The Genesis of an Idea: Troublemakers


Troublemakers prototype deck. Art by Blutt.

Troublemakers prototype deck. Art by Blutt.

If there are two things I’m a fan of, it’s game design and street art. Currently I’m putting some focus into our second game, called Troublemakers. Unlike Broken Contract, which is a heavy immersive skirmish wargame, Troublemakers is a light and playful card game. Developing something that contrasted so heavily with Broken Contract has been a really enjoyable change of pace.

The focus of Troublemakers is kids from different rebellious subcultures, collecting bad kid items and doing bad kid things. All the while they are accumulating Cool Points in the process. They join cliques and have their social circles implode, while trying to get to the elusive goal of 13 Cool Points. Developed by myself and Lisa Quintero, and featuring the work of Chicago street artist, Blutt, we’re in our second round of prototyping and playtesting.

Interested in how the idea came to be and our early stages of development? Check out the Broken Contract Design Blog and learn more about Troublemakers.

Prototype cards featuring