Buy The Game Development Strategy Guide
Are you ready to level up your game development career? Buy The Game Development Strategy Guide, which is written for all game developers and partners like marketing and legal – averaging a 4.7 on Amazon and recommended by Kirkus Reviews. Whether you’re aspiring or veteran, the focus on modern video game development means this book heads into waters largely uncharted by other books out there. Live-service games, hybrid monetization models, player motivation, prosocial gaming, and emergent behavior – there’s something for everyone here.
Want to see reviews? Click here to jump to an overview of customer and industry reviews.
Choose your Purchasing Character
Option 1: Direct from Publisher
Rosenfeld Media sells the Game Development Strategy Guide direct on its website. Purchases require registration, but all physical copies come with a free ebook, making it the best deal for physical purchasers. You may also be able to find an active discount code for the book by listening to Enduring Play, the companion podcast.
Option 2: Amazon
Links below are for US Amazon (these affiliate links help author Cheryl Platz retain more of the sales price), but you can check your local storefront for availability.
Option 3: Ingram Academic
If you’re a school, bookstore, or class, you may want to purchase through Ingram Academic. You can do so directly, or you can reach out to Rosenfeld Media and their Academic program, which offers free review copies, discounts for class purchases, and complimentary Q&A sessions with author Cheryl Platz for qualifying purchases.
Option 4: Other Booksellers
You may also be able to ask your local bookstore to contact Ingram distribution to stock the book directly (ISBN: 1959029711)
Check the Reviews
Any experienced gamer knows to check the reviews before diving in. Here’s what some of the Amazon Vine reviewers had to say – (Amazon Vine provides review copies to real readers in exchange for unvarnished opinions). The GDSG has repeatedly featured as a best-seller in this very competitive category which also includes inexpensive Minecraft guides and other strategy guides.
“This book was MUCH more approachable than I expected! Explanations are clear and well written, and information is presented logically throughout the entire book. The case studies are poignant, and I think interesting from a development view, even if someone did not have a background in game design. (Or even those who just enjoy games, to better understand the field.)”
This is a useful strategy book for thinking about modern game development as more than just build the thing and hope the market applauds. It covers the business, production, audience, and positioning parts in a way that feels practical rather than padded.
“this book was actually kinda solid. i picked it up just to see if it could help me with game ideas and it did more than i thought. it talks about why people play games and how to make stuff that keeps them coming back. some parts felt a little slow but i still learned a lot. i used a few ideas from it when messing around with my own small game concepts and it made things feel more organized.
And as for industry perspectives:
Platz treats the history of gaming with reverence, mentioning deep cuts such as MadMaze alongside indie darlings like Unpacking; this makes the guide feel truly all-encompassing—as expansive as an open-world RPG—in a way that will resonate with industry insiders, newbie developers, and curious players alike.”
Kirkus Reviews “Get It” Recommendation
An amazingly broad and contemporary take on our industry. Whether you are new to the gaming industry or a veteran, if there is only one book you read about the game industry and all the different points of view on it? It should probably be this one.”
Will Wright, game designer; creator of The Sims, SimCity, and Spore; BAFTA Fellow; co-founder of game development studio Maxis
If every game developer is a gamer first, why not speak to them in gamer terms? Every career needs a walkthrough like this!”
Dr. Christopher Maverick, Assistant Teaching Professor of English, Digital Narrative and Interactive Design, University of Pittsburgh
“This guide is an amazing crash course for anyone who wants to make games that actually succeed.”
Jesse Schell, author of The Art of Game Design
“Cheryl Platz’s book is a true tour de force that deserves a prominent place in every game developer’s library!”
Weszt Hart, Co-author, Digital Thriving Playbook; Board member, Thriving in Games Group
“A compelling overview of the design heuristics, psychological concepts, development approaches and core concepts necessary for game development – essential reading for the game industry today.”
Steve Bromley, Author of “How to Be a Games User Researcher
An essential resource for developers who want to build a standout video game that thrives in a crowded market — and avoid the critical failures that plague many games.”
Catt Small, Independent Game Developer and Executive Director of the Game Devs of Color Expo, Author of The Staff Designer
Cheryl compiles a wealth of knowledge and experiences in this engaging deep dive into the complex world of video game development.”
Stephanie Cheung, Art Director