Gaming, like most hobbies, can be an escape for the player. So in today's society, does that mean certain themes are off limits? Tory Brown, designer of Votes for Women, doesn't think so. She tackles discourse head on, balancing the harsh realities of history and making a product with a message.

Special thanks to our episode contributors:

Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.

Beats by Lukas Michas. Graphic design by Seth Nickerson.

There's been a game taking the industry by storm! Maybe you've seen advertising for Flip 7 on BoardGameGeek, a viral video popping off, or noticed it as Game of the Month at Walmart. Or maybe you've seen it on your table because your friends keep asking to play it!

We had to hear the details about this dynamite release, so we went straight to the source. David Blanchard, Director of Party and Family Games at The Op Games, joins us to share the story and strategy behind our new favorite card game.

Special thanks to our episode contributors:

Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.

Beats by Lukas Michas.

Planning an event to promote an upcoming release or fan favorite title? Hear from Ben Green, who's no stranger to event planning and maximizing the effort involved - whether that's with local game stores or a worldwide jamboree.

Special thanks to our episode contributors:

Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.

Beats by Lukas Michas.

Good graphic design can make or break a game experience. Whether from completing the theme to improving UX, it's impossible to create a product without incorporating graphic design.

We invited industry expert Matt Paquette to dive into his design philosophies and share key experiences from his robust career.

Special thanks to our episode contributors:

Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.

Beats by Lukas Michas.

Everyone wants to meet their favorite character some day! And cosplayers get to make that dream a reality every day. Monica Paprocki joins Unboxed to share the impact of pulling talent into your in-person and online activations. She highlights what makes these partnerships exciting, and how to ensure they have the highest impact.

Special thanks to our episode contributors:

Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.

Beats by Lukas Michas.

Partnering with content creators is a core part of most marketing strategies, whether you're launching a new product or support a catalog classic. Creators serve a vital function: meeting customers where they are at, and navigating the ever-changing tide of social media platforms. How do we get the most out of these partnerships?

Danielle Standring joins Unboxed to talk about a vital part of these relationships - collaboration. Hear from a creator whose voice gets through the algorithm noise and serves a huge variety of brands, in addition to her audience.

Special thanks to our episode contributors:

Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.

Beats by Lukas Michas.

For Ross Connell, photography isn't just a passion—it's a medium that expresses the impact of a game has on the lives of new and existing fans. Ross shares the constraints he puts on his own work to make sure he's maximizing all the important details a photo should communicate to the viewer, especially as we live in a world of limited attention.

Special thanks to our episode contributors:

Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.

Beats by Lukas Michas.

This must be scientifically proven by now: Hobbies clearly make us better at our jobs. A giggly pair of Danni and Jen share some of their personal experiences with hobbies (mainly Woobles) and reflect on how those joys impact their work.

Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.

Beats by Lukas Michas.

If you liked this episode, support us further by treating us to a Ko-fi and following us on Bluesky and Threads!

When marketing is in your DNA, you can't help but inject it into every creative project. Zac Dixon from IV Studio shares how thinking about marketing and community building from a product's inception has helped them land hit after hit on crowdfunding and your tables.

Special thanks to our episode contributors:

Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.

Beats by Lukas Michas.

Graphic Design by Seth Nickerson.

If you liked this episode, support us further by treating us to a Ko-fi and following us on Bluesky and Threads!

Running the largest-grossing tabletop gaming Kickstarter campaign of all time can be a daunting feat, but Johnny O'Neal and the team at Brotherwise Games are a passionate, dedicated group. He reflects on their 12-year journey from launching the Boss Monster board game, and how they find themselves as a leader in licensed gaming.

Special thanks to our episode contributors:

Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.

Beats by Lukas Michas.

If you liked this episode, support us further by treating us to a Ko-fi and following us on Bluesky and Threads!