Every so often, a game system not only gets a second try, but entirely wallops its original incarnation. That’s the case with Quinn Brander’s Rebuilding Chicago, which remakes Rebuilding Seattle with such aplomb that I called it “pretty much perfect.” (I called it that to myself, right now, so I could quote it.) For today’s Space-Cast!, we’re joined by Quinn to discuss how he improved a game that’s still on store shelves, what some folks might prefer about the original, and the little touches that go into making a successful sequel.

Listen here or download here. Timestamps can be found after the jump.

TIMESTAMPS

3:45 — introducing Rebuilding Seattle and Rebuilding Chicago
7:11 — the origins of a hybrid city-builder and polyomino game
10:15 — a dual-layer polyomino puzzle
16:45 — modeling happiness and amenities
19:27 — balancing an in-game market
22:53 — using events to manage tempo
34:43 — why decide to revisit a game system?
45:37 — Gone to Gaia

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