Introducing Schadenfreude, a game where second place finally gets its moment. Let’s get this out of the way early; in Schadenfreude, trying your absolute hardest to win might be your biggest mistake… and we mean that in the nicest way possible.

This is a trick-taking game for 3-5 players where the name of the game reminds you that first place is overrated, overconfidence is dangerous, and your opponent’s misfortune is your pleasure!

If you love trick-taking games but also secretly enjoy watching everything go slightly wrong for everyone else involved… you’re in very good company.

A quick history… and what’s new

Feel like you’ve heard of this game before? You’re not wrong! This isn’t technically a NEW game…

Schadenfreude was originally popularized in Japan in 2021 by studio Turbine, where players first discovered that “winning’ could be redefined in surprisingly mischievous ways.

Now, our team is bringing a fully reimagined global edition to the table. We’ve got refreshed artwork, updated packaging, and a series of subtle rules clarifications designed to sharpen the experience for light strategy gamers and families alike.

How it plays (and how it betrays)

At its core, Schadenfreude is still a trick-taking game… just not one that rewards behaving normally.

It comes with a few twists:

• The second-highest card wins the trick.
• The card numbers you collect in tricks add to your score.
• Cards in your score pile with duplicate values (i.e. two 9’s) cancel each other out.
• Player(s) who score more than 40 points fall to their doom, and the remaining player with the highest score wins!

Yes, DOOM! But joy too, if it’s not you!

It’s a game of near-misses and calculated risks!