How Jackbox Games selects the perfect titles for a brand new Party Pack

polygon.com:

Party games often rise and fall out of the spotlight, seizing the zeitgeist for brief moments of time. There’s an exception to the usual rule: The Jackbox Party Packs’ audience is secretly enormous; over 72 million game rooms were created in 2021. The various games in these packs are a mainstay on Twitch, but also safe to break out in a family setting. The rules are easy to learn and easy to follow, and most of them can be played off of one console, with others chiming in on their phones. There are no microtransactions, skinner boxes, log-in bonuses, or hooks. The entire design is seamless and inviting.

The Jackbox Party Pack model works because of the regular releases and consistent quality — which isn’t easy to pull off. The ninth pack was recently announced, with all new games slated to arrive in fall 2022. It’s a welcome addition, as the COVID-19 pandemic has left people feeling disconnected, and the Party Packs have become a staple in digital birthday parties, office events, and friends groups.

Each Party Pack comes with a bundle of games. Some of these encourage competition or mean-spirited (but ultimately funny) jabs like Push the Button or Survive the Internet. Others are placid little trivia games or brain teasers, like Guesspionage or Blather ‘Round. It’s the sheer variety of games that are viable to play again, and again, and again with friends that make them such a draw. Jackbox Games is remarkably consistent, and their party games are slowly growing more complex and sophisticated.

“When we see new groups of people playing or folks who don’t consider themselves gamers, or gravitate towards video games, who are suddenly doing that with family or friends, it’s awesome,” said Mike Bilder, CEO of Jackbox Games,