Exploding Kittens: Elan Lee. How cat-themed Russian Roulette changed game night forever

In this episode, Elon Lee, co-founder of Exploding Kittens, discusses how a humorous card game evolved into a successful business. He recounts his background in computer science, animation, and gaming, including his role at Microsoft where he worked on the original Xbox and the popular game Halo. Lee describes how the idea for Exploding Kittens originated during a casual trip to Hawaii, where he and his friends brainstormed a game combining Russian roulette mechanics with adorable kittens.

After a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised almost $9 million, the company sold millions of games, establishing itself in the industry. Lee emphasizes the importance of community engagement and storytelling in their marketing approach, leading to innovative campaigns and audience participation. Despite facing challenges with subsequent games, Exploding Kittens retained its success through engaging marketing strategies and consistent gameplay experiences that fostered in-person connections. Lee reflects on the impact of COVID-19 on gaming trends and the company's evolution, ultimately achieving significant revenue growth. The company shifted to focus on more family-friendly games, leveraging the popularity of tabletop gaming to create enduring products that encourage face-to-face interaction.