Cult Leader

Cult Leader is a social deception party game developed by Awua, Ayisha, Diya, Hadil, and Mihret. Inspired by games like Mafia, Avalon, and Secret Hitler, the team aimed to create an engaging experience that fosters communication and strategic thinking among players. Players assume hidden roles within a cult-themed narrative, navigating complex rules and objectives to achieve dominance or expose infiltrators.​

Project steps:

1. Ideation & Inspiration

• Analyzed existing social deduction games to identify effective mechanics and themes.​

• Brainstormed diverse themes and mechanics using Miro boards and whiteboards, ultimately selecting a cult theme for its potential to foster shared experiences and intrigue.​

2. Prototyping & Iteration

• Developed initial prototypes featuring conflict cards and role interactions.​

• Conducted multiple playtests, gathering feedback to refine game mechanics, balance, and player engagement.​

• Adjusted card distributions, simplified instructions, and redesigned components for better visibility and usability.​

3. Playtesting & Refinement

• Implemented changes based on playtest feedback, such as increasing the number of "Advance on Board" and "Force Vote" cards to enhance game progression and player interaction.​

• Removed or modified cards that did not contribute meaningfully to gameplay, streamlining the experience.​

• Adjusted the introduction of powerful "Conversion" cards to maintain game balance and suspense.​

• Enhanced visual design elements, including enlarging the game board for better visibility and adding pictorial representations to cards for clarity.​

4. Finalization

• Finalized a print-and-play version of the game, ensuring accessibility and ease of learning.

• Documented the design process, iterations, and playtest outcomes to inform future development and provide a cohesive narrative of the project's evolution.