We Are Ciphers
A downloadable game
We Are Ciphers is a 2-player letter-writing game where you craft a story using coded messages sent through the mail. You and your partner both covet the Prize, which you believe will transform your lives for the better. But acquiring it is an extremely tricky operation. Many things stand in your way, including the Target.
Created for the #SaveThe Post jam by Ken Davidson.
Artwork by me (J. Gurantz).
This game includes:
- Six detailed letter descriptions (see photo below). Each with different writing prompts and with a micro-mission for both players.
- A link to two google docs that contain encryption techniques, online resources, and ideas for mail art (ways to decorate your correspondence).
- A mini-glossary of spy terms.
- A brief section on how to play this online (as a variation).
Together all 6 letter exchanges can lead to a unified story arc.
Inspiration:
This game was inspired by my love for letter writing and mail art. Our personal letters carry with them our feelings and thoughts. May We Are Ciphers entice people to send cool things through the mail. Also, may this and other games in the jam help give the USPS and other postal systems visibility.
O sige! See you in the mail,
J.
Purchase
In order to download this game you must purchase it at or above the minimum price of $5 USD. You will get access to the following files:
Free download
Support this game at or above a special price point to receive something exclusive.
Community Copies especially for fellow story lovers and letter writers...
Take a copy. And if you can, drop me a line about how it went (bumps and flows).
Development log
- v2022Dec 24, 2022
- "We Are Ciphers" - squirrel bakers gameFeb 10, 2021
- List of Black TTRPG Designers and ArtistsJan 14, 2021
- Bundle for Racial Justice and EqualityJun 09, 2020
- We Are Ciphers- submission to my 1st game jamMay 17, 2020
Comments
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.
We Are Ciphers is a co-op letter-writing and code-breaking trpg for two players.
It's 11 pages, with straightforward but readable layout, and some useful diagrams.
The game itself is pretty structured, and it wants both players to learn, use, and decode actual ciphers. There's a narrative arc, colored but not significantly changed by your choices, and most of the fun is in codebreaking---supplemented by the meta-narrative that you and your partner create.
Overall, I think this is a fun game for pairs of people who really like puzzles, and who don't mind doing a little storytelling alongside them. It's well-written, and the rules are very clear, but it really does want you to learn ciphering. That's either a reason to impulse-buy the game, or a reason to pass it by, depending on how you feel about picking up the skill.
First off, thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed "We Are Ciphers". I truly appreciate how generous you are by posting a review here. And it's such a thoughtful review too.
For those who want to do more storytelling and less ciphering, simply pick one cipher like the pigpen, and use it as sparingly as you want to in your letters.
@kumada1, I'd love to ask a few more questions about your experience. Please let me know if you're open to chatting by emailing me at motherof1000s at gmail dot com.
J.
Hey, i think this game is amazing!, this game need more recognition, you can join Print & Play Jam #1 to promotionate you game!
Do you like Print & Play games ?, are you a developer ?, take a look at Print & Play Jam # 1, organized by Sula Feet Studios and Print & Play Club !, the only requisite for submissions is that the game is yours! https://itch.io/jam/printplay-jam
Thanks so much! If I've got gas in my tank, I'll look into it. Hey if you play We Are Ciphers, feel free to send me a photo or two of your letters. Peace!