What is Exploding Kittens?
Exploding Kittens is a card game designed by Elan Lee, Shane Small, and Matthew Inman, the creator of the webcomic The Oatmeal. Released in 2015, it quickly became one of the most successful Kickstarter campaigns ever, raising over $8.7 million and gaining widespread popularity.
What are the rules?
Set Up: Each player is dealt a hand of cards and a Defuse card is given to everyone except the Exploding Kittens cards. The Exploding Kittens cards are shuffled into the deck based on the number of players.
Gameplay: Players take turns clockwise and can play as many cards as they like during their turn. They can play action cards to skip their turn, peek at the top few cards of the deck, force opponents to give them cards, etc. They can also play combinations of cards like two cards of the same type to create a special effect. However, players are required to pick up one card from the deck at the end of their turn, thus increasing their chances of drawing an Exploding Kitten.
Exploding Kittens: The game's objective is to avoid drawing an Exploding Kitten card. If a player draws an Exploding Kitten card and they do not have a Defuse card to defuse it, they are eliminated from the game. However, if they have a Defuse card, they can use it to defuse the Exploding Kitten, place it back in the deck, and then reshuffle the deck.
Special Cards: There are various special cards in the game that can alter the gameplay or give players advantages. For example, the Nope card can be used to cancel any action played by another player, or the Attack card can end a player's turn and force the next player to take two turns.
How did Exploding Kittens come about and why is it so popular?
Exploding Kittens gained significant cultural and historical significance due to its unique combination of humor, simplicity, and strategic gameplay. It marked a successful transition from a popular webcomic to a widely acclaimed card game.
The game's crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter not only broke records but also showcased the growing popularity and influence of crowdfunding in the gaming industry. It demonstrated the power of community support and the ability to challenge the traditional publishing model.
Additionally, the game's quirky and humorous artwork, created by Matthew Inman, contributed to its cultural impact. The illustrations featured in Exploding Kittens helped establish a recognizable and distinct visual identity, appealing to fans of The Oatmeal webcomic and attracting new players.
Furthermore, the success of Exploding Kittens led to the creation of numerous expansion packs and spin-off games, further solidifying its place in the tabletop gaming industry. Its combination of accessible gameplay, strategic depth, and comedic elements made it an influential game that continues to be enjoyed by players worldwide.
Find out more:
Official Website: Exploding Kittens
Exploding Kittens Youtube: Exploding Kittens
Exploding Kittens Twitter: Exploding Kittens
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