.
Link to Sell Sheets: https://tinyurl.com/bd8pn9hp
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: [email protected]

Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
1 hr 2 min
April 06, 2025 #50 - Board Game Industry Predictions
As we celebrate our 50th episode, we predict the next five years of the industry, including the growing role of AI in game design, shifts in game themes, and the potential impact of global economic factors on the industry.
Note this was recorded before the massive "Liberation Day" tariffs bombshell.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: [email protected]

Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
1 hr 31 min
March 28, 2025 #49 - Would Allplay Publish This?
This episode kicks off our new series, featuring candid discussions about what it takes to catch the eye of top-notch publishers. Joe Wiggins explains what Allplay is looking for, and goes through many examples of published games that would be a great fit. Tune in to see if you have a game Allplay is looking to publish!
Submit to Allplay here: help.allplay.com
The Bits (Joe's podcast): https://rb.gy/53dzlf
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: [email protected]

Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
1 hr 9 min
March 14, 2025 #48 - Grab Bag Minisode
In this mini-sode, we touch on the importance of adaptability, using games like Robotopia to illustrate the 'follow the dog' philosophy. We teach focusing on fun and cutting unnecessary decision points to enhance game enjoyment. Whether it's co-design challenges or crafting concise mechanics, this episode dives into the nuances of aligning design choices with the player's experience.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: [email protected]

Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
30 min
February 28, 2025 #47 - Why Your (GOOD) Game Won't Sell – Part 2
This episode explores product cohesion, perceived value, and market alignment to ensure your game stands out on store shelves and online platforms.
Discover the importance of table presence, demo-friendly design, and crafting the perfect pitch that resonates with both publishers and players.
AJ's new design template: https://tinyurl.com/4266fvax
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: [email protected]

Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
1 hr 57 min
February 12, 2025 #46 - Why Your (GOOD) Game Won't Sell – Part 1
In this episode of Fun Problems, Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon revisit AJ's popular talk from his perspective as a retailer on factors (other than how 'fun' the game is) that can make or break a sale at retail stores.
Peter and AJ also emphasize understanding the "last stage pitch"—how buyers get their friends to play—and offer insights into creating memorable experiences that facilitate game recommendations.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: [email protected]

Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
1 hr 47 min
February 03, 2025 #45 - The Best Design Advice on the Internet – Part 4
The best game design advice on the internet can be found at https://daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough! This is part 4 of a series where we explore the game design blog "Daniel.Games," written by Daniel Piechnick.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: [email protected]
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod

Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
1 hr 37 min
January 25, 2025 #44 - Peter's 2024 Finances (Industry Talk)
Peter and AJ embark on a journey through the intricacies of royalties, advances, and the challenges of managing income as full-time game designers. With transparency as their guiding principle, they discuss the importance of understanding money, navigating contracts, and planning for financial stability in an unpredictable market.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: [email protected]
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod

Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
51 min
January 13, 2025 #43 Co-designing
Welcome to Fun Problems, where we dive into the challenges and joys of game design and podcasting. In this episode, hosts Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon are joined by special guest Alex Cutler to discuss the ins and outs of codesigning board games with another designer.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: [email protected]
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod

Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
1 hr 42 min
December 25, 2024 #42 BONUS Holiday Special
In this special holiday edition of "Fun Problems," host Peter C. Hayward takes center stage to delve into the cultural nuances and underlying assumptions of beloved games like Go, Dominion, and Wingspan. Peter explores how culture and timing influence game success, challenging the popular notion of universal game design truths.
This engaging episode also includes personal stories, playful banter with co-host AJ, and a light-hearted discussion on the pet peeves of gamers and game designers alike. From frustrating player behaviors to the intricacies of rulebook design, this episode provides an entertaining deep dive into the world of tabletop gaming, offering both laughter and valuable insights.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: [email protected]
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod

Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
1 hr 20 min

About Fun Problems

From the publisher's feed

Board game design is a deep and often challenging pursuit. We explore all aspects of game design and the fun problems (and solutions) that come with it.