Misplaced Pages

Cheapass Games: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 19:48, 7 June 2018 edit23.31.17.182 (talk) →List of Cheapass Games← Previous edit Latest revision as of 21:54, 21 June 2024 edit undoTassedethe (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Administrators1,364,859 editsm Disambiguate The Great Brain Robbery to The Great Brain Robbery (board game) using popups 
(41 intermediate revisions by 22 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American game company}}
{{distinguish|Cheap Ass Gamer}} {{for|the videogame forum site|Cheap Ass Gamer}}
{{Refimprove|date=June 2010}} {{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. -->
{{Infobox company
⚫ | name = Cheapass Games
| logo =
| type =
| industry = Games
| fate =
| predecessor = <!-- or: | predecessors = -->
| successor = <!-- or: | successors = -->
| founded = {{Start date and age|1995}}
| founder = James Ernest
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| hq_location_city = ], ]
| hq_location_country = United States
| area_served = <!-- or: | areas_served = -->
| key_people =
| products =
| owner = <!-- or: | owners = -->
| num_employees =
| num_employees_year = <!-- Year of num_employees data (if known) -->
| parent =
⚫ | 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
| 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
⚫ | newspaper=Jingle Ways
⚫ | last=Mehar
⚫ | first=Zayn
⚫ | date=1997-02-12
⚫ }}</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==
⚫ 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
⚫ 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>
| url=http://media.www.thedailyaztec.com/media/storage/paper741/news/2003/04/24/Tempo/100-Cheapass.Fun-758566.shtml
⚫ | title=100% Cheapass Fun
⚫ | newspaper=The Daily Aztec
⚫ | last=Vigilla
⚫ | first=Hubert
⚫ | date=2003-04-24
| postscript=<!--None-->
⚫ }}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</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.

⚫ 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 | title = Retail Notebook: Bottom line, they sell for less | publisher = ] | date = 2004-02-14 | accessdate = 2008-06-12 | first = Christine | last = Frey }}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</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
Line 22: Line 43:
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219031447/http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/2002/list-of-winners |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219031447/http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/2002/list-of-winners
|archivedate=2008-02-19 |archivedate=2008-02-19
|deadurl=yes |url-status=dead
|df=
}}</ref> }}</ref>
the 2002 Origins Vanguard Award ('']''),<ref name="Origins2002"/> the 1997 Origins Award for best abstract board game ('']''),<ref name="Origins1997"/> and the 1997 Origins Award for best traditional ] ('']'').<ref name="Origins1997">{{cite web the 2002 Origins Vanguard Award ('']''),<ref name="Origins2002"/> the 1997 Origins Award for best abstract board game ('']''),<ref name="Origins1997"/> and the 1997 Origins Award for best traditional ] ('']'').<ref name="Origins1997">{{cite web
Line 32: Line 52:
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130144333/http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/1997/list-of-winners |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130144333/http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/1997/list-of-winners
|archivedate=2008-01-30 |archivedate=2008-01-30
|deadurl=yes |url-status=dead
}}</ref>
|df=
⚫ }}</ref> Cheapass' game ''Pennywise'' was awarded the ] 2003 "Spud des Jahres" award for most overpriced game by the website ''Spielboy'' (see ]).


⚫ Cheapass' game ''Pennywise'' was awarded the ] 2003 "Spud des Jahres" award for most overpriced game by the website ''Spielboy'' (see ]).
⚫ 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 2004, the indie band ] released ''The Cheapass Album'', an album inspired by games from Cheapass Games.
⚫ In 2009, Cheapass created a Button Men app for the iPhone.
] is selling some Cheapass games on its website.


⚫ 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 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 2009, Cheapass created a ''Button Men'' app for the iPhone. ] is selling some Cheapass games on its website.
⚫ In 2012, Cheapass Games offered their first ] project, a deluxe reprint of their previous game ].<ref>{{cite web

⚫ 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
|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 52: Line 74:
|accessdate=2018-01-16 |accessdate=2018-01-16
}}</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 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''
* '']'' (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 or five 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 80: 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 102: Line 126:
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415213159/http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/2000/list-of-winners |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415213159/http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/2000/list-of-winners
|archivedate=2008-04-15 |archivedate=2008-04-15
|deadurl=yes |url-status=dead
|df=
}}</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 for conventions) * '']'' - a game with a nontraditional triangular deck
* ''Secret Tijuana Deathmatch (A game of buying the contracts of illegitimate wrestlers and pitting them against each other) * '']'' - a game for conventions
* '']''
* ''Secret Tijuana Deathmatch'' - a game of buying the contracts of illegitimate wrestlers and pitting them against each other
* '']'' (A game of firearms and larceny) * '']'' - a game of firearms and larceny
* '']'' (An out of print game of gambling in space) * '']'' - an out-of-print game of gambling in space
* '']'' (An abstract strategy game based on a game introduced in ]'s book, ] * '']'' - an abstract strategy game based on a game introduced in ]'s book, '']''
* '']'' (Not a game, but as the title suggests, a music CD by ] based on Cheapass's games) * '']'' - 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
⚫ * ''Veritas''
* '']'' (A game of marching mad cows through bomb fields)
⚫ * '']'' - a game of pressing the innocent to death with stones
⚫ * '']''

⚫ * '']'' (A game of pressing the innocent to death with stones)
==Reviews==
*''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==
*{{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 == == 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: