Fluxx

Template:Short description {{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox game with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| actor | ages | AKA | alt | blank_data | blank_label | caption | date | designer | director | footnotes | genre | illustrator | image | image_alt | image_caption | image_link | image_size | isbn | isbn_note | italic title | label_width | language | logo | logo_alt | logo_caption | logo_link | logo_size | manufacturer | materials | media_type | movement | name | other_names | parent_game | players | playing_time | publisher | random_chance | related |series | setup_time | skills | subject_name | subtitle | system | title | voice_over | web | website | width | writer | years }} Fluxx is a card game 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 Template:Dts as the first game for his and his wife's part-time game design company, Looney Laboratory.<ref name=gz0>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=wt>Template:Cite news</ref> The original print run was for 5,000 units<ref name=gz0/> and was released in 1997.<ref name=wt/>

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.<ref name=gz>Template:Cite news</ref> By Template:Dts, 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.<ref name=ws>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Labs created Fluxx Lite, a slimmed down 56 card deck to lower the price for discount superstores, in design by Template:Dts.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2003, Amigo Games, a German game company, licensed and published a German language version of Fluxx.<ref name=ll0>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The in design Fluxx Reduxx was indefinitely placed on hold as of Template:Dts to focus on EcoFluxx. Looney Labs registered the Fluxx trademark.<ref name=wl>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> By Template:Dts, Stoner Fluxx had been released and EcoFluxx was in play testing, and scheduled to be released later that month<ref name=gms>Template:Cite journal</ref> followed by Family Fluxx.<ref name=gd1/>

In Template:Dts, Looney Labs issued a Spanish language edition of the game.<ref name=ll0 /> The Template:Dts release of a zombie-themed version brought the first of a new card type, the Creeper<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Ungoal.<ref name=nl>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2008, Toy Vault and Looney Labs co-published and released Monty Python Fluxx.<ref name=mm>Template:Cite news</ref> Fluxx edition 4 was released in Template:Dts and was the first set to have the Meta Rule subtype card, which stemmed from a Fluxx Tournament rule.<ref name=wl1>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2008, Zombie Fluxx won the Origins Award for Traditional Card Game of the Year.<ref name=icv4>Template:Cite news</ref> Stoner Fluxx was placed back in print under the Full Baked Ideas imprint of Looney Labs on Template:Dts 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.<ref name="icv5">Template:Cite news</ref>

Two variants were re-released on Template:Dts, EcoFluxx and Family Fluxx, with Eco being a new edition.<ref name=gd1>Template:Cite news</ref> In Template:Dts, the Surprise subtype of cards were introduced in the Pirate Fluxx themed variant.<ref name=gd3>Template:Cite news</ref> In Template:Dts, the German language version 2nd edition was released by Pegasus Games.<ref name=sbm>Template:Cite news</ref> By Template:Dts over 1 million decks of all Fluxx versions had been sold while Pirate Fluxx was getting into bookstores that month.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On Template:Dts, Looney Labs got a simplified, less expensive general market version with redesigned packaging of Fluxx into Target stores.<ref name=gz0/> For the summer 2012, Fluxx was number 10 in ICv2's Top 10 Card/Building Games (hobby channel).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref name=icv>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=gd2>Template:Cite news</ref>

A new expansion of the game, Fluxx Dice, plus two new licensed variants were scheduled to be released in the summer of 2015.<ref name=icv0>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=icv7>Template:Cite news</ref>

A series of educational variants were released in 2017 and 2018.<ref name="icv10">Template:Cite news</ref> In partnership with Gale Force 9, two Fluxx versions of Star Trek were released in August 2018.<ref name="icv11">Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref name=gms/> The Goal cards change the Keepers needed to win the game.<ref name=gz0 /> Games last from 5 to 30 minutes.<ref name=icv6/>

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;<ref name=gd1/> Ungoal cards, which have conditions where the game ends with no winner;<ref name=nl/> 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.<ref name=gd3/>

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 Template:Dts via their Wunderland blog, Looney introduced "Meta Rule" cards for players to print at home and add to standard decks<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> or place in the primary deck Edition 4.0.<ref name=wl1/>

Early edition decks had 84 cards<ref name=gms/> while newer standard decks have 100 cards,<ref name=gd4>Template:Cite news</ref> while Lite versions (Family, Spanish, SE) consist of 56 cards.<ref name=gd1/><ref name=wl0/><ref name=ll1/>

Card sets

Editions

File:Fluxx-2009.jpg

Fluxx 3.1 cards look similar to earlier versions.

File:Zombie Fluxx game.jpg

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.<ref name=gz/>
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	Template:Dts	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref name=gms/>
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,<ref name=wl/> 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	Template:Dts	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Zombie Fluxx	Template:Dts	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> 100 cards<ref name=wl1/> Won the 2008 Origins Award for Traditional Card Game of the Year.<ref name=icv4/>
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.<ref name=wl1/>
Monty Python Fluxx	Template:Dts	Includes 100 cards with artwork from Todd Cameron Hamilton.<ref name=wl1/> It is the first Fluxx game to be based on a licensed property.<ref name=gd0>Template:Cite news</ref> (Template:Dts)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It was co-published with Monty Python licensee, Toy Vault;<ref name=mm/>
Martian Fluxx	Template:Dts<ref name=gd0/>	<ref name=gd0/>
Stoner Fluxx 2.0	Template:Dts	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;<ref name=icv5/> Contains 100 cards. Several undated minor updates of 2.0 - 2.1 and 2.2, were also released.
Family Fluxx 1.1	Template:Dts<ref name=gd1/>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Eco Fluxx 2.0	Template:Dts	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.<ref name=gd1/>
Pirate Fluxx	Template:Dts<ref name=icv6>Template:Cite news</ref>	Introduces Surprise cards.<ref name=gd3/>
StarFluxx	Template:Dts<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Oz Fluxx	Template:Dts<ref name=icv3>Template:Cite news</ref>
Fluxx SE	Template:Dts	A "Basic Entry" version of the game with simplified rules and exclusive cards.<ref name=gz0/> It was manufactured by 360 Manufacturing and was released exclusively in Target stores.
Cthulhu Fluxx	Template:Dts)<ref name=gz0/>
Fluxx SE 1.1	Template:Dts	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	Template:Dts	Manufactured by 360 Manufacturing and was released exclusively in Target stores. Uses Fluxx SE style gameplay.
Regular Show Fluxx	Template:Dts<ref name=icv/>	100 cards<ref name=gd4/> - out of print <ref name=ll/>
Cartoon Network Fluxx	Template:Dts	Released exclusively in Target stores.<ref name=icv/> Uses Fluxx SE style gameplay.
Fluxx 5.0	2014<ref name=gd2/>	Simplifies the standard version with the removal of all creepers<ref name=icv12>Template:Cite news</ref> and several other cards, 17 total, and are replaced by new Keepers, Goals, Actions, and New Rules cards.
Holiday Fluxx	Template:Dts	Christmas themed version. Contains 100 cards with art by Ali Douglass.<ref name=icv2>Template:Cite news</ref>
Batman Fluxx	Template:Dts<ref name=icv7/>	Co-published with Cryptozoic Entertainment<ref name=icv0/>
Adventure Time Fluxx	Template:Dts<ref name=icv7/>
Nature Fluxx	Template:Dts	A renamed third edition of EcoFluxx with update cards and packaging & continuing its donation to its eco-causes.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Firefly Fluxx	Template:Dts	Licensed from 20th Century Fox and Gale Force Nine<ref name=icv9>Template:Cite news</ref>
Math Fluxx	Template:Dts<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	The first educational variant of Fluxx.<ref name="icv10"/>
Chemistry Fluxx	Template:Dts<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	The second "Educational" version.
Drinking Fluxx	Template:Dts<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	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.
Doctor Who Fluxx	Template:Dts<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Anatomy Fluxx	Template:Dts<ref name="icv10"/>	The third "Educational" version.
Star Trek: The Original Series Fluxx	Template:Dts	Co-published with Gale Force 9<ref name="icv11"/>
Star Trek: The Next Generation Fluxx	Template:Dts	Co-published with Gale Force 9<ref name="icv11"/>
Fairy Tale Fluxx	Template:Dts	Art by Mary Engelbreit<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Fluxx	Template:Dts<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Marvel Fluxx	Template:Dts	The first "Speciality Edition". Co-published with Cardinal Industries. Includes <ref name="ll2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> 7 exclusive cards, and a collectible coin<ref name=icv13>Template:Cite news</ref>
Jumanji Fluxx	Template:Dts	The second "Speciality Edition". Co-published with Cardinal Industries.<ref name="ll2"/> Introduces "Danger" cards that can eliminate players with the ability to return unless the deck then elimination is permanent.<ref name=icv13/> includes 7 exclusive cards, and a collectible coin.
Astronomy Fluxx	Template:Dts<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	The fourth "Educational" version.
SpongeBob SquarePants Fluxx	Template:Dts	The third "Speciality Edition". Co-published with Spin Master.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> includes 7 exclusive cards, and a collectible coin.
Fantasy Fluxx	Template:Dts<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Martian Fluxx 1.1	Template:Dts	Reprint of Martian Fluxx with the current card design.
Oz Fluxx 1.1	Template:Dts	Reprint of Oz Fluxx with the current card design.
Wonderland Fluxx	Template:Dts	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Given a wider release in 2023.
Fluxx Remixx	Template:Dts	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Olympus Fluxx	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Stoner Fluxx 2.3	2022-2023	Reprint of Stoner Fluxx 2.2 with the current card design.
Monster Fluxx 1.1	2022-2023	Reprint of Monster Fluxx in the standard box design.
Across America Fluxx	Template:Dts
Around the World Fluxx	Template:Dts
Camping Fluxx	Template:Dts
Hundred Acre Wood Fluxx	Template:Dts

Languages

• Fluxx Spanish (Fluxx Español!; Template:Dts) Looney Labs,<ref name=ll0 /> a 56 card set with 6 new Goals, a new Keeper and a new Rule<ref name=ll1 />
• German Fluxx first edition (2003; based on 3.0 card set) by Amigo Games<ref name=ll0 />
  • Second edition (Template:Dts; based on 4.0 card set) Pegasus Games<ref name=sbm />
• Japanese Fluxx (based on 3.0 card set) HobbyJapan
• Dutch Fluxx (based on 5.0 card set) PS Games
• Portuguese EcoFluxx, released in Brazil<ref name=ll0 />
• Italian, released in Italy<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Many of the version can be combined with each other to make a "mega Fluxx" deck (as all these versions have the same card back style).<ref name=gd1/>

Expansions

Several expansions have been produced, including:

• Flowers and (a gift set with a "bouquet" of six plush "Happy Flowers", a Fluxx 3.0 deck and an exclusive "Flowers" promo Keeper card)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Fluxx Blanxx, a set of blank cards for creating one's own custom additions (see above).<ref name=ll0 />
  • 2nd edition - begins formatted fronts while including the Chrononauts Beatles Reunion CD card
  • 3rd edition - adds Creeper blanks while removing the Chrononauts card<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Jewish<ref name=ll0 />
• Christian<ref name=ll0 />
• Castle Expansion Cards (Template:Dts for Monty Python Fluxx<ref name=nl/>
• 7 Cards From the Future (a 7-card set for Regular Show Fluxx)
• International Tabletop Day Expansion: Wil Wheaton and Felicia Day Fluxx Promo Packs (April 11, 2015)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• Fluxx Dice (Template:Dts)<ref name=icv7/>
• Star Trek Fluxx Bridge Expansion (August 2018) used to play both Star Trek & Star Trek TNG Fluxx together at the same time<ref name=icv12/>
• Firefly Fluxx Upgrade Pack (August 2018) 10 card pack includes Jubal Early, Hands of Blue, upgraded Reavers and Yolanda (aka Saffron, aka Bridgett)<ref name=icv12/>
• 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 <ref name=icv12/>
• 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<ref name=icv12/>
• The Doctor Who Fluxx 13th Doctor Pack (Mid-year 2019)<ref name="icv13" />

Board game

{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox game with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| actor | ages | AKA | alt | blank_data | blank_label | caption | date | designer | director | footnotes | genre | illustrator | image | image_alt | image_caption | image_link | image_size | isbn | isbn_note | italic title | label_width | language | logo | logo_alt | logo_caption | logo_link | logo_size | manufacturer | materials | media_type | movement | name | other_names | parent_game | players | playing_time | publisher | random_chance | related |series | setup_time | skills | subject_name | subtitle | system | title | voice_over | web | website | width | writer | years }} Fluxx: The Board Game is a board game implementation of the card game released in Template:Dts.<ref name=gd/> This game was awarded the Parents' Choice Recommended Seal Fall 2013 for Games.<ref name=gd>Template:Cite news</ref> Parents' Choice Recommended Seal Fall 2013 Games<ref name=pca>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref name=gd/>

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.<ref name=gd/>

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.

• Origins 2000 Goal promo 5 card pack.<ref name=ws/>
• Sir Not Appearing In This Game! (Template:Dts) for Monty Python Fluxx & its Castle expansion<ref name=nl/>
• Traitor, a Creeper promo card Template:Dts) issued for the release of another Looney game, Are You The Traitor?<ref name=nl/>
• Wizard of Oz song promotional card<ref name=icv3/>
• "Mrs. Claus" promotional card in Holiday Fluxx store launch kit<ref name=icv2/>
• "Skullduggery" promo card (Template:Dts) Pirate store launch kit<ref name=icv6/>
• "The Alliance" card (Template:Dts) Firefly store launch<ref name=icv9/>

Online

Fluxx was available to play for free via the Volity network<ref>Volity.net Template:Webarchive</ref> 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.<ref>Google.comTemplate:Dead link</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Reception

The base game won the Mensa Select Game Award in 1999.<ref name=abg>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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."<ref name="HG">Template:Cite book</ref>

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."<ref name=icv8>Template:Cite news</ref>

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."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Reviews

• Pyramid - 3.0<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Scrye<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

See also

• 1000 Blank White Cards
• Looney Labs
• Aquarius (game)
• Chrononauts (game)
• Mao (card game), another card game with changing rules
• Nomic
• Treehouse (game)
• Icehouse pieces

External links

• {{#invoke:URL|url}}{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:URL with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y | 1 | 2 }}, official game site
• Template:Bgg
• Fluxx family at Board Game Geek
• The designer explains the Hand Limit rules
• Fully Baked Ideas Official Site, adult versions imprint