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Wubba lubba dub dub, Rick And Morty fans! If you’re already familiar with the show, you’re probably eagerly awaiting the release of Season 3, while attempting to convert your cable box to receive interdimensional TV. If you’re not a fan (yet!), now is a great time to get caught up on the first two seasons. And, if you’re like me, you’ll watch the episodes again, and again, and again…
I’ve likely watched the episodes a few more times than even the squanchiest of fans. That’s because I’m part of the team responsible for developing USAopoly’s Munchkin: Rick And Morty, based on Steve Jackson’s Munchkin. As a developer, it can be difficult to get licensed games just right because you’re the middle man, confined by restraints from both the licensor and/or the game brand. I got lucky working on this game because both teams (Steve Jackson Games and Adult Swim) were flexible and open to making the game what it should be and not forcing it to fit a certain mold.
The recommended age for playing is 17+, because of the mature content of the show – the game wouldn’t be Rick And Morty without it. There were some elements that crossed the line (I even shocked the creators with one of the cards, which honestly made me a little proud), so we had to rein in on those, but we found solutions and kept plenty of shock value and adult humor in the content. Some of my favorite cards probably aren’t safe to mention in this article, but let’s just say they involve diseases from the “Anatomy Park” episode.
In addition to keeping the right tone, we wanted to add a little something special to the game mechanics. Both licensors were on board with new and unique game-play specific to this version of Munchkin. Taking our inspiration from the episode “Total Rickall,” we introduced a new mechanic for a card type called “Parasites.” if you can’t stop Parasites from multiplying, they’ll get completely out of control, quickly. Like other Munchkin games developed by USAopoly, Munchkin: Rick And Morty uses our signature card layout and style. We use icons to identify Item cards and try to keep the bonus values clear, because it makes the math (“you might of heard of it!”) a little We had fun building in connections and relationships between cards that mimic those on the show. Jerry’s Mytholog can join Beth’s Mytholog, and they get more powerful. Because, you know, codependency. Snuffles is an Ally in the game, but must be discarded when the monster Snowball enters play. Another Ally, Unity, is really powerful and allows you to have any number of Allies on your side. Some of the cards are more subtle: the spoon that Morty hands to Rick to defend himself in “Look Who’s Purging Now” became a +1 Bonus Hand Item card with No Value. (“Really Morty, a spoon?”) This isn’t the first Munchkin game I’ve worked on, but it may have been the most fun. The design team spent a lot of time trying to capture the in-depth, clever, weird, and funny universe that Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland have created. We also got to visit to the show’s animation studio to watch some of Season 3 and sit down with Justin to discuss the game’s content and direction. Not only was the meeting productive for collaborating on the game, but watching Justin have a dialog with himself as Rick AND as Morty was a hilarious experience. I obviously can’t say too much about Season 3, but, oh man, are fans in for a treat! We’re going to include SOME content in the game from the first few episodes of Season 3, which stays right on pace with the incredibly well thought out, mind-bending, gonzo sci-fi speed of the first two seasons. There’s some genius stuff and we’re really excited to include a bit of it in the game.
What about Seasons 1 and 2, you say? Have no fear, they’re well represented. Some of my favorite episodes from the first two seasons are “Meeseeks and Destroy,” “Raising Gazorpazorp,” “Close Rick-counters of the Rick Kind,” “A Rickle in Time,” “The Ricks Must Be Crazy,” and “Look Who’s Purging Now.” Expect lots of references from those stories. You have different favorites? Don’t worry, there’s plenty of content from every episode in the game. Promise!
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easier. Mostly, this game is about giving Rick And Morty fans the Munchkin game they deserve. I hope they’re reminded of classic one-liners through the quotes on the cards. And, I hope fans feel that the game captures the essence of the show by fusing clever world-building with some good ol’ fashioned fart jokes (and, literally, a Level 12 Fart!)
