A Social Deduction Tabletop Game for Romance Lovers With Accidentally and Deliberately Built-in Chaos
Head of Partnership Development at OwlCrate
The best tabletop games don't just entertain—they create stories. That's precisely what Stryx: Gods & Monsters became. What was originally a collaboration on a bookish reimagining of "Guess Who" between board game designer and content creator Jaysen Headley (known as @ezeekat) and the OwlCrate team turned into a social deduction-based strategy card game packed with myth, intrigue, and, like, a ton of nipples.
Before working on this project, our team had no idea how to make a card game, and we quickly learned that game development comes with a lot of challenges. From hilarious playtesting chaos to profound design challenges, this game came to life through trial, error, and laughter.
In February 2025, Jaysen and I had a chance to catch up on our strange journey.
When did you know Stryx: Gods & Monsters would be special?
"A card in the game makes players answer questions using animal sounds. The first time we had that card in play and someone quacked like a duck, the entire table went wild with laughter, and it took us five minutes to get back on track. That was when I really knew we'd made something that was a lot of fun! I also think the day we saw the finalized art for the first time was really special. I remember thinking, 'Oh wow, this is real'!"
For someone who has never played a strategy card game before, what's the best way to ease them into Stryx?
“It's important to remember that the game is one of questions, answers, and deduction. Every question you ask will give you some information; the more interesting the question, the more information you'll get.
Think of yourself as a detective, getting to the bottom of a case. I also think Stryx is a game where it's essential to forget about winning or losing, at least at first, and have fun. This is a game about laughing with your friends around a table, and if you manage to do that, everyone wins!"
Stryx was made for book lovers. How did that shape the game's development?
"Obviously, most, if not all, of the Gods and Monsters in the game come from books and stories. But I definitely think the way we thought about art in the game was influenced by a shared love of Romantasy. I mean, these Gods and Monsters are HOT!
For me, the best tabletop games are about the stories they create. Weeks after game night, you won't always remember who won and lost, but you will remember that moment you made a wild guess and ended up being right. Or you'll remember that moment when your friend had to answer a question while hissing. Creating those memorable story moments with friends was always at the heart of Stryx's design."
What was the biggest challenge in designing Stryx, and how did you overcome it?
"Making all the powers work, both on their own and with each other. This was a balancing game and required a lot of testing. I wanted some powers to change the game state and make things interesting from a deduction standpoint. But at the same time, I wanted other powers to be off-the-wall silly, and there was a lot more testing and balancing that went into finding the sweet spot for all of this than anyone will ever realize.”
Collaboration always comes with surprises. Was there a moment when an idea from the OwlCrate team completely shifted the game's direction?
"The whole game idea started with OwlCrate wanting to create a Guess Who?-style game! That informed the direction in which we took the game design. Taking the art in a dark and broody direction shifted how I thought about the game.
At its heart, this is a very silly game. But the first time I saw the art, I realized I could do more technical things with some of the powers these Gods and Monsters had. The epic fantasy art and incredible design pushed me to put my best ideas into the game to match that level of excellence."
What's the most thrilling or jaw-dropping part of Stryx that you can't wait for players to experience?
"Two things! I cannot wait for people to play it. I know that's the easy answer, but every time I've played or watched people play the game, they have so much fun, and that lifts that weight off my chest of constantly asking, 'Is this thing we made any good?' When I see people laughing, shouting, and being sneaky with their answers, I know we made something great!
Second, I can't wait for people to see this incredible bookish box that the OwlCrate team designed to hold the game. It is so jaw-droppingly gorgeous! I can't decide whether it should live on my bookshelf or game shelf!”
Stryx: Gods & Monsters is exactly what we set out to make—a game that's as fun to play as it is to talk about later. Whether you're in it to win or just here for the chaos, every round leaves you with a story, which makes it special.
And the best part? We're just getting started. Keep an eye on our socials for all the latest updates, including preorder details, exclusive incentives, and sneak peeks.
Cards in this game were designed by: @creaturegraphics, @celi_arts, @zarimoth, @dianadworak, @wictorian_art, @meowtricia_, and @andiliion, with art direction by @heyatlascreative and @stubbornpagemage .
Stryx is coming soon, and you're gonna want in. You can place a preorder between May 1st and May 23rd, 2025 (and as a thank you, you’ll receive our special bonus Stryx cards, which will only be available during the preorder period!).
