Show notes
We all play. We all like to play - but why? What is it about games that brings us closer together, empowers us, and sparks joy?In this episode we meet Erin Truesdell and professor Frank Lee - researchers and practitioners in the field of game design - about taking play seriously as a tool for education, social connection, and healthcare. They discuss interdisciplinary games research and the application of VR and gaming technology in healthcare settings. They also describe the Skyscraper Games Project, which turns Philadelphia’s Cira Centre into a massive public game display (including a Guinness-recognized Pong installation), and outreach efforts to make game development, STEM, and computing careers more accessible to all communities.Iterations is produced in partnership with Drexel University's Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design.Learn more about Digital Media at Drexel: https://digm.drexel.eduLearn more about STAR Scholars: https://drexel.edu/pennoni/urep/undergraduate-research/STAR-scholars/Learn more about Skyscraper Games: https://drexel.edu/news/archive/2025/October/Video-Game-Design-Reaches-New-Heights-in-Skyscaper-Games00:00 Introduction 01:31 Meet the Researchers 04:32 VR for Healthcare07:38 Skyscraper Games14:41 Designing for Wellbeing19:37 Homework & ClosingMusic/Sound FX from EpidemicSound