DU students looking for a party game that goes beyond the typical beer pong and flip cup routine will certainly want to check out The GAYme, a card game developed by DU Senior Matthew Sauve, opera major from Lakewood, Colo.
While The GAYme began as a small game between Sauve and his friends, he and Marketing President of The GAYme, Cam Tucker of George Washington University, are currently in contact with a card manufacturing company and plan to create 1,000 initial copies for purchase. The GAYme also has a partnership with local gay bar, X Bar, where people can go and play with friends.
The GAYme, a cross between King’s Cup, Cards Against Humanity and the classic Never Have I Ever is comprised of a large deck of cards, over 500, that players take turns choosing and following the specified directions.
However, while The GAYme is a lighthearted party game, it has much larger social implications.
Sauve developed the original concept for the game two years ago on a snowy day while hanging out with some fellow gay friends. He wanted to create something for the group to play, and came up with a board game based on communal experiences that he and his friends had experienced as gay men.
However, although The GAYme was originally created with the gay community in mind, Sauve began to show more people and soon realized that everyone enjoyed playing and could relate to the experiences.
“Our entire generation can relate to this game,” said Sauve. “It has a lot to do with coming of age, college and growing up stuff. Everyone can play and enjoy this game.”
While the cards are often modeled on gay stereotypes and experiences, they can be relatable to women, straight men, and really anyone else.
“It makes people think about things going on in our society right now with gay social awareness. When people play this game they can understand that gays aren’t so different,” explained Sauve. “Everyone can see a bit of gay in themselves.”
Card categories include questions for the group to answer, trivia cards, storytelling cards and many more. The card usually has the consequence of a drink for a certain outcome; for example, for a Storytime card the group votes on which person has the best story, and then he or she takes a drink. The game is intended to accompany alcohol, but can certainly be played soberly as well.
“My favorite card is the Categories-Mean Girls quotes one. There are hundreds, so it can go for minutes and the person who can’t think of one has to take a drink. That one is always a hit, I love it,” said Sauve, referring to a card in which players must take turns naming off movie quotes until someone can’t think of another.
Gameplay is fast and easy, intended to create interactions between people and break the ice. The cards are humorous and often raunchy, intended to create conversation and laughter amongst players. Examples of cards include, “Give your best straight guy impression”, “For a whole turn you must make excessive hand motions” or “Where’s the most uncomfortable place you’ve ever hooked up?”
Although The GAYme began as a board game, when Sauve went to study abroad, he created a deck of cards based on the spaces of the board game, and so the card format was born. The first box was made of cardboard and the game cards were notecards.
However, the current prototype of The GAYme is a far cry from the original cardboard box. Colorful laminated cards are held in a clear plastic bin, attractive and portable for easy mobility.
In order to fund mass production of The GAYme, Sauve and Tucker will be hosting a Kickstarter in April. Information for the Kickstarter can be found on The GAYme’s website, The-Gayme.com. Kick Starter supporters of the GAYmewill be among the first to own it.
The public can now order a copy of The Gayme through The-Gayme.com or by emailing contactthegayme@gmail.com.
You can also follow The GAYme on Instagram at @PreGayme and visit its Facebook page.
