‘Berghain Ze Game’ lets you take on the role of an ‘unnamed bouncer’ at the legendary Berlin club
A new card game inspired by Berghain’s strict door policy is currently in the works, giving clubbers the chance to swap roles with the venue’s infamously stern doormen.
The project, titled ‘Berghain Ze Game’, was dreamt up by Swedish designers Alexander Kandiloros and Joakim Bergkvist. Funded by Kickstarter donations, it allows players to monitor club entry and secure “the right mix” of guests for the venue. Stereotypical queue-dwellers are valued with points and split into colour-coded card groups, with the winner collecting the most valuable guests once their queue is empty.
“Since we both enjoy not only boardgames but the techno scene and gay culture as well, the idea grew into a game that combines these three areas,” says Bergkvist. “It’s a game about getting into Berghain.”
The game’s cards include surreal illustrations of potential guests; including ‘Ketamine Fiends’, ‘Bloggers’, ‘Narcs’, ‘Fag Hags’ and ‘Stoners’. Obviously, the most valuable cards in the game are the ‘gay’ set, which are all coloured pink (and made up of ‘Gimps’, ‘Bears’ and ‘Cubs’).
“After having worked together on two games we were brainstorming on what our next project should be,” explains Kandiloros. “What started as a joke about making a simple illustrated dictionary poster of gay animal stereotypes soon evolved.”
Earlier this year, Berghain’s notorious door policy inspired another game – BerghainTrainer – which allowed users to relive the rejection of being turned away online. This time, the aim is considerably less soul-destroying. “Our Berlin friends always get the question ‘How do I get into Berghain?’,” jokes Bergkvist. “Since the place has this notorious reputation and everyone has their own theory of what it takes to get in, we thought it would be fun to play with that notoriety.”
The pair are planning to launch the Kickstarter campaign officially later this year. According to them, it’s the best way to ensure minimal compromise, as the retail business is still “a bit conservative” when it comes to funding new games. “It’s straight from our fucked up imagination right down your mailbox, without middlemen or censorship,” adds Bergkvist. “So our hopes are that people will feel that we’re on to something and help us make the game a reality.”
To keep up to date with developments on the game, visit its official website here. You can also follow it on Instagram here.
