Game Guide: Players, Editions & Expansions
Choose the right version of Publish or Perish for your table. The game is a physical party card game about academic publishing, created by Max Hui Bai.
Do I need the expansions, and which bundle should I choose?
- Starting from scratch: the English base game includes everything needed for a complete game. Expansions are optional.
- Already own the base game: the Full Campus Meltdown Trilogy contains all three expansions and a bonus pencil case. It does not include the base game and is not a stand-alone game.
- Want the base game and all three expansions: choose the All-in Bundle.
The expansions add different things: The Revenge of Reviewer 2 adds 38 Action Cards; Academic Sh*tpost adds 12 Manuscript Cards with more mature humor; and Midterm Grading Extravaganza adds 160 Trivia Cards.
How many people can play?
The base game is designed for 3–6 players. The Revenge of Reviewer 2 expansion adds cards to support play with more than six players. For a larger social event, another option is to use multiple base-game copies at separate tables of 3–6. See our group-event guide for planning suggestions.
How much time should we allow?
The base game takes about 10 minutes per player: roughly 30 minutes with three players or 60 minutes with six. If you are introducing the game to a new group, allow additional time to explain the rules.
Does everyone need an academic background?
Friends and family can join in. The humor centers on publishing, citations and peer review, so it particularly suits people who enjoy jokes about academic life. Customers have described playing with mixed groups, including people with no degree and people with PhDs. Read their experiences in our group-event guide.
What ages is it suitable for?
The base game is designed for ages 14+. The Academic Sh*tpost expansion includes mature topics and is recommended for ages 18+, as noted in the expansion collection. That expansion is also included in the All-in Bundle.
Which languages are available?
The English base game and Chinese edition, 论文大爆炸, are separate products. Choose the edition your group will use. The Chinese edition is a localized version of the game, with much of its content written anew in Chinese by the creator.
Is this the Publish or Perish citation software?
No. This is Max Hui Bai’s physical tabletop card game. Harzing’s Publish or Perish is a separate citation-analysis software product.