BtC- Brett Gilbert on Abandonment and Rejection
Behind the CardboardSeries
In this episode of Behind the Cardboard, host Ellie Dix sits down with designer Brett Gilbert for a candid conversation about one of the most challenging parts of game design: abandonment and rejection. They explore why certain game concepts are more prone to being set aside, what leads designers or publishers to walk away from a project, and how creators can better navigate the emotional and professional side of rejection. Ellie and Brett discuss strategies for pitching resilience, reframing setbacks as growth opportunities, and maintaining a healthy mindset in a competitive industry. A supportive and grounded episode for any designer facing the ups and downs of the creative process.
Episode Outline
0:00 Beginning of Show
0:50 End of Intro
7:00 Introducing Brett as well as generally talking about the theme of this episode
16:00 What are different components about a game that make them more prone to rejection/ what makes someone abandon a game?
29:00 How to better manage rejections between publishers when pitching
38:00 Making rejections positive and having a growth mindset when getting rejected
44:00 Closing questions
45:00 Outro
45:00 End of Show
In this Episode
Brett Guilbert - brettjgilbert.co.uk
