ANOMIE.
Create Worlds | Discover Truths | Endure Trials
Your societies exist on the precipice of change, of chaos.
The fragile calm that once held is about to end.
Will your societies adapt to imminent change?
Or will they succumb to ANOMIE?
A Sociologist’s Take on a
World-Building Game
Official Cover Art for the ANOMIE Manual
ANOMIE (a-nuh-me) is a role-playing game for 2-4 players that offers a structured, narrative approach to world-building and societal evolution. The premise of the game is to develop a fictional world on a societal level, rather than at a character level.
In ANOMIE, players aren’t trying to “beat” each other or revolutionize their world. Their goal is to collaborate with fellow players to find meaning in unpredictable events (Game Changers) that occur throughout the game, and consider how their societies transform accordingly.
The ANOMIE Manual contains over 100 Discovery Questions and Game Changers to help players craft their individual societies and discuss complex topics in a fun and accessible way. During the game, these elements are determined at random, making each game unique.
Unlike other world-building games that focus on what happens, ANOMIE prompts players to think about how and why events occur, and the impacts these events have on each player’s society and their in-game world as a whole.
FAQs
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"Anomie" is a sociological concept coined by Émile Durkheim, describing a state of futility, isolation, and disillusionment that is produced when social norms and values erode.
During the SET UP phase of ANOMIE, players create societies with unique histories and social norms, introducing natural vulnerabilities in their communities. Throughout the GAMEPLAY phase, these societies face impactful events (Game Changers) that directly or indirectly stress these weak points. Players navigate these challenges, determining if their societies can maintain cohesion or if anomie takes hold.
Ultimately, the game explores whether the people in players' societies feel a sense of belonging or succumb to the isolation and disarray of anomie.
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ANOMIE is designed for creative individuals who love stories in all its forms—from epic high fantasy, to historical non-fiction—and enjoy making connections between seemingly unrelated elements. It’s perfect for those who thrive in collaborative environments where storytelling is a collective effort.
If you love brainstorming, spitballing, and building on others' ideas, you'll find ANOMIE especially engaging. The game’s randomization ensures that every session is unique and filled with unexpected twists.
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