Shows
Games Every Designer Should PlayXMAS SPECIAL: Metal Gear Solid - Games Every Designer Should PlayWelcome to a Special Christmas Episode of Games Every Designer Should Play, the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join game design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they return to Shadow Moses to unpack the legacy of Metal Gear Solid — one of the most influential and idiosyncratic games ever made.
🚨 Spoiler alert for the game! We strongly recommend playing Metal Gear Solid before listening.
In this episode, we explore how Metal Gear Solid blends cinematic storytelling, memorable characters, and inven...
2025-12-251h 42
Games Every Designer Should PlayEP14: Katamari Damacy - Games Every Designer Should PlayWelcome to Episode 14 of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they roll into the wacky, colourful world of Katamari Damacy.
🚨 Spoiler alert for The Game! We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening.
In this episode, we discuss how Katamari Damacy nails its core gameplay loop, providing constant feedback and a sense of progression through clever design. We explore its unique game feel — from...
2025-12-161h 07
Games Every Designer Should PlayHALLOWEEN SPECIAL: Mouthwashing - Games Every Designer Should PlayWelcome to a Special Bonus Halloween Episode of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they discuss Mouthwashing — a visceral indie game that shows us how to tell a powerful narrative.
🚨 Spoiler alert for The Game! We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening.
In this episode, we discuss how Mouthwashing demonstrates the value of starting small, using a compact scope to deliver a focus...
2025-10-311h 21
Games Every Designer Should PlayEP13: Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes - Games Every Designer Should PlayWelcome to Episode 13 of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they try to communicate the chaotic pressures of Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes.
🚨 Spoiler alert for The Game! We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening.
In this episode, we discuss how Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes transforms communication itself into gameplay, creating tension, teamwork, and comedy through pure verbal coordination. We explore how...
2025-10-281h 10
Games Every Designer Should PlayEP12: The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth - Games Every Designer Should PlayWelcome to Episode 12 of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they descend into the chaotic, grotesque, and endlessly replayable world of The Binding of Isaac.
🚨 Spoiler alert for The Game! We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening.
In this episode, we discuss how The Binding of Isaac turns randomness into both its greatest strength and biggest challenge. We compare it's gameplay to the...
2025-10-081h 22
Why Words MatterWhy Words Matter: Bloomsbury Festival SpecialA special episode discussing 26 Bridges, and 26’s upcoming appearances at The Bloomsbury Festival – the 26 Bridges Auction on Thursday 16 October, and our annual Wordstock Festival on Saturday 18 October. Featuring Sam Gray, Stuart Delves, Jo Lilford, and Joni Brown. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 26writersgroup.substack.com
2025-10-0634 min
Games Every Designer Should PlayEP11: Resident Evil 2 (2019) - Games Every Designer Should PlayWelcome to Episode 11 of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they navigate the dark corridors of Resident Evil 2 (2019) - a modern remake of a survival horror classic.
🚨 Spoiler alert for The Game! We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening.
In this episode, we discuss how Resident Evil 2 (2019) delivers efficient, well-crafted level design: from its looping layout to its clever reuse of environments and...
2025-07-171h 25
Games Every Designer Should PlayEP10: Return of the Obra Dinn - Games Every Designer Should PlayWelcome to Episode 10 of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they dive into Return of the Obra Dinn—a genre-defying deduction game that puts players in the role of a 19th-century insurance investigator aboard a ghost ship.
Spoiler alert for The Game! 🚨 We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening.
In this episode, we talk about Return of the Obra Dinn's distinctive and effec...
2025-04-291h 15
Games Every Designer Should PlayEP09: Subnautica - Games Every Designer Should PlayWelcome to Episode 09 of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they dive into Subnautica—a survival game that blends mystery, exploration, and tension beneath the waves.
Spoiler alert for The Game! 🚨 We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening.
In this episode, we discuss how Subnautica creates an incredible sense of mystery and discovery, its immersive survival mechanics, and the brilliance of its envir...
2025-04-031h 20
Games Every Designer Should PlayEP08: Titanfall 2 - Games Every Designer Should PlayWelcome to Episode 08 of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they dive into Titanfall 2—a masterclass in movement, pacing, and level design.
Spoiler alert for The Game! 🚨 We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening.
In this episode, we explore how Titanfall 2 blends fluid movement with tight gunplay, the brilliance of Effect and Cause, and how the game’s pacing keeps players constantly engaged...
2025-02-251h 14
Games Every Designer Should PlayBONUS 01: Tetris - Games Every Designer Should PlayWelcome to a Special Bonus Christmas Episode of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they delve into Tetris, exploring its elegant simplicity, how it mastered the core gameplay loop, and the importance of player choice.
Spoiler alert for The Game! 🚨 We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening—also Spoilers for The Witness, The Last of Us: Part 2, and Batman: Arkham Knight.
In this...
2024-12-2546 min
Games Every Designer Should PlayEP07: Batman: Arkham Asylum - Games Every Designer Should PlayWelcome to Episode 07 of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Game Design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they delve into Batman: Arkham Asylum, exploring its groundbreaking Freeflow Combat, immersive environment, and how it set a new standard for superhero games.
Spoiler alert for The Game! 🚨 We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening.
In this episode, we dive into Batman: Arkham Asylum and examine its masterful world-building, from subtle nods to...
2024-12-181h 34
Games Every Designer Should PlayEP06: Vampire Survivors - Games Every Designer Should PlayWelcome to Episode 06 of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Lecturers in Game Design, Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they navigate the reverse bullet-hell of VAMPIRE SURVIVORS, discussing its perfected core game loop and the beauty of its simplicity.
Spoiler alert for The Game! 🚨 We STRONGLY advise you to play before listening.
In this episode, we delve into the chaotic world of Vampire Survivors! We break down its brilliantly addictive core gam...
2024-11-191h 12
Games Every Designer Should PlayEP05: Thank Goodness You're Here! - Games Every Designer Should PlayWelcome to Episode 05 of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Lecturers in Game Design, Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they delve into the absurd comedy slapformer THANK GOODNESS YOU'RE HERE!, exploring its blend of comedy and game design as well as it's approach to backtracking and reactions to the player
Spoiler alert for The Game! 🚨 We STRONGLY advise you play before listening.
In this episode, we dive into the delightfully quirky wor...
2024-10-241h 11
Games Every Designer Should PlayEP04: Bioshock - Games Every Designer Should PlayWelcome to Episode 04 of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Lecturers in Game Design, Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they delve into the seminal first-person shooter BIOSHOCK, exploring its rich narrative and immersive world-building.
Spoiler alert for Bioshock! 🚨 We STRONGLY advise you play before listening.
In this episode, we explore how BioShock draws inspiration from art, philosophy, and history, while also breaking down its exceptional sound design and how it leverages the...
2024-10-101h 21
Games Every Designer Should PlayEP03: Inscryption - Games Every Designer Should PlayWelcome to Episode 03 of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Lecturers in Game Design, Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they delve into the mysterious card-battler INSCRYPTION, exploring its emergent gameplay and ability to keep things fresh.
Spoiler alert for Inscryption! 🚨 We STRONGLY advise you play before listening. You can grab it here.
In this episode, we discuss emergent gameplay, subverting expectations and keeping things fresh, ARGs, using sound design and VFX to...
2024-07-041h 15
Games Every Designer Should PlayEP02: Cocoon - Games Every Designer Should PlayWelcome to Episode 02 of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Lecturers in Game Design, Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they delve into the exceptional puzzle game COCOON, exploring its controlled design and simple player actions.
Spoiler alert for Cocoon! 🚨 We advise you play before listening. You can grab it here.
In this episode, we discuss the KISS rule, controlled design, restrictive level design, using sound design to reward the player, affordances, dem...
2024-05-1759 min
Games Every Designer Should PlayEP01: Portal - Games Every Designer Should PlayWelcome to Episode 01 of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Lecturers in Game Design, Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they delve into the iconic game PORTAL, exploring its innovative mechanics and design insights.
Spoiler alert for Portal! 🚨 We advise you play before listening. You can grab it here.
In this episode, we discuss environmental storytelling, pacing and progression, the importance of playtesting and iterative design, and the debate of Cut scenes vs...
2024-04-261h 09
Games Every Designer Should PlayEP00: Games Every Designer Should Play - Episode ZeroWelcome to the debut episode of 'Games Every Designer Should Play,' the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join experienced Lecturers in Game Design, Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they introduce the podcast's format, share their expertise, and tease the game up for discussion in the forthcoming Episode 1.
Music by Vasil Trofimov from Pixabay.
2024-03-2514 min