Action Stations!

I do not know how many times we have played Random Rounds at this point. It must be hundreds. At one stage, we were easily playing three or four games over a single weekend, tweaking rules, testing cards, breaking things, fixing them, and then breaking them again.

Those sessions were not glamorous. They were messy, loud, full of half written notes and constant “what if we tried this instead?” moments. But they were also the part where Random Rounds really became itself. Every round played taught us something new about pacing, balance, and where the real fun lives.

Now things are starting to feel very real.

The test packs of cards have been printed and are winging their way here right now. That means it is time to put out a call for volunteers. It also means I am about to stand up and say, very publicly, that I have created a card game.

I will be honest, that thought fills me with both dread and excitement in equal measure.

It has been a long time since I last launched a business. Fifteen years, in fact. Back then, the landscape looked very different. The way people discover products has changed. The way communities form has changed. Marketing is a completely different beast to the one I remember. Even the expectations around transparency, storytelling, and engagement have evolved.

So yes, there is a healthy dose of nerves.

But there is also something genuinely energising about this moment. Random Rounds has lived in playtest circles and quiet conversations for a long time. Seeing physical cards exist in the world, ready to be shuffled and argued over by people outside my immediate bubble, feels like crossing an important line.

The next phase is all about getting it into more hands, listening carefully, and learning quickly. There will be tweaks. There will be surprises. There will almost certainly be moments where I wonder why I thought this was a good idea.

And honestly, that is part of the fun.

So buckle up. The test packs are on their way, the call for playtesters is about to go out, and Random Rounds is stepping into the light.