CALVIN Core 💡📖
Playing Calvin Core feels like a university drinking game—simple at first but quickly spiralling into delightful chaos.
Name: CALVIN Core
Contributor/s: DC Bradshaw. Artwork by Rithika Gopal
Publication date: 2024
Price: £1
One-page A4 PDF
Playing Calvin Core feels like a university drinking game—simple at first but quickly spiralling into delightful chaos. At the start, there are only three rules for players and the GM, but every time a roll is needed for something tricky, a new rule must be added—either by the GM or the player. What begins as a straightforward system soon snowballs into an unpredictable, ever-changing experience.
I think Calvin Core would work brilliantly as a one-shot, especially for a group of strangers. With minimal setup and only a double-sided A4 sheet of rules, it’s easy to pick up and play, leading to some truly hilarious and unexpected interactions.
However, this game isn’t for the faint-hearted GM. It demands quick thinking, strong improvisation skills, and good record-keeping to keep up with the ever-evolving rule set. While this might be overwhelming for beginners, experienced GMs who enjoy controlled chaos will likely thrive. True to its name, Calvin Core almost guarantees a descent into anarchy. But for those willing to embrace the madness, it offers a refreshing and wildly entertaining way to shake up their tabletop experience.