Counterpart

Long after the client moves on, the companion remembers...

Counterpart is a story game about humanoid robots—artificial people designed by global corporations to help humans in their daily lives.

Guided by simple rules and richly detailed cards, you’ll tell the story of a single android from its uncanny manufacture to its inevitable retirement—observing the lives and times of the disparate and eclectic humans, its Operants, who are paired with it along the way.

Play solo or with friends to tell a poignant story, preserving memories of a rapidly changing world into an uncertain future. 

“A part of us refuses to let go. The part that wants to keep believing there’s something unreachable inside each of us. Something that’s unique and won’t transfer.”

– Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

Time: 1–2 hours
Players: 1–4+

Counterpart builds on the well-loved mechanics of Artefact and Bucket of Bolts, both of which also received a new card-based edition in 2026. While the system now supports multiple players with its new rules, there is still a dedicated solo mode. We're even making a new soundtrack!

 
Looking for the physical edition? 

Preorders are currently still open on Backerkit for all three of my new card-based story games.

Community copies & education

Community copies are made available on this page as people donate them, either via my campaigns or the link below. Please don't comment or email me about them :)

If you'd like to get a copy of the game for educational use, I'm always happy to provide this free of charge. Just drop me an email briefly explaining where you work and what you plan to do with it – jack at mousehole dot press.