Game Innovation Lab
Collaboration is our game.
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Playthink

Game salon

Playthink is a USC-based salon about games, interactivity, art and culture. Since 2013, we have held a semi-regular series of discussions at the USC Game Innovation Lab that are dedicated to drawing out provocative ideas around play, games, art and interactivity. Since 2018, we have added a podcast component to our salon. Now you can listen to Playthink episodes on this page, below, or by subscribing to our feed on iTunes, Amazon, or YouTube podcasts.

Upcoming and past salons

Cheryl Platz at Playthink: 3/4/26

Game developer, designer, and author Cheryl Platz joins us for this episode of Playthink, to discuss about her book The Game Development Strategy Guide: Crafting Modern Video Games That Thrive. Interviewed by MFA candidate Bernice Wang, Platz gives us insights into her deep experience in user-research supported design for ground-breaking games and beyond. Her latest book has been hailed by game design luminaries Will Wright as “an amazingly broad and contemporary take on our industry” and Jesse Shell as “an amazing crash course for anyone who wants to make games that actually succeed.” She has worked as a Creative Director, Experience Design Director, Lead Producer, writer, game designer, and voice talent for companies like Riot Games, Scopely, Inc., Electronic Arts, and independent studies like Griptonite Games. And, she has shipped and supported games including The Sims: Bustin’ Out, The Urbz: Sims in the City, Disney Friends DS, MARVEL Strike Force, League of Legends, 2XKO, and more.

Tracy FullertonUSC Game Innovation Lab