The Quiet Year
The Quiet Year is a collaborative map-making game where players build a community over one year. Draw the map, face threats, and shape a shared world together.
About This Game
The Quiet Year is a map-making game about community, scarcity, and the passage of time. Players collaboratively draw a map of a small community and guide it through one year of relative peace — the "quiet year" — before an inevitable threat arrives. Each turn represents a week, driven by drawing cards from a standard deck that present events, discoveries, and dilemmas.
The game is played around a shared map that grows organically as players add features: a river, a settlement, a mysterious ruin, a contested border. On each turn, the active player draws a card, answers the prompt (which might introduce a new resource, a conflict, or a natural disaster), and either starts a project, discovers something new, or holds a discussion. The map becomes a living document of the community's story.
What makes The Quiet Year uniquely suited to online play is its visual nature. Using shared digital whiteboards or drawing tools, remote groups can collaboratively build their map in real time. The game requires no improv performance skills — just thoughtful contributions about what happens to a fictional community. It appeals to creative thinkers who might not enjoy traditional improv's spotlight pressure.
How to Play
Draw the initial map
Collaboratively sketch a basic map showing the community, nearby terrain, and key resources.
Draw a card
On your turn, draw a card from the deck. Each card presents two prompts — choose one to respond to.
Take an action
After responding to the card, choose one action: discover something new, start a project, or hold a discussion.
Update the map
Draw any changes on the shared map — new buildings, threats, resources, or terrain features.
Continue through the year
Play continues through the deck (one card per week) until the Frost Shepherds arrive at the end of the year.
Tips & Strategy
- Don't plan ahead too much — let the cards and other players surprise you.
- Use the "hold a discussion" action sparingly. Contempt tokens are a powerful mechanic.
- Add small details to the map even when it's not your turn — the map should feel alive.
- Embrace scarcity. The most interesting stories come from communities that lack something essential.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No improv performance required — contributions are thoughtful and deliberate
- Creates a beautiful, shared artifact (the map) that documents the story
- Works exceptionally well on digital whiteboards for remote play
- Unique blend of storytelling, strategy, and visual creativity
Cons
- Sessions run 2-4 hours, requiring a significant time commitment
- The rules take some time to learn for first-time players
- Requires a shared drawing surface (physical or digital)
- Not high-energy — players seeking fast-paced fun may find it too contemplative
Game Details
- Players
- 2-4 players(recommended: 3)
- Duration
- 2-4 hours
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Price
- Paid
- Platforms
- Web
Screenshots
