Power Vacuum: The Treasonous Trick-Taking Game

Published by Keen Bean Studio | Designed by Kaleb Wentzel-Fisher | Illustrated by Malachi Ray Rempen

The Vibe

The Supreme Appliance has been unplugged, leaving the ultimate throne completely empty. You play as ambitious household appliances (toasters, blenders, fans, and old-school telephones) locked in a satirical, high-stakes political struggle for total control. Equal parts devious, hilarious, and tactical, this is trick-taking where losing a trick can be just as powerful as winning one.

Why You’ll Love It

• Trick-Taking with Treasonous Twists: Winning tricks gains you raw Power, but playing the lowest card lets you manipulate the physical Control Board—siphoning energy away from rivals and setting up your secret political plays.

• Secret Agendas & Speculation: Bet on which player (or appliance) will finish the round with the most and least Power. Reveal your secret Agenda early for massive point bonuses—if you dare paint a target on your back.

• Open-Information Paranoia: Suits are visible on card backs, removing tedious card-counting so you can focus entirely on reading opponents. But watch out for Spies—hidden wildcard threats that throw off predictable calculations.

• Build a Statue to Yourself: Victory isn’t just a track on a board; point payouts are used to construct four pieces of a giant statue dedicated to your own ego. The first player to finish their monument claims absolute authority.

What It Feels Like

Imagine the cutthroat political maneuvering of The Death of Stalin, but fought between a toaster and a vintage phone. Every turn forces a sharp decision: do you take the trick for immediate gains, or deliberately throw it to alter the entire power grid behind your rivals’ backs?

Quick Stats

• Complexity: Light–Medium / Accessible Trick-Taker (2.04 / 5 Weight)

• Pacing: Fast & Tense (30–45 minutes)

• Player Count: 1–5 Players (Shines at 4–5, includes built-in solo mode)

• Age Rating: 8+ (Easy to learn, deep tactical ceiling)

Key Highlights

• Accessible Strategy: Transparent card backs keep focus on grand tactical planning and table diplomacy rather than raw memory work.

• High-Quality Production: Magnetic control board components, custom lightning-bolt Power tokens, and distinctive artwork across every card.

• Fresh Take on a Classic Genre: Blends traditional trick-taking suit management with hidden-goal prediction and physical board manipulation.