Drew Corkill — Design Solo Game Systems, Speed, and Shipping at Scale (#101)
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “Drew Corkill — Design Solo Game Systems, Speed, and Shipping at Scale (#101)” inside PodZeus.
In this episode of Think Like a Game Designer, host Justin Gehry interviews Drew Corkill, a prolific solo game designer and UI/UX expert with nearly 15 years of experience. Drew shares his journey from a lifelong Magic: The Gathering player to a successful board game designer, highlighting how he transitioned from graphic design to game design through strategic mentorship and skill leverage. He discusses the importance of simplicity, clarity, and user experience in game design, using examples from Magic: The Gathering and his own projects like Small Time Heroes. Drew emphasizes the power of constraints—especially in solo games—where faster iteration, lower production costs, and audience-building through print-and-play versions enable rapid publishing. He reveals how his 'Solo Game of the Month' initiative, now over 25 games strong, thrives on a sustainable model of small-box, card-based games with strong branding and community engagement. Drew also shares key design principles like the 'Three T's'—threats, timers, and treats—and offers actionable advice for aspiring designers: join supportive communities, invest in your craft, and build momentum through consistent, small-scale releases. The episode underscores that game design success comes not from perfection, but from persistence, iteration, and the right ecosystem of support and feedback.
Leverage existing skills (like graphic design or UX) to enter the game industry—even if not as a game designer initially.
Use print-and-play versions to build an audience and test your game before launching a physical crowdfunding campaign.
Design solo games with constraints: small boxes, card-based components, and a focus on fast iteration to reduce time-to-market.
Apply the 'Three T's' (threats, timers, treats) to create tension and engagement in solo games.
Join or build a community of like-minded creators to gain accountability, feedback, and emotional support.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introducing Drew Corkill and the Think Like a Game Designer Design Lab
“If you're ready to stop pretending and start actually designing games with intention, check out the Think Like a Game Designer Design Lab at justingarydesigns.com.”
Drew’s Origin Story: From Hearthstone to Board Game Design
Drew recounts his early passion for games, beginning with Magic: The Gathering and evolving into competitive Hearthstone deck-building. He shares how he transitioned from player to designer by reaching out to Gabe Barrett of the Board Game Design Lab podcast, offering free graphic design help—leading to a long-term collaboration and eventual full-time career.
The Power of Graphic Design and UI/UX in Game Design
Drew discusses how his background in UI/UX and graphic design shapes his game design philosophy. He emphasizes clarity, simplicity, and information chunking—using Magic: The Gathering as a prime example of effective card layout. He also shares how he tested and redesigned his game Grass Fed to replace text-heavy cards with intuitive iconography.
From Digital to Physical: Porting Slay the Spire to Tabletop
“I started with everything and then I took it all down into here are just the core pieces that I like interacting with.”
The Role of Community and the Think Like a Game Designer Course
Drew reflects on his experience in Justin’s course, emphasizing the value of community, peer playtesting, and mentorship. He shares how feedback from classmates like John and Aaron helped him refine Small Time Heroes, including killing a complex shuffling mechanic that was too clever for its own good.
“If you're ready to stop pretending and start actually designing games with intention, check out the Think Like a Game Designer Design Lab at justingarydesigns.com.”
“The most powerful tool for getting things done is not motivation—but structure, deadlines, and consequences.”
“The game should feel bigger than the box that it is in.”
Host
Guest
Justin Gehry
person
Drew Corkill
person
Think Like a Game Designer Design Lab
other
Small Time Heroes
media
Solo Game of the Month
other
Best With One Games
organization
Gabe Barrett
person
Magic: The Gathering
media
Hearthstone
media
Slay the Spire
media
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “Drew Corkill — Design Solo Game Systems, Speed, and Shipping at Scale (#101)” inside PodZeus.
Start discovering podcast insights today
Start with a 7-day trial and explore a growing catalog of popular podcasts. No credit card required.
No credit card required • 7-day trial • Cancel anytime