Matt Shaw has been on the scene for a while now; like a bad smell which just won’t go away. And, when you leave a skid at the bottom of a toilet pan instead of just cleaning it away, it is fair to say he has left his dirty, little mark. He is the published author of over 200 stories (all readily available on Amazon), he has produced, written and directed a feature film based on one of his books (MONSTER), is currently producing and directing a second feature film (NEXT DOOR) and… And now he has produced a card game based upon his best-selling book, Sick B*stards.
Wait? What?
Sick B*stards: The Card Game.
A card game (with 3 ways of playing) designed by one of the UK's darkest horror authors! Ever wanted to create your own twisted little story? Well, with these cards, you can! Play your hand to create the most disturbing "story" you possibly can! Prove to your friends that you are the biggest Sick B*stard going!
Let's be clear, this game is NOT intended for those under the age of 18. From the warped mind of one of the UK's leading (and more depraved) horror authors, this game is strictly for adults with a love of the horror genre and the written word.
So what is Sick B*stards?
"Sick B*stards" is Matt Shaw's breakthrough novel. Working with a publisher who once called Matt a Sick B*stard, Matt decided to show him what a Sick B*stard really looked like and set about writing the most disgusting opening chapter to a book that he could think of. The problem was, he liked it so much, he decided to release the book. As he did so, he expected a massive backlash so gave the book a simple black cover with a warning on the front. "If easily offended, do not purchase". Well, the book went straight to number one on Amazon and the film rights were sold within a couple of months of the release. As the reviews started to come in, Matt Shaw had found his calling and his brand "The Black Cover Books" came to life…
And now it's a card game?
Wait? What?
Sick B*stards: The Card Game.
A card game (with 3 ways of playing) designed by one of the UK's darkest horror authors! Ever wanted to create your own twisted little story? Well, with these cards, you can! Play your hand to create the most disturbing "story" you possibly can! Prove to your friends that you are the biggest Sick B*stard going!
Let's be clear, this game is NOT intended for those under the age of 18. From the warped mind of one of the UK's leading (and more depraved) horror authors, this game is strictly for adults with a love of the horror genre and the written word.
So what is Sick B*stards?
"Sick B*stards" is Matt Shaw's breakthrough novel. Working with a publisher who once called Matt a Sick B*stard, Matt decided to show him what a Sick B*stard really looked like and set about writing the most disgusting opening chapter to a book that he could think of. The problem was, he liked it so much, he decided to release the book. As he did so, he expected a massive backlash so gave the book a simple black cover with a warning on the front. "If easily offended, do not purchase". Well, the book went straight to number one on Amazon and the film rights were sold within a couple of months of the release. As the reviews started to come in, Matt Shaw had found his calling and his brand "The Black Cover Books" came to life…
And now it's a card game?
No! It is THREE CARD GAMES.
Sick B*stards is part of a trilogy: Sick B*stards, SickER B*stards and SickEST B*stards so it made sense to have the card game include different ways of playing. Here is a run down on how each game plays:
Sick B*stards (GAME ONE)
Each player has x amount of cards in their hands. The card may have a character name (such as "Jesus Christ"), something the character did, another character name, and an outcome to the story. The idea is to put the cards down onto the table into a coherent story. Don't forget the cards are shuffled so you may not be able to go in which case you dump a card and pick up another card until you can go. But it isn't just a question of playing the cards in your hand.
The first player puts their cards down (different points depending on how many cards they managed to use for their story) and then the next player has to put a story down leading off any of the cards already played on the table (similar to how you would build a word in a game of Scrabble using a tile already played by another player).
But it's not that simple. There are, of course, "B*stard" cards in the deck too. You have the chance to make players skip a go, you have Happy Ending cards which you can play on another person's story to make them lose the points, you have the opportunity to steal random cards right from the other players' hand... Basically lots of ways to stuff them over whilst you try and win the game by scoring the most amount of points.
Stories can be played horizontally and vertically so... With all the random characters, situations, locations and outcomes available in the 133 card deck... How sick is your imagination? Are you a real Sick B*stard?
Plays like: Cards Against Humanity crossed with Scrabble.
SickER B*stards (GAME TWO)
Each player starts with a number of cards in their hands. A five minute timer is set. The players then compete at the same time to put down as many stories as they possibly can in the five minutes. There's no taking turns. It is a free-for-all. Make a story, take replacement cards from the deck and keep on going until the buzzer! Who can make the most stories? The longer the story (played with more cards), the higher the points for that particular story so, do you just try and play it safe with small stories or go for something longer?
Don't forget the bastard cards though. Can another player sneak in and claim one of the stories as your own? Can they make you discard your whole hand and replace all the cards you hold? Can they grab a random card from your hand and play it themselves? I wouldn't put it past them. Your friends are real B*stards.
SiCKEST B*stards (GAME THREE)
Each player has a hand of 5 cards. All they need to do to win and prove themselves the SickEST B*stard is to play ONE story using ALL the cards in their hand. Can't go? Dump a card for another and keep repeating the process (taking it in turns) until you're able to play the story out.
Just watch out for the B*stard cards though. Be a real shame for you to have a great hand and have someone swipe one of your cards just as you're about to tell your story... A real shame indeed.
Plays like Rummy
Each player starts with a number of cards in their hands. A five minute timer is set. The players then compete at the same time to put down as many stories as they possibly can in the five minutes. There's no taking turns. It is a free-for-all. Make a story, take replacement cards from the deck and keep on going until the buzzer! Who can make the most stories? The longer the story (played with more cards), the higher the points for that particular story so, do you just try and play it safe with small stories or go for something longer?
Don't forget the bastard cards though. Can another player sneak in and claim one of the stories as your own? Can they make you discard your whole hand and replace all the cards you hold? Can they grab a random card from your hand and play it themselves? I wouldn't put it past them. Your friends are real B*stards.
SiCKEST B*stards (GAME THREE)
Each player has a hand of 5 cards. All they need to do to win and prove themselves the SickEST B*stard is to play ONE story using ALL the cards in their hand. Can't go? Dump a card for another and keep repeating the process (taking it in turns) until you're able to play the story out.
Just watch out for the B*stard cards though. Be a real shame for you to have a great hand and have someone swipe one of your cards just as you're about to tell your story... A real shame indeed.
Plays like Rummy
What's in the box?
Inside the travel-friendly box are 133 cards. These are made up of character cards, situations cards, locations... All you need to create disgusting stories! Better yet? There are B*stard Cards too which are designed to purposefully screw one another over and ensure you get extra points! Stop them from going, add a happy ending to their story, steal one of their cards, make them dump the whole hand and start again... Warning: This game can get extremely competitive!
There are also 5 blank cards? Why? So you can add your own spin on it too!
And, more importantly, there are 3 instruction cards showing you how to play each game!
So what is happening with the game?
Matt had 5 copies of the game produced. 4 sold immediately so some of his readers and the other one, he kept for himself to play with his friends. Once the game was thoroughly tested, it was set up on Kickstarter and immediately banned. They said it went against their community standards, which is amazing given they are fine with items from the controversial comic strip makers of Cyanide and Happiness. Thankfully Indiegogo were kinder and the game is now live there BUT… Production costs are high so there is a goal of £2,000 there. If the goal isn’t complete, the goal will not go into production. If the goal is reached… The game will be coming out! Intrigued to know more or just want a copy of your own? Here’s some handy links!
Watch authors J.R Park and Matt Shaw play the game here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmgWpmE9CbA&lc=z22yfbw5nyf0uhijq04t1aokgkzpcrfn34cpwdilhb3bbk0h00410
See the Indiegogo Campaign here:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/sick-b-stards-the-card-game/x/4093666?create_edit=true#/
See signed merchandise (including books and his film) here:
www.mattshawpublications.co.uk
