From concept to conquest: the skunk’d adventure begins!
The SKUNK’D Scoop
Issue 1
Unveiling Our New Feature — SIMON SAYS…
“Simon Armstrong, our VP of Science & Mathematics, will delve into the Strategy and Probabilities behind the skink-tilating game of SKUNK’D”
Unraveling SKUNK'D's Science & Strategy!
Hey there, fellow SKUNK'D aficionados! I'm Simon Armstrong, the Vice President of Science & Mathematics at Hooked on Johnson Games LLC, the clever minds behind our family’s super fun dice game, SKUNK'D! I'm stoked to kick off an exhilarating adventure with you through the mesmerizing dimensions of science, strategy, and mathematics within our cherished game.
Starting now, I'll be your guide on a regular exploration of the intricate world of SKUNK'D. From dissecting probabilities to unraveling the strategies that lead to victory, we'll leave no die unturned!
But hold onto your tails! Your questions, be they about the science that powers SKUNK'D or the mathematical wizardry that shapes the game, are the essence of our odyssey. Send them over, and I'll do my best to offer you pungent insights in our 'Simon Says' features.
So, roll those questions my way, and let's sniff out the secrets of SKUNK'D together. This is where science meets strategy, and math gets playful with dice!
“Simon Says” will be a regular feature in The SKUNK’D Scoop and @skunkd.games.
What is SKUNK’D?
SKUNK’D is a simple game that uses six dice. Six-dice games, where 1’s, 5’s and 3-of-a-kind have scoring values, have apparently been around for centuries. In the 1980’s, my parents introduced us to one such simple six-dice game. We have, for all these years, called our six-dice game, simply, Johnson Family Dice. (Yeah, not very clever – we get it.) We’ve come to realize that after years of funny fiddling with the rules, that our game is VERY different from where it started AND it is quite unique compared to anything else out there on the market. So, we asked ourselves in early 2023, “If we were to market our game, what would we call it?”
WHAT SHOULD WE CALL OUR GAME?
Many years ago, at Disney World, we bought a set of “Mickey” dice – dice the had little Mickey Mouse heads on the sides of the dice instead of ordinary spots or “pips.” In place of the ‘1’ on the die was a single Mickey head so, we thought, if someone were to roll six single Mickey heads, one at a time, that would be really special and should be worth extra points; hence the creation of a rule that we called “Single Mickey!” When we started our conversation about marketing our game, though, we realized that there was a fairly large corporation out there that was probably not going to let us use the name and likeness of Mickey Mouse!!! We quickly realized we had something to fall back on – for all the years that we have played Johnson Family Dice, whenever a player failed to roll any scoring dice, we would shout, “Skunk!” One day, Dusty said, “Why don’t we call it “Skunk’d?” Boom! We had a name. But do we have a fun and exciting dice game that would be enjoyable for everyone to play?
WHAT MAKES SKUNK’D UNIQUE?
SKUNK’D is a family game. SKUNK’D is a party game. You can play it yourself, in groups or in teams. The game is fast-paced and high-scoring. Our iconic SKUNK replaces the ‘1’ on the die. But, that’s not all… SKUNK’D is a game where YOU make the rules! In addition to a basic set of rules, you choose from slightly silly rules to rules that are completely devoid of reason. Or, at least, these are the things that we think make our game special. This is where you come in! YOU will ultimately decide whether SKUNK’D becomes a “thing” or just another idea that winds up on the scrap heap. We are fascinated, excited and nervous to see where it goes.
WANNA COME ALONG FOR THE RIDE?
Join us and let’s find out together where this craziness leads! Will SKUNK’D be a stinker? Will it surpass Farkle and Yahtzee as the most popular dice game in the world?? Who knows! Follow us on this journey. Spread the word. Invite your friends and family to watch the drama unfold as we develop the game in the coming months, then launch a Kickstarter campaign in early 2024. Support our effort and maybe… just maybe, we can shock the stinkin’ world!
Tail of a Skunk with No Name
In shadows deep, a skunk so sly,
With twinkling eyes and tail held high.
No name to claim, no fame to seek,
Yet mischief plays upon each cheek.
Through fields of games, he boldly strides,
A mascot true, in games he hides.
Cute and cheeky, fur so fine,
In every heart, he finds a sign.
Oh, playful skunk with spirit free,
Who roams the land with mystery.
No name to call, no one to share,
Yet still, you dance without a care.
But fear not, dear, for help is nigh,
A name, a claim, we'll gladly try.
With every soul who lends a hand,
A fitting name, we'll understand.
So rise, dear skunk, with hope anew,
A name shall come, we promise you.
Through words and hearts, the answer's found,
In joy and games, forever bound.
