S2 E10: Semper Gumby: Flexible Project and Community Management with Desirée Rincón

Millions of players enjoy playing games like Call of Duty that simulate military life, but how does experience as a veteran translate to video game development? Program manager, community manager, and military veteran Desirée Rincón has a leadership style forged in the field: she understands innately that batons can't get dropped, that communication must be explicit, and that misses can have real-world consequences. The resilience she developed in the field has served her not just in her prior role as Program Manager for Xbox 3rd Party Operations but in her role as Head of Gaming Partnerships and Brand for Gold Star Gamers, a 501(c)3 nonprofit connecting kids in need to therapeutic gaming experiences, her role as Head of Creative (Art and Design) for the Always Supporting Games Community, and in her own life transcending multiple disabilities to continue to engage with her love of the game. Oh, and you might have already met her service dog, Sydney. You know, the one with the lightsaber? This is a unique episode that covers everything from children processing grief in games to the staggering stress of managing games manufacturing to first-person gaming stories from Iraq and navigating life as an unemployed game developer while helping thousands of others get hired. Enduring Play is a unique, human crafted, high production value podcast about the modern craft of video game development. The format is inspired by gaming itself, with a level structure and tutorials and asides that help listeners of all experience follow along. Season 1 of the Enduring Play podcast is drawn from interviews that informed Cheryl Platz's new book The Game Development Strategy Guide: Crafting Modern Video Games That Thrive, and Season 2 explores the communities, systems, and research methods that help us lead curiously and sustainably to thriving games.  #gamedev #videogames #xbox #veteran #military #goldstargamers #consoles #consolegaming #producer #accessibility #dogs #asgc  #amirsatvatsgamecommunity  Use code ENDURINGPLAYS2 at RosenfeldMedia.com to get 15% off your order - and all physical orders at Rosenfeld Media receive a free ebook. Podcast Season 2 discount offer expires July 30, 2026. Love the podcast or the book? Please spread the word with shares and reviews so we can change the industry together! To learn more about Desirée and the reference materials cited in this episode, check out the show notes at https://www.gamedevelopmentstrategyguide.com/enduring-play/enduring-play-season-2/enduring-play-a-game-dev-podcast-season-2-episode-10-desiree-rincon-show-notes/