Gamedesign: Fred Kater, Graphics: Ina Alvarez   COUPLES was developed at the hight of the hype around collectable card games. The author played quite some of them and wondered why all of them were based on aggression. He thought it should be possible to use a different motor to make such a game work. The idea was to use the opposite of agression: love. And it worked! COUPLES is not collectable but extensions are planned...

Couples contains 120 cards: 20 place,  20 male, 20 female und 60 influence cards. Even as there is nothing objectionable in the game (we hope) owing to the subject we did not recommend people under the age of 12. Meanwhile we know that kids from 9 up have not even no trouble playing but loving it! The duration of the game is 30 to 60 mins. Two to four can play.

Each player forms his own outlay of cards. On a place one matching male and one matching female card may be played to form a couple. Matching means to have at least two attributes of the same kind with the place as well as the partner. These do not have to be the same. People have 4 attributes, places 2 to 6. There are influence cards that disturb the creation of couples, others seperat existing couples, but enough influence cards protect against the mischief of other players. Whoever manages to form a certain number of couples first (depending on the number of players) will win immediately. Some examples for cards follow here.

IMPORTANT: English speaking players will not have to worry about the cards texts. The function of the influence cards is explained through determinative icons (just 10 signs to be learned) in the top line of every card. Also a detailed description of the influence cards is available below.

COUPLES is no cerebral challenge. Its a fun easy-going affair. Then again some thinking may be in order to win the game.

COUPLES is available for purchase. Prizes are EUR 17.50 for customers in Europa, EUR 20.- for everywhere else per air-mail, both including postage. Email info@singlish-mopping.com for details.

Downlaod: Short Rules

Download: Description of the influence cards

Download: FAQ