Occasionally, a joke transcends its comedic purpose and takes on a life of its own.
A unique collectible card game has its roots in a humorous online skit created by comedian and content creator Graeme Barrett, also known as AudioOpera. When scrolling through social media, you’ve probably come across one of his viral videos; his most-viewed content, in my opinion, is the humorous skit where a group of live-action role-playing gamers stumble upon a corpse in the woods while participating in a LARPing session.
One of my favorite aspects of his work was the recurring theme of a collectible card game character breaking open booster packs filled with “Divorced Dads” cards, each representing an item or need that defines a divorced father.
Numerous comedy sketches feature playing cards with creative titles, such as “Bald Spot”, “Jam Band”, “Enchanted Forest” – a whimsical automotive air freshener design – “Retirement Plan”, which consists of lottery scratch-offs, and “Hacked Fb”. The most coveted collector’s item is actually ‘The Home’, which, quite ironically, typically finds its way into the hands of those who already possess it.
It was an ill-conceived, cringe-worthy attempt at humor. Suddenly, something extraordinary happened: this miniature meme unexpectedly resonated with a small but dedicated audience, prompting Barrett to take the bold step of creating actual playing cards. The playing cards did not simply evolve into being real – they transformed into a fully functional and playable card game.
I’m a fan of turning silly jokes into reality. While initially marketed as a standalone trading card game, Divorced Dads’ core mechanics are largely inspired by Magic: The Gathering. Rather than incorporating conventional materials, plays make use of innovative DIY components from Wooden, Metal, Leather-based, and Concrete. As the Beast’s playing cards clash, you must instead harness the power of instruments – primarily spells – to amplify the flow of gameplay and parry your opponent’s attacks with calculated precision.
While early video skits featuring playing cards relied on simple text descriptions and static images, modern depictions of each card showcase intricate, hand-drawn illustrations that visually represent their intended meanings. The primary and non-player cards, with their limited release, resembled a novelty item anyone could have obtained from a local print shop or office supply store. While this new playable iteration lacks the refined presentation of a skilled trading card game, it’s impressively close. There’s high quality right here.
A mini flamethrower aptly represents ‘New BBQ’, making it entirely believable that this could be the epitome of a middle-aged person’s existential crisis. Errected dysfunction’s iconic image, a fantastical wormlike creature contorted in apparent agony, its once-vigorous form now shrunken and twisted in distress. ‘Legal guidelines’ are a labyrinthine thicket of arcane regulations, navigable only by the most stalwart of legal scholars or intrepid adventurers with a taste for bureaucratic combat. While others may be overly fastidious, the ‘Stool Softener’ appears as a vibrant pink beverage adorned with intricate Japanese typography. ‘Getting Cigs’ captures a vintage muscle car in a frantic dash towards the nearest gas station, with flames erupting in its wake. The tactile experience of holding a physical card, combined with the visual appeal of its design, is elevated by the added dimension of texture that comes with incorporating textured materials into each card’s creation.
That’s incredibly reckless, so you’ve got my attention. In fact, this digital rendition of a traditional card game is entirely viable and functional. While the sport’s Reddit community may lack tremendous energy, a flurry of mini-tournaments has emerged, with gamers actively exchanging card trades. The sport is striking a chord with people, leveraging its clever reference to cliche single dad tropes and midlife crises as a unique hook that effectively opens doors to engaging gameplay.
On a recent appearance on the Nearly Friday podcast, Barrett observed that there are individuals who might not comprehend his work, responding with a philosophical tone: “I don’t get it” – to which he’d say, “Okay, if that’s how you feel, then this isn’t for you.”
While the Divorced Dads meta may not boast the same level of balance or intricacy as a game like Magic, it still manages to work well and provide an enjoyable experience, leveraging its grassroots appeal. While the playing cards’ whimsical illustrations align with the lighthearted nature of the sport, With Barrett’s goal appearing to be precisely that.
“I designed this game for recreational purposes, allowing anyone who has experienced it to share their knowledge with others,” Barrett stated on the same podcast. “And if you’re not familiar with card games like Magic or Yu-Gi-Oh!, it’s so straightforward that it’s a pick-up-and-play affair.”
The idea is that when people are approached about studying Magic, the typical response might be an emphatic “no way,” but introduce a game called Divorced Dads and suddenly they’re intrigued.
Designing a game that seamlessly balances accessibility and complexity, allowing casual players to enjoy the experience without feeling overwhelmed, while also providing depth and strategic opportunities for gamers who crave more control.
As a mission assertion, I actually surmise that “Divorced Dads” is a home run. The sport offers an undeniable charm, its playing cards infused with a dash of humor – making it a delightfully quick and easy game to engage in. The authenticity of a small, indie team behind a Trading Card Game (TCG) adds a unique charm compared to larger companies.
