Our Game Design Experts
Learn from these industry luminaries whose insights guide our workshop activities and inspire creative game design.
Reiner Knizia
Game Designer
About
Legendary game designer with a mathematics background, known for creating hundreds of published board games with elegant, streamlined rules that offer deep strategic choices.
Specialties
Game Analysis Example: Carcassonne
Strategic tile placement game with meeples for controlling areas. Features random tile draws balanced with skillful placement decisions.
Richard Tait
Cranium Co-creator
About
Co-creator of Cranium, a board game that revolutionized party games by combining multiple activities to create an inclusive, social experience for players with different strengths.
Specialties
Game Analysis Example: Taboo
Word-guessing party game with forbidden words. Fast-paced turns encourage excitement and laughter with minimal setup required.
Elizabeth Hargrave
Wingspan Creator
About
Designer of the award-winning game Wingspan, known for integrating scientific accuracy with beautiful artwork and engaging gameplay mechanics.
Specialties
Game Analysis Example: Wingspan
Engine-building, set collection game featuring bird cards with unique powers. Bird abilities based on real avian traits for immersive theme integration.
Will Shortz
Puzzle Expert
About
The New York Times crossword editor known for his expertise in puzzles, word games, and brain teasers that challenge players while remaining accessible.
Specialties
Game Analysis Example: Codenames
Word association game with spymaster clue-giving. Strategic depth comes from limited clues demanding creative thinking and team collaboration.
How Expert Insights Enhance Your Workshop Experience
Our workshop incorporates perspectives from these experts to provide you with a well-rounded understanding of game design principles. Their combined wisdom represents decades of industry experience spanning different game styles and player preferences.
Explore Workshop Exercises