I'm a game designer, writer and academic who has been working in the game industry for more than sixteen years. I founded Gamelab, an independent game studio based in NYC. I've been involved in the creation of scores of games on and off the computer, from Gamelab's hit title Diner Dash to pioneering web game SiSSYFiGHT 2000 and the MacArthur grant-funded Gamestar Mechanic. I co-founded the Gamelab spin-off nonprofit The Institute of Play. I also co-authored the standard game design textbook Rules of Play with Katie Salen. I have taught at MIT, NYU, SVA, and Parsons School of Design.These days I am working as a freelance game designer. I'm a founding faculty at the the NYU Game Center and work with NYC companies like Pentagram and Curious Pictures. I design large-scale physical game installations with architect Nathalie Pozzi and create experimental games with game collectives The Leisure Society and Local No.12. And my first film - a collaboration with director David Kaplan - recently premiered.I passionately practice game design daily. And I continue to write and speak about games.My blog: http://ericzimmerman.wordpress.comWebsite: http://www.ericzimmerman.comFollow me on Twitter: @zimmermaneric