There's a good chance you've heard of Flip 7. The push-your-luck hit has found its way onto countless tables, introducing a lot of players to designer Eric Olsen. But while Flip 7 may be the game that put his name on the map, it's only one part of a growing catalog of clever, approachable games.
Every designer has a starting point. For Eric, it was 2020. The world had slowed down and he was home with his kids. Their table was covered in odds and ends, half-finished creations, and plenty of family chaos. That messy table inspired his first game ideas and the name of his publishing company: Messy Table Games(https://messytablegames.com/).
A game night about four years ago is what turned those prototypes into an actual company. At the time, Glyphics was Eric's only licensed game, and he wasn't really known in the board game community yet. His college friend Jeff came over and played some of Eric's prototypes. Afterward, he pulled Eric aside and told him he needed to start a company. Eric told him he didn't have the resources to do that, so Jeff offered to partner with him and make it happen. He believed Eric was going to be successful, wanted to be along for the ride, and thought it sounded like fun
Since then, Eric and Jeff have built a catalog of games that may look very different on the shelf, but share a clear set of rules: they're designed for all ages, easy to learn, full of player interaction, and play in under an hour
Designing for the Table
With five games already released, I was curious if Eric had a recommended starting point for someone discovering Messy Table Games for the first time. Was there a natural progression based on age, complexity, or the type of player?
His answer was pretty simple: just pick one that catches your eye. He believes all of his games are designed for all ages, with short playtimes, easy rules, and plenty of interaction. Rather than giving players a specific path through the catalog, he suggests reading a few reviews and seeing what sounds interesting
When Eric isn't playtesting his own designs, he's been playing Pixies, Toy Battle, and Agent Avenue, along with Catan, Azul, Castle Combo, 7 Wonders, and the older trick-taking game Rage. And, of course, there's plenty of playtesting happening too. With the number of games in the pipeline, his table doesn't stay empty for long
The Game That Changed Everything
It's hard to talk about Eric Olsen without talking about Flip 7. The game has become a massive success. Originally, the game was called Flip and didn't have a 0 card. His gaming group had been playtesting the game for over a year, and he was already in the process of self-publishing it before he signed with The Op. There was no way to know what it would eventually become, but Eric says he felt strongly that Flip had a lot of potential. Licensing it wasn't an easy decision. Flip 7 is now available in more than 20 languages, and Eric recently requested Arabic editions so he could give them to a friend in the United States
Making Games People Remember
That idea of people simply wanting to keep playing seems to connect pretty closely to what Eric hopes players actually take away from his games: “I hope they remember how the game made them feel,” Eric says. “An emotional memory.”
For him, that means people laughing, interacting, and having a good time with friends and family. If players walk away from the table with that feeling, he believes they'll come back to the game. And looking at the Messy Table catalog, that philosophy makes a lot of sense
Eric Olsen Games Catalog
Here's a quick look at what's already on the shelf, what's coming soon, and the reviews I will be sharing in the next few weeks:
Flip 7
The game that introduced me to Eric's designs. This addictive push-your-luck card game constantly tempts you into taking just one more card, even when you know you shouldn't. It's also the game that turned Eric Olsen from a designer I hadn't heard of into someone whose catalog I suddenly wanted to explore
Glyphics
Eric's first published game, and one with a pretty wild origin story. The game went from a
3D-printed prototype to being picked up by Big G Creative in less than two months, eventually making its way onto Target shelves. I recently picked up a copy, and it is now published by The Op. Glyphics is a light party game and a fast-paced visual puzzle that rewards quick thinking. It also has a very different feel from Flip 7, which is a pretty good reminder that Eric's catalog isn't built around one particular type of game
A Lotta Axolotls
If you like cute games that are a little more competitive than they look, A Lotta Axolotls might be for you. You're simultaneously drafting cards to build your collection of adorable axolotls, but you'll have to keep an eye on what everyone else is collecting too. It's cute, it's simple, and it gets surprisingly competitive
Tally Up!
Tally Up! is a push-your-luck game, but this time you're rolling dice and deciding just how much risk you're willing to take. You get to choose which three dice to roll, build up your score, and decide when it's time to get out before you bust. I really like games that make me think I can go one more time right before I regret that decision
French Goats in Trench Coats
Try saying that title fast a few times. This bluffing card game mixes hidden information with plenty of opportunities to mess with the other players. And yes, there are French goats. In trench coats. I'm not sure what more you could ask for
Booty Dice
Booty Dice was the first game published by Messy Table Games. Like the rest of Eric's games, it's fast-paced and easy to get into, but this time you're a pirate pushing your luck with dice. You're rolling six dice up to three times, collecting doubloons, stealing treasure, attacking pirates, and trying not to walk the plank. Pirate phrases encouraged!
Flip 7: Vengeance
What happens when one Flip 7 isn't enough? Flip 7: Vengeance takes the original game's foundation and turns the dial up, with new penalties, action cards, and even more ways to bust. You thought 12 was the highest number? Think again! If you thought the original gave you enough opportunities to make questionable decisions, wait until you try this one!
Star Catcher
Star Catcher is the newest Messy Table Games release. The game is about collecting stars, but there's a little more going on than simply grabbing the most points. Play a card that matches a number on the table or adds up to the value of multiple cards to collect them, and try to clear the whole table for a bonus. The catch? You also want to collect the most nonstar cards, so sometimes the cards worth the fewest points are exactly what you're looking for
What's Next?
Five years is a pretty short amount of time to go from making games with your kids around a messy table to having a catalog that includes large multinational store releases, international hits, multiple publishers, and a game signed with Mattel
Eric doesn't seem to be slowing down. Star Catcher is now joining the lineup, Blooming Bouquets and Quick 6! are on the way, and there's a secret Mattel release scheduled for 2027. Eric says the Mattel game is unlike anything he's designed before, which naturally makes me even more curious about it
I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next! For now, I’m waiting for Blooming Bouquets and Quick 6! Does anyone know when and where they’ll be available?
