Episode 26: Jeff Petriello, a game producer at the New York Times and a game design educator at NYU Game Center, shares his unique journey from producing movies to producing games played by millions of people.

Go behind the scenes at the New York Times, learn what it's like to shepherd hits like Wordle, and create games from scratch like Strands.

Working closely with the New Games Squad and the Gameplay Squad, Jeff shares what inspires him, his teaching experiences, and the significant role of games in building social connections.

This episode is filled with valuable insights for aspiring game designers and enthusiasts alike.

Check out Jeff's Social and Resources:
https://www.thebeff.com/
https://www.thepastatarot.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffpetriello/
https://gamecenter.nyu.edu/faculty/jeff-petriello/
https://thebeff.itch.io/self-portrait
https://www.nytimes.com/crosswords

--

• (00:00) - Introduction to the Hey, Good Game Podcast
• (01:39) - Jeff Petriello's Journey to Game Production
• (02:43) - Jeff's Current Gaming Favorites and Insights
• (05:44) - The Personal Impact of Games on Jeff's Life
• (10:44) - Transitioning from Philosophy to Game Design
• (24:33) - The Evolution of Teaching Game Design
• (30:32) - Jeff's Path to the New York Times
• (35:35) - The Evolution of NYT Games: From Crosswords to Wordle
• (35:56) - Joining the NYT Games Team and Developing New Hits
• (36:36) - The Creative Process Behind NYT's Newest Game, Strands
• (39:04) - The Art of Puzzle Creation: A Blend of Technology and Creativity
• (40:19) - The Impact of Games on NYT's Subscription Model
• (46:43) - Exploring the Buy vs. Build Strategy in Game Development
• (56:53) - The Personal Journey: Career Advice and Side Hustles
• (01:01:47) - A Tarot Reading to Close: Insights and Reflections

Check out our brainy games:

Sumplete - https://sumplete.com
Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.com
Mathler - https://mathler.com
Crosswordle - https://crosswordle.com
Sudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.com
Hitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.com
Wordga - https://wordga.com

Right before the New York Times announced they acquired Wordle in the low-mid seven figures, Aaron attempted to buy Wordle, and wordle.com. Listen to Aaron's story on why he started building games, and how that led to his attempt to purchase the popular daily word game that took the world by storm.

How close did he get? Listen and find out!

--

• (00:00) - Introduction to the Hey, Good Game Podcast
• (01:17) - The Unstoppable Rise of Wordle
• (02:12) - Aaron's Journey into Game Development
• (06:38) - The Evolution of Online Game Monetization
• (13:24) - The Attempt to Acquire Wordle
• (29:14) - Reflections and the Future of Daily Brainy Games

Check out our brainy games:

Sumplete - https://sumplete.com
Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.com
Mathler - https://mathler.com
Crosswordle - https://crosswordle.com
Sudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.com
Hitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.com
Wordga - https://wordga.com

Episode 24: In this episode, explores the journey of Mark and Jeff Rogers, creators of Canuckle and Canoku games, inspired by Wordle. It delves into their background, game development process, hiatus, renewal with added features, community engagement strategies, collaborations with other game creators and notable organizations, partnerships for sponsorships and merchandise, future plans, and potential partnerships with entities like the New York Times' Wordle. The discussion also includes their use of AI, philanthropic endeavors, and lessons learned in promoting their games.

Check out Mark and Jeff Rogers' Games and Resources:
Canuckle: www.canucklegame.ca
Canoku: www.canoku.ca
X/Twitter: x.com/canucklegame
FB: www.facebook.com/CanuckleGame
IG: www.instagram.com/canucklegame
Merch: merch.canucklegame.ca

Collaborations:
Waffle: waffle.canucklegame.ca
Squaredle: squaredle.canucklegame.ca
Nerdle: nerdle.canucklegame.ca

Reach out:
info@canucklegame.ca

--

• (00:00) - The Genesis of Canuckle: A Wordle-Inspired Creation
• (00:38) - Welcome to Hey, Good Game Podcast
• (00:53) - Insights from Canuckle's Creators: Collaboration and Breaks
• (02:05) - Introducing Canuckle and Kanoku: Canadian-Themed Daily Games
• (02:42) - The Creators' Gaming Backgrounds and Inspirations
• (03:47) - The Competitive Spirit Behind Canuckle's Creation
• (07:13) - From Concept to Launch: The Journey of Canuckle
• (08:12) - Challenges and Triumphs in Developing Canuckle
• (13:38) - Fostering Community and Engagement Through Canuckle
• (15:26) - The Evolution of Canuckle: From Launch to Revamp
• (20:52) - Exploring Merchandise and Monetization Strategies
• (23:05) - Future Plans and Monetization Insights
• (24:28) - Exploring the CIRA Partnership and Monthly Puzzles
• (26:27) - Creative Sponsorship and Game Design Insights
• (27:08) - Expanding the Game Portfolio with Canadian Themes
• (30:22) - Leveraging Partnerships for Cross-Promotion and Growth
• (38:36) - Innovative Use of AI and Exploring New Technologies
• (41:16) - The Decision Against Mobile Apps and Embracing Web Accessibility
• (43:11) - Marketing Strategies and Community Engagement
• (46:58) - Giving Back Through Canuckle and Future Plans

Check out our brainy games:

Sumplete - https://sumplete.com
Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.com
Mathler - https://mathler.com
Crosswordle - https://crosswordle.com
Sudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.com
Hitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.com
Wordga - https://wordga.com