What growth teams can learn from game designers | Joel Burgess & Dan Vader (Grindstone)

The Irrational Mind | With Kristen Berman

Joel Burgess, co-founder of Soft Rains, and Dan Vader, Creative Director at Capybara Games, are the minds behind Grindstone, one of the most acclaimed indie puzzle games in recent years. Joel has worked on iconic titles like Watch Dogs: Legion and Skyrim. Dan, a long-time creative force at Capybara, has shaped the studio’s reputation with beloved games like Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP. Together, Joel and Dan bring a fresh perspective on game design, combining narrative depth with challenging gameplay mechanics to engage players at a deeper level.

In this episode, we explore:

• Which types of game mechanics drive retention

• What game designers know about onboarding users

• What game designers have learned about leaderboards

• How pricing influences user behavior

• Tips on simplifying complex experiences (and when to make them more complex)

Loaded with actionable insights, this episode is a must-listen for growth and design teams looking to build lasting engagement through intrinsic motivation and thoughtfully designed user experiences.

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Learn more about Kristen and Irrational Labs ⁠here⁠.