Sprint by Easy Agile

An agile card game a bit like uno

Rules and Gameplay

2-10 players ages 7+

Contents:

114 cards in total

  • 19 Epic (Purple) cards
  • 19 Story (Green) Cards
  • 19 Bug (Red) cards
  • 19 Task (Blue) Cards
  • 8 +2 Story Point cards (2 Epic, 2 Story, 2 Bug, 2 Task) (ACTION)
  • 8 Retrospective Reverse cards (2 Epic, 2 Story, 2 Bug, 2 Task) (ACTION)
  • 8 Blocker Skip Turn cards (2 Epic, 2 Story, 2 Bug, 2 Task) (ACTION)
  • 4 New Issue cards (FEATURE)
  • 4 New Issue +3 cards (FEATURE)
  • 4 Dependencies Assignee cards (FEATURE)
  • 2 Dependencies Swap Hand cards (FEATURE)

Object of the game:

Be the first player to clear all of your story points (discard all cards) in each sprint (round).

Getting started:

  1. Each player is dealt 7 cards
  2. Place remainder of the cards face down to form a DRAW pile
  3. The top card of the DRAW pile is turned over and placed face up to begin a RESOLVED pile. If the top card is an ACTION or FEATURE card, return this to the bottom of the DRAW pile and turn over the top card until it is a numbered card.
  4. Player left of the dealer takes their turn first to start the game

Gameplay:

On their turn, players must try to match the issue type (color), number, ACTION or FEATURE of the top card on the RESOLVED pile from their 7 cards.

Example - Player 1 tries to match the top card of the DRAW pile from the 7 cards in their hand by either the issue type (color), number, ACTION or FEATURE.

Play then continues to the next player. If a player is not able to match the top card from the RESOLVE pile from their cards, they are to collect 1 card from the DRAW pile which counts as their turn.

Players can use an ACTION card on their turn provided that it matches the issue type that is on the top of the RESOLVED pile.

Players can use a FEATURE card on their turn.

Numbered cards:

Image of numbered cards in sprint game

The cards are numbered in a fibonacci sequence (an estimation method commonly used by agile teams). The cards are organised into four issue types: Epic (Purple), Story (Green), Bug (Red) and Task (Blue). These cards can be matched by number or issue type (color) and placed on top of ACTION cards of the same issue type (color).

ACTION card functions:

4 story point +2 action cards
+2 Story Point cards (x8)

When this card is played, the next player must take 2 cards from the draw pile and miss their turn. These cards may only be played on a matching issue type or another +2 Story Point cards.

As an optional rule, these cards can be piled on in sequence with the last player (unable to play a 2 Story Point card) collecting the total.

EXAMPLE - player 1, player 2 and player 3 play a +2 Story Point card each in succession, player 4 must collect 6 cards from the DRAW pile.

4 Retrospective reverse game cards
Retrospective Reverse Cards (x8)

Retrospectives are about looking back at the sprint that was. When this card is played the direction of play moves in reverse. These cards may only be played on a matching issue type (Epic, Story, Bug, Task) or another Retrospective Reverse Card.

EXAMPLE - If play is currently moving clockwise, then play reverses to move anti-clockwise or vice-versa.

4 Blocker skip turn game cards
Blocker Skip Turn cards (x8)

Agile teams can experience blockers form time-to-time and prevent issues from being completed. When this card is played the next player has to skip their turn. These cards may only be played on a matching issue type (Epic, Story, Bug, Task) or another Blocker Skip Turn card.

New issue game card
New Issue cards (x4)

Quick create a new issue to change the game in your favour. When this card is played you get to choose the issue type (Epic, Story, Bug, Task) that continues play even if you have another playable card in your hand. These cards can be placed on top of New Issue cards and can be played even if you have another playable card in your hand. Think of these like a wild card in uno.

New issue +3 game card
New Issue +3 cards (x4)

Quick create a new issue to change the game in your favour and assign story points. When this card is played you get to choose the issue type (Epic, Story, Bug, Task) and the next player in sequence must collect 3 cards form the DRAW pile and lose their turn. When played on top of another New Issue +3 card, the cards collected by the last player in sequence must collect the the total.

EXAMPLE - player 1, player 2 and player 3 play a New Issue +3 card each in succession, player 4 must collect 9 cards from the DRAW pile and player 3 would select the issue type to continue play.

These cards can be played even if you have another playable card in your hand. Think of these like a wild draw 4 card in uno.

Dependencies assignee game card
Dependencies Assignee cards (x4)

Dependencies are the relationships between issues. When this card is played you get to choose any player in the game to take their turn next. This card is placed on top of the RESOLVED pile with the chosen (dependant) player choosing any card from their hand. Play then continues as usual.

Dependencies swap hand game card
Dependencies Swap Hand cards (x2)

Unhealthy to healthy dependencies in an instant! A cruel twist of fate or an opportunity to lighten the load? When this card is played you get to choose to swap your hand with any player in the game. This card is placed on top of the RESOLVED pile. The next player in the sequence takes their turn choosing any card from their hand to continue play.

EXAMPLE - Player 1 (holding 7 cards) uses a Dependencies Swap Hand card to swap their hand with Player 3 (holding 2 cards). After players have swapped hands, Player 2 takes their turn next and play continues.