Burnout

Burnout is a tangible game created by Ryan Huff and Ethan Meacham. In the game, 3 players take on the role of band members, who must work together to manage resources and make it to the final show of their tour. 

The game progresses through five days, each with three “phases.” The afternoon phase is the most eventful, and it is at this time where player cooperation and strategy most come into play. The players start a 60 second timer, and then flip over “situation” cards or “member” cards, each of which have varying resource costs to resolve. Players cooperate on how to best resolve each of the cards, and who should spend their resources on what. Arguments may arise over resources, but ultimately we strove to avoid this by creating a shared challenge, and making the cards random – it is nobody’s fault if they get a difficult card, because it could happen to anyone. Patterns we saw emerge during our playtesting include players prioritizing resolving “member” cards, as they only require one type of resource and are therefore a less complicated challenge.

The game’s patterns evoke feelings of tension, urgency, and excitement, especially during the afternoon phase, when players race to resolve cards. At first, players may feel overwhelmed by managing resources and facing the challenge imposed by the cards and timer, but as they progress, they grow more confident and collaborative, developing strategies based on their characters’ unique abilities. Cooperation fosters camaraderie, as players work together to keep the “band” moving. Frustration can sometimes arise, especially with scarce resources, but the game’s humor, speed of play, and shared goal mitigate this. Over time, newer players tend to learn and adopt new strategies, creating a dynamic where collective teamwork becomes more efficient as players adapt to each other's roles.

The game seeks to convey the chaotic, unpredictable nature of life on the road as a band, showing that while obstacles are inevitable, teamwork and resourcefulness can overcome them. Resilience and humor emerge as players face the increasing challenge, reflecting the grit and improvisation often needed to succeed on a long journey. Additionally, by using random, challenging cards, the game reinforces that setbacks are normal and nobody is to blame for them, promoting empathy and mutual support. Burnout also presents the idea of shared frustration as a bonding experience, as players learn to manage limited resources and embrace each character’s abilities, talents, and weaknesses — mirroring the real-life personalities and dynamics in a band.