Be the first to tap the highest letter of the alphabet … or sneakily take away victory by spelling a word.
Booksmack
The base game has only two rules and no text on cards. It’s ideal for little kids learning the alphabet (and language in general). Adding the expansion(s) makes it a more tactical game for all ages.
Background
I’m not sure how this idea came to me, but I’m glad it did. I guess I was just brainstorming possible entries into the SwiftSmash Saga (games about quickly “smashing” or “tapping” the right card), and then it suddenly occured to me that the alphabet has an implicit order.
An order that everyone knows: the “a” comes before the “b”, which comes before the “c”, and so forth.
If players simply hold cards with a letter … I get a good game (seemingly for free) from just one rule: “Smash the letter that comes latest in the alphabet”
Well, I made that game, added a few more fun tweaks or special actions, and it was indeed as good and simple as I hoped. I think Booksmack is perhaps the most elegant design I ever made. The amount of fun gameplay you get in return for just two rules is astonishing. That’s also why I placed this game as the “first” (or “easiest”) entry into the SwiftSmash Saga.
Credits
The fonts used are Abril Fatface (headings) and Andika (body text). Everything else is mine.
Support
You can hire me! Maybe you need a special board game or video game for a birthday or educational purpose? I'm also open to inquiries about physically publishing my games. I am a registered freelance artist from the Netherlands and you can contact me professionally through my portfolio.
If unsure, visit my Online Store. It contains everything I ever made. Though it focuses on playful education and activities for children/family, first and foremost.
Another great way to support me is to simply let me know what you think! Mail me at harmonize@pandaqi.com with any feedback.
Alternatives would be to buy my paid work (a win-win situation!) or to donate through the most popular channels (see buttons below).
