Singapore's first card game: Something specially for the local market

The Online Citizen speaks with a new young and vibrant Singaporean company that created the Singapore Card Game and ask them on what made them to make a Singapore based card game.

What inspired your team to create this game?
We are all no strangers to card games, having played all the popular ones (eg: Magic, Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Monopoly Deal etc) since we were young. We have always wanted to see a Singaporean card game launched specifically for our local market.
So we thought to ourselves: “what better way to see your wish come true than by doing it yourself?” So we set about designing and creating Singapore’s very first card game that is inspired by Singaporean culture and some infamous Singaporean “events”. We chose to incorporate Singaporean locations so that we could introduce foreigners to our beautiful country.
What is the theme of this game?
The theme of the game is to be the most Singaporean as the one who is the most “kiasu” will usually win in the end. This game is unique in that there is more than 1 way to win each with its different advantages and disadvantages.
What’s so special about the Singapore Card Game?
Beyond the fact that we’re the first Singaporean card game on the market. Our game is fully based on Singaporean culture and landmarks. This local Singaporean flavour is our main differentiator from the other card games on the market. The Singapore Card Game takes place in the form of a journey around Singapore.
To win the game, one has to do the most Singaporean activities (Play the different Singapore point cards) or travel around Singapore (Play the different location cards). Along the way, you can get sabotaged (Train break down, stomped etc) or get your cards stolen (Loan sharks, “Chope” Seat etc) by the other players.
There are Reward cards available to players to assist them on their journey. As a last resort, players can always get their local MP to help by playing the complain MP card.
What do you need to play the Singapore Card Game?
All you need is the basic set. But we did create an optional customized Singapore Card Game board that you can buy to learn the game quicker or to enhance your gameplay experience.
Is the Singapore Card Game hard to learn?
The rules of the Singapore Card Game are relatively straightforward and logical. There is an element of luck as with all card games with regards to what cards are drawn. But you cannot win this game purely by luck alone. The game has many variables that can open up the game to many kinds of strategies so the game remains fairly balanced.
How exactly do you win in the Singapore Card Game?
In a usual 4 player game, there are 2 ways to win the game. The first is to collect 8 locations than the rest of your opponents. Alternatively, the first to collect 60 points wins. The victory conditions will vary according to the number of players. Because there are two separate victory conditions, there is an additional element of unpredictability to the game. For example, when everyone is focused on collecting locations, you can switch to collecting points while still being able to sabotage your opponents.
What does the future hold for the Singapore Card Game?
Our main focus currently is on fulfilling orders for the Singapore Card Game. But, we have started work on possible expansions to the Singapore Card Game which we will launch in the future depending on the demand for the Singapore Card Game.
Gameplay
So we decided to play a short game just to try out the cards with Stean, one of the people who brought us Singapore’s first card game.
Rules are pretty clear cut and simple; players win when they accumulate 8 location cards or 80 points (for 2 player, 70 for 3, 60 for 4) in the player’s card face value. While playing, players can utilize “sabo” cards that would disrupt another player’s game play, steal card to obtain cards owned by other players and reward cards which give a prefixed advantage to the player throwing the card. Recommended to be played with 3 or more players as two can be pretty boring and bland without the thrill of throat cutting rivalry and discord to prevent others from winning.
A nice and simple ice breaking game for Singaporeans and friends from aboard played with the widely known antics of Singapore residents that makes us “Uniquely Singapore”. Visit http://sgcardgame.com/ to view more information of the game and how to get one for yourself or your family and friends!