Button
Mechanics
A trick-taking game in may-follow, for 2 to 4 players. Four tricks are open at the centre of the table and players may choose freely where to play. When a trick reaches five cards, it is resolved. If one suit dominates, the strongest card of that suit wins. But if two suits are tied, the weakest of those suits takes the trick.
This simple rule completely changes how tricks are read: you calculate, bluff, take risks… and talk about it again after each hand.
Before each hand, players bet with real buttons. The bet is on the exact number of tricks you aim to win. The game swings between calculation, intuition, and provocation. And there is always the ultimate elegant choice: betting zero tricks.
Theme
The cards represent items of clothing, and each trick evokes a fashion show. Sometimes a trend asserts itself, but sometimes originality surprises everyone.
Development
Button was born from a simple idea: what if resolving a trick depended not only on values, but also on the suits played?
As a beginner designer, I built this game as a first exploration: testing, failing, sharing. My aim is to create a game that makes people want to discuss and replay the hand right away.
The current visuals come from Canva Pro. Later, my hope is to collaborate with an artist to give future creations a stronger visual identity.
Costs, base price and contribution
One of the key principles of Shilipash Studio is transparency. I want players to understand the choices behind the creation of a game, the real costs involved, and how a development contribution helps the project exist and grow.
Production choices
For this first edition of Button, I chose to produce 300 copies. This limited quantity is intentionally below the economy-of-scale threshold, because I did not want to risk printing more than needed and ending up with excess stock that could negatively impact the environment. If this first print run sells well, I will consider a slightly larger run for the next game, which would help reduce the base price per copy.
Detailed material costs
Here is the breakdown of the production costs for each copy of Button:
| Component | Unit cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Box | $0.98 |
| 52 cards (350g C2S) | $1.12 |
| 2 rule booklets | $0.65 |
| Buttons | $0.09 |
| Packing at factory | $0.12 |
| Total per copy | $2.96 |
This total includes an additional choice to improve quality and durability: a linen matte finish applied to all components. The total cost for 300 copies therefore amounts to $888.
Comparison with a larger print run
If I had printed 500 copies, the unit cost would have been much lower: 1.98 $ per copy, for a total of 990 $. This means the 200 additional copies would have cost only 102 $. Despite this, I chose a more responsible and realistic production approach for this first project.
Additional costs
The following costs will also be added to the total:
- Shipping costs from the factory to Switzerland: 870 $
The total cost of production is 1758 $. Divided by 300 copies, the base price is 5.86 $ per copy.
Development contribution
The base price covers only the material production and importation costs. Beyond that, each person is free to add a development contribution. This voluntary contribution helps to:
- Fund future game creations
- Cover additional costs (travel, festivals, press mailings, website hosting, etc.)
- Support and pay for future artistic collaborations
This contribution is not limited to money: offering time, spreading the word, or sharing feedback are also valuable ways to support the project.
