Prototype Everything! How Scott Rogers Uses Early Testing to Power Creative Success

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game, returning guest Scott Rogers -- game designer, author, and educator -- joins us for a deep dive into the power of prototyping. From his roots in video games to his current focus on board game design, Scott shares how early testing and iteration drive creative clarity, strengthen pitches, and shape player experience.

Together, we explore how functional and attractive prototypes are not just tools for refinement, but essential components of storytelling, development, and even day-to-day creative thinking. Whether you’re building your first board game or designing narrative systems for digital worlds, this episode offers valuable lessons on starting early, testing often, and learning fast.

🎯 Topics Include:

• Why prototyping is a storytelling tool
• Lessons from translating ideas into testable formats
• Making prototypes pitch-ready
• The emotional value of hands-on iteration
• How prototyping influences creative thinking beyond games

👤 Guest: Scott Rogers, Game designer (God of War, Pac-Man World), author (Level Up!, Swipe This!), and instructor at the New York Film Academy

📌 Perfect for: Narrative designers, indie creators, game developers, and anyone exploring how structure and experimentation shape creative identity.

Where to find Scott:

• Website: https://mightybedbug.blogspot.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottrogersdesigner/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScottRogersDesigner
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mightybedbug/
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/scottrogers.bsky.social