Why we made this card game

A few years ago, my kids and I played a card game at a family get together. It was a very simple game, simple mechanics and one-way to win, it was surprising how fun it actually ended up being. But not for reasons that the game was clever or creative. What was fun, was the environment the game created. It allowed us to be competitive and show a side of ourselves that was not the polite small talk or trying to stay awake after a food coma. My cousin got visibly upset because I was taking her cards. I never knew my cousin was so competitive. It just helped break the ice and gave us permission to be more of ourselves.

So my kids and I made our own card game, designed the game mechanics, hired an artist and even produced a few of them. Hoping to recreate more elements, environments for that exchange of energy and liveliness. We often play with Grandma and it’s so fun to see her get competitive with her grandchildren and me. We laugh at each other for taking it so seriously, getting into character.

The game is for people that love the exchange between people, no matter age, adults, children. People that want to break the ice with people they’re close to and even known for years. People that want a place they can be themselves. Maybe people that are more introverted but like being extroverted but need to be doing something together while connecting with others.

Valuing connection, closeness, having fun that seems purposeful but without the stakes or over-complication. Want a place to be themselves even amongst their family, but maybe sometimes it’s awkward or not appropriate. It’s fun like karaoke without the singing. Fun. Liveliness. Energy. Casual competitiveness. Breaking the ice. Families. Friends. Connecting through a fun game.

Family’s, friends that might be a little introverted but can also play as an extrovert or an extrovert that can also be introverted. There is an internal, strategic calculation portion to it but it’s very much a social game influenced by the group dynamics. Maybe like Survivor and Monopoly, also Catan but I think more lively, with less complications and setup.