Two Dudes and a Hamster

A party card game from Two Dudes and a Hamster LLC

Side Effects Are WHAT?!

The Cure Might Be Worse Than the Condition.

Side Effects Are WHAT?! box art: a nervous doctor in a head mirror holds up a clipboard with the game title. Box corner reads Players 3-8, Ages 14+, Play time 15 minutes.

A ridiculous party game where questionable treatments meet even more questionable side effects. Choose your cure, accept the consequences, and find out what your friends are willing to risk.

  • 3–8 Players
  • 14+ Ages
  • 15 Minutes
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Prescribe a Cure. Make It Worse.

Every round begins with a condition that needs treating.

Players suggest their treatments, then everyone gets a chance to make those treatments considerably less appealing.

Would you take a treatment if it caused hallucinations? What about accelerated balding? Or the unexpected horror of being actually content with life?

Once the side effects are revealed, everyone votes for the treatment they'd choose.

The results are rarely what you'd expect.

Condition card: Influencer Treatment card: Lobotomy Side Effect card: Coughing

How to Play

Five simple steps. One very questionable cure. Try a round against two computer players.

  1. 1Reveal
  2. 2Prescribe
  3. 3Side Effects
  4. 4Vote
  5. 5Score
  • You0
  • Player 20
  • Player 30

    Step 1 of 5

    Reveal the Condition

    The Orator flips over a Condition card. This is the problem everyone needs to solve.

    Step 2 of 5

    Prescribe a Treatment

    Every player, including the Orator, secretly submits one Treatment card from their hand. The Orator reveals them all, keeping their owners anonymous.

    This sample round has three players: you and two computer players.

    Step 3 of 5

    Add the Side Effects

    Each player chooses three Side Effect cards from their hand and attaches them to the treatments.

    There's one catch: you can't place more than two of your own Side Effect cards on the same treatment.

    A treatment can accumulate more than two total side effects when multiple players contribute.

    Step 4 of 5

    Vote for the Cure

    Everyone, including the Orator, votes for the treatment they'd actually choose after considering its side effects. You can vote for your own.

    The treatment with the most votes wins!

    In this sample round, a tied vote goes to the tied treatment with the most Side Effects. If two of them tie for the most, the one with the next most wins.

    Step 5 of 5

    Score Your Points

    Submitted the winning treatment? Earn 3 points!

    Added Side Effects to the winning treatment? Earn 1 point for each of your Side Effects attached to it.

    The two kinds of points go to whoever owns each card, so one player can earn both.

    Want to Play It for Real?

    Side Effects Are WHAT?! is preparing for Kickstarter. Join the list and we'll let you know when it launches.

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    The Possibilities Are Ridiculous.

    Three types of cards. Countless questionable combinations.

    Conditions

    The problems that need solving.

    • Condition card: Introvert
    • Condition card: Couch Potato
    • Condition card: Bad Knees

    Treatments

    Your questionable solutions.

    • Treatment card: Bee Stings
    • Treatment card: Chuck Norris Jokes
    • Treatment card: Electroshock Therapy

    Side Effects

    The unexpected consequences.

    • Side Effect card: Bad Driver
    • Side Effect card: Broken Dreams
    • Side Effect card: Healthy Lifestyle Changes

    Questions?

    How many people can play?

    Side Effects Are WHAT?! supports 3–8 players.

    How long does the game take?

    Approximately 15 minutes.

    What age is it for?

    Ages 14 and older.

    Is the game available to buy?

    Not yet. We're preparing for Kickstarter. Join our email list to receive updates.

    Who created Side Effects Are WHAT?!

    Two Dudes and a Hamster LLC, an independent game company based in Utah.