JOYRiders PLAY

ORGANIZE × INVENT

The Absurd Sort

Create a sorting system that is logical, defensible, and completely unnecessary.JoyRiders Play library
patterncollectionshared ruleshumor
PLAYERSsolo / two people / group
TIME4–18 min
ENERGYlow / medium
PLACEindoors / outdoors / anywhere
SETUP1 min
COMMUNITYNot yet rated

HOW TO PLAY

Start here.

YOU’LL NEEDFive to twelve nearby objects
  1. 1Gather or point to a small set of unrelated objects.
  2. 2Sort them by a hidden quality such as suspiciousness, dramatic potential, or likelihood of surviving on Mars.
  3. 3Explain the categories while another player challenges one placement—or challenge yourself.

REMIX THE RULES

Complete twists.

Play variationSort objects by suspiciousness.
Play variationDefend whether each item is a hero, villain, or unreliable narrator.
Played it? Add it to your play history +

Did this feel like play?

KEEP PLAYING

More games like this

Secret-Theme CuratorBuild a collection around a hidden theme and let someone decode it.Open game guide →Speed Sort RemixSort the same small pile three times under three completely different laws.Open game guide →Rule SmugglerSecretly add one absurd rule to the next five minutes of ordinary life.Open game guide →Forbidden LetterHave a normal conversation while one innocent letter becomes illegal.Open game guide →Alternate Ending MachineGive a familiar story three endings it absolutely did not ask for.Open game guide →Crab SoccerA tiny soccer game becomes wonderfully awkward when everyone crab-walks.Open game guide →