Munchkin - Ace Comics trip review
Munchkin is a deck card game based on fighting monsters, collecting items and stabbing your friends in the back. This game is best played with 6 players however as little as 3 people are required to play. The game can be quite difficult to get your head round so really I'd say its audience is 10+. All players begin the game at level 1, with the aim of reaching level 10. Every time you defeat a monster you gain a level however you can also lose or gain levels through cards or people trying to make you fail.
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Is it fun?
Is it challenging?
Is it competitive?
The game is a medieval quest filled with stupid monsters and random enemies. For example a giant flying nose. The silliness of the game is what makes it fun however because you can play with such a big group of friends and family, I think that is what makes it fun.
Very. The tactical knowledge needed and the strategic nature of the game makes it very challenging to climb the levels of the game. You u have to think of future moves that can be made and prepare for them in advance.
The guys in Ace comics said its very rare for friends to play munchkin and not come out of it betraying them. A huge part of the game is sabotaging people all so they wont win. Even if you arent a competitive person, this game makes you one.
Eight types of fun
I've looked at the 8 types of fun Leblanc, M. (2009) before and its a theory that really does make sense when it comes to successful games.
The different types of fun are:
Sensation: Game as sense- pleasure
Fellowship: Game as social framework
Fantasy: Game as make-believe
Narrative: Game as unfolding story
Challenge: Game as obstacle course
Discovery: Game as uncharted territory
Expression: Game as soap box
Submission: Game as mindless pastime
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Munchkin definitely contains a few of these types of fun.
Fantasy fits quite well because of the theme of the game however I think the main type of fun is challenge. Like I explained above. You have to be aware of every move possible and keep that in mind. If you don't have a way to counter an attack. You are dead.
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The game is full up of make-believe and humorous lore which fits the game perfectly. The random items which you can use get laughs when you play them. I think its because its so different from the real world which makes it fun. Its like being in a whole different world.
What lessons have you learned from this experience that you can apply to your Extended Project?
Through researching this game I can learn from their social media. They didn't seem to have a lot of marketing or social media for this card game and as a marketing coordinator, thats what I would do differently. There is only so much word of mouth and reccomendations can to and to reach those more obscure audiences would be easier to have an active and interactive social media page.
