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PODCAST

Design Doc

Hannah Shaffer and Evan Rowland

Come along with Hannah and Evan in a living documentation of the game design process, from the first spark of an idea, to every disastrous surprise. It’s not an instruction manual, but a travel guide, with lots of unexpected stops along the way.

arts design

All Episodes

44:53

Convention Dids and Didn’ts

Design Doc ·

2025/12/10

Conventions are an opportunity for us to get our games in front of a bigger audience, and PAX Unplugged is our biggest show. The stakes feel high, and we have to balance our ambitious goals with practical preparations. In this episode, we talk about what we were proud of, what we wish we’d done differently, and how every year we get a little better.Episode mentions: Thoughtcrime Games - https://thoughtcrimegames.itch.io/ Elliot Davis - https://www.moreblueberries.com/ World Champ Game Co. -

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2:06

Short Break Announcement

Design Doc ·

2025/11/26

Just a quick announcement that we'll be skipping a release cycle for the Thanksgiving holiday. See you back in two weeks with a new episode!In the meantime you might consider: Joining the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Supporting Design Doc on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠ Picking up one of our games: https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Design Doc Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado:

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55:23

Making Game Hacks That Stay Small

Design Doc ·

2025/11/13

It's hard for us to make a hack that doesn't grow into a game of its own. In this episode, we talk about two playtests—one for a game variant, another for a new hack—and say what went well, what needs work, and how to keep small things small.Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Design Doc Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out our games: https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost:

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50:02

You Can’t End the Game Until You Know What It Means

Design Doc ·

2025/10/29

Endings are hard. The ending of a roleplaying game isn’t just the culmination of the story; it’s also when the themes and purpose of the game become clear. In this episode we talk about designing a conclusion that comes at the right time, conveys the right message, and still leaves room for all the improvisation of roleplaying.Episode mentions: Ready Player One—but just a brief mention this time, promise! Mother! (2017 film written & directed by Darren Aronofsky) Other Design Doc episodes

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43:14

Design Doc 101

Design Doc ·

2025/10/15

Is Design Doc a game design podcast? A saga about the challenges of making art for a living? A never-ending field trip? In episode 101 we talk about how Design Doc began, what it became, and what we hope it could become. Plus, dinosaurs!Episode mentions: Internet Shaquille video about short-form content - “I Posted a Short EVERY Day and THIS Happened!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvu3SDigoMA Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support our work on Patreon:

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70:45

Bonus: Ernest Cline's Stinker (Part 2—the Movie!)

Design Doc ·

2025/10/01

We conclude our discussion of Ready Player One with an updated review of the movie. In pondering this mid movie, we leave no stone unturned... and no critically-acclaimed director forgiven. Come for the movie critique, stay for the poetry!Find part 1 of the discussion, Ernest Cline's Stinker (Part 1), here. Find our original review of the movie on Patreon here. Episode Mentions: Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013 directed by Tommy Wirkola) Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord:

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91:59

Bonus: Ernest Cline's Stinker (Part 1)

Design Doc ·

2025/09/17

We’re pulling an unaired episode from the archives this week! We talk about Ready Player One, the dystopian virtual-world novel that took the world by storm over a decade ago. We each completed the book independently, then came together in this conversation to share our thoughts with each other (and the world). In part 1 we discuss the novel, in part 2 we watch the movie and read an illuminating poem.Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support our work on

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117:59

The Realest Place on Earth

Design Doc ·

2025/09/03

Happy Design Doc episode 100! In this special episode, we take a field trip with our game Escape from Wonderland. Trapped in an amusement park with a half-finished game, we explore liminal spaces, shuttered VIP lounges, and mind-bendingly long queues. To escape Six Flags New England, we must first fix our broken larp.Creepy circus music is ⁠Creepy Circus Music from Derek Fiechter & Brandon Fiechter on Soundcloud⁠ Roller coaster screams captured by Carrie, who can be found ⁠here⁠ Find Jill

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58:46

Game Design Grab Bag

Design Doc ·

2025/07/30

In an impromptu recording, we decided to take turns setting a 6-minute timer and sharing whatever topics came to mind. The result was a series of compressed design conversations and a snapshot of our current ambitions and troubles.1 - Sandbox exploration (chicken) 2 - Questlandia audio drama (cow) 3 - Traits & Conditions accounting (duck) 4 - Making the bed (whale) 5 - Null result (seagull) 6 - Mud gallery (horse) Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support

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54:17

Roleplaying in the Park

Design Doc ·

2025/07/16

We're going back to the park and taking Wonderland with us! To get the game off the table and into the real world, there are a number of changes we'll have to make. We talk fanny packs, waterproof paper, coordinated outfits, and ditching friends.You can listen to our previous episode about Six Flags here. Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support our work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy our games:

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40:28

Creative Disagreements

Design Doc ·

2025/07/02

Even after years of working together, there are times where we just can’t agree. The work grinds to a halt, and we end up frustrated and confused. When there’s a breakdown in collaboration, how do you diagnose what went wrong, repair the rift, and move forward together?Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support our work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy our games: https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by

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44:26

The Game Takes Shape

Design Doc ·

2025/06/18

In the early stages of a game's design, it's hard to even know what questions to answer. We've hit a turning point with Escape from Wonderland where we can see the shape of the game taking form. Big, abstract questions are getting small and specific. Now that the game has real structure, what comes next?Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord:⁠⁠⁠ https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠ Support our work on Patreon:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠ Buy our games:⁠⁠⁠

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40:31

The Rules Tell a Story

Design Doc ·

2025/06/04

After you’ve made the rules, you need to decide how you’re going to tell them. The right rule in the wrong order can make all the difference! In this unscripted episode, we share our initial thoughts about how we want our next rulebook to start, how to include immersive writing without sacrificing clarity, and (for some reason) reminisce about spooky VHS covers we encountered as children. Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord:⁠⁠ https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠ Support our work on Patreon:⁠⁠

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47:27

Epilogues in Games

Design Doc ·

2025/05/21

Story endings are hard! The epilogue of a game not only has to logically wrap up the story and tie up any loose ends—it’s also the moment to reflect on how your character has grown over many sessions, and a moment for you as the player to feel like the time spent playing was worthwhile.In this episode, we talk about what makes roleplaying game epilogues special, and how we're approaching epilogue design in Escape from Wonderland. Episode Mentions: Return to Oz (1985 film) Fortunately (1964

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52:27

Balancing the Pendulum

Design Doc ·

2025/05/07

This week, we talk about the unpredictable mechanical swings that can happen between different versions of a game. Small tweaks to mechanics can trigger a cascade of unintended effects, causing the game design pendulum to swing from too many choices to too few and back again. We talk through examples of how we've managed these swings in Escape from Wonderland, and discuss our ongoing efforts to find the right balance.Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz Support our

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38:13

Now You're the Bad Guy

Design Doc ·

2025/04/23

We’re introducing a new dynamic to our latest roleplaying game! You all came to this amusement park as friends, but one of you started serving the park’s demonic forces. And things are about to get mean.How can characters become enemies while players remain friends? When the rules ask you to clash with you peers, care and consideration needs to be given to keeping the antagonism fun. Links: Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz Support Design Doc monthly on Patreon:

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60:10

Don’t Stop Making Art! (Feat. Joshua A.C. Newman)

Design Doc ·

2025/04/09

Hannah had to get a full time office job. Since then, finding the time and energy for creative work has been an uphill battle. In this episode, Hannah sits down with close friend and fellow game designer Joshua A.C. Newman to talk about life, art, and staying true to your values in trying times.Support Joshua’s work! https://www.patreon.com/joshua https://www.patreon.com/PunkPedagogy Links: Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun Website:

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45:39

It’s My Playtest and I’ll Cry If I Want To

Design Doc ·

2025/03/26

Hannah and Evan discuss Wonderland's first four-player playtest. When a playtest goes wrong, it can be tricky to diagnose the cause. How much is due to the rules, and what's connected to the more subtle influence of mood and flow?Links: Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Website: turtlebun.com Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Get in touch: Designdocpod

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55:51

Pacing

Design Doc ·

2025/03/12

Slow and steady wins the race... but does it work in a one-session RPG? From what we've seen in Escape from Wonderland, not quite. In this episode, we discuss pacing in roleplaying games: from the moment players arrive at the table to leaving everyone feeling satisfied with the story's twists and turns. We dig into the challenge of building uncanny horror—where a slow burn creates the best dread—and whether it's possible to communicate that in a single sitting.Mentioned in this episode: Visioneers

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52:45

Insights and Secrets

Design Doc ·

2025/02/26

Sometimes a secret is worth more than gold. But how do you make concrete rules for something intangible? Hannah and Evan talk about the secrets of Wonderland and what to do when the rules are out of step with the story.Links/Credits: Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Website: turtlebun.com Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Support Design Doc with a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/designdoc Get in touch: Designdocpod

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