FAQ
About the Game
What is Ransom Notes?
Ransom Notes is a creative party game where players use word magnets to respond to outrageous prompts. It's often described as "the ridiculous word magnet game." Players craft hilariously terrible sentences using only a limited pool of random word magnets available to them, creating responses that look like actual ransom notes made from cut-out magazine words.
How many players can play Ransom Notes?
The game is designed for 3-6 players, but it works equally well with larger groups when people team up together. The base game includes 6 metal submission cards (trays). With the Expansion Pack One, you can accommodate up to 10 players as it includes 4 additional metal trays.
What ages is Ransom Notes appropriate for?
Ransom Notes is officially rated 15+ (some versions say 17+). While the word magnets themselves aren't particularly vulgar (containing words like "butt," "boob," "genital," "sexy," "bitchy"), the prompt cards include some adult themes. Approximately 15-30% of the prompt cards reference mature content such as "Where do babies come from?" or "Write a commercial for cocaine." However, the game can be made entirely family-friendly by removing these cards before playing or buying the Family version instead.
How long does a game take?
Individual rounds: 60-90 seconds per round (you can use a timer if desired).
Full game: 30-90 minutes total.
The game ends when someone wins 5 prompt cards (you can adjust this for shorter or longer games).
Is Ransom Notes easy to learn?
Yes! You can learn to play in under one minute. The rules are incredibly simple: grab word magnets, flip a prompt card, create your answer, read it aloud, spin the box to pick a judge, and the judge picks their favorite. That's it!
Gameplay Questions
What comes in the Ransom Notes base game box?
840 premium word magnets (14 sheets that need to be separated).
250 prompt cards.
6 metal submission cards/trays (players use these to arrange their word magnets).
Cloth storage bag.
Instructions.
How do you set up the game?
Give each player a black metal submission card (flat side up).
Each player grabs "three pinches" of word magnets (approximately 75 tiles each).
Flip all word magnets face up in front of each player
Place the prompt cards face down in the center.
Dump remaining magnets into the bottom of the box and place it in the center.
Important note: The 840 word magnets come on 14 perforated sheets and need to be separated before first use. This takes about 20 minutes, so do this before game night!
How do you play a round?
Someone flips a prompt card and reads it aloud.
All players create. responses using only their own word magnets (60-90 seconds recommended).
Players read their submissions aloud, starting with whoever finished last
Spin the box to randomly select a judge (the end labeled "You're the judge" points to them).
The judge picks their favorite response and awards that player the prompt card.
Sweep magnets back into the box and players grab a few new tiles to replenish.
Play the next round.
Can the judge vote for their own submission?
Yes! The judge may pick their own submission, but it better be AWESOME. If they do, the other players can overrule the decision by unanimous vote.
Is there a minimum word requirement?
No! Players can submit anything from a single word to as many as they can fit on their metal tray. Single-word submissions must be exceptional to win.
How do you win?
The first player to collect 5 prompt cards wins the game (or until you run out of beer, as the instructions humorously note).
What if we have more than 6 players?
You can play in teams where groups work together to create responses, or players can submit responses on another surface instead of using the metal cards. The Expansion Pack One adds 4 more metal trays for up to 10 players.
Content & Age Appropriateness
Is Ransom Notes appropriate for kids/families?
It depends on your family. The base game contains:
Some body part words: "butt," "booty," "boob," "ass," "genital"
Some activity words: "murder," "sex," "seduce"
Some descriptors: "bitchy," "sexy"
Approximately 20 prompt cards (less than 10% of 250) with adult themes
You can make the game totally PG by removing about 15-30% of the prompt cards before playing. The game's humor level is ultimately determined by the players and how they choose to use the available words.
What are some example prompts?
Milder prompts:
"Tell someone you've clogged their toilet at a party"
"Explain a vasectomy"
"Write a cheer for your high school chess team"
"Summarize the Star Wars movies"
"How are babies made?"
More adult prompts:
"Write a commercial for cocaine"
"Why is cocaine illegal?"
References to sex acts (in less than 10% of cards)
Can responses be as clean or dirty as we want?
Absolutely! The beauty of Ransom Notes is that the humor is player-generated. Your group determines the tone. Even innocent words can be twisted into hilarious double entendres, or you can keep things completely family-friendly. It's as clean or inappropriate as the people playing.
Expansion Packs & Editions
What expansion packs are available?
1. Ransom Notes: Expansion Pack One
198 brand-new prompt cards
180 new word magnets
4 additional metal trays (allows up to 10 players total)
2. Ransom Notes: NSFW (Not Safe For Work) Edition
180 new word tiles with vulgar & raunchy words
100 exciting new prompt cards with adult themes
Warning: Contains content that would make a sailor blush
3. Ransom Notes: Family Edition Expansion Pack
Kid-friendly prompts and words
Appropriate for younger audiences
4. Ransom Notes: House Party Edition (Retailer Exclusive Edition)
Completely fresh prompt cards (different from base game)
Works seamlessly with the Original Ransom Notes and Expansion Packs
Same components: 660 word magnets, 6 trays, 100 prompts
Available at Target stores
Are the expansions standalone or do they require the base game?
The NSFW Expansion and Family Edition Expansion add word magnets and prompt cards but don't include the metal trays, so you'll need either the base game or House Party Edition. However, the House Party Edition (Retailer Exclusive Edition) is a complete standalone game that can also be combined with any other edition.
Can I mix different editions together?
Yes! All editions and expansion packs are designed to work together seamlessly. You can combine the base game with House Party Edition and any expansion pack for more variety.
About Very Special Games
Who makes Ransom Notes?
Ransom Notes is created by Very Special Games, a company founded by Evan Katz and Josh Roberts in 2019. They're a literally two-person company based in Memphis, Tennessee (though Evan works around Atlanta).
How did Very Special Games get started?
Evan and Josh were working together at a consulting firm when they came up with their first game, Charty Party. They literally drew it up on sticky notes during lunch break and played with their interns. They each invested $7,000 of their own money, launched a Kickstarter campaign, and taught themselves everything along the way.
What is Very Special Games' philosophy?
Their mission is to create games that:
Anyone can learn in minutes
Are endlessly replayable and creative
Are made to last (high-quality components)
Help everyone—first-timers and seasoned gamers alike—be funny and clever
Make memories worth keeping ("If you're not playing this with your grandkids 40 years in the future with tears streaming down your face, then we're not doing our jobs")
What is Very Special Games' return policy?
When purchased through VerySpecialGames.com or Amazon, standard return policies apply:
Amazon: FREE returns on most orders
Target: Free & easy returns by mail or in-store within 90 days
Check with individual retailers for their specific return policies
Does the company offer customer support?
Yes! Very Special Games is known for excellent customer service. Multiple customer testimonials on their website praise:
Rapid response times
Friendly, communicative support
Quick resolution of shipping issues
Willingness to go above and beyond
From their Customer Services page testimonials:
"Your customer support was incredible to deal with"
"Thank you So Much for the rapid response and support"
"I feel very happy and confident in your company"
Quality & Components
Are the components high quality?
Yes! The game emphasizes quality:
Word magnets: Premium quality that work like refrigerator magnets, stick easily to the metal trays, and newer versions "break apart easily and quickly"
Metal submission cards: Sturdy metal trays (like miniature baking sheets) designed to last
Prompt cards: 250 cards with absurd prompts
Storage: Includes a cloth storage bag
Box design: Compact, deep box that stores everything efficiently
Do I need to prepare anything before the first game?
Yes! This is important: The 840 word magnets come on 14 perforated sheets that need to be broken apart. This takes approximately 20 minutes. Always do this BEFORE game night, not when your guests arrive. The instructions specifically warn about this prep work.
What do the metal trays do?
The metal submission cards serve as:
A surface for your word magnets to stick to
A way to hide your work-in-progress from other players
A convenient way to present your final creation
Protection for tables and fingers (manufacturing safety guideline)
Players place magnets on the flat side for easy sweeping/removal between rounds.
How are the word magnets distributed?
Each player gets approximately 75 word magnets (described as "three pinches"). Precision isn't critical—as long as everyone has roughly the same amount, you're good. The randomness of which words you get is part of the fun and challenge.
Are there enough word magnets for variety?
With 840 word magnets total and 250 prompt cards, the combinations are virtually infinite. Reviews consistently note that the game has massive replay value—you'll never have the exact same game twice. The randomness keeps it fresh every time.
Common Issues & Questions
What if word magnets get lost?
The game comes with 840 magnets, so losing a few won't significantly impact gameplay. However, there's no official replacement magnet service. You could:
Add your own refrigerator word magnets to the pool
Contact customer service at Very Special Games for potential solutions
Consider this normal wear and tear for a heavily-played game
Some players get better words than others—is that fair?
The unequal word distribution is intentional and part of the game's design. The challenge is working with whatever random words you're given. Often the funniest responses come from terrible word combinations. As one review noted: "Some of the funniest responses sound like an 80's sitcom character who doesn't speak English."
Can you play with just 2 players?
While officially designed for 3-6 players, multiple sources confirm the game can work with 2 players, though it's better with more people. With 2 players, you might alternate being the judge or both create submissions and vote together on the funniest.
Can I play Ransom Notes solo?
Not really—Ransom Notes is fundamentally a social party game that requires multiple people to judge responses and create laughter. However, Abducktion (another Very Special Games title) does include solo play rules as a logic puzzle.
Why are some prompt cards hard to answer?
That's the point! The challenge comes from having limited, random words to answer specific prompts. The more you try to answer literally, the less funny it tends to be. The best responses often embrace the absurdity and use creative word associations or non-sequiturs.
Is this similar to other party games?
Ransom Notes is often compared to:
Shmards Against Shumanity - Both are adult party games where players compete for laughs, but Ransom Notes offers more creative freedom
Sapples to Sapples - Similar judge-based selection, but Ransom Notes is more open-ended
Shmagnetic Shmoetry - Uses similar word magnet mechanics but in a competitive game format
The key difference: Unlike games with pre-written response cards, Ransom Notes requires creativity and has infinite replayability since you're creating unique responses every time.
Do the word magnets stick well?
Yes, they work like refrigerator magnets and stick easily to the metal trays. Newer production runs have "higher quality word magnets that break apart easily and quickly." They're easy to wipe off at the end of each round.
Tips & Strategy
How can I win at Ransom Notes?
Pay attention to the judge: Each person has their own sense of humor. If they love absurdist humor, go wild. If they appreciate wordplay, get clever.
Embrace the absurd: The more ridiculous and unexpected your combinations, the better. Don't try to answer literally—let the broken English and strange word pairings create the humor.
Keep it concise: The best responses are often short and punchy. Avoid over-explaining.
Use creative word associations: Combine unusual words in unexpected ways. Refer to alcohol as "commotion juice" or use "flesh bedroom secrete" for something suggestive.
Read it with confidence: How you present matters. Commit to your terrible sentence and deliver it like it makes perfect sense.
What makes a response funny?
Reviews consistently note that:
Less literal = more funny
Broken English/nonsensical phrases often work best
Unexpected word combinations create surprise
Letting the randomness shine through is key
Sometimes a single perfect word is better than a long sentence
Shipping & Support
How long does shipping take?
Most US orders: 1-6 business days
Specific timing depends on location and shipping method
Customer testimonials mention "incredibly fast shipping" and "received the game the day after we bought it"
What if my order is delayed?
Contact Very Special Games customer service. Testimonials show they're proactive about communication: "Appreciate the communication and updates on this! Shipping has been bonkers for all creators lately."
What if I receive a damaged game?
Contact customer service immediately. The company has a 99.98% undamaged delivery rate, but issues do happen. Customer reviews consistently praise their support team for quickly resolving problems.
How do I contact Very Special Games?
While specific contact information wasn't listed in available sources, you can:
Visit VerySpecialGames.com and use their contact form
Reach out through their Amazon store
Contact via social media: @RansomNotesGame and @VerySpecialGames
Check their Customer Services page for support options
Customer testimonials confirm: "Thank you So Much for the rapid response and support" and "Your customer support was incredible to deal with."
© 2026, Very Special Games