Designers endlessly argue about whether you should start with Mechanics or Theme and which is more important. This is a fool’s errand. Seth Johnson joins me to discuss what Designers should be thinking about when it comes to Mechanics and Theme – how they need to work together.

MECHANICS AND THEME: THE BEST OF FRIENDS

We use six games to help illustrate this point.

• THE CLASSIC, CLASSIC: CHESS

• CULTURAL SHORTHAND: ZOOLORETTO

• VISCERAL THEMES: FALLING

• EASING APPREHENSION: TOKAIDO

• THEME AND FUNCTION: FORMULA D

• NO INSTRUCTIONS NEEDED: CHOPSTICK DEXTERITY MEGACHALLENGE 3000