An asymmetrical showdown in a dystopian America
The Idles plunges players into a dystopian version of the 1950s, where a corporation imposes its rule via Maxwell, a supercomputer determined to eliminate all forms of idleness. The game pits two radically different philosophies against one another: on the one hand, the maximisation of productivity imposed by Maxwell; on the other, the discreet resistance of an employee striving to survive the day. The gameplay is based on an asymmetrical card system, in which each player has their own deck and specific objectives. This system creates a unique narrative tension, straddling social satire and strategic duelling.
Setting up and playing the game
The game lasts between 30 and 45 minutes. Each player is given a personalised deck of cards (Maxwell or the employee) and tracking tokens to measure productivity or stress. Maxwell must organise his programmes and protect them with supervisors, whilst the employee collects productivity rewards to avoid being labelled an idler. Turns alternate between running programmes, defending against disruptions and managing resources. The “Identity Mode” variant allows you to play immediately with predefined or AI-generated decks.
Victory conditions and end of the game
Victory depends on the side: Maxwell wins if he completes enough programmes before the end of the day, whilst the employee survives by accumulating enough productivity rewards. The game ends as soon as either objective is met or if a player’s resources are exhausted. This abrupt ending mechanic heightens the pressure and immersion in the game’s oppressive world.
