Spoonies

Spoonies is a cooperative tabletop game designed to help players without chronic illness gain insight into the daily challenges faced by those who live with chronic conditions. The game draws inspiration from Christine Miserandino’s “spoon theory,” a powerful metaphor for the finite energy, or "spoons," that people with chronic illnesses must carefully ration. In Spoonies, players navigate the complexities of limited resources, unpredictable events, and the need for collaboration to achieve personal and collective goals.

Designed for 2-6 players, the game is played over four rounds, each representing a week. Players select characters based on real-life individuals with chronic illnesses, complete with personality traits and conditions that influence gameplay. Each round begins with rolling dice to determine spoons available for actions like meeting basic needs, pursuing personal goals, and working towards community objectives. Event cards introduce challenges, while relationship mechanics allow players to request support from one another.

The game incorporates accessible design features, including dyslexia-friendly fonts and high-contrast visuals, while reflecting a Disability Justice framework that emphasizes the strengths and uniqueness of every body. Tiered win conditions—Thrived, Persisted, and Survived—highlight the realities of chronic illness, focusing on progress and collaboration rather than a binary win/lose outcome.

With elements of strategy and storytelling, Spoonies provides a meaningful and engaging way to better understand and support the lived experiences of those with chronic illnesses. Whether you're working together to complete community goals or navigating personal challenges, every decision matters in this exploration of compassion and connection.

Spoonies is part of a dissertation project. More information about the completed dissertation will be shared here after publication.