Having a Blast with Jackbox Games: Exploring their 10th Party Pack and 10-Year Anniversary!
Having a Blast with Jackbox Games: Exploring their 10th Party Pack and 10-Year Anniversary! In the bustling Plenary area of PAX Australia, Jackbox Games had their Party Packs on display, drawing attendees like magnets to colorful bean bags encircling the Jackbox screen. If you haven’t heard of Jackbox Games Party Packs,
they’re essentially a bundle of five entertaining games you can stream via your PC or console, and your buddies can join in using their phones. The fact that those bean bags were consistently occupied throughout the three-day convention is a testament to the sheer engagement and enjoyment the Jackbox Party Packs offer year after year.
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From Trivia to Laughs Jackbox Games
While nestled on bean bags near the PAX Jackbox Games zone, I had the chance to chat with the bigwigs themselves – Mike Bilder, the CEO of Jackbox, and Even Jacover, the company’s CTO. We delved into Jackbox’s history, reminiscing how it all kicked off with the video game “You Don’t Know Jack” – a trivia powerhouse with a series of games that covered a plethora of topics like TV trivia, sports trivia, and more.
Fast forward to 2013, the team decided to revamp and introduced the Party Pack structure, skyrocketing them to even greater fame. Bilder highlighted that this move was to ensure their fans got more bang for their buck, and because they believed their team had much more to offer beyond just regular old brain teasers.
The Humor Recipe Jackbox Games
Bilder and Jacover are no strangers to PAX Australia; they’ve been jetting down from their Chicago headquarters for the convention’s entire 10-year ride. When I prodded about the secret sauce behind their decade-long success,
they were quick to nod in agreement – every one of their games had to pack a punch of humor, be it dark, sarcastic, or downright slapstick. According to Bilder, anyone on the team can pitch ideas, showcasing their unwavering faith in their team and their recipe for keeping things fresh and, most importantly, fun!
The Marvels of the 10th Party Pack
Their 10th Party Pack is jam-packed with five fresh games, including the sequel Tee K.O. 2, the group chat-inspired texting game FixyText, the intriguing role-playing hidden identity game Hypnotorious, and the nostalgic trivia game Timejinx, taking players through the highlights of past decades.
However, stealing the spotlight is Dodo Re Mi, Jackbox’s first-ever rhythm game. Jacover and Bilder confessed it took some tinkering to nail down the mechanics for this new addition, but the response at PAX Australia 2023 to their rhythmic debut has been nothing short of exhilarating and positive.
Tech-Challenged Friendly
Throughout the conference, I spotted Jacover and Bilder always at the heart of the Jackbox Games area, surrounded by folks reveling in their games. During our conversation, they consistently emphasized their fan-centric approach and the importance of crafting a product even their technologically challenged parents could grasp and enjoy. At its core, Jackbox Party Packs are all about bridging people together sans the hassles of technology – a phone is all you need to jump right into the whirlwind of fun that Jackbox Games delivers.