In episode 135 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with freelance game designer Kristen Mott, whose game design journey began with creating games for her kids to play at home to supplement homeschooling.

We talk about how kids are great built-in playtesters, how her children’s interests were her thematic inspiration for designs, what kids learn through play, and the wild thematic evolution of Stable Times from a game about starfish, to tattooing sea monsters, to horses.

Other topics include how co-designing expands your skills, the value of feedback, her experience self-publishing, and the realities of waiting on contracts, ghosting, and publisher limbo.

The conversation also talks about adding personal Easter eggs to your game and the collection of real horses featured in Stable Times.