Dancing Queen
by Hiew Chok Sien
Winner of Best Overall Game - 2021 International BoardGameGeek 9-Card Nanogame Contest
The Game
Dancing Queen is a 2-player, 9-card game about bringing friends to a dance party. You and your opponent both have in mind a particular dance to perform. Will you get your way? How many boys and girls should you bring? Will you bring a girl secretly dressed up as a boy to foil your opponent's plans?
This short and tricky card game features bluffing, setting traps, pushing your luck and reading your opponent. Ready? Let's dance!
The Accolades
2021 International BoardGameGeek 9-Card Nanogame Print-and-Play Design Contest:
Best Overall Game
Best 2-player Game
Best New Designer
Best Rule Book
What Others Say
"Dancing Queen is a delightful little game that easily fits in your pocket and provides a lot of punch for its size. " - Dale Yu, The Opinionated Gamers (full review)
"It's damned hard not to fall into your opponent's traps. The key is to know your opponent well. " - Giochi Sul Nostro Tavolo (Italy)
"Definitely a real test of your bluffing skills" - Dith Kok
Interview by Singapore Boardgame Design
Resources
Download the rulebook (2022 first edition)
Download the rulebook (2021 print-and-play edition)
Download the free print-and-play edition
Play at Tabletopia (print-and-play edition)
Play at Tabletop Simulator (print-and-play edition, software required)
Learn to play in 5 minutes
Note: This video is of the print-and-play edition. The physical version has different artwork and text, but the gameplay is the same.
The Journey
The very first prototype
Pure black and white
Second version art by Allen Sam
Cards are always played face-down
Lead dancers revealed at round end
Every single card is different
The game board. Not absolutely necessary but it helps when learning the game.
There was initially no reference sheet. It turned out to be a crucial game component, whether you are new or not.
Another concept we toyed with
A different notation
Tabletopia version. Play online for free.
Tabletop Simulator implementation
Free to play, but you need to have the Tabletop Simulator software
Getting my daughters to playtest
Game On Lah event, GMBB Mall
Teaching the game to new players
2-vs-1 variant?
Only 2 options on your turn, but the decision can be tricky
Public demo at REXKL
Minimalistic concept art when working on physical publishing
Manga (Japanese comic) style concept art
Animation style concept art
Updated manga style concept art
The first manga art version prototype
The reference sheet will be composed from four cards
Dith and Julian helping me test this version
Close-to-final art (probably final). The microphone has transformed to become a disco ball.
The reference sheet has evolved
Near final prototype
Final art proof. Using PVC for the cards allowed vibrant colours.
Final box design
Rulebook in full colour
Showing off my game to YB Tian Chua
Happy customer (and camera-shy customer)
Demoing at Soul Mad Cafe, Kajang