NZ start-up launches crowd funding for cult card game ‘Sooth’
The creators of Sooth, an infectious yet simple parlour game with a remarkable cult following, are today launching their
campaign on New Zealand-based crowd funding platform Boosted. The campaign aims to raise the funds to produce the first
edition of this unique card game in time for Christmas 2018.
The campaign launch is at Gypsy Tea Room, 455 Richmond Road in Grey Lynn, Auckland, 7pm tonight.
One of its creators describes Sooth as “a great ice breaker, social lubricant and instigator of interesting
conversations – whether they’re metaphysical, political, opinionated, intimate, anything really. I’ve made many of my
longest-lasting friendships at Sooth sessions.”
Each new edition will feature the art of a different New Zealand comic artist, with a set of Sooth consisting of 300
cards, each displaying a yes or no question on a very eclectic range of topics, and unique artwork.
What other people have said about Sooth:
“I like its simplicity, non-competitiveness and inclusiveness.”
“A great way to talk about the most random stuff with people you’ve just met.”
“It’s kind of a cross between Scruples and Trivial Pursuit, but really nothing like either.”
“It's a game, a work of art, a shared improvised performance poem.”
“It’s not like any game I’ve ever played. I’m not even sure it’s a game.”
“Legendary.”
“What a f***ing waste of time.”
The Auckland-based duo behind Sooth are Cornelius Stone and Nik Smythe, who met over an impromptu game of Sooth in the
mid ‘90s.
Cornelius is the creator of Sooth, who ensured the popularity of this social institution over the decades by hosting
semi-regular pop-up Sooth games all over town, from places like DKD and Alleluya cafés to people’s living rooms, and
even live on BFM. An established comic artist, Stone is the brains behind the Game and the bulk of the questions, and
has drawn the artwork for the inaugural edition.
Nik Smythe is the co-designer and administrator. “We think now is the perfect time for Sooth,” he says. “I often hear
people lamenting the fact that their social life happens mainly on social media. Sooth is kind of an antidote to the
digital age.”
“The beauty of Sooth is you can play it anywhere, anytime, with any number of people, and you can join and leave without
disrupting game play,” says Stone. “It’s an all-ages game, and the first edition is going to have something for
everyone. But we do intend to produce themed editions further down the track.”
Boosted crowd funding page: https://www.boosted.org.nz/projects/sooth
Launch event: https://www.facebook.com/events/259219334681121/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Sooth-199774590816268/
Twitter: @Soothgame https://twitter.com/Soothgame