Cheapass Games: Difference between revisions

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Updated introduction to reflect the fact that Cheapass Games were licensed from 2019 to 2025, and have now reverted back to James Ernest's company Crab Fragment Labs
 
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| website = [http://www.cheapass.com/ Cheapass Games Double Secret Website]
| website = [http://www.cheapass.com/ Cheapass Games Double Secret Website]
}}
}}
'''Cheapass Games''' is a [[game]] company founded and run by [[game designer]] [[James Ernest]], based in [[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|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".<ref>{{Cite news
'''Cheapass Games''' is a [[game]] company founded and run by [[game designer]] [[James Ernest]], based in [[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]].  
 
Cheapass Games was originally founded on the philosophy that most game owners have plenty of [[dice]], counters, [[play money]], and other common board game accessories, so there was no need to bundle all of these components with every game that requires them. Cheapass games thus came 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".<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
Line 31: Line 33:
  | first=Zayn
  | first=Zayn
  | date=1997-02-12
  | 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.
  }}</ref> This allowed the company to produce games for prices well below the market average.  Cheapass later offered some higher-quality, full color games under the "James Ernest Games" brand, but their minimalist black-and-white components offered for print-and-play have remained their signature style. 
 
From 2019 to 2025 the Cheapass Games catalogue of games was licensed to Greater Than Games, but in 2025 reverted to James Ernest's company Crab Fragment Labs.


==History==
==History==
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Cheapass' game ''Pennywise'' was awarded the [[parody|parodic]] 2003 "Spud des Jahres" award for most overpriced game by the website ''Spielboy'' (see [[Spiel des Jahres]]).
Cheapass' game ''Pennywise'' was awarded the [[parody|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 2004, the indie band [[Beatnik Turtle]] released ''The Cheapass Album'', an album inspired by games from Cheapass Games.<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2005/02/02/archive-manual/beaniks-and-cheapasses
|title=Beaniks and Cheapasses
|publisher=The Daily Northwestern
|date=2005-02-02
|accessdate=2025-12-04
}}</ref>


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 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."
Line 63: Line 73:
In 2009, Cheapass created a ''Button Men'' app for the iPhone. [[Paizo Publishing]] is selling some Cheapass games on its website.
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 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 were 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]]''.<ref>{{cite web
In 2012, Cheapass Games offered their first [[Kickstarter]] project, a deluxe reprint of their previous game ''[[Unexploded Cow]]''.<ref>{{cite web
Line 73: Line 83:
  |title=Deadwood Studios USA  
  |title=Deadwood Studios USA  
  |accessdate=2018-01-16  
  |accessdate=2018-01-16  
}}</ref> Nine more Cheapass games were produced with the help of Kickstarter in the period 2013 to 2018, including the abstract strategy game [[Tak_(game)|Tak]], which was a collaboration between James Ernest and Patrick Rothfuss, and was based on a game in Rothfuss' book ''[[The Wise Man's Fear]]''.
In 2019, it was announced that Greater Than Games had acquired the license to publish Cheapass Games, and taken over sales of Cheapass Games inventory.<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>
With the help of 1,867 backers on Kickstarter, at the end of 2019 a 628 page hardcover book ''Cheapass Games in Black and White'' was published, which was a retrospective of the 22 years of Cheapass Games up to that point, and included coverage of more than 100 of their games.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://blog.mechanicalmonolithgames.com/2019/12/book-review-cheapass-games-in-black-and.html
|title=Book Review: Cheapass Games in Black and White
|accessdate=2025-12-04
}}</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.
In 2021, Greater Than Games was acquired by Flat River Group,<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.flatrivergroup.com/flat-river-group-acquires-greater-than-games
|title=Flat River Group Acquires Greater Than Games
|accessdate=2025-12-04
}}</ref> and was subsequently shuttered in 2025 due to tariffs.<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.enworld.org/threads/greater-than-games-shutters-due-to-tariffs.713004
|title=Greater Than Games Shutters Due to Tariffs
|accessdate=2025-12-04
}}</ref> As a result, all rights to Cheapass Games reverted to James Ernest's company Crab Fragment LLC,<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://crabfragmentlabs.com/campaigns/view-campaign/JQaGpSi3XeC0Lk0RWREMHX7Xq7NL_o94mFHsFENlmDlgF9jUerbGkT6-sKS5rIsUT4mczIBcRcPQkH31WC_vvZ9hngLVEVhP
|title=The Return of Cheapass Games
|accessdate=2025-12-04
}}</ref> which made many of the games from the Cheapass Games catalogue freely available in print-and-play PDF format from their website.<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://crabfragmentlabs.com/game-preserve
|title=The Cheapass Game Preserve
|accessdate=2025-12-04
}}</ref>


== 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 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> [[File:Devil Bunny Hates The Earth (6119914783).jpg|thumb|The board and pieces for Devil Bunny Hates the Earth, a popular Cheapass games title.]]
Many of their out-of-print games were offered for free by Cheapass via their website.  The cards, rules, or other game materials could be downloaded for free, with Cheapass requesting a voluntary payment if the recipient liked the game.<ref>"About Us" page at official website: http://cheapass.com/about</ref> [[File:Devil Bunny Hates The Earth (6119914783).jpg|thumb|The board and pieces for Devil Bunny Hates the Earth, a popular Cheapass games title.]]


* ''[[Before I Kill You, Mr. Bond]]'' - a game of attracting interesting people to your lair, then killing them. Reissued in 2004 as ''James Ernest's Totally Renamed Spy Game''
* ''[[Before I Kill You, Mr. Bond]]'' - 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'' - a 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
* ''[[Bitin' Off Hedz]]'' - a simple game of dinosaurs and rocks
* ''Bitin' Off Hedz'' - a simple game of dinosaurs and rocks
* ''[[Bleeding Sherwood]]'' - an out-of-print game with a [[Robin Hood]] theme available for download
* ''Bleeding Sherwood'' - a game with a [[Robin Hood]] theme  
* ''[[Brawl (game)|Brawl]]'' - a [[real-time card game]]
* ''[[Brawl (game)|Brawl]]'' - a [[real-time card game]]
* ''[[Button Men]]'' - a collectible button-and-dice game, sold in sets of two to six buttons
* ''[[Button Men]]'' - a collectible button-and-dice game, sold in sets of two to six buttons
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** ''[[Devil Bunny Needs a Ham]]'' - a game of buildings and Devil Bunny
** ''[[Devil Bunny Needs a Ham]]'' - a game of buildings and Devil Bunny
** ''[[Devil Bunny Hates the Earth]]'' - a game of squirrels, taffy machines, and Devil Bunny
** ''[[Devil Bunny Hates the Earth]]'' - a game of squirrels, taffy machines, and Devil Bunny
* ''[[Diceland (dice game)|Diceland]]'' - a collectible cardboard dice game. Multiple sets
* ''[[Diceland (dice game)|Diceland]]'' - a collectible cardboard dice game
* The [[Digital Eel]] [[video game]]s
* The ''[[Digital Eel]]'' computer games:
** ''[[Plasmaworm]]''
** ''Plasmaworm''<ref name="Plasmaworm">{{cite web |title=Plasmaworm, PC Version |url=http://www.cheapass.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CAG&Product_Code=CAG702 |website=Cheapass Games |access-date=29 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031124103746/http://www.cheapass.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CAG&Product_Code=CAG702 |archive-date=24 November 2003 |url-status=dead}}</ref> - based on the classic ''[[Snake_(video_game_genre)|Snake]]'' game
** ''[[Strange Adventures in Infinite Space]]''
** ''[[Strange Adventures in Infinite Space]]''<ref name="StrangeAdventures">{{cite web |title=Strange Adventures in Infinite Space, PC Version |url=http://www.cheapass.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CAG&Product_Code=CAG703 |website=Cheapass Games |access-date=29 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031124104234/http://www.cheapass.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CAG&Product_Code=CAG703 |archive-date=24 November 2003 |url-status=dead}}</ref> - the first space roguelite
** ''[[Dr. Blob's Organism]]''
** ''[[Dr. Blob's Organism]]''<ref name="DrBlob">{{cite web |title=Doctor Blob's Organism, PC Version |url=http://www.cheapass.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CAG&Product_Code=CAG704 |website=Cheapass Games |access-date=29 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031124103622/http://www.cheapass.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CAG&Product_Code=CAG704 |archive-date=24 November 2003 |url-status=dead}}</ref> - a [[Shoot_%27em_up|shoot em up]] based on John Conway's cellular automaton, ''[[Conway's_Game_of_Life|Life]]''
** ''[[Big Box of Blox]]''
** ''Big Box of Blox''<ref name="BigBoxofBlox">{{cite web |title=Digital Eel's Big Box of Blox |url=http://digital-eel.com/blox/ |website=Digital Eel |access-date=29 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031202213352/http://digital-eel.com/blox/ |archive-date=2 December 2003 |url-status=live}}</ref> - a rule-breaking [[Tile-matching_video_game|match three]] type game
** ''[[Boiler Plate Special]]''
** ''Boiler Plate Special'' (Mac compilation)<ref name="BoilerPlateSpecial">{{cite web |title=Boiler Plate Special |url=http://www.cheapass.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CAG&Product_Code=CAG706 |website=Cheapass Games |access-date=29 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050203003156/http://www.cheapass.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CAG&Product_Code=CAG706 |archive-date=3 February 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* The ''[[Kill Doctor Lucky|Doctor Lucky]]'' games:
* The ''[[Kill Doctor Lucky|Doctor Lucky]]'' games:
** ''[[Kill Doctor Lucky]]'' - a game of killing and not being seen
** ''[[Kill Doctor Lucky]]'' - a game of killing and not being seen
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** ''[[Save Doctor Lucky on Moon Base Copernicus]]'' - another place to save
** ''[[Save Doctor Lucky on Moon Base Copernicus]]'' - another place to save
* ''[[Enemy Chocolatier]]''
* ''[[Enemy Chocolatier]]''
* ''[[Escape from Elba]]'' - an out-of-print game of many d6 and spelling weapons
* ''[[Escape from Elba]]'' - a game of many d6 and spelling weapons
* ''[[Falling (game)|Falling]]'' - an out-of-print real-time game about falling to your death
* ''[[Falling (game)|Falling]]'' - a real-time game about falling to your death
* ''[[Fightball]]'' - a [[real-time card game]] about a futuristic sport, designed with [[Mike Selinker]]
* ''[[Fightball]]'' - a [[real-time card game]] about a futuristic sport, designed with [[Mike Selinker]]
* ''[[Fight City]]'' - a [[trading card game]] of gangs and cards
* ''[[Fight City]]'' - a [[trading card game]] of gangs and cards
* ''[[Fish Cook]]''
* ''[[Fish Cook]]''
* ''[[Freeloader (game)|Freeloader]]'' - a game about borrowing all that you can
* ''[[Freeloader (game)|Freeloader]]'' - a game about borrowing all that you can
* The ''[[Friedey's]]'' games:
* The ''Friedey's'' games:
** ''[[Give Me the Brain]]'' - a game of zombies and their jobs. [[Origins Award]] winner for ''Best Traditional Card Game of 1997''<ref name="Origins1997"/>
** ''[[Give Me the Brain]]'' - a game of zombies and their jobs. [[Origins Award]] winner for ''Best Traditional Card Game of 1997''<ref name="Origins1997"/>
** ''[[Lord of the Fries (card game)|Lord of the Fries]]'' - a game of zombies and fast food orders
** ''[[Lord of the Fries (card game)|Lord of the Fries]]'' - a game of zombies and fast food orders
** ''[[Change! (game)|Change!]]'' - an out-of-print game of zombies and money
** ''[[Change! (game)|Change!]]'' - a game of zombies and money
** ''[[The Great Brain Robbery (board game)|The Great Brain Robbery]]'' - a game of zombies and train robbery. [[Origins Award]] winner for ''Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Board Game 2000''<ref>{{cite web
** ''[[The Great Brain Robbery (board game)|The Great Brain Robbery]]'' - a game of zombies and train robbery. [[Origins Award]] 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  
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}}</ref>
}}</ref>
** ''[[Dead Money (game)|Dead Money]]'' - a game of zombies, the wild west and losing at poker
** ''[[Dead Money (game)|Dead Money]]'' - a game of zombies, the wild west and losing at poker
* ''[[Get Out (board game)|Get Out]]'' - a game of finding work
* ''Get Out'' - a game of finding work
* ''[[Girl Genius: The Works]]'' - a game of [[Phil Foglio]]'s ''Girl Genius'' comic
* ''[[Girl Genius: The Works]]'' - a game of [[Phil Foglio]]'s ''Girl Genius'' comic
* The ''[[Grave Robber]]'' games:
* The ''Grave Robber'' games:
** ''[[Parts Unknown (game)|Parts Unknown]]'' - an out-of-print game of mad scientists and economics
** ''[[Parts Unknown (game)|Parts Unknown]]'' - a game of mad scientists and economics
** ''[[Renfield (card game)|Renfield]]'' - an out-of-print game that plays like a combination of Poker and Hearts.  Available for download
** ''[[Renfield (card game)|Renfield]]'' - a game that plays like a combination of Poker and Hearts.   
* The ''[[Hip Pocket]]'' games:
* The ''[[Hip Pocket]]'' games:
** ''[[Agora (game)|Agora]]'' - a game of market stalls
** ''[[Agora (game)|Agora]]'' - a game of market stalls
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** ''[[TimeLine (game)|TimeLine]]'' - a game of time travel
** ''[[TimeLine (game)|TimeLine]]'' - a game of time travel
** ''[[The Very Clever Pipe Game]]'' - a game of connecting pipes
** ''[[The Very Clever Pipe Game]]'' - a game of connecting pipes
* ''[[Huzzah!]]'' - a game of [[Renaissance Faire]]s. Available for download
* ''Huzzah!'' - a game of [[Renaissance Faire]]s.  
* ''[[Jacob Marley, Esq.]]'' - a game of loans
* ''[[Jacob Marley, Esq.]]'' - a game of loans
* ''[[James Ernest Writes Off Another Trip to VEGAS]]'' - an out-of-print game of casinos and cheating
* ''[[James Ernest Writes Off Another Trip to VEGAS]]'' - a game of casinos and cheating
* ''[[Landyland]]'' - a promotional game using ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'''s basic lands
* ''[[Landyland]]'' - a promotional game using ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'''s basic lands
* ''[[Mana Burn]]'' - an out-of-print promotional game using ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' cards
* ''[[Mana Burn]]'' - a promotional game using ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' cards
* The ''One False Step'' games:
* The ''One False Step'' games:
** ''[[One False Step for Mankind]]'' - a game of getting to the Moon
** ''[[One False Step for Mankind]]'' - a game of getting to the Moon
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* ''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
* ''[[Spree!]]'' - a game of firearms and larceny
* ''[[Spree!]]'' - a game of firearms and larceny
* ''[[Starbase Jeff]]'' - an out-of-print game of gambling in space
* ''[[Starbase Jeff]]'' - a game of gambling in space
* ''[[Tak (game)|Tak]]'' - an abstract strategy game based on a game introduced in [[Patrick Rothfuss]]'s book, ''[[The Wise Man's Fear]]''
* ''[[Tak (game)|Tak]]'' - an abstract strategy game based on a game introduced in [[Patrick Rothfuss]]'s book, ''[[The Wise Man's Fear]]''
* ''[[U.S. Patent No. 1]]'' - a game of racing through time to get the first [[patent]] issued
* ''[[U.S. Patent No. 1]]'' - a game of racing through time to get the first [[patent]] issued
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==Reviews==
==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>
*''{{ill|Backstab (magazine)|lt=Backstab|fr|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 ==

Latest revision as of 01:56, 4 December 2025

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "For". Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Cheapass Games is a game company founded and run by game designer James Ernest, based in Seattle, Washington.

Cheapass Games was originally founded on the philosophy that most game owners have plenty of dice, counters, play money, and other common board game accessories, so there was no need to bundle all of these components with every game that requires them. Cheapass games thus came 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".[1] This allowed the company to produce games for prices well below the market average. Cheapass later offered some higher-quality, full color games under the "James Ernest Games" brand, but their minimalist black-and-white components offered for print-and-play have remained their signature style.

From 2019 to 2025 the Cheapass Games catalogue of games was licensed to Greater Than Games, but in 2025 reverted to James Ernest's company Crab Fragment Labs.

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.[2]

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),[3] the 2002 Origins Vanguard Award (Diceland),[3] the 1997 Origins Award for best abstract board game (Kill Doctor Lucky),[4] and the 1997 Origins Award for best traditional card game (Give Me the Brain).[4]

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.[5]

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 were 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.[6] This was followed in 2013 by another Kickstarter project for a deluxe version of their earlier Deadwood game, called Deadwood Studios USA.[7] Nine more Cheapass games were produced with the help of Kickstarter in the period 2013 to 2018, including the abstract strategy game Tak, which was a collaboration between James Ernest and Patrick Rothfuss, and was based on a game in Rothfuss' book The Wise Man's Fear.

In 2019, it was announced that Greater Than Games had acquired the license to publish Cheapass Games, and taken over sales of Cheapass Games inventory.[8]

With the help of 1,867 backers on Kickstarter, at the end of 2019 a 628 page hardcover book Cheapass Games in Black and White was published, which was a retrospective of the 22 years of Cheapass Games up to that point, and included coverage of more than 100 of their games.[9]

In 2021, Greater Than Games was acquired by Flat River Group,[10] and was subsequently shuttered in 2025 due to tariffs.[11] As a result, all rights to Cheapass Games reverted to James Ernest's company Crab Fragment LLC,[12] which made many of the games from the Cheapass Games catalogue freely available in print-and-play PDF format from their website.[13]

List of Cheapass Games

Many of their out-of-print games were offered for free by Cheapass via their website. The cards, rules, or other game materials could be downloaded for free, with Cheapass requesting a voluntary payment if the recipient liked the game.[14]

File:Devil Bunny Hates The Earth (6119914783).jpg
The board and pieces for Devil Bunny Hates the Earth, a popular Cheapass games title.

Reviews

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ "About Us" page at official website: http://cheapass.com/about
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Further reading

  • Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

External links

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