Fluxx is a card game, played with a specially designed deck published by Looney Labs. It is different from most other card games, in that the rules and the conditions for winning are altered throughout the game, via cards played by the players.
History
Fluxx was created by Andrew Looney on July 24, 1996 as the first game for his and his wife's part-time game design company, Looney Laboratory.[2][3] The original print run was for 5,000 units[2] and was released in 1997.[3]
The game was successful and was licensed a year later to Iron Crown Enterprises (ICE) for wider distribution. ICE went bankrupt two years later and Looney Labs resumed publication and distribution.[4] By March 2001, Labs was considering putting out another standalone deck version called Fluxx++ using card created by the Fluxx playing community with Fluxx Blanxx and Fluxx: Goals Galore, an expansion consisting of goal cards, based on its Origins 2000 5 Goal cards promo pack.[5] Labs created Fluxx Lite, a slimmed down 56 card deck to lower the price for discount superstores, in design by March 2002.[6]
In 2003, Amigo Games, a German game company, licensed and published a German language version of Fluxx.[7] The in design Fluxx Reduxx was indefinitely placed on hold as of July 14, 2005 to focus on EcoFluxx. Looney Labs registered the Fluxx trademark.[8] By October 2005, Stoner Fluxx had been released and EcoFluxx was in play testing, and scheduled to be released later that month[9] followed by Family Fluxx.[10]
In November 2006, Looney Labs issued a Spanish language edition of the game.[7] The October 10, 2007 release of a zombie-themed version brought the first of a new card type, the Creeper[11] and Ungoal.[12] In 2008, Toy Vault and Looney Labs co-published and released Monty Python Fluxx.[13] Fluxx edition 4 was released in December 2008 and was the first set to have the Meta Rule subtype card, which stemmed from a Fluxx Tournament rule.[14]
In 2008, Zombie Fluxx won the Origins Award for Traditional Card Game of the Year.[15]Stoner Fluxx was placed back in print under the Full Baked Ideas imprint of Looney Labs on November 13, 2009 after being out of print for four years. Full Baked was launched with expectation of a future release of a drinking variant and other mature subject versions.[16]
Two variants were re-released on March 5, 2010, EcoFluxx and Family Fluxx, with Eco being a new edition.[10] In February 2011, the Surprise subtype of cards were introduced in the Pirate Fluxx themed variant.[17] In March 2011, the German language version 2nd edition was released by Pegasus Games.[18] By May 2011 over 1 million decks of all Fluxx versions had been sold while Pirate Fluxx was getting into bookstores that month.[19]
On August 1, 2012, Looney Labs got a simplified, less expensive general market version with redesigned packaging of Fluxx into Target stores.[2] For the summer 2012, Fluxx was number 10 in ICv2's Top 10 Card/Building Games (hobby channel).[20]
A Cartoon Network version of the game was made available as a Target exclusive from mid-August 2014 until Easter 2015, while in July the Regular Show Fluxx was released to the hobby market.[21] The fifth edition of the regular Fluxx game was made available beginning in 2014 as the 4.0 edition ran out. Looney Labs teamed up with The Doubleclicks for a Fluxx theme song.[22]
A new expansion of the game, Fluxx Dice, plus two new licensed variants were scheduled to be released in the summer of 2015.[23] With a delay of the first variant to be released at the polled requested of the retailers, Looney Labs pushed back the dice and the other variant to stagger the releases to spread out the impact.[24]
A series of educational variants were released in 2017 and 2018.[25] In partnership with Gale Force 9, two Fluxx versions of Star Trek were released in August 2018.[26]
Game description and play
The first edition deck consists of 84 cards with four types of cards: Keepers, Goals, Actions, and New Rules. While the game begins by requiring players to simply draw and play a specific number of cards, the mechanic mutates when a New Rule card is played. The card may change the number of cards drawn or played per turn, the number of cards held per hand, or the Keepers played.[9] The Goal cards change the Keepers needed to win the game.[2] Games last from 5 to 30 minutes.[27]
Later sets sometimes included new card subtypes, depending on the theme of the set. These included Creeper cards that block or make goals more difficult to obtain;[10] Ungoal cards, which have conditions where the game ends with no winner;[12] and Surprise cards, a 2011 addition, which allow players to negate other types of cards which could prevent a victory and can be played at any time, though they have other effects when played on one's own turn.[17]
The first Fluxx tournament at Origins 1997 had an extra rule calling for an increase in the Basic Rules each time the deck was reshuffled which was kept for future tournaments. On August 28, 2008 via their Wunderland blog, Looney introduced "Meta Rule" cards for players to print at home and add to standard decks[28] or place in the primary deck Edition 4.0.[14]
Early edition decks had 84 cards[9] while newer standard decks have 100 cards,[29] while Lite versions (Family, Spanish, SE) consist of 56 cards.[10][30][31]
Card sets
Editions
Fluxx 3.1 cards look similar to earlier versions.Zombie Fluxx cards in play, including New Rules (yellow) and Goals (pink).
Edition
Release Date
Notes
Fluxx 1.0
1996
The first released edition of the game. The cards are poker-sized and are entirely in monochrome, without any colored stripe. It was manufactured by C&W Playing Cards, Inc. and published through Looney Labs.
Fluxx 2.0
1998
An updated version of the original. The cards are bridge-sized, in a new layout with color encoded sections (although images remain in black and white). It was manufactured by Cartamundi and published by Iron Crown Enterprises.[4]
Fluxx 2.1
2000
A reprint of Fluxx 2.0 with some minor changes. It was manufactured by Cartamundi and published by Looney Labs.
Fluxx 3.0
2003
Adds and removes several cards to improve the balance of the game. Manufactured by Cartamundi, published by Looney Labs.
Stoner Fluxx
October 2003
The first variant of Fluxx. This is an "adult" oriented version of the game published to help accelerate the conversation in the US about ending marijuana prohibition.[32] The cards in this version are not compatible with other Fluxx decks (as they read "Stoner Fluxx" on the back). Went out of print in 2005.[9]
Fluxx 3.1
2005
A reprint of Fluxx 3.0 with minor changes. new style Basic Rule card, two cards removed, one card added; Manufactured by Cartamundi,[8] published by Looney Labs.
EcoFluxx
October 2005
A variant that focuses on the flora and fauna of what makes the planet. It was created by Alison Frane (nee Looney). Contains 84 cards.
Family Fluxx
November 2005
A full-color "Family-Friendly" version of the game with simplified rules and family bonuses.[31] It was initially designed as Fluxx Lite and then Fluxx Jr..[10][30]
Zombie Fluxx
October 2007
Introduces the "Creeper" and "Ungoal" type cards.[31] 100 cards[14] Won the 2008 Origins Award for Traditional Card Game of the Year.[15]
Fluxx 4.0
2008
Increases the card number set in the primary Fluxx set to 100. Images are now in full color. Introduces Meta Rules and Creepers to the primary Fluxx set.[14]
Includes 100 cards with artwork from Todd Cameron Hamilton.[14] It is the first Fluxx game to be based on a licensed property.[33] (October 2008)[34] It was co-published with Monty Python licensee, Toy Vault;[13]
An updated version of Stoner Fluxx with full-color cards and Creepers. Released under "Fully Baked Ideas" imprint of Looney Labs, with 5% of proceeds going to end cannabis prohibition groups;[16] Contains 100 cards. Several undated minor updates of 2.0 - 2.1 and 2.2, were also released.
Re-release of Family Fluxx in the current packaging style of other Fluxx games. Same cards as the original. Currently out of print[35]
Eco Fluxx 2.0
March 5, 2010
An updated version of Eco Fluxx with new color artwork from Derek Ring and the addition of some new cards including three Creepers. Has 100 cards altogether.[10]
A "Basic Entry" version of the game with simplified rules and exclusive cards.[2] It was manufactured by 360 Manufacturing and was released exclusively in Target stores.
Reprint of Fluxx SE with the debut of the new card designs used for the game going forward. As with the original, it was released exclusively at Target stores.
Monster Fluxx
October 2013
Manufactured by 360 Manufacturing and was released exclusively in Target stores. Uses Fluxx SE style gameplay.
Simplifies the standard version with the removal of all creepers[38] and several other cards, 17 total, and are replaced by new Keepers, Goals, Actions, and New Rules cards.
Holiday Fluxx
October 3, 2014
Christmas themed version. Contains 100 cards with art by Ali Douglass.[39]
An adult-oriented version of the game that focuses on alcoholic beverages. It was produced to celebrate the game's 21st Anniversary. Released under the Fully Baked Ideas imprint.
The second "Speciality Edition". Co-published with Cardinal Industries.[48] Introduces "Danger" cards that can eliminate players with the ability to return unless the deck then elimination is permanent.[49] includes 7 exclusive cards, and a collectible coin.
Star Trek Fluxx Bridge Expansion (August 2018) used to play both Star Trek & Star Trek TNG Fluxx together at the same time[38]
Firefly Fluxx Upgrade Pack (August 2018) 10 card pack includes Jubal Early, Hands of Blue, upgraded Reavers and Yolanda (aka Saffron, aka Bridgett)[38]
Black Knight Expansion (August 2018) a 10 card pack including the Black Knight as a Creeper, also Tim the Enchanter, new rules and a new Quest [38]
Fluxx Creeper Pack (August 2018) To bring back the Creepers dropped for edition 5, War, Death, Taxes, and Radioactive Potato with Goals, Actions and New Rules[38]
The Doctor Who Fluxx 13th Doctor Pack (Mid-year 2019)[49]
Board game
Fluxx: The Board Game
Publication
August 2013; 11 years ago (2013-08)
Players
2-4
Playing time
15 to 30 minutes
Fluxx: The Board Game is a board game implementation of the card game released in August 2013.[60] This game was awarded the Parents' Choice Recommended Seal Fall 2013 for Games.[60] Parents' Choice Recommended Seal Fall 2013 Games[61]
The game moves the Keeper card items to spaces on the board while adding the "Leaper" card type. The board is separated into 9 movable tiles with four spaces each except for the start tile with the initial set up of 3x3 square. Besides the Keeper spaces there are 1 octagon space per title and two teleport spaces for the whole board. Moving on to one teleport space allows the player to move to the other teleport space. The octagon may hold any number of pawns while the keeper spaces can only have one with an incoming pawn pushing out the current pawn. There are two peg boards that track, the number of goals needed to win and current rules.[60]
All start with a hand of three cards and a color card in face up to indicate the pawns they control. They each get to make a free rule change. New general rules affecting the tiles include rotation, moving and allowing wraparound tile movement. The game only has Action, Goals, New Rules and Leaper type cards. Action cards can change force a change in player color. A Leaper card counts as a card play but allows you to move a pawn to the item on the board. Goals cards are stacked near the board with top most card the current goal.[60]
Promotional cards
Looney Labs gives away promotional cards related to Fluxx at conventions such as Gen Con and Origins. They have given away cards such as Composting and Jackpot, which later appeared in EcoFluxx and Family Fluxx respectively. They have also given away promo cards for Christmas to members of their online mailing list and in High Times magazine. Game Technicians (previously known as Mad Lab Rabbits), voluntary game demonstrators for Looney Labs, give away promo cards to people interested in the game.
"Mrs. Claus" promotional card in Holiday Fluxx store launch kit[39]
"Skullduggery" promo card (February 11, 2011) Pirate store launch kit[27]
"The Alliance" card (January 15, 2016) Firefly store launch[41]
Online
Fluxx was available to play for free via the Volity network[62] and was also available to be played online via the CCG Workshop, using the gatlingEngine to adjudicate most of its rules automatically. However, both Volity.net and CCG Workshop are no longer operating.[63]
In December 2012, Fluxx was released by Playdek as an app on iOS operating systems (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple TV) by purchasing it from the Apple App Store. It uses the "mass market" deck developed for Target Stores, removing some of the more esoteric themes (such as Cthulhu) and complex rule cards.[64]
Reception
The base game won the Mensa Select Game Award in 1999.[65]Rick Loomis comments: "Fluxx makes a good game for a group that has one of those annoying 'I-must-win-every-game' types. The rest of you can enjoy yourselves as the game spins out of his control (as it surely will) and perhaps he'll eventually learn to lose gracefully. Meanwhile, Fluxx will be busily exercising everyone's logic synapses as you attempt to deal with the chaotic situations that occur because of the cheerful clash of rules."[66]
An ICv2 review of the Batman variant by Nick Smith gave it 4 out of 5 stars as "The Fluxx series of games is not for everyone." But the game worked well with the Batman theme: "The game-themed victory conditions are good, and the thematic elements were very well thought out. This may be the best-designed Fluxx set in some time, and it can be a lot of fun for casual fans to try to achieve the thematic victory conditions."[1]
In a review of Fluxx in Black Gate, M Harold Page said "Playability-wise, the rules are on the cards themselves. Complex though play can be, playing the game is simple. My 7-year old manages fine with a little help to start her off, and my 11-year-old has sessions with his friends."[67]
