Quick & free-flowing card and storytelling game. Perfect for killing (pun intended) those last 5 minutes waiting for the "late guy"
***UPDATE***
Gameplay video is now updated. Please check it out. You can see the basics of a group enjoying TAU, and how far out into left field it can wander. Thank you so much to everyone who helped out!
The Good Stuff
TAU is a standalone card game played with a standard-number/suit deck in three distinct phases: A trick-taking phase, similar to hearts or spades; A character phase, where players dig through their winnings to quickly create a character; and a Roleplaying phase, where the Dealer runs the group of resulting characters through an (admittedly lethal) adventure.
TAU is mechanics-lite, and each round can be quick and simple, or more detailed and lengthy. Everyone at the table gets a chance to be the Dealer/Storyteller and stamp their own imprint on each round of the game. It can be used to fill 15 minutes while waiting for that perpetually late member of a gaming group, or it could be the single focus of a Family Game Night. While fantasy-based, it is only limited by your imagination, and no previous roleplaying experience is necessary.
These pictures show one of our playtest decks in action. Video of actual gameplay to come!
Origins
This project grew from the seed of a writing assignment I gave myself. It was a speculative-fiction/science-fiction piece about how social classes/castes would play the same game, in wildly varying ways. I was creating a fictional card game for use in my writing and it stopped being fictional in my mind. "Tau" is not the exact game I set out to create for my story. However, it is the end result of some very fun, critical and creative playtesting by some of my favorite tabletop gamer guinea pigs.
Funding
The KickStarter funding will be used to make an initial print run of decks, pay back the graphic designers who have, up until now, been donating their time, and help with marketing and possibly some Con exposure or Demos. The print run is pre-ordered, and is contingent on the KickStarter funding!
Any over-funding will be used to grow the print run (increasing inventory), as well as start the process of creating expansion decks.
When we get to ~33% of our funding goal, we will switch out the intro video for one showing some actual tabletop gameplay!
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
71
Backers
$2,443
pledged of $3,500 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on May 6, 2012.
Funding period
Apr 6, 2012 -
May 6, 2012
(30 days)
Pledge $1 or more
1 backer
You gave us something? Anything at all? We'll keep a special mailing list for KickStarter donors and you will receive first notices of new expansions/editions, before the rest of the general public.
Estimated delivery: May 2012Pledge $5 or more
2 backers
You unfolded a Lincoln out of that wallet for our project? As a thank you, we will mail you a Tau button/sticker/graffitti stencil/etc so you can decorate an object of your choice. (Legally, we hope.) Also you will be on the mailing list.
Estimated delivery: May 2012Pledge $10 or more
1 backer
How about a handful of buttons and stickers, enough for your whole Tau-playing group to decorate whatever, maybe even each other? Also, you will be on the mailing list.
Estimated delivery: May 2012Pledge $25 or more
46 backers
Okay, you're not messing around. Pledge $25 or more, and we'll get you a copy of the freshly printed game, and all the previous funding level benefits, as well. And a T-shirt. Just 'cause.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $50 or more
10 backers
You love us? You really love us? Just to show you how much we love you back, we'll crack YOUR copy of the game open and have myself and some of the initial playtesters each sign one our favorite cards in the deck. Personalized to you, your dog, your mom, or anyone else for that matter. And a T-shirt. And the mailing list, and the stickers!
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $100 or more
5 backers Limited (47 of 52 left)
Ummmm... We're honored. In fact, so honored that we are going to give you all the previous benefits, PLUS one of the cardstock-sleeved playtest TAU cards that we used while we were developing the game. There are only 52 of these (duh) so first come first served. (Plus the mailing list, stickers and T.)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $250 or more
0 backers
We want you to get your money's worth here, so myself and some of the initial playtesters will conduct a Google Hangout/Skype/FaceTime session with you and your group. (Plus the mailing list, stickers and T.)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $500 or more
0 backers
Seriously, we feel like we might be robbing you of money best spent on... I don't know, beer? But if you're here... Myself and the other playtesters will make a custom video for your Tau-playing group, wherein we will dorkily-LARP through a session, as a personalized instruction video. (Plus the mailing list, stickers and T.)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $750 or more
0 backers Limited (8 of 8 left)
I guess we owe you pretty big. How about we NAME A CARD in the next expansion after you? We'll work with you to make sure it fits, but it would be awesome if your name was Ninja McStudlyRobot, you know? (Plus the mailing list, stickers and T.)
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers
Seriously? We feel guilty. (Sort of.) However, to prove just how much we would appreciate this, myself and as many of the initial playtest group that I can kidnap will hop in the car (US ONLY) and come to YOUR place to run Tau for you and your group. And hopefully there is a Chinese Buffet or Greasy Diner nearby, and we'll go gorge afterwards. (Plus this way we can save on shipping and BRING you your stickers and T-shirt.)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
