Center for Transformational Play
@cmuctp.bsky.social
We're a research group at Carnegie Mellon University. We bring together expertise from across CMU to design, build, and study transformational games that shape how people think, feel, and behave.
As we dig ourselves out of the winter weather, we can’t resist sharing a very Pittsburgh playful experience… Along with Rialto Street in Troy Hill, there are additional reports of intrepid skiers and snowboarders on Ohio Street in Monroeville and on South Negley Avenue. Shred the streets! ⛷️🏂🚦
Skiing Rialto Street in Pittsburgh
YouTube video by GBel
www.youtube.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:12 PM
As we dig ourselves out of the winter weather, we can’t resist sharing a very Pittsburgh playful experience… Along with Rialto Street in Troy Hill, there are additional reports of intrepid skiers and snowboarders on Ohio Street in Monroeville and on South Negley Avenue. Shred the streets! ⛷️🏂🚦
Jan. 23 is the day the first official Frisbees came flying off the production line. While folks had been tossing pie plates around since the 1870s, the flingable branded toy by Wham-O was first produced in 1957. Don’t let a little snow stop you from celebrating with a game!
An American Toy Company Produced the World’s First Frisbees, Beloved by Humans and Dogs, on This Day in 1957
The flying disc had humble beginnings but has since become an international phenomenon
www.smithsonianmag.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Jan. 23 is the day the first official Frisbees came flying off the production line. While folks had been tossing pie plates around since the 1870s, the flingable branded toy by Wham-O was first produced in 1957. Don’t let a little snow stop you from celebrating with a game!
👀 Check out this nifty new open-access, online journal dedicated to exploring videogame making as an artistic, poetic, and experimental practice. Game Poems just launched its first issue - a curated collection of small interactive works presented alongside artist statements and editorial context.
Game Poems Magazine
Game Poems is an online playable magazine dedicated to exploring the artistic and poetic potential of short-form videogames.
The videogame poem is a concept that challenges traditional boundaries betw...
www.gamepoems.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:51 PM
👀 Check out this nifty new open-access, online journal dedicated to exploring videogame making as an artistic, poetic, and experimental practice. Game Poems just launched its first issue - a curated collection of small interactive works presented alongside artist statements and editorial context.
🚨Current CMU Student Alert!🚨 Are you looking for an independent study centered on game development, research, or graphic design? There’s still time to meet the Jan. 12 deadline for spring opportunities with the CTP! Learn More 👉 tinyurl.com/3n7t3yv7
January 6, 2026 at 2:44 PM
🚨Current CMU Student Alert!🚨 Are you looking for an independent study centered on game development, research, or graphic design? There’s still time to meet the Jan. 12 deadline for spring opportunities with the CTP! Learn More 👉 tinyurl.com/3n7t3yv7
The weather outside may be frightful this time of year but that’s no reason to avoid outdoor fun and games! Check out this awesome list of “cool” winter games from around the world. (It says it’s for kids. We beg to differ. Enjoy your snow battle!) ❄️⛷️☃️
Winter games for kids | Parents | National Geographic Kids
Check out ten easy winter games for kids to play outside! These cool competitions are perfect for getting outdoors…
www.natgeokids.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:57 PM
The weather outside may be frightful this time of year but that’s no reason to avoid outdoor fun and games! Check out this awesome list of “cool” winter games from around the world. (It says it’s for kids. We beg to differ. Enjoy your snow battle!) ❄️⛷️☃️
Want to wrap up family fun and the ultimate present in the same box? CTP Director Dr. Jessica Hammer spoke on KDKA's Talk Pittsburgh about how games and play can be the gift that keeps on giving. (There's also a nod to some amazing games designed by our @cmu.edu colleagues!)
Making game night count
Dr. Jessica Hammer is here to show us how to play smarter, laugh harder and make every game night count.
www.cbsnews.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Want to wrap up family fun and the ultimate present in the same box? CTP Director Dr. Jessica Hammer spoke on KDKA's Talk Pittsburgh about how games and play can be the gift that keeps on giving. (There's also a nod to some amazing games designed by our @cmu.edu colleagues!)
Guess who’s going to be on KDKA's Talk Pittsburgh today? Live at 3pm Dec. 8! Watch here 👉 www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/talk-pittsburgh/
#centerfortransformationalplay
#holidaygamenight
#centerfortransformationalplay
#holidaygamenight
December 8, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Guess who’s going to be on KDKA's Talk Pittsburgh today? Live at 3pm Dec. 8! Watch here 👉 www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/talk-pittsburgh/
#centerfortransformationalplay
#holidaygamenight
#centerfortransformationalplay
#holidaygamenight
A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who gave on Tuesday to support our work! Donors like you help us continue our mission of building community, doing high-quality research, and helping people solve problems through the power of games and play. ♥️
December 3, 2025 at 2:41 PM
A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who gave on Tuesday to support our work! Donors like you help us continue our mission of building community, doing high-quality research, and helping people solve problems through the power of games and play. ♥️
Today is the day! Dec. 2 is the 11th annual #givingCMUday when members of the Tartan community kick off their end-of-year giving by supporting meaningful areas of CMU. Your gift boosts the work we do and supports students across the game design community.
Support the CTP 👉 tinyurl.com/34tzc6nh
Support the CTP 👉 tinyurl.com/34tzc6nh
December 2, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Today is the day! Dec. 2 is the 11th annual #givingCMUday when members of the Tartan community kick off their end-of-year giving by supporting meaningful areas of CMU. Your gift boosts the work we do and supports students across the game design community.
Support the CTP 👉 tinyurl.com/34tzc6nh
Support the CTP 👉 tinyurl.com/34tzc6nh
This Tuesday, join us in empowering current and future Tartans through #GivingCMUDay! Help us create new opportunities for bold ideas and innovation and support students across the game design community! 💝🧑🎓
Center for Transformational Play
Join me and make a gift to Giving CMU Day 2025
www.givecampus.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:56 PM
This Tuesday, join us in empowering current and future Tartans through #GivingCMUDay! Help us create new opportunities for bold ideas and innovation and support students across the game design community! 💝🧑🎓
Artificial Intelligence may not only be a source of data leaks, but also manipulation. The work of our colleagues at the Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute warns that poor communication of AI outputs can fuel bad decisions. Learn more 👉
The Wizard Behind The AI Curtain: When AI Turns On Its Users
Without independent audits—the modern equivalent of the “Toto” test—we cannot know whether AI is benevolent, careless or actively malicious.
www.forbes.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Artificial Intelligence may not only be a source of data leaks, but also manipulation. The work of our colleagues at the Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute warns that poor communication of AI outputs can fuel bad decisions. Learn more 👉
🎉 We’re excited to announce that in Fall 2026, we’re partnering with the Entertainment Technology Center to offer a concentration in Transformational Play as part of the Master’s of Entertainment Technology! Learn more about the program and how to apply. Applications are due by Jan. 1, 2026!
ETC Transformational Play - Center for Transformational Play - Carnegie Mellon University
The Entertainment Technology Center at Carnegie Mellon University will be offering as part of the Master’s of Entertainment Technology an optional concentration in Transformational Play through the Ce...
www.cmu.edu
November 18, 2025 at 2:35 PM
🎉 We’re excited to announce that in Fall 2026, we’re partnering with the Entertainment Technology Center to offer a concentration in Transformational Play as part of the Master’s of Entertainment Technology! Learn more about the program and how to apply. Applications are due by Jan. 1, 2026!
👀 What a milestone! (And what a bar for our own students to reach for … no pressure 😉) #researchgoals #GoogleScholarFamous 🎓💻
‘Godfather of AI’ becomes first person to hit one million citations
The milestone makes machine-learning trailblazer Yoshua Bengio the most cited researcher on Google Scholar.
www.nature.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:26 PM
👀 What a milestone! (And what a bar for our own students to reach for … no pressure 😉) #researchgoals #GoogleScholarFamous 🎓💻
🤖🌐 CTP Director Dr. Jessica Hammer was delighted to be part of PA State @repdanmiller.com’s latest Community Webinar. The panel discussion centered on the intersection of artificial intelligence and its use for social engagement. Check out the video! 👉 pahouse.com/miller/communitywebinars
November 6, 2025 at 3:53 PM
🤖🌐 CTP Director Dr. Jessica Hammer was delighted to be part of PA State @repdanmiller.com’s latest Community Webinar. The panel discussion centered on the intersection of artificial intelligence and its use for social engagement. Check out the video! 👉 pahouse.com/miller/communitywebinars
Our friends over at en.seethegood.app are working to bring their innovative and playful classroom programs to schools in Pennsylvania. Learn more - and see Pittsburgh represented on the news in Finland! 🇫🇮 📰
See the Good! in USA
This is "See the Good! in USA" by See the Good! on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
vimeo.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Our friends over at en.seethegood.app are working to bring their innovative and playful classroom programs to schools in Pennsylvania. Learn more - and see Pittsburgh represented on the news in Finland! 🇫🇮 📰
🎃🐈⬛ Celebrate Halloween with a cheeky horror tragicomedy - Slay the Princess. A mysterious voice says you must kill a princess in a cabin in the woods. If you fail - it will bring about the end of the world. We saved the spookiest for last: Three out of five 👻👻👻
Link 👉 blacktabbygames.com/press-stp
Link 👉 blacktabbygames.com/press-stp
October 31, 2025 at 2:57 PM
🎃🐈⬛ Celebrate Halloween with a cheeky horror tragicomedy - Slay the Princess. A mysterious voice says you must kill a princess in a cabin in the woods. If you fail - it will bring about the end of the world. We saved the spookiest for last: Three out of five 👻👻👻
Link 👉 blacktabbygames.com/press-stp
Link 👉 blacktabbygames.com/press-stp
Let’s keep up the creepy with Home Safety Hotline. In this analog game players take on the role of a telephone operator who must answer incoming callers’ questions about what’s inside their home. Spookiness Rating of two out of five 👻👻
Link 👉 igdb.com/games/244303/presskit
Link 👉 igdb.com/games/244303/presskit
October 30, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Let’s keep up the creepy with Home Safety Hotline. In this analog game players take on the role of a telephone operator who must answer incoming callers’ questions about what’s inside their home. Spookiness Rating of two out of five 👻👻
Link 👉 igdb.com/games/244303/presskit
Link 👉 igdb.com/games/244303/presskit
A slightly spookier game recommendation: Cult of the Lamb casts players in the role of a possessed lamb saved from annihilation by an ominous stranger… but now you must repay the debt. This one gets a Spookiness Rating of two out of five 👻👻
Link 👉 igdb.com/games/cult-of-the-lamb/presskit
Link 👉 igdb.com/games/cult-of-the-lamb/presskit
October 29, 2025 at 2:30 PM
A slightly spookier game recommendation: Cult of the Lamb casts players in the role of a possessed lamb saved from annihilation by an ominous stranger… but now you must repay the debt. This one gets a Spookiness Rating of two out of five 👻👻
Link 👉 igdb.com/games/cult-of-the-lamb/presskit
Link 👉 igdb.com/games/cult-of-the-lamb/presskit
Tuesday’s Halloween treat is a life-sim game about camping on a haunted, ever-changing island. In Cozy Grove you’re a spirit scout wandering the forest, finding hidden secrets, and helping soothe the local ghosts. Spookiness Rating: One out of five 👻
👉 www.qag.io/cg/
👉 www.qag.io/cg/
October 28, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Tuesday’s Halloween treat is a life-sim game about camping on a haunted, ever-changing island. In Cozy Grove you’re a spirit scout wandering the forest, finding hidden secrets, and helping soothe the local ghosts. Spookiness Rating: One out of five 👻
👉 www.qag.io/cg/
👉 www.qag.io/cg/
In support of a happy Halloween, The CTP is spending the week sharing some “spirited” favorite games. First up: Spiritfarer. You play Stella, ferrymaster to the deceased. Build a boat to explore the world!
Spookiness Rating: One out of five 👻
Spookiness Rating: One out of five 👻
Spiritfarer Press Kit | Thunder Lotus
Spiritfarer is a cozy management game about dying. You play Stella, ferrymaster to the deceased, a Spiritfarer. Build a boat to explore the world, then
thunderlotus23.mill3.dev
October 27, 2025 at 7:46 PM
In support of a happy Halloween, The CTP is spending the week sharing some “spirited” favorite games. First up: Spiritfarer. You play Stella, ferrymaster to the deceased. Build a boat to explore the world!
Spookiness Rating: One out of five 👻
Spookiness Rating: One out of five 👻
Reposted by Center for Transformational Play
CHI PLAY's Work In Progress (WIP) contributions provide a unique opportunity for authors to present reports on original yet incomplete work that seeks to advance our current knowledge in games and play through innovative or thought-provoking ideas. Great work all who presented! tinyurl.com/y27zs65w
October 15, 2025 at 3:23 PM
CHI PLAY's Work In Progress (WIP) contributions provide a unique opportunity for authors to present reports on original yet incomplete work that seeks to advance our current knowledge in games and play through innovative or thought-provoking ideas. Great work all who presented! tinyurl.com/y27zs65w
Our Project Baseplate partners over at cmu.edu/gelfand and mattsmakerspace.org are continuing to amplify learning in Pittsburgh and beyond!
Read more 👉 tinyurl.com/5xmuvnxb
Read more 👉 tinyurl.com/5xmuvnxb
October 8, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Our Project Baseplate partners over at cmu.edu/gelfand and mattsmakerspace.org are continuing to amplify learning in Pittsburgh and beyond!
Read more 👉 tinyurl.com/5xmuvnxb
Read more 👉 tinyurl.com/5xmuvnxb
The CTP is honored to celebrate the 2025 Andy Awards @cmu.edu and to be recognized in three categories:
🏆Commitment to Community Engagement
🏆Commitment to Excellence
🏆Teamwork and Collaboration
Congratulations to all the nominees and thank you for all you do to support CMU! 👉 tinyurl.com/3enrj7b7
🏆Commitment to Community Engagement
🏆Commitment to Excellence
🏆Teamwork and Collaboration
Congratulations to all the nominees and thank you for all you do to support CMU! 👉 tinyurl.com/3enrj7b7
October 2, 2025 at 4:46 PM
The CTP is honored to celebrate the 2025 Andy Awards @cmu.edu and to be recognized in three categories:
🏆Commitment to Community Engagement
🏆Commitment to Excellence
🏆Teamwork and Collaboration
Congratulations to all the nominees and thank you for all you do to support CMU! 👉 tinyurl.com/3enrj7b7
🏆Commitment to Community Engagement
🏆Commitment to Excellence
🏆Teamwork and Collaboration
Congratulations to all the nominees and thank you for all you do to support CMU! 👉 tinyurl.com/3enrj7b7
The CTP’s Director, Dr. Jessica Hammer, shared her expertise to support producers of the long-running @pbs.org series NOVA as they explored collaborative science learning through the mediums of livestreams like Twitch. Check out the results of the research!
New Media Offers New Ways to Spark STEM Learning - Center for Transformational Play - Carnegie Mellon University
Support from CMU researchers and the Center for Transformational play is helping the long-running PBS series NOVA explore collaborative science learning through the medium of livestreams on Twitch
www.cmu.edu
September 23, 2025 at 12:58 PM
The CTP’s Director, Dr. Jessica Hammer, shared her expertise to support producers of the long-running @pbs.org series NOVA as they explored collaborative science learning through the mediums of livestreams like Twitch. Check out the results of the research!
We’re thrilled to share The Center for Transformational Play's Project Baseplate partner Emily Sanders is helping support playful learning at two elementary schools thanks to a collaboration with mattsmakerspace.org! 🧱👷⛹️
Hempfield to pilot Lego-based therapy program at 2 elementaries
Two Hempfield Area elementary schools will pilot a Lego-based therapy program this school year. Carnegie Mellon University partnered with a Western Pennsylvania nonprofit called Matt’s Maker Spa...
triblive.com
September 22, 2025 at 4:58 PM
We’re thrilled to share The Center for Transformational Play's Project Baseplate partner Emily Sanders is helping support playful learning at two elementary schools thanks to a collaboration with mattsmakerspace.org! 🧱👷⛹️