Today's episode is hosted by Harvey Anderson and they are joined on the podcast by Gabriel Chauri, Lead Game Designer at Dovetail Games, Kelvin Moore, Senior Design Director at Sumo Digital and Emil Esov, Game Director at Mad Head Games.

The conversation explores how studios approach designing for the player, focusing on clarity of intent, meaningful interaction and the craft behind shaping enjoyable experiences. It highlights how player-first thinking influences mechanics, pacing and usability, all of which contribute to stronger engagement and a more rewarding sense of play. The theme of designing for the player is woven throughout as the guests reflect on how teams adapt to shifting expectations.

Later, the exchange highlights the importance of iteration, communication and collaborative design as foundations for effective development. By examining evolving creative methods and the role of design leadership, the discussion returns to how understanding the player enables studios to deliver thoughtful, compelling and accessible gameplay experiences.

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