Just before the grand finale of Survivor’s 47th season, the gaming company Exploding Kittens made an exciting announcement: the launch of “Survivor The Tribe Has Spoken,” a card-based party game created in conjunction with the show’s renowned host and producer, Jeff Probst. This new game, crafted for both diehard fans and newcomers, aims to capture the essence of the social strategy the iconic reality show is celebrated for.
While Exploding Kittens has ventured into licensed games before—remember their 2021 release, Exploding Minions?—CEO and co-founder Elan Lee’s enthusiasm for the Survivor project goes beyond a mere business move. “I’ve been a Survivor fan from the very start, 24 years ago,” Lee shared in a press statement. “The show has hugely influenced my game design approach and my ability to create incredible experiences for gamers. I’ve long wanted to channel the Survivor experience into a format for home audiences, but compressing weeks of gameplay into under half an hour was no small feat. After working closely with Jeff Probst for two years, we’ve finally achieved it! All the fun, strategy, alliances, and betrayals are packed into a beautifully crafted box.”
Drawing inspiration from nearly a quarter-century of the show’s history, the game utilizes player cards featuring some of Survivor’s most memorable and sometimes infamous contestants. As players navigate the game, they’ll forge alliances and plot blindsides, all striving to be among the final two contenders. At this critical point, they argue why they outplayed and outlasted their competition, vying for the title of Sole Survivor—not to mention the ultimate reward: bragging rights.
“When we embarked on turning Survivor into a card game, our goal was to make it as thrilling for long-time fans as for anyone who simply loves a good game,” Jeff Probst explained, sounding every bit the seasoned host and executive producer. “Teaming up with the Exploding Kittens crew seemed like the perfect move, and we hope players find as much joy in playing it as we did in creating it.”
The game ingeniously incorporates familiar Survivor dynamics such as advantages, hidden immunity idols, and vote-centric tribal councils—where the game’s box steps in as the show’s ceremonial urn. Players will encounter cards like Reward Challenges, which invite them to conspire with fellow players; “The Spy Shack,” offering sneak peeks into opponents’ hands; and the defensive “Sorry for You” card, which blocks card theft. Additional cards allow for vote manipulation or appoint a player as the Tribal Council Leader.
Designed for ages eight and up, the game accommodates three to six players and takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete. “Survivor The Tribe Has Spoken” is now available for preorder at $19.99 on Amazon, Target, and Walmart.
