Disruptus
Disruptus Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Game Contents
- 84 Icons Cards
- 1 One-Minute Timer
- 1 Game Die
- 1 Idea Pad
Object of the Game
(Collaborative version will be explained at the end.)
Be the player or team with the most points at the end of the game. Players can choose to play through a fixed number of rounds or for a predetermined amount of time.
Setup
Shuffle the cards and place them face down in a deck at the center of the table.
How to Play
(For 3 or more players or teams)
Playing Disruptus
The game is played in rounds. In each round, one player is named the Judge. This role rotates from player to player in a clockwise direction. For simplicity, everywhere we mention 'player' in the rules, you may substitute with 'team' if the game is being played by 3 or more teams.
Each round consists of the following steps:
- The Judge rolls the die and reveals either one or two cards from the top of the deck according to the following:
| If the roll is: | If the roll is: |
|---|---|
| Create; Player's Choice — reveal 2 cards | Improve; Transform; Disrupt — reveal 1 card |
If the roll is Judge's Choice, the Judge chooses which category will be played. The Judge may inspect the top two cards from the deck and select either one of them if they decide the players will compete in any category other than Create. The Judge declares the category aloud and places the card or cards in the center of the table. If only one card is played, the other is inserted randomly back into the deck.
- Players come up with ideas.
Once the card(s) are made visible, the Judge flips over the timer and each player has 1 minute to write down or draw the most creative idea they can muster.
DISRUPTUS invites players to use 4 different creative approaches in order to innovate. The approach players need to use as indicated by the die roll are:
- Create — Using 2 cards, players may take any number of elements from each object and use these to create a new object.
Example: If the first card depicts a DRILL and the other card depicts a FORK: A player may combine them together to create an electric pasta spinning fork.
- Improve — Make it better: Add or change elements of the object depicted to improve it or change its use.
Example: From a card depicting a SUITCASE; incorporate a removable rechargeable battery into the suitcase structure to allow for on-the-go charging of mobile devices.
- Transform — Use the object on the card and change it so it can be used for a different purpose.
Example: From a card depicting a DINOSAUR'S SKULL; transform it into a flower pot.
- Disrupt — Looking at the object on the card, imagine a way the object can be used to create something that may give rise to a new market or a new human experience. The original object, in this case, may be just a part of a much bigger scheme.
Example: From a card depicting EYEGLASSES; describe the transcending effect of combining data connectivity, artificial intelligence, and bio-electronics to allow blind people to see or obtain warnings about their immediate environment so that they can navigate easier.
- Judge's Choice — The Judge may secretly inspect the top two cards from the deck, and then pick one of the above categories for the round, revealing both cards for CREATE or 1 of the cards for any of the other approaches.
If the roll is Player's Choice — reveal 2 cards: each player decides individually which category they wish to play, allowing them to reveal their choice at the end of the round (players may change course within the time allocated by the sand timer). If they choose Create, they will use both cards. If they choose either Improve, Transform, or Disrupt they will focus on one card of their choice.
- Players explain their ideas.
Once the time runs out, each player, in turn, describes their idea to the Judge. The basics of each player's explanation must be on their Idea Pad. While there is no set time limit for these explanations, they should be concise.
- The Judge renders his or her judgment.
After listening to all ideas and, where necessary, asking for clarifications, the Judge names the player whom he or she thinks came up with the most creative idea for the challenge at hand. The player named by the Judge wins the round and earns one point.
To keep track of points, the player keeps the card used during the round (in the case of a Create, the winner takes one of the two cards and discards the other).
- End of Game
Whether players have decided to limit play by setting a fixed play time or a fixed number of rounds, the player with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.
Rules for Collaborative Play, Solo Play and Other Situations
DISRUPTUS can be greatly appreciated and enjoyed by playing it in a collaborative manner and as a non-competitive team building game.
Simply roll the die and if the 'Judge's Choice' is rolled, re-roll the die.
The purpose of this version of the game changes to building on each other's ideas and trying to push the creative process envelope as far out as possible. This is a great preparation for brainstorming sessions where no idea is too 'crazy' to be brought up and later considered.
DISRUPTUS can also be played alone, where the objective of the player is to come up with as many ideas as possible for a pre-selected creative approach (Create, Transform, Improve, or Disrupt). Again, decide on a predetermined time limit or the number of cards to play. This can be lots of fun, but can also overheat your neurons.
When playing with young children we suggest allowing for 2 minutes (by flipping the sand timer the moment it ends) and focusing initially on the CREATE activity, later adding the TRANSFORM and IMPROVE, and last (if at all) DISRUPT. You will be amazed at how creative kids are.