Game: Cards Against Humanity
Creator: Max Temkin, Josh Dillon, Daniel Dranove, Eli Halpern, Ben Hantoot, David Munk, and David Pinsof
Platform: Physical card game, or online version available
Target Audience: Adult, suitable for players aged 17+.
Formal Elements:
– Number of players: 4+
– Procedures: Players take turns to be the judge by drawing a black card, which contains a question or fill-in-the-blank statement. The other players select one of their white cards, which contain humorous phrases, words, or sentences, to complete the prompt. The judge would vote for the funniest response and the player who submitted those funny cards could take the white prompt card.
– Rules: Players can’t show their cards to others. The amount of prompt cards one wins is equivalent to the number of points. The first player to reach a predetermined number of points wins the game.
– Boundaries: Play around a table
– Resources: The game comes with a deck of black cards and a deck of white cards.
– Objective: The objective is to collect prompt cards/points by submitting the funniest responses to the black card prompts.
– Outcome: The outcome of the game is determined by the player who reaches the predetermined number of points first.
Kind of Fun: Narrative , Competition, Expression. Cards Against Humanity is a game that is designed to be irreverent, offensive, and hilarious. It is enjoyable for players who enjoy dark humor and enjoy being shocked by the absurdity of the game’s responses. The game is fun and compelling because it encourages players to be creative and think outside of the box to come up with the funniest possible response which satisfied Narrative, Expression; and a little bit of Competition by incorporating a point system.
Why the Game Works: Cards Against Humanity works because it is a unique take on traditional party games. It provides a fun and casual experience that can be enjoyed by players of all skill levels. The game’s irreverent humor and taboo subject matter add to its appeal and make it stand out from other party games.
How It Could Be Improved: While Cards Against Humanity is a fun game, it can become repetitive after multiple playthroughs. To improve the game, the creators could add new decks of cards or create variations on the existing rules to keep the gameplay fresh.
Comparison to Other Games: Cards Against Humanity is similar to other adult party games, such as Apples to Apples and What Do You Meme? However, it differentiates itself from these games by being more outrageous and offensive. Some players may find this to be a negative aspect of the game, while others may enjoy the shock value.
Vulnerability: Playing Cards Against Humanity requires players to be willing to be vulnerable and share their sense of humor with others. The game’s subject matter can be uncomfortable for some players, and they may feel vulnerable sharing their responses with the group. However, the game is designed to be played in a light-hearted and non-judgmental atmosphere, and players are encouraged to be creative and have fun.
