At Loop Studio, we push creativity with fresh and bold ideas that make an impact Friends With "Benefits" isn’t just about winning—it’s about figuring out how your friends think, making wild guesses, and laughing along the way. The goal is simple: one player ranks five statements on their phone, and everyone else has to guess their order. Sounds easy? Think again! Players have to spin the wheel which decides the fate of which topic they receive this can entail from casual to mild topics or something spicy... Every correct guess moves you forward on the board moving on towards the finish. We designed this game to be fun, fast, and interactive the app keeps things moving with a timer and sound effects, but the real action happens around the board. Whether you're playing to win or just to see how well you know your friends, every round is a mix of surprises, debates, and plenty of laughs. At the end of the day, Friends With "Benefits" is all about connecting, guessing, and having a great time because that’s what makes a game truly fun.

Before Friends With "Benefits", we had a completely different game in mind. On the first day of our project, we brainstormed a bunch of ideas and came up with "NEWS?", a social deduction game where players had different roles, and one person the troll had to blend in without getting caught. It was a fun idea, but we hit a big roadblock: replayability. We wanted a game that people could keep coming back to without it feeling repetitive.

So, we went back to the drawing board and started fresh. This time, we focused on a game that helps people get to know each other better, creating fun moments and friendly competition. That’s how Friends With "Benefits" was born, a party game where you rank statements, guess how your friends ranked them, and see who really understands each other best. To keep things smooth and modern, we included a digital app for ranking and guessing, while the real fun happens at the table.

We didn’t just create this game out of thin air. We talked to real players, interviewed people about what they enjoy in a party game, and combined that with a lot of research. We wanted to make sure our game was as fun and engaging as possible. From all that feedback, we created a persona—a profile of our ideal player—to guide our decisions.

What We Learned From Our Persona

Meet Alexa, a 24-year-old student from Eindhoven who loves hanging out with friends and playing party games. Here’s what we learned from players like her:

• Fast, fun, and engaging: The game should be quick and not require too much mental effort—no one wants to overthink at a party.
• Easy to learn: Complicated rulebooks are a turnoff. The game should be simple to explain and jump right into.
• Competitive, but lighthearted: People enjoy a little competition, but not at the cost of making things stressful.
• No early eliminations: Nobody wants to sit out while others keep playing. Everyone should stay involved until the end.
• Works in social settings: The game should be fun with close friends but also comfortable enough to play with new people.
• Not too chaotic: Games with too many players can become overwhelming. Keeping it balanced makes for a better experience.

Taking all of this into account, we fine-tuned Friends With "Benefits" into a game that keeps people laughing, thinking, and competing without the complicated rules.