A strategic card chess game that combines the depth of chess with the excitement of card games. Outmaneuver your opponent and capture their King!
The playing board
Each card features our distinctive art style with bold lines and rich colors, bringing chess pieces to life in a unique way.
The most important piece
The most powerful piece
Moves diagonally
Moves in an L-shape
Moves horizontally and vertically
Moves forward, captures diagonally
Moves like the King
Discover what makes King's Ransom a unique and engaging strategic experience
Combines chess strategy with card game mechanics. Plan your moves carefully, reveal cards strategically, and always be ready to adapt your strategy.
Gorgeously illustrated cards featuring chess pieces with unique designs, making each game visually stunning and a pleasure to play.
If you know chess, you already understand most of the rules. The card elements add exciting twists that are intuitive and fun to master.
Carefully designed and tested to ensure a perfect balance of strategy, luck, and skill. Every game feels fresh and exciting.
Learn the basics of King's Ransom in six simple steps
Each player places their King on the board and deals four face-down cards around it from their shuffled deck.
On your turn, reveal one of your face-down cards so it is face-up.
Move a face-up card according to chess movement rules. Capture opponent's cards by landing on their space.
Play a card from your hand face-down in an unoccupied space on your side of the Arena.
Draw a card from your deck to replenish your hand.
Like chess, your goal is to checkmate the opponent's King. You can also capture the King with a newly-revealed card.
Discover the deeper strategies that make King's Ransom a game of skill and cunning
In King's Ransom, you're not just playing chess - you're managing a hand of cards, deciding which pieces to reveal, and strategically deploying your forces. The element of hidden information creates suspense and excitement with every move.
Control the center of the board as in traditional chess, but be aware that face-down cards can suddenly change the balance of power. A careful mix of aggression and caution is required to master this game.
At the start of the game, each player may reshuffle and redeal their opening board once. This gives you some control over your starting position, but at the cost of drawing fewer cards to your opening hand.
No. The Arena is 3 cards wide and 6 cards long. You may not move out of this area.
When your deck runs out, shuffle your discard pile to form a new deck. The game continues until checkmate!
No, you can only capture face-up cards. Face-down cards remain hidden until revealed by their owner.
Most games last between 10-20 minutes, making it perfect for quick matches or tournament play.
Join thousands of players who have discovered the perfect blend of chess strategy and card game excitement.
LAUNCHING JUNE 16, 2025!
Be part of bringing King's Ransom: For Better Times to mobile devices worldwide!
Join us in creating a mobile experience that captures the essence of chess with the excitement of card games. Choose your tier and help us reach our $25,000 goal!
Every backer helps us create something special. Join our quest to bring King's Ransom to players worldwide!
Be among the first to experience the perfect fusion of chess strategy and card game excitement!
The kingdom awaits your strategic genius! King's Ransom: For Better Times is coming soon to mobile devices worldwide. Don't miss your chance to be part of gaming history!
🎮 Be the first to know when King's Ransom launches!
✨ Exclusive early bird bonuses for pre-registered players
🏆 Join global tournaments and represent your country!
Your information is safe with us. We'll only use it to send you updates about King's Ransom!
A talented team bringing decades of game industry experience to create your next favorite game
Lead Game Designer
A legendary figure in the board game community with over 25 years of experience, Frank is the creative mastermind behind King's Ransom. As the honored guest at Strategicon 2024, Frank has designed numerous acclaimed titles including Elements, Journey Stones, and Dice and Daggers. His innovative approach to game mechanics has earned him a devoted following among strategy game enthusiasts. Frank's vision for King's Ransom combines his deep understanding of classic gameplay with modern sensibilities, creating an experience that's both timeless and fresh. When he's not designing games, Frank shares his expertise through his book "Authentic Fabrications" and mentors aspiring game designers.
Lead Programmer & Technical Director
Matt brings cutting-edge technical expertise to King's Ransom as both an accomplished game developer and educator. As Senior Instructor at USC's prestigious Viterbi School of Engineering, he shapes the next generation of game programmers while staying at the forefront of mobile gaming technology. As CEO of Whiting Game Studios, Matt has shipped numerous successful titles across multiple platforms. His specialties in performance optimization and cross-platform development ensure King's Ransom will run flawlessly on any device. Matt's unique blend of academic rigor and industry experience makes him the perfect technical lead to bring Frank's vision to life in the digital realm.
Lead Artist & Visual Designer
Natasha is the artistic soul of King's Ransom, bringing each card and character to vivid life with her distinctive style. Her diverse background spans from Shakespeare productions to sci-fi horror, giving her a unique perspective on visual storytelling. After honing her craft in Vancouver's independent film scene and producing the festival-touring "Small Displays of Chaos," Natasha pursued formal training in animation and game design at Villa Maria College. Her ability to adapt classical themes for modern audiences makes her artwork for King's Ransom both familiar and surprising. Each card in the game showcases her talent for creating images that are instantly readable yet reward closer inspection with rich details.
President & CEO, Executive Producer
Rick is the strategic force behind Keir-Maya Entertainment's ambitious vision for King's Ransom. With extensive expertise in communications, marketing, and brand development across multiple industries, Rick understands how to position games for maximum impact in today's competitive market. His leadership has been instrumental in conceptualizing King's Ransom as more than just a game—it's the cornerstone of a lifestyle entertainment initiative targeting the 18-30 demographic. Under Rick's guidance, King's Ransom is being developed alongside streaming content, music, and feature films, creating a comprehensive entertainment ecosystem that will keep players engaged across multiple platforms.
Executive Vice President & Technical Advisor
Dr. Maya brings a unique blend of scientific rigor and entrepreneurial vision to the King's Ransom team. With a PhD in nuclear engineering and numerous patents across engineering, electronics, and medical fields, Isaac applies his analytical expertise to game balance and systems design. His experience managing large-scale technical projects ensures King's Ransom's development stays on track and on budget. As a Registered Professional Engineer, Isaac brings a methodical approach to problem-solving that complements the creative aspects of game development. His deep understanding of complex systems helps create gameplay that's both mathematically sound and intuitively fun, ensuring King's Ransom appeals to casual players and serious strategists alike.