The Quiet Year

No rulebook study is required. A professional Game Master will guide you through the flow in minutes, ensuring turns are clear and fair. You will make simple marks and symbols on a shared map. Stick figures and boxes work perfectly. There are no character sheets, stats, or dice involved. Each card provides a prompt, after which you can add to the map, start a project, or engage in a brief discussion. The emphasis is on ideas and conversation, not artistic ability. Curiosity is the only requirement.

You are building a community together, rather than managing individual heroes. There is no combat system or tactical grid. The deck dictates the flow of weeks and seasons, and the map expands as you play. Decisions are made through short discussions at the table and projects on the map, rather than through skill checks. Our Game Master guides the experience and maintains the tone, but the group determines the actions of the community. It feels introspective and cooperative, with a gentle tension rather than conflicts and treasure hunts.

In person, our Game Master brings a standard deck of cards, large paper, markers, and tokens for projects and notes. Online, you will use a shared whiteboard for drawing, digital tokens, and a virtual card deck. No special software is needed beyond a voice or video call and a browser. The facilitator manages the setup and teaches quick drawing conventions to ensure the map remains clear. If you prefer online tools, see options here: online play platforms.

It is designed for 2 to 4 players. The ideal number is often 3 or 4, allowing ideas to flow without anyone waiting too long. Most groups finish in about 2 to 4 hours, depending on how much discussion you prefer. For a longer session, our Game Master can divide the year across two sittings. Each session is self-contained, so a guest can join without prior preparation. The deck determines when the year ends, ensuring a natural pace.

Yes, with the right tone. The themes revolve around scarcity, choices, and collaboration after hardship. There is no gore or tactical violence in the rules. With guidance, ages 10 and up generally do well, and teenagers often excel. Our Game Master assesses comfort levels and establishes boundaries before play, then tailors prompts to suit your group. You can maintain a hopeful and constructive atmosphere, or carefully delve into more challenging questions. Families and classrooms often appreciate its gentle pace.

Absolutely. New maps, different starting assumptions, and shuffled cards lead to fresh outcomes each time. You can alter the atmosphere, from cosy rebuilding to more complex politics, and observe entirely new landmarks and projects emerge. For a short series, your facilitator can run several standalone communities set in related locations. You will notice echoes and contrasts without requiring strict continuity. It is fulfilling as a one-off, and just as rewarding to revisit with a new perspective.