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Showbiz Shuffle is a non-collectable card game for 2-4 players. Each player is a Hollywood bigwig, assembling the director and cast for new films. It’s a high-stakes race to get the most movies, with the highest box-office potential, into the pipe.

The players start with a hand of five Bod cards (Directors, Stars and Supporting Cast), and one Biz card (industry “pull”). Five more Bod cards are dealt onto the table; this is the Cattle Call. Each Bod card has a point value, based on how well that person does their job (putting asses in seats). On each turn, a player tries to assemble a Director, two Stars, and two Supporting Cast for a movie. These can be played from his hand and/or the Cattle Call. Completing a film usually takes more than one turn. Once the crew is assembled, the points are added to a running total for that player, and the cards are discarded. Up to two movies can be in development at the same time.

When a new movie is started, the type of film must be declared. This can be Action, Drama, Family, Romance or Specialty (science fiction, horror, etc). Marker cards are used to keep track of this. Most actors and directors have a limited range (indicated on their Bod card), so finding the right crew for the genre is ideal. A player could complete his Family film by including the Creepy Guy, but because it’s not his forte, he would be worth -2 points instead of the usual 2 points.

One Biz card can be played per turn. These include point bonuses for your movies (special effects budget, sex appeal) and penalties for your competitors’ (bad reviews, a Star getting upstaged), which take effect when the film is done. Other cards may give a Supporting actor the chance to be a Star, or negate attempts to sabotage your projects. Hiring A-list actors and directors will earn you more Biz cards.

During the game, the players’ hands and the Cattle Call are continuously replenished from the Bod pile. The game ends when the pile runs out. A final round of “last licks” ensues, where players try to complete whatever films are still in development. Any incomplete movies count as negative points; you’ve paid the talent, but have nothing to show for it. The player with the highest point total is the winner.

I was in a four-player demo. At least three of us were newbies, and we finished in about an hour. Rules cards are provided, to keep the basic mechanics straight for everyone. Any references to sex and drugs are few and far between, and aren’t lurid. This matter-of-factness adds to the satirical atmosphere of the game, where everything is just a means to an end, and the bottom line is all that matters.

Welcome to Tinseltown.

Style – 4. The cards are sturdy and cleanly printed. Most of the Bod card illustrations are celebrity caricatures, which is reminiscent of certain Hollywood-inspired restaurants.

Substance – 4. The game bears a passing resemblance to Guillotine; collecting “heads” for points, tweaking the scores in your favor, and a darkly humorous theme. Everyone at the demo had a good time.

Mitch

Showbiz Shuffle
Showbiz Shuffle Playtest Review by Mitch Albala on 22/09/02 Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 4 (Meaty) How many times have you watched a movie and wondered, “How does this crap get made?” Wonder no more. Product: Showbiz Shuffle Author: Joan Wendland Category: Card Game Company/Publisher: Blood & Cardstock Line: Cost: $15 Page count: Year published: ISBN: SKU: Comp copy?: no Playtest Review by Mitch Albala on 22/09/02 Genre tags: Modern day Comedy Other	Showbiz Shuffle is a non-collectable card game for 2-4 players. Each player is a Hollywood bigwig, assembling the director and cast for new films. It’s a high-stakes race to get the most movies, with the highest box-office potential, into the pipe. The players start with a hand of five Bod cards (Directors, Stars and Supporting Cast), and one Biz card (industry “pull”). Five more Bod cards are dealt onto the table; this is the Cattle Call. Each Bod card has a point value, based on how well that person does their job (putting asses in seats). On each turn, a player tries to assemble a Director, two Stars, and two Supporting Cast for a movie. These can be played from his hand and/or the Cattle Call. Completing a film usually takes more than one turn. Once the crew is assembled, the points are added to a running total for that player, and the cards are discarded. Up to two movies can be in development at the same time. When a new movie is started, the type of film must be declared. This can be Action, Drama, Family, Romance or Specialty (science fiction, horror, etc). Marker cards are used to keep track of this. Most actors and directors have a limited range (indicated on their Bod card), so finding the right crew for the genre is ideal. A player could complete his Family film by including the Creepy Guy, but because it’s not his forte, he would be worth -2 points instead of the usual 2 points. One Biz card can be played per turn. These include point bonuses for your movies (special effects budget, sex appeal) and penalties for your competitors’ (bad reviews, a Star getting upstaged), which take effect when the film is done. Other cards may give a Supporting actor the chance to be a Star, or negate attempts to sabotage your projects. Hiring A-list actors and directors will earn you more Biz cards. During the game, the players’ hands and the Cattle Call are continuously replenished from the Bod pile. The game ends when the pile runs out. A final round of “last licks” ensues, where players try to complete whatever films are still in development. Any incomplete movies count as negative points; you’ve paid the talent, but have nothing to show for it. The player with the highest point total is the winner. I was in a four-player demo. At least three of us were newbies, and we finished in about an hour. Rules cards are provided, to keep the basic mechanics straight for everyone. Any references to sex and drugs are few and far between, and aren’t lurid. This matter-of-factness adds to the satirical atmosphere of the game, where everything is just a means to an end, and the bottom line is all that matters. Welcome to Tinseltown. Style – 4. The cards are sturdy and cleanly printed. Most of the Bod card illustrations are celebrity caricatures, which is reminiscent of certain Hollywood-inspired restaurants. Substance – 4. The game bears a passing resemblance to Guillotine; collecting “heads” for points, tweaking the scores in your favor, and a darkly humorous theme. Everyone at the demo had a good time. Mitch