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Gooroo Games: How a small card game business supports a family

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An individual holds Gooroo Games' "Jack Be Thimble" card game. "Jack Be Thimble" is a word-guessing party game that involves splashing a thimble of water on players if they guess a certain secret word. (Gooroo Games)

Small Utah-based business Gooroo Games makes card games and more for families to play, all while supporting a toddler’s health treatments.

Garret Griffin, former BYU student from Pleasant Grove, founded Gooroo Games as an extension of his love for playing card games with his family growing up and to fund his toddler-age daughter’s allergy treatments.

“On Sundays, our whole family would get together,” Griffin said. “It was a time where we could all laugh and enjoy each other's company before we all had to go to school and work for the rest of the week.”

Griffin’s young daughter suffers with severe allergies. At eight months old, she endured anaphylactic shock from simply touching an egg carton.

“We had to rush her to the hospital two days before Christmas,” Griffin said. “She can't really go to the park without her EpiPens, and even when we're at the park, if people bring out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or they're having picnics at the park, we usually have to pack up our things and leave because of the danger that that poses to our daughter.”

Griffin hoped the income from Gooroo Games could help fund allergy treatments and other forms of care for his daughter, which can be very expensive and harmful towards their current financial position.

“Hopefully, someday, she can live a normal kid life and play with other kids,” Griffin said. “Then we don't have to worry about her going into that anaphylactic shock again.”

Griffin’s card games are family-friendly and designed to be played at parties. He released his first game, Jack Be Thimble, in September 2023. The game allows for three to 16 players.

“It kind of has a fun twist on your normal word guessing game,” Griffin said. “You get splashed by a little thimble full of water if you guess a certain word, so it's very popular with kids around here.”

Chris Huntington, from South Jordan, said Jack Be Thimble lets his whole family play together.

“It’s great because it forces kids to think,” he said. “They love the splashing. It’s my 6-year-old’s favorite game to play.”

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An advertisement for Gooroo Games' "Call Bull" shows the game's cards, recommended number of players and estimated time of gameplay. "Call Bull" is a family card game about bluffing. (Gooroo Games)

Other reviewers emphasized individuals of any age can enjoy the game, according to the game’s product page.

“We have four kids ranging 9-17. It’s hard to find a game that everyone wants to play,” reviewer Malinda Quinto said. “But everyone agreed to play on Christmas, and we all loved it.”

Griffin said his company’s second card game, “Call Bull,” is another family-friendly game about bluffing, similar to the common card game “BS” but with artwork and more modifications.

“Call Bull” is only available for pre-orders, Griffin said. However, according to the Gooroo Games Kickstarter, the game is currently sold out. Gooroo Games anticipates the game will be released and shipped to families in November or December of this year.

Griffin plans to launch one game each year over the next decade then possibly develop toys and other board games as well. He projected his next card game to be released summer 2025.

Gooroo Games also sells a bookmark and “Backpack Buddies” that can be found on the company website. Both items are 3D-printed.