SCHEMERS

The experience I aim to deliver through 『The Four Deuces.』
2026/4/26 4:21
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Hello, this is Geonil from SCHEMERS.
This time, I’d like to talk about the idea of “experience,” which I consider essential when creating The Four Deuces—and, in fact, all of my games.

As the modern board game market continues to grow, I constantly feel that games are becoming more mainstream. We see more designs that are less stressful, more relaxing, and focused on making everyone feel comfortable and happy. This trend is clearly reflected in the games being released today.

However, ever since I was young, I’ve believed that games should “shake people’s emotions.” Especially in two-player games, I think it’s essential to have a sense of tension where a single move—or even a single intention—can completely change the situation.

At last year’s Spiel Essen, I purchased a game called Meister Makatsu. I didn’t even know what kind of game it was, but I was struck by how players, holding only four cards, were deeply thiking over playing just one of them. And the other players were watching the situation just as intensely.

At last year’s Tokyo Game Market, I also picked up a game called Shady Lady. It was the same kind of experience. Before playing a card, one player kept glancing at the person next to them, carefully reading their intentions.

These two games delivered exactly the kind of experience I was aiming for. They were incredibly engaging, constantly tense, and required players to be highly aware of each other—precisely the direction I want my games to take.

I wanted The Four Deuces to offer that same kind of experience. Every time you play a card and place a die on it, you should be thinking: “What is my opponent trying to do?”

 

“Why are they holding onto high dice like 5s and 6s?”
“Why haven’t they used their special ability yet?”
“Why are they taking tricks consecutively?”

 

I wanted players to keep asking these questions throughout the game. To achieve that, I went through countless playtests and continuously refined the balance.

Now, I am confident in presenting this game at Game Market.
Simple rules, yet something new. A highly tense experience. A psychological duel where reading your opponent is everything.

I hope you’ll have the chance to experience The Four Deuces for yourself.

 

https://gamemarket.jp/game/187776

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