The Quiet Year

The Quiet Year is a map game. You define the struggles of a community living after the collapse of civilization, and attempt to build something good within their quiet year. Every decision and every action is set against a backdrop of dwindling time and rising concern.

The game is played using a deck of cards – each of the 52 cards corresponds to a week during the quiet year. Each card triggers certain events – bringing bad news, good omens, project delays and sudden changes in luck. At the end of the quiet year, the Frost Shepherds will come, ending the game.

The Quiet Year occupies an interesting space – part roleplaying game, part cartographic poetry.

In print, this beautiful game comes in a small burlap bag. You’ll receive a forty-page booklet, a deck of oversized game cards (3.25″ x 5″, just like the booklet), a turn summary card, six small dice, and twenty Contempt Tokens (shaped like weathered skulls).

2-4 players, 3-4 hours, ages 12 up
drawing, imagination, apocalypse

Designed and written by Avery Alder.
Design insights from Jackson Tegu.
Illustrations by Ariel Norris.