Megalomaniacs | A Game About Despicable and Incredible People

posted by Robyn Pitts January 18, 2024

Created by FUPE (a collective that questions dominant power structures as tools to create individual and collective agency), Megalomaniacs is a card game that initiates conversations around wealth, power, and influence. Including 54 cards illustrated by Emiliano Ponzi and designed by Craig Ward, the game is influenced by Top Trumps and acts as a true reflection of how society views fame.

Featuring 40+ men and a handful of women (quelle surprise), Megalomaniacs is designed to initiate conversations around wealth, power, and modesty in today’s world. Inspired by the famous 80s card game, players deploy their favourite CEOs, politicians, warlords, and celebrities in one-on-one card battles. Collect the most cards to find out who reigns supreme.

Who are the people that rule our world? What do they use their power and influence for? And why is Ricky Gervais perceived as more modest than Bill Gates?

“There are so many individuals with great wealth doing little good that I wanted to highlight a few and show some examples of those that do it well,” says Damian Bradfield of FUPE. FUPE’s ambition lies in the belief that altruism has the potential to drive societal betterment, transforming individuals, communities, and the world at large. Thus, they analysed over 300 million data points to find out what the good people of the internet really think about Elon, Kim, Ye, and many more of the mavericks and mavens that make up and take up our news. They then poured that data into rankings for each Megalomaniac. Are they perceived as powerful? Visionary? Delusional? Modest? It’s time to find out!

Megalomaniacs is a game that’s fun for all of the family and is for 2 to 6 players. Remember, start your kids young – it’s in everyone’s best interest.