Help fund drop dead fun card game
Samantha Dawe and Steve Carr urge Highway residents to help Thundafund their killer card game, Murder on the Cards.
SITTING at the table, surrounded by your family, silently squealing with delight as you roll a six and can finally move past ‘go’, collect that fat paycheck and continue scooping up the good streets.
It was this sense of fun, nostalgia and friendly competition that locals, Samantha Dawe and Steve Carr, wanted when they created their card game, Murder on the Cards.
Samantha has played card and board games since she can remember, solving the ‘who-dunnit’ cases in Cluedo and using her general knowledge to one-up the other teams in the vastly popular 30 Seconds.
The qualified copywriter is a strategist at a digital agency by day and at night she explored her creativity when finalising the card game.
The idea ignited when a customer requested a journey board game as a team building exercise. It was during this work project that Samantha better learnt the mechanics and inner workings of board and card games.
“This was about two years ago and since then I mulled it over until I felt that I had a really good idea,” said a proud Samantha.
Using her skills as a wordsmith to her advantage, she forged the game’s name as well as the quirky, tongue-in-cheek flavour text on the cards.
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“Before the final deck, I made my own with stickers and colour cards and played it a few times to work out the kinks. From August last year it has been a work in progress but it is now complete,” said Samantha.
Steve described it as a quick-fire, fun game that utilised dark humour and was suitable for all ages.
“You have life cards, save yourself cards and each round someone will draw a card that will try and kill you. In the end everyone will die, but it’s trying to get to the point where you’re the last man standing,” he said.
The maximum number of players is 10, with a minimum of two and there are plans of expansion packs to increase the total number. The average game play time is about 10 minutes but could last up to 20 minutes.
The couple both have full time jobs but have turned the creating of this game into evening jobs.
“We have work hours and then everything after that is getting this going. The hardest point, said Steve, “was getting to a working prototype and then getting the Thundafund running.”
Those wanting to help fund the production of the game through its Thundafund page, can expect added extras as there are reward tiers for anyone donating. This includes social media shout outs to fridge magnets and other nifty game extras.
The tipping point is R86 000 but the couple’s dream goal is to hit R120 000 as this would allow them to roll it out with expansion packs and have a website running.
Once released, the card game will cost between R250 to R300 per pack. This includes the original 110 cards in the pack and a rules leaflet, all wrapped up in a nifty box.
To see how the game is played, visit its Thundafund page at www.thundafund.com/project/murderonthecards. You can follow the development at www.facebook.com/ITSMOTC or instagram.com/murderonthecards/
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