Hidden Role: The Brains Behind Your Favorite Games

Returning guest Brent Bushnell talks bringing STEAM to kids through Two Bit Circus, using creative stunts to stand out in a crowd, and bringing ideas to life through rapid iteration.  --- Learn Brent's Story (Part 1): https://youtu.be/Ap14V5MrBz0 --- Check out DIYArtcade: https://strangeoutfit.com/diyartcade --- Follow Brent: https://www.instagram.com/brentbushnell https://brentbushnell.com/about https://twitter.com/brentbushnell --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions

In this special two part interview, creative powerhouse Brent Bushnell dives deep into Two Bit Circus, educating through hands-on play & STEAM-based programs, creating some of the first virtual reality attractions since the 90's, and much more. Stay tuned for Part 2!  --- Follow Brent: https://www.instagram.com/brentbushnell https://brentbushnell.com/about https://twitter.com/brentbushnell --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions

Dan Klitsner, renowned inventor of Bop It, is launching a Kickstarter for a new yard game... Sling It! Is it medieval cornhole with a sausage-slinging twist? Find out in this special episode, where Dan discusses the storied history of sausage tossing and the secret to inventing a fun and satisfying game! --- Get notified when the Sling It Kickstarter launches on June 4th!  http://slingitgame.com/ https://www.instagram.com/playslingit/ --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions

Connie Vogelmann is lightning in a bottle! Apiary & Wyrmspan were both among the top 20 hottest games on Board Game Geek... and they are her first games! In today's episode she shares her game design process, shines a light on the magic of bee waggle dances, and gives some excellent advice for new game designers. --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions

Teacher of the Year, Paul Andersen, taught science for 20 years and has been an educational consultant for a decade. In today's episode, he discusses running a successful Kickstarter for his product, Switch-Its; turning his classroom into a video game to excite kids about learning; and the secrets to teaching through play. --- Paul Andersen's YouTube Channel, Bozeman Science: https://www.youtube.com/@Bozemanscience1 Check out Switch-Its: https://thewonderofscience.com/switchits Check out The Wonder of Science: https://thewonderofscience.com/ --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions

JM Duparc, Chief Creation at Identity Games, gives us insights into collaborative design, creative ways to pass the time, the story behind Who's the Dude, and much, much more! --- Check out Identity Games: https://identitygames.nl/international/ --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions

In this episode, we dive into the world of game design with Scott Rogers, award winning video game and board game designer behind games like Pantone the Game and Alien: Fate of the Nostromo. Scott unveils the secrets of crafting engaging video and board games, gives us a behind-the-scenes glimpse of being an Imagineer, guides us through the art of writing a game design book, and dishes out game-changing advice for aspiring designers.  Check out Scott's new book, Your Turn!: The Guide to Great Tabletop Game Design: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Turn-Guide-Tabletop-Design/dp/111998159X --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions

In this episode, we speak with Kim Vandenbroucke, Game Designer of the Year winner and inventor of games like Pigs on Trampolines, Split, Scattergories Categories, and countless more. She shares her story, insights into the industry, and the secrets to becoming a successful serial inventor. --- Check out Brainy Chick, Inc. https://www.kimvandenbroucke.com/ --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions

Once again we visit with Robert "Bob" Fuhrer, who dives into the story of the international puzzle sensation, KenKen... and you'll never expect where this one goes! --- Learn more about Bob: https://youtu.be/sGBPH_n-z_c --- Check out Nextoy:  https://www.nextoy.com/ --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions

Robert "Bob" Fuhrer is for the toy industry what a producer is for the film industry; a mastermind who brings together creatives, engineers, and business minds to put out incredible toy products. In today's episode, he shares stories from his incredible career and advice for anyone who wants to succeed in the industry. --- Check out Nextoy: https://www.nextoy.com/ --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions

Adam Hocherman, AKA “Hock,” shares his journey from tech, to business owner, to the toy and game industry. Hock has done it all, from invention, to product development, to manufacturing, to inventor relations. He’s got his finger on the pulse of toys and games and gives us expert insights into how the industry has changed... and where it might be heading. --- Adam can be reached at his LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhocherman/ --- Check out People of Play! https://peopleofplay.com/ --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions ---

Dougal Grimes, the President of Inventor Relations and Innovation at Spin Master, has a vast knowledge of the toy and game space. Keith Grimes, Digital Health & Innovation Consultant, is an expert panelist on Artificial Intelligence. United, they are the "Brothers Grimes!" Though they're experts in different fields, they've come together to discuss their lifelong bonding over play and competition, and how artificial intelligence might change game development in the very near future.... --- Check out People of Play! https://peopleofplay.com/ --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions ---

Karri Bean, Senior Manager, LEGO at Disney Consumer Products, shares the secret of leading with empathy, hilarious stories from her travels to Denmark,  and how she oversees all the Disney franchises to transform them into iconic LEGO sets. --- Check out People of Play! https://peopleofplay.com/ --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions

In today's episode, Elizabeth Hargrave, the award-winning game designer behind Wingspan (the international sensation!), shares her game design philosophy, the story of the game's development, as well as the science behind her upcoming game, Undergrove. --- The Kickstarter for Undergrove launches in early November. Learn more and follow the launch: https://www.alderac.com/undergrove/ https://www.elizhargrave.com/games/undergrove --- Elizabeth is speaking at Hasbro's Women Innovators of Play on September 12. Register to attend the free virtual event: https://spark.hasbro.com/womeninnovators --- Visit Elizabeth's website and sign up for her newsletter: https://www.elizhargrave.com/ --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions

When Tom Dusenberry was the CEO of Hasbro Interactive, he negotiated the purchases of some of the today's biggest toy and game brands, from companies like Atari, Wizards of the Coast and Avalon HIll, to video games like Rollercoaster Tycoon. In today's episode, Tom gives us his insight from decades in the industry, including the secret of what makes a successful toy or game.... --- Dusenberry Entertainment: http://www.dusenberryentertainment.com/ --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions

Dive into the world of print on demand board game publishing with JT Smith,  the wizard behind The Game Crafter. From prototyping to playtesting to publishing, JT gives us insights into the creator economy and how The Game Crafter is a powerful tool for both new and veteran game designers. --- Check out The Game Crafter: https://www.thegamecrafter.com/ --- Design game assets using automation with Component Studio: https://component.studio/ --- Learn more about Protospiel: https://tabletop.events/conventions/protospiel-madison-2023 https://tabletop.events/protospiel/home --- Follow The Game Crafter on their socials: https://www.youtube.com/thegamecrafter https://www.instagram.com/thegamecrafter/ https://www.reddit.com/r/TheGameCrafter/ https://www.facebook.com/thegamecrafter https://discord.com/invite/zA8gCrF --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions

After many years in the toy and game industry, Scott Brown and Tim Swindle have teamed up to bring a brand new sport into the world... PaddleSmash! In this episode, we gain some fantastic insight into the challenges and thrills of launching a brand new product from inception to launch. --- Check out PaddleSmash: https://paddlesmash.com/ https://youtu.be/azMf1g6Th9U Follow PaddleSmash: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-NvHdB6xAhUZeNytDH87Ng https://www.tiktok.com/@paddlesmash --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions

Daryl is well known for traveling to most Toy and Game conventions every year, and in today's episode he tells us why attending conventions has been integral to his career as a board game designer. He breaks down why both inventors and companies benefit from attending conventions and gives advice on traversing the convention circuit to pitch your toy and game idea. Keep up with Daryl: https://twitter.com/darylmandrews https://www.facebook.com/darylandrews --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions

Ed Gartin is an expert in inventor relations, bringing together Toy & Game companies and the creatives want to bring their inventions to the world. In today's episode, he shares what he looks for in a pitch as well as crazy stories from his twenty years in the industry. Check out Paper Bag Creative: https://paperbagcreative.fun/ --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions

Nicholas Cravotta and Rebecca Bleau are the creative minds behind over a hundred games and puzzles. From cooperative Escape Rooms to party games like Pickwits, these two tell us how to work together to create a really good game! Check out BlueMatter Games: https://www.bluemattergames.com/ --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions