Is it a viral headline or just a very convincing lie? Following the success of The Takeover Game®, the team at SD Studios decided to tackle one of the most trending topics and controversial issues of the modern age.
Pulling back the curtain once more, here is the behind-the-scenes journey of how we manufactured The Fake News Card Game® - the ultimate party game for the post-truth era.
Phase 1: The Concept of Truth
In a world of viral misinformation and social media algorithms, we wanted to create a fast-paced, funny interactive experience that challenges your ability to spot Fake News. The goal was simple: Can you convince your friends that a total lie is actually breaking news?
Researching the Ridiculous: We spent some time scouring global news cycles to find the "unbelievable but true" stories and the most "believable but fake" headlines.
The Obama Endorsement: We were deeply inspired by the urgency of the era, specifically the quote featured on our box from the 2016 press conference: "If we can’t discriminate between serious arguments and propaganda, then we have problems." This became the North Star for the project.
Phase 2: From Digital Files to the Guillotine
Creating a high-quality card game requires industrial precision. The "hand-feel" and "snap" of the premium card stock are everything.
The Big Print: We moved to high-volume industrial printing, running large press sheets featuring multiple cards - distinguished by their "REAL STORY" (Blue) and "FAKE STORY" (Red) headers.
The Guillotine: Once printed, the sheets were moved to the guillotine for precision cutting, creating the clean, professional stacks of 80 cards that make up the final playable deck.
Phase 3: Assembly and Packaging
We wanted the packaging design to be as punchy as a tabloid headline. Using a bold red and black "Breaking News" aesthetic, we developed the die-cut outers - the flat templates that eventually fold into our signature pocket-sized box.
Part-Assembled Outers: You can see the transition from flat card to the final portable game box, designed to be the perfect travel game for a pub, a classroom, or the family dinner table.
Instructional Clarity: We included a comprehensive rule book to ensure players could jump straight into the "Standard Game" or the high-stakes "Trump Cards" mode.
A Game for Every Arena: Versatile Play
Much like our previous releases, The Fake News Card Game® has become a trending tool across multiple sectors:
Families at Christmas: The perfect festive ice-breaker that leads to hilarious debates over the dinner table.
Media Literacy & Education: Used by teachers, college lecturers, and in Business Study classes as a practical learning resource to teach students how to verify sources and spot media bias.
Corporate Breakouts: A top choice for work event evenings and corporate day breakout sessions, helping teams improve their critical thinking and innovation while having a laugh.
What’s Next?
Our mission at SD Studios remains to create innovative games that "detach your thinking" and spark genuine human connection. Whether you’re a truth-seeker or a master of misinformation, this game is ready to test your nerves.
Can you tell the difference between the real deal and a fake?
