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{{Short description|American game company}}
⚫ {{for|the videogame forum site|Cheap Ass Gamer}}
⚫ {{More citations needed|date=June 2010}}
{{Infobox company {{Infobox company
| name = Cheapass Games | name = Cheapass Games
| logo =
| logo = Devil Bunny Hates The Earth (6119914783).jpg
| type = | type =
| industry = Games | industry = Games
Line 21: Line 24:
| website = | website =
}} }}
⚫ '''Cheapass Games''' is a ] company founded and run by ] ], based in ], ]. Cheapass Games operates on the philosophy that most game owners have plenty of ], counters, ], and other common board game accessories, so there is no need to bundle all of these components with every game that requires them. Cheapass games thus come packaged in white envelopes, small boxes, or plastic resealable bags containing only those components unique to the game - typically a rules sheet, a playing board printed on card stock, and game cards banded by ]-cutout "sleeves".<ref>{{Cite news
⚫ {{distinguish|Cheap Ass Gamer}}
⚫ {{More citations needed|date=June 2010}}
'''Cheapass Games''' is a ] company founded and run by ] ], based in ], ]. <!-- Please note that ] is currently a redirect back to here. -->

⚫ ==History==
⚫ Cheapass Games operates on the philosophy that most game owners have plenty of ], counters, play ], etc., so there is no need to bundle all of these components with every game that requires them. Cheapass games thus come packaged in white envelopes, small boxes, or plastic resealable bags containing only those components unique to the game - typically a rules sheet, a playing board printed on card stock, and game cards banded by ]-cutout "sleeves".<ref>{{Cite news
| url=https://jingleways.com/technology/gaming/who-is-recommending-video-games-as-an-effective-way-to-stay-at-home/ | url=https://jingleways.com/technology/gaming/who-is-recommending-video-games-as-an-effective-way-to-stay-at-home/
| title=100% games effective in COVID 19 | title=100% games effective in COVID 19
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}}</ref> This allows the company to produce games for prices well below the market average. Later, Cheapass started offering some higher-quality, full color games under the "James Ernest Games" brand. }}</ref> This allows the company to produce games for prices well below the market average. Later, Cheapass started offering some higher-quality, full color games under the "James Ernest Games" brand.


⚫ ==History==
Ernest originally developed the idea for selling basic games without all the common components while freelancing at ] during the 1990s. However, Wizards rejected the idea, and in 1995, Ernest quit and started up the company. Creating the games by hand, he initially showed the games at tradeshows and conventions, resulting in sales demand from game stores. The company creates and assembles each game pack by hand, with most games only being made in runs of up to 5,000 copies.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.seattlepi.com/business/160657_retail14.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20040430003618/http://www.seattlepi.com/business/160657_retail14.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2004-04-30 | title = Retail Notebook: Bottom line, they sell for less | publisher = ] | date = 2004-02-14 | accessdate = 2008-06-12 | first = Christine | last = Frey }}</ref> Ernest originally developed the idea for selling basic games without all the common components while freelancing at ] during the 1990s. However, Wizards rejected the idea, and in 1995, Ernest quit and started up the company. Creating the games by hand, he initially showed the games at tradeshows and conventions, resulting in sales demand from game stores. The company creates and assembles each game pack by hand, with most games only being made in runs of up to 5,000 copies.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.seattlepi.com/business/160657_retail14.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20040430003618/http://www.seattlepi.com/business/160657_retail14.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2004-04-30 | title = Retail Notebook: Bottom line, they sell for less | publisher = ] | date = 2004-02-14 | accessdate = 2008-06-12 | first = Christine | last = Frey }}</ref>


Cheapass Games and James Ernest have won several awards for ] including the 2002 ] for best ] (''Button Men Web Game''),<ref name="Origins2002">{{cite web Cheapass Games and James Ernest have won several awards for ] including the 2002 ] for best ] (''Button Men Web Game''),<ref name="Origins2002">{{cite web
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In 2004, the indie band ] released ''The Cheapass Album'', an album inspired by games from Cheapass Games. In 2004, the indie band ] released ''The Cheapass Album'', an album inspired by games from Cheapass Games.


In October 2007, Cheapass Games stopped updating their web site; a message on the homepage explains: "Cheapass Games is in the process of hibernating, which means we can be a bit sluggish and hard to reach. Most of us have moved on to better careers, and James Ernest is slumbering peacefully in a warm hole in the ground." In October 2007, Cheapass Games stopped updating their web site; a message on the homepage explained: "Cheapass Games is in the process of hibernating, which means we can be a bit sluggish and hard to reach. Most of us have moved on to better careers, and James Ernest is slumbering peacefully in a warm hole in the ground."


In 2009, Cheapass created a Button Men app for the iPhone. ] is selling some Cheapass games on its website. In 2009, Cheapass created a ''Button Men'' app for the iPhone. ] is selling some Cheapass games on its website.


In 2011, Cheapass Games resumed updating their website with a new business model: Games are being released for free in PDF format for gamers to print and play, and customers are asked to donate a dollar or two if they like the game. James Ernest says, in the game rules, "I've decided to try a different gamble. I'm giving my games away for free. This way, you can read the rules, make a copy, and even play the thing, before you decide what it's worth. If you do like my games, I hope you will send me some money. But I'm also hoping you will share this experiment with your friends. You are my sales force, my marketing department, my demo team." New games are usually accompanied by the Ransomometer, where potential customers are encouraged to donate a certain dollar amount before a game is released to the public. In 2011, Cheapass Games resumed updating their website with a new business model: Games were released for free in ] format for gamers to print and play, and customers were asked to donate a dollar or two if they like the game. James Ernest says, in the game rules, "I've decided to try a different gamble. I'm giving my games away for free. This way, you can read the rules, make a copy, and even play the thing, before you decide what it's worth. If you do like my games, I hope you will send me some money. But I'm also hoping you will share this experiment with your friends. You are my sales force, my marketing department, my demo team." New games are usually accompanied by the Ransomometer, where potential customers are encouraged to donate a certain dollar amount before a game is released to the public.


In 2012, Cheapass Games offered their first ] project, a deluxe reprint of their previous game ].<ref>{{cite web In 2012, Cheapass Games offered their first ] project, a deluxe reprint of their previous game '']''.<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cheapassgames/unexploded-cow-from-cheapass-games |url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cheapassgames/unexploded-cow-from-cheapass-games
|title=Unexploded Cow from Cheapass Games |title=Unexploded Cow from Cheapass Games
Line 76: Line 75:
}}</ref> }}</ref>


In 2019, it was announced that Greater Than Games had acquired Cheapass Games.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mastrangeli|first=Tony|date=2019-05-24|title=Greater Than Games has acquired Cheapass Games|url=https://www.boardgamequest.com/greater-than-games-has-acquired-cheapass-games/|access-date=2021-06-22|website=Board Game Quest|language=en-US}}</ref> They have since opened a website with a great many free PDF offerings of older Cheapass Games titles. In 2019, it was announced that Greater Than Games had acquired Cheapass Games.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mastrangeli|first=Tony|date=2019-05-24|title=Greater Than Games has acquired Cheapass Games|url=https://www.boardgamequest.com/greater-than-games-has-acquired-cheapass-games/|access-date=2021-06-22|website=Board Game Quest|language=en-US}}</ref> They have since opened a website with many free PDF offerings of older Cheapass Games titles.


== List of Cheapass Games == == List of Cheapass Games ==
Several of the older games are out of print but are offered for free by Cheapass: the cards, rules, or other game materials may be downloaded for free, and Cheapass requests that if the recipient likes the game he or she should make a voluntary payment. Cheapass Games provides a chart of suggested donations based on the recipient's profession/income level at their website.<ref>"About Us" page at official website: http://cheapass.com/about</ref> Several of the older games are out of print but are offered for free by Cheapass: the cards, rules, or other game materials may be downloaded for free, and Cheapass requests that if the recipient likes the game they should make a voluntary payment. Cheapass Games provides a chart of suggested donations based on the recipient's profession/income level at their website.<ref>"About Us" page at official website: http://cheapass.com/about</ref> ]


* '']'' (a game of attracting interesting people to your lair, then killing them. Reissued in 2004 as ''James Ernest's Totally Renamed Spy Game'') * '']'' - a game of attracting interesting people to your lair, then killing them. Reissued in 2004 as ''James Ernest's Totally Renamed Spy Game''
* ''Ben Hurt'' (An out of print game involving betting and chariot races) * ''Ben Hurt'' - an out-of-print game involving betting and chariot races
* ''The Big Idea'' (A game involving venture capitalism and marketing) * ''The Big Idea'' - a game involving venture capitalism and marketing
* '']'' (A simple game of dinosaurs and rocks) * '']'' - a simple game of dinosaurs and rocks
* '']'' (An out of print game with a Robin Hood theme available for download) * '']'' - an out-of-print game with a ] theme available for download
* '']'' (A ]) * '']'' - a ]
* '']'' (A collectible button-and-dice game, sold in sets of two to six buttons) * '']'' - a collectible button-and-dice game, sold in sets of two to six buttons
* '']'' (A game of faking travels) * '']'' - a game of faking travels
* '']'' * '']''
* The '']'' games: * The '']'' games:
** '']'' ** '']''
** '']'' ** '']''
* '']'' (A game of bad actors) * '']'' - a game of bad actors
* The '']'' games: * The '']'' games:
** '']'' (A game of buildings and Devil Bunny) ** '']'' - a game of buildings and Devil Bunny
** '']'' (A game of squirrels, taffy machines, and Devil Bunny) ** '']'' - a game of squirrels, taffy machines, and Devil Bunny
* '']'' (A collectible cardboard dice game. Multiple sets) * '']'' - a collectible cardboard dice game. Multiple sets
* The ] ]s * The ] ]s
** '']'' ** '']''
Line 105: Line 104:
** '']'' ** '']''
* The '']'' games: * The '']'' games:
** '']'' (A game of killing and not being seen) ** '']'' - a game of killing and not being seen
** '']'' (Another place to kill) ** '']'' - another place to kill
** '']'' (A game of saving and being seen) ** '']'' - a game of saving and being seen
** '']'' (Another place to save) ** '']'' - another place to save
* '']'' * '']''
* '']'' (An out of print game of many d6 and spelling weapons) * '']'' - an out-of-print game of many d6 and spelling weapons
* '']'' (An out of print real time game about falling to your death) * '']'' - an out-of-print real-time game about falling to your death
* '']'' (A ] about a futuristic sport) designed with ] * '']'' - a ] about a futuristic sport, designed with ]
* '']'' (A ] of gangs and cards) * '']'' - a ] of gangs and cards
* '']'' * '']''
* '']'' (A game about borrowing all that you can) * '']'' - a game about borrowing all that you can
* The '']'' games: * The '']'' games:
** '']'' (A game of zombies and their jobs) ] winner for ''Best Traditional Card Game of 1997''<ref name="Origins1997"/> ** '']'' - a game of zombies and their jobs. ] winner for ''Best Traditional Card Game of 1997''<ref name="Origins1997"/>
** '']'' (A game of zombies and fast food orders) ** '']'' - a game of zombies and fast food orders
** '']'' (An out of print game of zombies and money) ** '']'' - an out-of-print game of zombies and money
** '']'' (A game of zombies and train robbery) ] winner for ''Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Board Game 2000''<ref>{{cite web ** '']'' - a game of zombies and train robbery. ] winner for ''Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Board Game 2000''<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/2000/list-of-winners |url=http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/2000/list-of-winners
|publisher=Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design |publisher=Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design
Line 129: Line 128:
|url-status=dead |url-status=dead
}}</ref> }}</ref>
** '']'' (A game of zombies, the wild west and losing at poker) ** '']'' - a game of zombies, the wild west and losing at poker
* '']'' (A game of finding work) * '']'' - a game of finding work
* '']'' (A game of ]'s Girl Genius comic) * '']'' - a game of ]'s ''Girl Genius'' comic
* The '']'' games: * The '']'' games:
** '']'' (An out of print game of mad scientists and economics) ** '']'' - an out-of-print game of mad scientists and economics
** '']'' (An out of print game that plays like a combination of Poker and Hearts. Available for download) ** '']'' - an out-of-print game that plays like a combination of Poker and Hearts. Available for download
* The '']'' games: * The '']'' games:
** '']'' (A game of market stalls) ** '']'' - a game of market stalls
** '']'' (A small bidding game featuring mice and dice) ** '']'' - a small bidding game featuring mice and dice
** '']'' (A game of cubicle layout) ** '']'' - a game of cubicle layout
** '']'' (A ] about mining spaceships) ** '']'' - a ] about mining spaceships
** '']'' (A game of nodes) ** '']'' - a game of nodes
** '']'' (A game of tracking animals) ** '']'' - a game of tracking animals
** '']'' (A game of tunnel control) ** '']'' - a game of tunnel control
** '']'' (A game of time travel) ** '']'' - a game of time travel
** '']'' (A game of connecting pipes) ** '']'' - a game of connecting pipes
* '']'' (A game of Renaissance Fairs. Available for download) * '']'' - a game of ]s. Available for download
* '']'' (A game of loans) * '']'' - a game of loans
* '']'' (An out of print game of casinos and cheating) * '']'' - an out-of-print game of casinos and cheating
* '']'' (A promotional game using '']'''s basic lands) * '']'' - a promotional game using '']'''s basic lands
* '']'' (An out of print promotional game using '']'' cards) * '']'' - an out-of-print promotional game using '']'' cards
* The ''One False Step'' games: * The ''One False Step'' games:
** '']'' (A game of getting to the moon) ** '']'' - a game of getting to the Moon
** '']'' (A game of getting back from the moon) ** '']'' - a game of getting back from the Moon
* '']'' (A game with a nontraditional triangular deck) * '']'' - a game with a nontraditional triangular deck
* '']'' (A game for conventions) * '']'' - a game for conventions
* '']''
* ''Secret Tijuana Deathmatch (A game of buying the contracts of illegitimate wrestlers and pitting them against each other) * ''Secret Tijuana Deathmatch'' - a game of buying the contracts of illegitimate wrestlers and pitting them against each other
* '']'' (A game of firearms and larceny)
* '']'' (An out of print game of gambling in space) * '']'' - a game of firearms and larceny
* '']'' (An abstract strategy game based on a game introduced in ]'s book, ]) * '']'' - an out-of-print game of gambling in space
* '']'' - an abstract strategy game based on a game introduced in ]'s book, '']''
* '']'' (A game of racing through time to get the first ] issued) * '']'' - a game of racing through time to get the first ] issued
* '']'' (A game of marching mad cows through bomb fields) * '']'' - a game of marching mad cows through bomb fields
* ''Veritas'' * ''Veritas''
* '']'' (A game of pressing the innocent to death with stones) * '']'' - a game of pressing the innocent to death with stones


==Reviews== ==Reviews==
*''Backstab'' #12<ref>https://archive.org/details/backstab-magazine-french-12/page/n41/mode/2up</ref> *''Backstab'' #12<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/backstab-magazine-french-12/page/n41/mode/2up|title = Backstab Magazine (French) Issue 12}}</ref>


== References == == References ==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}


==Further reading==
⚫ == External links ==
*{{cite magazine|title=Playing for cheaps|last=Venters|first=Jillian|magazine=]|issue=34|publisher=]|pages=84–85|date=February 1999}}<!-- interview with James Ernest -->


⚫ == External links ==
* *
* *

Latest revision as of 21:54, 21 June 2024

American game company For the videogame forum site, see Cheap Ass Gamer.
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Cheapass Games" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (June 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Cheapass Games
IndustryGames
Founded1995; 29 years ago (1995)
FounderJames Ernest
HeadquartersSeattle, Washington, United States
WebsiteCheapass Games Double Secret Website

Cheapass Games is a game company founded and run by game designer James Ernest, based in Seattle, Washington. Cheapass Games operates on the philosophy that most game owners have plenty of dice, counters, play money, and other common board game accessories, so there is no need to bundle all of these components with every game that requires them. Cheapass games thus come packaged in white envelopes, small boxes, or plastic resealable bags containing only those components unique to the game - typically a rules sheet, a playing board printed on card stock, and game cards banded by magazine-cutout "sleeves". This allows the company to produce games for prices well below the market average. Later, Cheapass started offering some higher-quality, full color games under the "James Ernest Games" brand.

History

Ernest originally developed the idea for selling basic games without all the common components while freelancing at Wizards of the Coast during the 1990s. However, Wizards rejected the idea, and in 1995, Ernest quit and started up the company. Creating the games by hand, he initially showed the games at tradeshows and conventions, resulting in sales demand from game stores. The company creates and assembles each game pack by hand, with most games only being made in runs of up to 5,000 copies.

Cheapass Games and James Ernest have won several awards for game design including the 2002 Origins Award for best play-by-mail game (Button Men Web Game), the 2002 Origins Vanguard Award (Diceland), the 1997 Origins Award for best abstract board game (Kill Doctor Lucky), and the 1997 Origins Award for best traditional card game (Give Me the Brain).

Cheapass' game Pennywise was awarded the parodic 2003 "Spud des Jahres" award for most overpriced game by the website Spielboy (see Spiel des Jahres).

In 2004, the indie band Beatnik Turtle released The Cheapass Album, an album inspired by games from Cheapass Games.

In October 2007, Cheapass Games stopped updating their web site; a message on the homepage explained: "Cheapass Games is in the process of hibernating, which means we can be a bit sluggish and hard to reach. Most of us have moved on to better careers, and James Ernest is slumbering peacefully in a warm hole in the ground."

In 2009, Cheapass created a Button Men app for the iPhone. Paizo Publishing is selling some Cheapass games on its website.

In 2011, Cheapass Games resumed updating their website with a new business model: Games were released for free in PDF format for gamers to print and play, and customers were asked to donate a dollar or two if they like the game. James Ernest says, in the game rules, "I've decided to try a different gamble. I'm giving my games away for free. This way, you can read the rules, make a copy, and even play the thing, before you decide what it's worth. If you do like my games, I hope you will send me some money. But I'm also hoping you will share this experiment with your friends. You are my sales force, my marketing department, my demo team." New games are usually accompanied by the Ransomometer, where potential customers are encouraged to donate a certain dollar amount before a game is released to the public.

In 2012, Cheapass Games offered their first Kickstarter project, a deluxe reprint of their previous game Unexploded Cow. This was followed in 2013 by another Kickstarter project for a deluxe version of their earlier Deadwood game, called Deadwood Studios USA.

In 2019, it was announced that Greater Than Games had acquired Cheapass Games. They have since opened a website with many free PDF offerings of older Cheapass Games titles.

List of Cheapass Games

Several of the older games are out of print but are offered for free by Cheapass: the cards, rules, or other game materials may be downloaded for free, and Cheapass requests that if the recipient likes the game they should make a voluntary payment. Cheapass Games provides a chart of suggested donations based on the recipient's profession/income level at their website.

The board and pieces for Devil Bunny Hates the Earth, a popular Cheapass games title.

Reviews

  • Backstab #12

References

  1. Mehar, Zayn (1997-02-12). "100% games effective in COVID 19". Jingle Ways.
  2. Frey, Christine (2004-02-14). "Retail Notebook: Bottom line, they sell for less". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Archived from the original on 2004-04-30. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  3. ^ "Origins Award Winners (2002)". Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design. Archived from the original on 2008-02-19. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  4. ^ "Origins Award Winners (1997)". Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design. Archived from the original on 2008-01-30. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  5. "Unexploded Cow from Cheapass Games". Retrieved 2018-01-16.
  6. "Deadwood Studios USA". Retrieved 2018-01-16.
  7. Mastrangeli, Tony (2019-05-24). "Greater Than Games has acquired Cheapass Games". Board Game Quest. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  8. "About Us" page at official website: http://cheapass.com/about
  9. "Origins Award Winners (2000)". Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design. Archived from the original on 2008-04-15. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  10. "Backstab Magazine (French) Issue 12".

Further reading

External links

Categories: