Co-creator Ben Hantoot cited experiences with various games such as Magic: The Gathering, Balderdash, and Charades as inspiration, also noting that Mad Libs was 'the most direct influence' for the game. The name was later changed to Cards Against Humanity, with the answers pre-written on the white cards known today.
Heavily influenced by the popular Apples to Apples card game, it was initially named Cardenfreude (a pun on Schadenfreude) and involved a group of players writing out the most abstract and, often, humorous response to the topic question. Development Ĭards Against Humanity was created by a group of eight Highland Park High School alumni. The game's title refers to the phrase ' crimes against humanity', reflecting its politically incorrect content. The game originated with a Kickstarter campaign in 2011.
It has been compared to the card game Apples to Apples (1999). Cards Against Humanity is an adult party game in which players complete fill-in-the-blank statements, using words or phrases typically deemed offensive, risqué, or politically incorrect, printed on playing cards.