In episode 121 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication, J. Evan Raitt shares how an infamously frustrating game first sparked his interest in design, which eventually led to a make-your-own-game elective in college and most recently to the creation of Shifting Stones.

We talk about the theme being inspired by his fascination with traditional Mayan glyphs, how other types of designers or artists can fill creative gaps, the importance of player options in abstract games, clever touches like dual-sided reference cards, collaborating closely with fast-paced publishers, and how casual conversations can turn connections in the industry into real opportunities.

J. Evan Raitt – Guest

Danielle Reynolds – Host

Logan Bonner and Jason Keeley take us on a tour of the latest Pathfinder 2e hardcover, Battlecry, and how it leads into the upcoming Pathfinder adventure path, The Hellfire Crisis.

From the Gen Con 2025 Starfinder Launch Panel, shared with permission.

Jenny Jarzabski, Mike Kimmel, Dustin Knight, Aras Yazgan, and Jessica Catalan (with special appearance by Thurston Hillman) of Paizo’s Starfinder team cracks open the pages of Starfinder 2e for reveals and more.

From the Gen Con 2025 Starfinder Launch Panel, shared with permission.

Multiple Essence20 Core Rulebooks boldly call Story Points “The Great Equalizer”.

Ryan and Charles look at how this isn’t an exaggeration, and point out how this meta narrative control consumable can elevate the stories of your G.I. JOE, My Little Pony, Power Rangers, Transformers, and Welcome To Night Vale campaigns.

Featuring Letter From Snake Eyes part 4, generously provided by Wordburglar. Check it and other amazing 80s-inspired out at Wordburglar.com.

Although the host works for Renegade Game Studios, this podcast and the network that hosts it are not affiliated with Renegade Game Studios.

Hawk’s Personnel Files PDF now available to all

One week left to back G.I. JOE Risk

Award-Winning & Nominated Tabletop RPGs presented by ENNIES Tabletop RPG Awards

Starfinder designer Dustin Knight joins Alex and James as Starfinder 2e launched into the ether, becoming one with the cosmos.

Recorded live on Twitch.

Our heroes come face-to0-face with the creature causing all the problems on Absalom Station. Can they earn the victory and escape the ghost levels?

Starfinder Creative Manager Jenny Jarzabski join Jason, John, and Ron to talk about all the cool Starfinder 2nd Edition things going on at Gen Con for today’s Starfinder 2 release!

Ron Lundeen is an employee of Wizards of the Coast and his opinions are his own.

In episode 120 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Pete Petrusha of Imagining Games about adapting the Eisner award-winning Image comic series, CHEW, into a Forged in the Dark foodie crime drama TTRPG!

They discuss several delicious topics including the concept of meeting needs and answering questions with your game designs (what’s something I can play in the hallway with my friends at PAX right now?), obtaining the rights to use ALL the art from the entirety of the comic, incorporating an IP into an RPG – in this case, adapting and building within a pre-existing RPG system to make unique mechanics for the theme – winning an ENNIE award, and more.

So take a breather from our clucked up world for a second and listen to some fantastic food for thought!

Pete Petrusha – Guest

Danielle Reynolds – Host

Ryan and Charles go through the contents and development of the latest Essence20 sourcebook for the G.I. JOE Roleplaying Game: Hawk’s Personnel Files. Anyone who preordered the physical copy from Renegade Game Studios can currently download the PDF.

Featuring Letter From Snake Eyes part 4, generously provided by Wordburglar. Check it and other amazing 80s-inspired out at Wordburglar.com.

Although the host works for Renegade Game Studios, this podcast and the network that hosts it are not affiliated with Renegade Game Studios.

Jason, John, and Ron are all going to Gen Con next week! They share what they will be busy doing as well as what they look forward to the most!

Ron Lundeen is an employee of Wizards of the Coast and his opinions are his own.