Schrödinger’s cat is a thought experiment regarding quantum mechanics. In the thought experiment, a hypothetical cat, in a sealed box whose contents are imperceptible, can be considered alive and dead at the same time, due to the fact that its fate is linked to a random subatomic event that may or may not occur and plays on the sense of observability. I’m a simple lawyer, so don’t ask me to explain further, but this card game uses this thought experiment as the starting point for gameplay. Cards only take on a color when they are played, and an atomic paradox only occurs if it is observed. Cat in the Box? Nay, Cat in the Box!
Cat in the Box is a trick taking game: players play cards in certain colors and then must follow and specific color. The player with the highest value in the chosen color or trump color, wins the trick. In Cat in the Box, players still bet in advance how many tricks they will win in a round. So far, nothing out of the ordinary. What makes Cat in the Box unique are the colorless cards and paradoxes. A card has a color only when it is played and a player assigns a color to it. Which values have already been played in which colors is tracked via the central game board. Players can also use this to see which players have played which colors and which values and which colors and values are still available.
If a player cannot or does not want to play a color anymore, the color that had to be followed is closed off for this color. If a player cannot play after a number of turns because these players have certain values in hand, but these values are no longer available in colors that this player can play, there is a paradox. This player is punished and the other players receive points and bonus points based on strokes gained and correct bets.
Cat in the Box is an interactive trick taking game with an interesting twist. Players can hurl paradoxes at each other, and I personally find that element to be the most fun part as well. Other than that, it’s just a simple and familiar trick taking game with a pretty strong production quality. Schrödinger approves!
