Smashed Studios, a Dallas-based, Nigerian-owned company, recently launched its first product, a comedy card game for friends called Never Say Never.

Founder, Prince Chijioke, started the company this summer during the pandemic and his intention is to create enjoyable table-top games, a unique endeavor for the pharmacy school graduate.

"Having a STEM background shouldn't preclude one from exploring their artistic side," Chijioke said.

Prince Chijioke

The concept for Never Say Never grew each time Chijioke spent time with friends. When Chijioke and his friends met up, he said they would usually propose random, hypothetical questions and scenarios and Chijioke said the answers became increasingly interesting.

"The conversations usually led to intense debates which made me more certain that the concept would make the perfect card game," Chijioke said. He describes Never Say Never as a hilarious game of horrible hypotheticals with simple rules.

How to Play

During each round, one player challenges the other players with a hypothetical scenario. If the other players would never do it, then whoever played the card gets a point.

However, if someone or multiple people would do it, then they would explain to the group why and how they would do something that ridiculous. Whoever's answer is deemed the best wins the point for that round.

"If you’ve ever been the person who asks your friends if they would do something really wild or crazy for say, a million dollars, then you’re likely the type of person who would get a kick out of this game," Chijioke said.

The company's team recently set up a KickStarter campaign with a goal of $7,000. The funds will be used to print and ship multiple copies of the game. In addition to raising enough capital, Chijioke hopes to inspire others to continue exploring their various interests.

"I don't believe your only purpose is to go to school then do one job for the rest of your life," he said. "We all have two or three passions that truly excite us whether that’s singing and dancing or pharmacy and creating table-top games.

Chijioke said starting Smash Studios is his attempt at chasing all of his dreams.