Episode 129 - A Chat With Doug (from Small Rice Studios) - The Two Vague Podcast

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Episode 129 - A Chat With Doug (from Small Rice Studios)

April 16, 2025 • 48 mins

VR and tabletop game designer from Small Rice Studios, Doug joins Ben this week to talk about the recently released cozy card game ROAST, which he designed along with his brother Nick (who Ben had the pleasure of meeting at PAX West 2024). Ben had some questions about the design, development, and testing of ROAST—all of which Doug is more than happy to elaborate on and discuss. They also spend some time reminiscing about the board, card, arcade, and video games of their youth. And don’t forget to stay tuned after the interview for an outtake followed by Ben’s review of Rendering Ranger: R² [Rewind]!

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00:00:50 - Doug introduces himself and their first published game, and what is coming next 00:02:31 - Collaboration with a sibling, Doug’s love of games, and the times before UNO

The UNO was originally developed in 1971 by professional barber Merle Robbins in Reading, Ohio. The Robbins’ family raised the money to have 5,000 copies of the game made, which he sold from his barbershop. Merle Robbins later sold the rights to UNO to a group of friends headed by Robert Tezak, a funeral parlor owner in Joliet, Illinois. Tezak formed International Games, Inc., to market Uno until company was purchased by Mattel in 1992.

00:05:04 - The ROAST design idea, living off the grid, connections, and roasting marshmallows 00:06:55 - Testing tabletop games, getting constructive feedback, and finding the best strategy 00:09:50 - Micromanaging your math, opinions of Balatro, and variety is the spice of something 00:12:15 - Remembering Magic the Gathering, from chess to golf, and more about frame-rates 00:18:23 - Pinball machine legality, real-time strategy games, and it’s more than a full-time job 00:24:32 - Learning about game players, and the art of community building—online AND offline 00:26:18 - Becoming more comfortable, and donating sales to the National Park Foundation 00:27:55 - Pets doing things with intent, reconnecting with others, and climates are changing 00:32:26 - Being productive and constructive, Ben babbles, and cardboard costumes in SoCal 00:36:03 - Being a card, being odd, Democrats ruined weird, and Doug’s parting sales pitch 00:38:30 - Curated social spaces, break out the ban-hammer, THE Dug, and names as verbs

BONUS material 00:41:09 - The Marshall Mathers outtake 00:41:55 - Ben’s review of Rendering Ranger: R² [Rewind]

Ben’s FINAL VERDICT for Rendering Ranger: R² [Rewind]

DO BUY if…