From Café to Tabletop: The Spiky Rise of The Durian Game

Turning customer cravings and local flavor into a wildly popular game about durians?? In this interview, Alvin Tan from The Mind Café shares how casual café chats, a love for simple fun, and a dash of national fruit pride led to The Durian Game—a fast-paced, tactile experience that’s as educational as it is chaotic, and a celebration of Singaporean creativity in every spiky bite.

Q: Please give the readers a short introduction about yourself and your game. What is your “origin” story, and how did you come about creating games?

I'm Alvin from The Mind Café, which we founded in 2005 as a cozy space where people could enjoy board games along with great food and drinks. Over the years, we've expanded into hosting team-bonding events, birthday parties, as well as game distribution, retail, and even game design and publishing. While we've always had the idea of creating our own games, we wanted to wait for the right timing, market understanding, and network before taking the plunge.

Q: What inspired the ideas behind the Durian Game? Why did the team choose to make this type of game?

At the café, we frequently heard customers asking for "no-brainer" games—simple, fun, and easy to learn. We discovered a dinosaur bone collecting game, which became incredibly popular— customers kept returning specifically to play it! However, manufacturing issues eventually led to supply shortages.

This inspired us, with our team's help, to create a localized version. Recognizing Singaporeans' love for durians—and how many find the numerous varieties confusing—we designed a fast-paced, educational game that teaches players to differentiate durian types while maintaining the original's chaotic fun.

Q: Why did you take on the challenge of creating a game while running a game café?

It ultimately came down to responding to our customers' needs. While many designers focus on complex, strategic games, we noticed a genuine demand for lighter, more accessible options. Even though players enjoy deep, thematic games, they consistently crave quick, social gaming experiences—we saw an opportunity to fill this niche.

Q: How do you think the plastic durians help to improve the gameplay experience, compared to just cards?

The game underwent years of evolution! Our initial version (2011-2012) was a simple, self-printed set for café use. It later gained popularity in team-bonding events, leading us to handcraft hundreds of copies.

When we launched the card version in 2018-2019, it was well-received, but we believed adding physical durian props could make it even more engaging. Collaborating with ITE students, we spent six months refining the design based on real durians. The plastic durians introduced a tactile, playful dimension that significantly enhanced the immersive experience.

Q: The plastic durians were originally a café-only addition to the game. What made you decide to release a new version of the game with the plastic durians?

The card game's success was entirely organic—it spread through word of mouth without any marketing! This encouraged us to explore mass-producing the plastic durians, though the process proved challenging. At one point, we had to halt production due to quality concerns. After refining the design—including creating colour variations for different durian types—and testing it with customers, we finally launched The Durian Game 2nd Edition, complete with its now-iconic props!

Q: As both a Game Designer and Game Café Owner, what challenges did you face when making this game, and what insights did you discover along the way?

Our biggest challenge was ensuring the game truly resonated with players—balancing accessibility for casual gamers while keeping it engaging for enthusiasts. Another hurdle was finding a skilled graphic artist who could translate our creative vision into a polished, visually appealing product.

On a positive note, we’ve seen Singaporeans increasingly embracing locally designed games, which is incredibly encouraging. However, the industry still faces fragmentation—designers, publishers, and retailers often operate in silos. Stronger collaboration could streamline production, distribution, and marketing, helping Singaporean games reach wider audiences.

Q: What insights did you get about Singaporean Tabletop Culture when watching customers play in the café? Are there any unique trends you have noticed throughout the years?

One fascinating trend is how Singaporean gamers are becoming more adventurous—moving beyond mainstream titles to explore niche and locally designed games. This shift signals a maturing market where homegrown creators have real potential to thrive.

Another unexpected development is tourists buying Singaporean-themed games as souvenirs! While some designers might prefer their games to be played rather than collected, I see this as a unique cultural opportunity. These games act as interactive ambassadors of Singapore—whether they’re being played or displayed as memorabilia.

Additionally, café playtesting has revealed that Singaporeans value social interaction in games—quick-to-learn party games and cooperative experiences tend to be crowd favorites. This preference reinforces the importance of designing games that foster connection, aligning well with our café’s community-driven atmosphere.

Q: Where can we find out more about the Durian Game?

The game has been incredibly popular—it's currently out of stock, but new inventory will arrive in June 2025! Both the card game and the 2nd Edition (with plastic durians) will be available at The Mind Café, various online stores, and over 80 retail locations (including Toys R Us, Kinokuniya, Design Orchard, and gift shops)! You can find out more about The Mind Café here: https://www.themindcafe.sg/