Cheryl Platz
@funnygodmother.bsky.social
Creative Director, TPCi. #PokemonEmployee. Author, Design Beyond Devices & Game Development Strategy Guide. Adjunct @ Carnegie Mellon. Ex-Riot Games, Scopely, MSFT, AMZN, EA, Disney. EDS 🥄. Owner of @ideaplatz.com. Ideas my own. 🏠 https://Cherylplatz.com
Pinned
Cheryl Platz
@funnygodmother.bsky.social
· Sep 16
IT IS TIME. My second book, The Game Development Strategy Guide, is now out worldwide. Here it is posing like a boss on the #DesignMattersTokyo stage. Grab it at Amazon, my publisher @rosenfeldmedia.com, or your favorite online bookseller to level up your #gameDev work. Amazon: amzn.to/4go56ln
Once you’ve celebrated the Pikachu and Eevee balloon in the Macy’s parade on Thanksgiving - or maybe just because it’s almost the holidays - come to TCG Live starting Thursday to celebrate our Balloon Festival all month long. 🎈
The Balloon Festival is on the horizon, so get ready to drift along as we close out the year ☁️
Enjoy the event's festivities in Pokémon TCG Live with a variety of log-in gifts, daily shop offers, and even more starting November 27!
🔗 pkmn.news/3JSPRW4
Enjoy the event's festivities in Pokémon TCG Live with a variety of log-in gifts, daily shop offers, and even more starting November 27!
🔗 pkmn.news/3JSPRW4
November 26, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Once you’ve celebrated the Pikachu and Eevee balloon in the Macy’s parade on Thanksgiving - or maybe just because it’s almost the holidays - come to TCG Live starting Thursday to celebrate our Balloon Festival all month long. 🎈
GO GET THE EEVEE SLEEVIES BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! 💜✨
Don't forget to claim the final Year of Eevee themed deck cosmetics!
Eevee: Breakaway and Eevee: Prismatic Card Sleeves are available by logging in only until tomorrow, November 27 at 9 AM (PT) 🎁
Eevee: Breakaway and Eevee: Prismatic Card Sleeves are available by logging in only until tomorrow, November 27 at 9 AM (PT) 🎁
The Year of Eevee may be coming to a close, but we still have a couple final themed deck cosmetics left to gift out ✨
Log in to Pokémon TCG Live before November 27 to receive Eevee: Breakaway and Eevee: Prismatic Card Sleeves!
Log in to Pokémon TCG Live before November 27 to receive Eevee: Breakaway and Eevee: Prismatic Card Sleeves!
November 26, 2025 at 5:12 PM
GO GET THE EEVEE SLEEVIES BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! 💜✨
As a #gamedev, it hurts to see games cut off before shipping. Moreso in the case of #Hytale, which was a community effort that went AAA before meeting its end at Riot Games. Or so we thought. Riot and the founders came to an agreement and independent dev has resumed: hytale.com/news/2025/11...
HYTALE IS SAVED!
hytale.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:39 PM
As a #gamedev, it hurts to see games cut off before shipping. Moreso in the case of #Hytale, which was a community effort that went AAA before meeting its end at Riot Games. Or so we thought. Riot and the founders came to an agreement and independent dev has resumed: hytale.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Cheryl Platz
Some of us have been advocating this going back since chatGPT launched. It also has other benefits: correcting someone else's work is actually a really good way to learn something yourself.
November 23, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Some of us have been advocating this going back since chatGPT launched. It also has other benefits: correcting someone else's work is actually a really good way to learn something yourself.
It's time for a MOEment with the #MagicMafia - join us for more hyper-variety indie game streaming and lurk or bring your #gamedev, geek, and #uxdesign topics to chat! I am always happy to answer questions about my career or books during Twitch broadcasts. 10AM PT - 1PM PT twitch.tv/funnygodmother
FunnyGodmother - Twitch
It's time for a MOEment with the #MagicMafia - join us for more hyper-variety indie game streaming!
twitch.tv
November 23, 2025 at 6:02 PM
It's time for a MOEment with the #MagicMafia - join us for more hyper-variety indie game streaming and lurk or bring your #gamedev, geek, and #uxdesign topics to chat! I am always happy to answer questions about my career or books during Twitch broadcasts. 10AM PT - 1PM PT twitch.tv/funnygodmother
I am one of the people who endowed a scholarship as part of this campaign, to give back what was given to me as an undergrad. CMU has always been different, and the focus on affordability is a source of pride - we all win when good education is broadly available. www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Carnegie Mellon raises $2.5 billion in historic fundraising campaign
Twelve years ago, Carnegie Mellon University raised more than $1 billion in a five-year fundraising campaign, its record at the time.
Building off that...
www.post-gazette.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I am one of the people who endowed a scholarship as part of this campaign, to give back what was given to me as an undergrad. CMU has always been different, and the focus on affordability is a source of pride - we all win when good education is broadly available. www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Reposted by Cheryl Platz
Today is world kindness day, and a perfect day to celebrate Fred Rogers and his impact on many of our lives.
He shared innumerable wise words with us, many which have stuck with me and guide me even today, and I'd like to share a few of them this morning.
He shared innumerable wise words with us, many which have stuck with me and guide me even today, and I'd like to share a few of them this morning.
a man in a red sweater and tie is sitting on a bench and says hi neighbor
ALT: a man in a red sweater and tie is sitting on a bench and says hi neighbor
media.tenor.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Today is world kindness day, and a perfect day to celebrate Fred Rogers and his impact on many of our lives.
He shared innumerable wise words with us, many which have stuck with me and guide me even today, and I'd like to share a few of them this morning.
He shared innumerable wise words with us, many which have stuck with me and guide me even today, and I'd like to share a few of them this morning.
Ok so is anyone else’s Alexa just suddenly incapable of doing alarms correctly? Because this is some ridiculous enshittification
“Set alarm for 7AM”
“Alarm set for 7Am”
“What time is my alarm”
“Your alarm is set for…(endless silence)”
literally weeks of this
“Set alarm for 7AM”
“Alarm set for 7Am”
“What time is my alarm”
“Your alarm is set for…(endless silence)”
literally weeks of this
November 12, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Ok so is anyone else’s Alexa just suddenly incapable of doing alarms correctly? Because this is some ridiculous enshittification
“Set alarm for 7AM”
“Alarm set for 7Am”
“What time is my alarm”
“Your alarm is set for…(endless silence)”
literally weeks of this
“Set alarm for 7AM”
“Alarm set for 7Am”
“What time is my alarm”
“Your alarm is set for…(endless silence)”
literally weeks of this
Reposted by Cheryl Platz
a few months ago I said "having generative AI handle absolutely anything with regards to healthcare is a nightmare and should be banned" and a bunch of people made fun of me and called me stupid. anyways,
November 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM
a few months ago I said "having generative AI handle absolutely anything with regards to healthcare is a nightmare and should be banned" and a bunch of people made fun of me and called me stupid. anyways,
Why would they do this to us on the week of GDC
do they expect us to walk around Moscone with Switch 2s?
We might
do they expect us to walk around Moscone with Switch 2s?
We might
Serebii Update: Pokémon Pokopia will release on March 5th 2026 www.serebii.net
November 11, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Why would they do this to us on the week of GDC
do they expect us to walk around Moscone with Switch 2s?
We might
do they expect us to walk around Moscone with Switch 2s?
We might
Every time I try to explain Eeveelutions to people without visual aids I’m like “oh yeah Pokémon actually is basically a whole field of academic study” 🤣 #videogames
November 11, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Every time I try to explain Eeveelutions to people without visual aids I’m like “oh yeah Pokémon actually is basically a whole field of academic study” 🤣 #videogames
While the rest of us struggle to keep our DNS records updated and our sites up and Zombocom survives like the third constant alongside death and taxes and I am 100% here for it and will be bereft if it ever leaves us
In November 1999, the Zombo dot com website was created as a parody of the creative, but, largely pointless flash intros, which were trending at the end of the 1990s. Welcome... to ZomboCom.
#WebDesignHistory
#WebDesignHistory
November 10, 2025 at 3:30 PM
While the rest of us struggle to keep our DNS records updated and our sites up and Zombocom survives like the third constant alongside death and taxes and I am 100% here for it and will be bereft if it ever leaves us
The travel gods were kind, and we get one last bonus stream in this Seattle studio before my move. Come see Sprinkles, hear about my book tour last week, and get indie gaming in since we don't know if we'll have a setup next week! twitch.tv/funnygodmother 10AM PT - 1PM PT #gamedev #uxdesign
FunnyGodmother - Twitch
Last stream from this Seattle studio with the #MagicMafia - what will our new setup look like?
twitch.tv
November 9, 2025 at 6:06 PM
The travel gods were kind, and we get one last bonus stream in this Seattle studio before my move. Come see Sprinkles, hear about my book tour last week, and get indie gaming in since we don't know if we'll have a setup next week! twitch.tv/funnygodmother 10AM PT - 1PM PT #gamedev #uxdesign
I don’t find many moments of joy in these dark times, but the grounded contentment of roadtripping across Pennsylvania with my supportive husband against sunlit fall foliage eating Wicked themed Munchkin donuts on our way to a book signing for my book at Carnegie Mellon - I’ll file that under joy.
November 9, 2025 at 5:27 PM
I don’t find many moments of joy in these dark times, but the grounded contentment of roadtripping across Pennsylvania with my supportive husband against sunlit fall foliage eating Wicked themed Munchkin donuts on our way to a book signing for my book at Carnegie Mellon - I’ll file that under joy.
Reposted by Cheryl Platz
Lillie's Determination easily surpasses the competition when it comes to most-used Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution cards in Pokémon TCG Live 😱
Check out this infographic highlighting the full Top 10 Most-Used Cards from the #MegaEvolution 🧬 expansion!
Check out this infographic highlighting the full Top 10 Most-Used Cards from the #MegaEvolution 🧬 expansion!
November 8, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Lillie's Determination easily surpasses the competition when it comes to most-used Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution cards in Pokémon TCG Live 😱
Check out this infographic highlighting the full Top 10 Most-Used Cards from the #MegaEvolution 🧬 expansion!
Check out this infographic highlighting the full Top 10 Most-Used Cards from the #MegaEvolution 🧬 expansion!
I frequently get questions about my career journey - this new feature from the Microsoft Alumni Network was a fun way to tell my story as a UX designer, game developer, and Pokémon trainer.
Your path doesn’t have to be like anyone else’s.
www.microsoftalumni.com/s/1769/19/in...
#gameDev #uxDesign
Your path doesn’t have to be like anyone else’s.
www.microsoftalumni.com/s/1769/19/in...
#gameDev #uxDesign
Leveling Up
Cheryl Platz has always followed her curiosity. Her journey from Microsoft to The Pokémon Company International is a testament to reinvention, resilience, and the power of play to shape a meaningful career.
www.microsoftalumni.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:20 PM
I frequently get questions about my career journey - this new feature from the Microsoft Alumni Network was a fun way to tell my story as a UX designer, game developer, and Pokémon trainer.
Your path doesn’t have to be like anyone else’s.
www.microsoftalumni.com/s/1769/19/in...
#gameDev #uxDesign
Your path doesn’t have to be like anyone else’s.
www.microsoftalumni.com/s/1769/19/in...
#gameDev #uxDesign
I am tabled and ready to meet you at the @cmu.edu University Store - our first signing has already happened! 💜 Join me between now and 3 PM. We’d love to see you. #gamedev #videogames
November 6, 2025 at 6:04 PM
I am tabled and ready to meet you at the @cmu.edu University Store - our first signing has already happened! 💜 Join me between now and 3 PM. We’d love to see you. #gamedev #videogames
Have you been thinking about picking up my new book The Game Development Strategy Guide, but do better with a community? The #GameDev Bookshelf community on LinkedIn has selected my book for this month’s book club - grab the book now and join me at the end of the month for a live Q&A session!
#gamedevbookshelf | Eva Piatrushina | 10 comments
I’m announcing the next topic of GameDev Bookshelf (book club)! 🧭
BOOK OF THE MONTH:
The Game Development Strategy Guide by Cheryl Platz.
Playing video games is fun, but what about making them? How ...
www.linkedin.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Have you been thinking about picking up my new book The Game Development Strategy Guide, but do better with a community? The #GameDev Bookshelf community on LinkedIn has selected my book for this month’s book club - grab the book now and join me at the end of the month for a live Q&A session!
It’s so true, and that’s why I spent the last year writing The Game Development Strategy Guide and creating the #EnduringPlay podcast. Games aren’t movies. They aren’t cloud services. They are more, they are different - but you can build thriving experiences if you treat #gamedev with curiosity.
Everything about making video games is harder than you think.
November 6, 2025 at 3:39 PM
It’s so true, and that’s why I spent the last year writing The Game Development Strategy Guide and creating the #EnduringPlay podcast. Games aren’t movies. They aren’t cloud services. They are more, they are different - but you can build thriving experiences if you treat #gamedev with curiosity.
I am on a ROAD TRIP to Pittsburgh! Join me TODAY at the @cmu.edu Bookstore 1PM - 3PM for a public book signing for The Game Development Strategy Guide, and tomorrow University of Pittsburgh students can join me for a talk at 2PM in room 501 in the Cathedral of Learning! www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMpbkPmM/
So excited to do my first East Coast book signing at my alma mater @CMU on the lower level of @The University Store at CMU from 1PM to 3PM today, Nov 6 2025! Talk about a homecoming! Open to all, we w...
TikTok video by Cheryl Platz
www.tiktok.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:13 PM
I am on a ROAD TRIP to Pittsburgh! Join me TODAY at the @cmu.edu Bookstore 1PM - 3PM for a public book signing for The Game Development Strategy Guide, and tomorrow University of Pittsburgh students can join me for a talk at 2PM in room 501 in the Cathedral of Learning! www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMpbkPmM/
This is a good read. Then if you want to hear about what good leadership feels like, start with my podcast #EnduringPlay - lots of discussions about thriving teams and pragmatic creative leadership for #gamedev. All 10 episodes of Season 1 are available wherever you get your podcasts.
November 6, 2025 at 1:12 AM
This is a good read. Then if you want to hear about what good leadership feels like, start with my podcast #EnduringPlay - lots of discussions about thriving teams and pragmatic creative leadership for #gamedev. All 10 episodes of Season 1 are available wherever you get your podcasts.
Today is my one-year anniversary as Creative Director of the Game Studio at The Pokémon Company International. Truly the #gamedev opportunity of a lifetime, and I shared reflections on LinkedIn as is traditional for such a moment (& because we have cute graphics!) www.linkedin.com/posts/cheryl...
#pokemoncareers #catchacareer #pokemon #wechooseyou #gamedesign #videogames | Cheryl Platz
A year ago today, I started the Trainer's journey of a lifetime. I logged into Sharepoint... and chose Pikachu as my Partner Pokémon for my first year as Creative Director of the Game Studio at The Po...
www.linkedin.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Today is my one-year anniversary as Creative Director of the Game Studio at The Pokémon Company International. Truly the #gamedev opportunity of a lifetime, and I shared reflections on LinkedIn as is traditional for such a moment (& because we have cute graphics!) www.linkedin.com/posts/cheryl...
We are LIVE with what might be my last stream from this setup - it's moving time AGAIN. Join me for another tour of gaming awards season - Hades II and a few other surprises wait in store. And, of course, Sprinkles. #gamedev #uxdesign 10AM PT - 1PM PT at twitch.tv/funnygodmother
Twitch
Twitch is the world
twitch.tv
November 2, 2025 at 6:06 PM
We are LIVE with what might be my last stream from this setup - it's moving time AGAIN. Join me for another tour of gaming awards season - Hades II and a few other surprises wait in store. And, of course, Sprinkles. #gamedev #uxdesign 10AM PT - 1PM PT at twitch.tv/funnygodmother
Hey folks - it looks like this event has been postponed to next year, so I’m still on the hunt for my first Seattle area signing. My dance card is full for my PA tour next week though! You can catch me at the Carnegie Mellon University Store Thurs Nov 6 1PM - 3PM. @ me if you have a Seattle event…
Hey Seattle #gamedev community! My first local book signing looks like it will be at the WILA Games and Education Industry Collider hosted by @seattleindies.bsky.social on November 10 at Cornish Playhouse (my old improv stomping grounds). Excited to talk education with y'all - tickets are free!
WILA Games and Education Industry Collider
Join us for an evening of panels, networking, and knowledge sharing with game developers and educators from the greater Seattle area.
www.eventbrite.com
November 1, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Hey folks - it looks like this event has been postponed to next year, so I’m still on the hunt for my first Seattle area signing. My dance card is full for my PA tour next week though! You can catch me at the Carnegie Mellon University Store Thurs Nov 6 1PM - 3PM. @ me if you have a Seattle event…
There’s a lot of discourse around #videogame graphic quality right now - and that’s why I created the Spectrum of Gaming Graphics for The #GameDev Strategy Guide. What’s your favorite game and where does it fall on this spectrum? Check out my TikTok on it here - www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMCEgu73/
October 28, 2025 at 11:30 PM
There’s a lot of discourse around #videogame graphic quality right now - and that’s why I created the Spectrum of Gaming Graphics for The #GameDev Strategy Guide. What’s your favorite game and where does it fall on this spectrum? Check out my TikTok on it here - www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMCEgu73/