Button Men

Lore & Background

Button Men was invented by James Ernest of Cheapass Games and first released in 1999. The game is designed for short notice play at fan conventions and other public venues, with games typically taking less than ten minutes. Each player is represented by a pin-back button or playing card, usually a metal or plastic disc about 2–2.5 inches in diameter, bearing the name and illustration of the combatant. The button indicates the quantity, maximum value, and abilities of the player's dice. Buttons are meant to be worn on clothing or accessories, advertising that the wearer is open to challenges.

The game has been extended since its inception; as of 2004, over 200 buttons had been printed, many now out of print. In 2009, Thrust Interactive released an iPhone version in collaboration with Cheapass Games. In 2011, Cheapass Games revamped Button Men into a trading-card format under a freemium business model, releasing two sets: 'Soldiers' and 'Vampires.' In 2016, a Kickstarter launched a boxed version including up to 61 characters and dice needed for any two characters, introducing Rush Dice as a new mechanic, alongside reissues and two Sailor Moon-based sets (based on the original series, not Sailor Moon Crystal).

Button Men Online, a web-based service for internet play, won the Origins Award for Best Play-by-mail Game of 2002. It went offline in February 2012 due to server problems, but after nine months of downtime, a group of players recreated an open-source version that went online in March 2014.

Reader's Guide

Button Men's significance lies in its innovative fusion of collectible game pieces with rapid, strategic dice combat, making it a staple for convention culture and casual play. Its use of wearable buttons as game components encouraged social interaction and spontaneous challenges, while the game's simple rules allowed for deep tactical play. The game's longevity is demonstrated by its continuous expansion—over 200 buttons printed by 2004—and its adaptation to digital platforms, including an iPhone version in 2009 and an open-source revival of Button Men Online in 2014. The 2016 Kickstarter boxed set further cemented its legacy by consolidating many characters and introducing new mechanics. Button Men's influence is reflected in its Origins Awards and recognition by Pyramid magazine as one of the Millennium's Best Games, praised for its blend of simplicity and strategic depth. Its freemium trading-card experiment in 2011 also represents an early attempt to apply modern business models to board games, contributing to its historical interest.