This autumn (and if you are lucky this winter still) you could get something very special when you order four La Chouffes in a participating pub or a 4-pack of La Chouffe in a participating supermarket: a special promotional La Chouffe edition of the popular board game 30 Seconds!
The game comes in a small package, but it has everything to play a full, albeit shorter game of 30 Seconds. This special edition is for two teams and can be played by three to as many players that fit around the table, can comfortably see the board and hear the other players. The game is easily playable within 30 minutes and is technically for players of ten years and older, even though the box has to say 18+ because of the beer theme.
30 Seconds is originally a South-African game from 1998 designed by Calie Esterhuyse. From 2002 on it became more widely available and these days it is available in several languages and there are several variations like 30 Seconds Junior and 30 Seconds Everyday Life. The game was a nominee for the 2021 Spel van het Jaar.
La Chouffe 30 Seconds is a so-called team-based party game and it is pretty easy and quick to learn to play. The game comes with a board, a card holder, 40 cards with in total 400 names, a timer and three bottle caps, which would suggest you could play the game with three teams, and I wonder why the rulebook and website explicitly state it is a game for two teams only. Huh…
Goal of the game is to be the team who reaches the finish line first. The more names you guess correct, the quicker your bottle cap moves. In the standard game you have to roll a die after guessing and subtract the result of the roll (0, 1 or 2) from your score to determine how much spaces you move. This La Chouffe version is easier and quicker; you just move the same number of spaces as your right answers.
Each round one person in a team takes a card. Depending on where your bottle cap is, you will use the yellow or the orange side of the card. On the card there are five names, in both Dutch and French. The person holding the card turns the timer and must then describe the names, while the rest of the team tries to guess the names within the 30 seconds of the timer.
The person describing the names may do so in any way possible, including singing and sign language. They may also choose in which order they describe the names and do not have to follow the card from top to bottom. However, they may not say the actual names or a part of a name, allude to letters in the alphabet, use ‘sounds as’ or ‘rhymes with’ tactics or literally translate a name to another language.
When the timer runs out, the players stop guessing. The team counts their correct answers and moves the bottle cap accordingly. Then the turn goes to the other team. When you play with only three players, one player will not compete in the game, but will be the dedicated describer for the other two players.
The original 30 Seconds is a very popular game. It has the same feel as other old school party games like Party & Co, Roller Coaster Hippo, Pictionary and Cranium, which makes it very accessible to a broad group of people. I am not really one of them. Even though the game includes all kind of names, not only people but also countries, movies, books, places, bands, universities and products, I am the first to confess my general knowledge of these things is a bit lacking. I mean, it is good enough for a game of Trivial Pursuit and I do pretty well with countries, books and famous places, but all those apparently famous people in 30 Seconds… not so much. The La Chouffe version of the game is unfortunately similar to the normal game. I expected a lot more beer related names, but alas, the cards seem to be the same cards as in the regular game. In fact, the only thing about the game that is specifically Le Chouffe, is the smaller package and the artwork. However, I do know I am a bit of an exception with my lack of knowledge on famous people, so I understand why this game appeals to so many people. And, I am willing to play this game with the right group of people.
That said, as far as promo material goes, I really, really love this one! And yes, I am probably a bit biased with my love for board games, but still, it is original, it is fun, it is useful, it is interesting for a lot of people and it is not a one time, one use gimmick. You can play it everywhere and anytime you want, which is extra true because of the small size, the small table print, the short playing time and the easy to learn and teach rules of the game. All-in-all probably one of the coolest promo things I have seen in a while. So check your local pub and local supermarket if they still have any!
What beer promo thingy did you really like? And what did you think of this one?
