@ideaplatz.com
Ideaplatz: a design education company founded by Cheryl Platz in pursuit of empowering today’s designers to build tomorrow’s experiences. Talks & workshops based on Cheryl's books Design Beyond Devices and The Game Development Strategy Guide. ideaplatz.com
Season 2 Episode 2 of #EnduringPlay, a #gamedev podcast is live with @afnarratives.blacksky.app , indie games narrative designer & researcher. From topics like generational trends in gaming to motivators of play (self-expression & companionship), don’t miss this!
sites.libsyn.com/586820/s2-e2...
Ideaplatz founder Cheryl Platz is speaking at #GDC2026 today - don’t miss her GDC debut at the Spreadsheets Microtalk at 4:30 in West Hall 2005, then follow her to the GDC Bookstore for a signing of The Game Development Strategy Guide and meetup at 5:45 PM until supplies run out.
ENDURING PLAY S2 is LIVE! Join @funnygodmother.bsky.social and Joanie Kraut, CEO of @getwigi.com for a broad conversation with concrete tips on networking, allyship, and career growth that apply to anyone, any gender, any career stage in #videogame #gamedev. sites.libsyn.com/586820/seaso...
Press Release for Season 2 of Enduring Play, a #GameDev #Podcast, launching March 3 2026 with Joanie Kraut, CEO of @getwigi.com www.gamedevelopmentstrategyguide.com/enduring-pla...
In Enduring Play's S1 closer, meet Yesenia Cisneros - a prodigious video game producer who loves solving problems for the people around her. Learn what it's like to build sustainable #gamedev teams with people at the center - and why you shouldn't hard code strings. sites.libsyn.com/586820/s1-e1...
In Episode 9 of Season 1 of Enduring Play, Tamara Knoss, a self-styled UX/UI Unicorn with vast experience across a wide number of art & #uxdesign disciplines gives an interview applicable to almost everyone in #gamedev - and with some bonus handheld gaming insights. sites.libsyn.com/586820/s1-e9...
Let's get caught up on Season 1 of Enduring Play as we wait for Season 2. The last 3 episodes were some of our most popular! In Ep 8, @joemag.games walks us through the art of systems design #gamedev via case studies from his time on games like Hearthstone and TFT. sites.libsyn.com/586820/s1-e8...
Ideaplatz is firing back up this Spring - Season 2 of Enduring Play starts tomorrow March 3, Cheryl will be recording a podcast with USC on March 4, and Cheryl is speaking and signing at GDC 2026! If you're on Instagram more than Bluesky, you can now follow us there: www.instagram.com/ideaplatz/
Caerie Houchins on Episode 7 of Enduring Play, a Game Dev podcast hosted by Cheryl Platz: “The artists are generally the ones making these AI images using their own prompts to make comps. We asked them to make something, but we’re like, “It doesn’t really matter, we’re going to throw this away.” So we’re not taking the jobs away from anybody here. And that’s super important to me. I really don’t want a lot of these new techniques to have a negative impact on the creatives that actually are the geniuses behind these games in the gaming industry.” Available on Apple, Spotify or Enduringplay.com
In S1 Episode 7 of #EnduringPlay, a #GameDev podcast, we get to discuss the thorny topic of AI in video games with @caeriehouchins.bsky.social, Chief Technology Officer for @wickedfoxgames.com. Caerie’s take on the role AI is playing and firm stance on where it stops is an important conversation.
Have you read The Game Development Strategy Guide yet? If so, we’d love a review - and if you post a selfie with your book and tag @ideaplatz with the hashtag #enduringplay author Cheryl Platz will mail you a signed bookplate sticker! Available at most online booksellers: amzn.to/3JgyrCh
In Episode 6 of Enduring Play, a #GameDev podcast, we get the rare chance to hear from Eric Kabisch, an early design leader at Scopely & former VP of Design at #Roblox and VRChat. His experience with user-generated content #UGC & scaling up studios sustainably makes this a must listen! #videogames
As a user experience designer, I couldn't help but think about guest takeaways and the asides were often necessary to make sure as many people as possible could enjoy the same episodes! It also helps break up longer conversation threads that some of my test listeners found hard to process.
Whitney Beltrán on Season 1 Episode 5 of the Enduring Play Game Dev podcast hosted by Cheryl Platz: "Game narrative is not game writing, right? To be super clear, narrative is delivered through every element of a game. For instance, when I was narrative director on a big AAA Dungeons & Dragons game a few years ago, I had not just meetings with the narrative team, but the audio team, the combat team, the cinematics team, the engineers. Really anything where anything got communicated to the players." Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or more at enduringplay.com
In Episode 5 of #EnduringPlay, a #GameDev podcast, @brightwhitney.bsky.social levels up our understanding and appreciation of #narrative design and narrative direction - and how they differ from writing - drawing from award-winning experience on #videoGames like Holovista & TTRPG Bluebeard's Bride.
David Ventura on Enduring Play: A Game Development Podcast hosted by Cheryl Platz, Season 1 Episode 4: "And yeah, we're not the biggest, most money returning studio in the world, but everybody can go home. There is no overtime really worked here. And then people leave at like 4:00, 4:30, 5:00 and they can be with their families or they can go do the things that they want to do outside of work hours. And I think we still produce pretty good content without having those situations. So it's entirely possible." Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, enduringplay.com, and other platforms
In Episode 4 of #EnduringPlay, a #GameDev podcast, @gamedeventura.bsky.social from @ichigoichiegames.bsky.social gets candid about the ups & downs of running indie studios; from the dark moments to the satisfaction of sustainable hours for quality games. Listen at enduringplay.com + other platforms!
David Ventura in Episode 5 of Enduring Play, A Game Dev Podcast: "You can't just shut your eyes and put your head in the sand and say ‘No, I'm not going to make the narrative system skippable,’ or ‘I'm not going to make the game have save points because that's not the way it was in 95.’ Even if you're making a retro inspired title, you need to stay in tune with what the consumer wants today and be able to follow those best practices to make an even better title that's more accessible for everyone." Hosted by Cheryl Platz. On Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Enduringplay.com
In Episode 4 of #EnduringPlay: A #GameDev Podcast, @gamedeventura.bsky.social of @ichigoichiegames.bsky.social shares his insights on being an open-minded creative director in games adapting based on player feedback Listen now at enduringplay.com: www.gamedevelopmentstrategyguide.com/enduring-pla...
Cheryl Platz, author of "Design Beyond Devices" and "The Game Development Strategy Guide," stands in front of a slide "Gates Foundation: Results and Impact" with a chart shown onstage during her keynote "Future Sight in Design" at Design Matters Tokyo 2025.
A slide from the Future Sight in Design talk, with Ideaplatz branding, with a photo of Nostradamus that reads "Why does it seem like some designers can predict the future? The Apples of the world - how can they release products time and time again and get it right? And if you can see the future, how can you convince others you're right?"
A slide from Cheryl Platz's Future Sight in Design keynote, which shows a picture of a Gates Foundation "Teams Meetings are here!" internal poster and the text "I convinced the Gates Foundation to upgrade their global teleconferencing systems and service design... which launched fully just 2 weeks before the COVID-19 closures."
The cover slide for Cheryl Platz's "Future Sight in Design" keynote talk at Design Matters Tokyo 2025.
The slides, reference materials, and link to video from Ideaplatz founder Cheryl Platz's recent #DesignMattersTokyo 2025 keynote "Future Sight In Design" can now be found on the Game Development Strategy Guide website! #uxDesign #gameDev www.gamedevelopmentstrategyguide.com/author-chery...
Amy Kalson on Season 1 Episode 3 of Enduring Play: “Try to not come in with solutions without context. Instead of saying, I've played your latest build and it sucks and here's what you need to do to fix it,' it's much more effective if you come in and say, 'Okay, so I'm playing the build and I'm seeing the following things. What are your thoughts around this? What is your plan for fixing this issue? I'm happy to give you some of the solutions that I thought of, but I'd love to hear more about what it is that you are planning to do.”
In Episode 3 of #EnduringPlay: A #GameDev Podcast, Executive Design Producer Amy Kalson talks about the curiosity-driven philosophy she uses with development partners to get to better outcomes in #videogame development. Listen now on your favorite platform or enduringplay.com.
The Game Development Strategy Guide has been celebrated by early reviewers and has been selected by Kirkus Reviews for a rare indie spotlight in the October 15 print magazine. Just a few more days to pre-order before September 16. Press release: www.gamedevelopmentstrategyguide.com/the-game-dev...
Want to book a stop on Cheryl’s Game Development Strategy Guide book tour for your venue, conference, school, or other event (physical or virtual)? It never hurts to inquire. Use this Google Form to share details & we’ll be in touch. Limited availability - inquire soon. forms.gle/46F1LqYf9HLs...
Cheryl Platz is a smiling blond professional woman pictured next to the slogan “I am speaking at SLICE” and near the information “August 27, Seattle WA, McCaw Hall, Seattle Indies, SeattleSlice.org”
A preview of the talk Modern Motivators of Play, which shows 6 Classic Motivators (Fun, Mastery, Competition, Comfort, Immersion, Meditation) and 3 Modern Motivators (Self-Expression, Companionship, Education)
Cheryl Platz launches her book tour for The Game Development Strategy Guide TOMORROW, August 27, at Seattle’s McCaw Hall at @seattleindies.bsky.social SLICE - learn about the concepts from Ch 1 in her NEW micro talk “Modern Motivators of Play”! Press release: www.einpresswire.com/article/8431...
The album cover for Episode 2 of Enduring Play: A Game Development Podcast, hosted by Cheryl Platz. Carlos Figueiredo is pictured smiling wearing a suit with the title “Safe and Thriving Gaming Communities” and subheader Season 1 Episode 2. The image is purple and yellow like the podcast logo with a bold black and white pixel divider in the middle.
Episode 2 of the Enduring Play #gameDev podcast is LIVE with Carlos Figueiredo, Director of Player Trust and Safety for Mojang Studios/Minecraft. Join us to learn more about prosocial gaming, the Thriving in Games Group, Community Sift, and more! www.gamedevelopmentstrategyguide.com/enduring-pla...
"Enduring Play: A #GameDev Podcast" has been released by Ideaplatz today! Check out the official press release for details on guests, first episode, and contact information. Press kit available on the Enduring Play website. Releasing Tuesdays through October. www.einpresswire.com/article/8410...
A promotional image for the Seattle Loves Indie Creators Expo, SLICE. A cartoon robot is seen in front of the Space Needle holding a pizza pie chart and gesturing at holograms. The text reads "A new games industry event for Indie and AA game studios in the heart of downtown Seattle. Location: Seattle Center: McCaw Hall - 305 Harrison St. Time 9:00 - 6:00 pm, after party to follow. August 27 9AM - 6PM McCaw Hall seattleslice.org
Ideaplatz founder Cheryl Platz is speaking at Seattle Indies SLICE on Aug 27: See the debut of her #gamedev microtalk "Modern Motivators of Play" and learn how player behavior and motivation has changed in the last decade!
Use this link for 25% off tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/1409496093...
Check out the second trailer for Enduring Play: A Game Development Podcast - which highlights the discussions about the role of artificial intelligence in the video game industry that continue throughout Season 1. Episode 1 launches August 19. #gamedev #videogames www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGfw...
Promotional image for "The Game Development Strategy Guide: Crafting Modern Video Games That Thrive" by Cheryl Platz. Save 15% when you order from Rosenfeld. Shows the book - a purple and yellow cover with a black and white pixelated checker pattern - against a purple background with a large mouse cursor near the book's title.
Level up your #gameDev career at any stage! Now available for pre-order - The Game Development Strategy Guide: Crafting Modern Video Games That Thrive by Ideaplatz founder Cheryl Platz. Launching Sept 16, get a 15% discount on preorders direct from the publisher.
rosenfeldmedia.com/books/game-d...
There might be a policy of server data reclamation in there, but the lack of transparency makes it difficult. How can systems be engineered so that games that aren’t changing aren’t a resource drain unless there’s a potential transaction? Maybe a classic catalog with slower load times but cheaper?
The worst consequence of successfully releasing video games that thrive is breaking the modern systems that now assume games change. Wheels of Aurelia was released over a decade ago but its design doesn’t require updates. If games like The Sims can re-release as is 25 years later, why force this?
We're celebrating the launch of our new YouTube channel by sharing some hard to find archive talks from Cheryl's past. First up: Cheryl's celebrated "Blank Page to World Stage" mainstage talk from Interaction 18 about the creation of the Echo Look and #uxDesign ideation: youtu.be/2c-PblExdTQ?...
Ideaplatz founder Cheryl Platz wears a green and black dress while standing on the large Amuse 2018 stage in Budapest, in front of a movie screen stretched on metal posts. She gestures to her slides labeled "Deconstructing Voice UI Bias" with subheaders "Gender", "Ethnicity", and "Accent".
Ideaplatz founder Cheryl Platz delivers her keynote "Opti-Pessimism: Design, AI, and Our Uncertain Future" to an audience of 1500 in Medellin, Colombia for Interaction Latin America 2019. She wears a purple dress and stands at the size of a gigantic screen made of three movie screens, two of which project her face and the center containing her slides, which read "Rule 1: Consider the human context. Surround yourself with customer context, and ask good questions of those around you."
A live screenshot from a Mural participants completed during an Ideaplatz workshop at a conference. The title reads "Expand the Matrix" and there are a series of colorful boxes that represent interruption matrices as described in Cheryl's book Design Beyond Devices.
Ideaplatz founder Cheryl Platz stands in front of her own storyboard sketches from the production of the Echo Look as she speaks to a packed house at UX Days Tokyo in 2019. The slide reads "Storyboards help us visualize the context of use, and help us identify existing pain points." The slide shows three hand drawn slides done with sharpies and Copic markers showing a generic human engaging in wardrobe selection using an Echo Look and a phone. Cheryl wears a black dress and holds a slide remote while stepping out from behind a podium with some audience members visible in the foreground.
Ideaplatz has moved from our old social media home that shall not be named to BlueSky! Looking forward to contributing to the #UXDesign and #GameDev communities here, particularly inspired by Cheryl Platz's books The Game Development Strategy Guide and the 2020 bestseller Design Beyond Devices.