Medium
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You have two words. Your partner has two more. You must say the same mental connection at the exact same moment. Without talking, without looking at each other, without signals. Countdown: three, two, one.
WHAT IT IS ABOUT
The party game where you win if you think like others
Medium was born in 2019 from the minds of Danielle Deley, Lindsey Sherwood, and Nathan Thornton, three designers who transformed a parlor game into a tabletop phenomenon. Published by Greater Than Games and brought to Italy by Ghenos Games, it is an experiment in mental synchronization that works with 289 word cards and an invisible timer: the moment when two players must say the same thing together.
At the table, this is what happens: you draw two cards with different words, think of the word that connects them, and on the count of three, you must say it together with your partner. If you make a mistake, try again with the two words you just said. If you succeed, you earn points and move on to the next pair. There is no verbal communication, no clues. Just free associations and perfect timing. It works for 2 to 8 players, can be played in pairs or teams, and each game lasts long enough to make everyone laugh at least three times.
What they say abroad
"It's simple, it's hilarious, and it works with any group."
It's simple, hilarious, and it works with any group.
— The Dice Tower
Medium thrives on the frustration of making the same association wrong three times and then laughing for five straight minutes. It's not a game where you win: it's a game where you fail spectacularly in front of everyone, and then you try again. It works because the best moments are the ones where you mess up.
— FroGames
Medium
FrogScore · FroGames editorial rating · based on rules, international reviews, and play sessionsYour cards
289 words waiting to be connected
Word cards
Each card has a different word: objects, concepts, famous people, places. They are the starting point. You and your partner each draw one and must find the connection.
The medium
It is the word that connects your two cards. There is no right answer: there is only the word that you both thought of. If you say the same thing, you win. If not, start again with the two wrong words.
Crystal points
Every time you synchronize, you earn points. But that's not the point: the point is how many times you failed before succeeding, and how much you laughed in the meantime.
The countdown
There's no real timer: you say three-two-one and then blurt out the word. But that second before 'one' lasts an eternity, because you know you're about to make a mistake.
Recommended sleeves 289 cards in 1 size ▼
If you play often, we recommend protecting your cards with clear sleeves to make them last a long time.
| Size | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 63.5 × 88 mm | 289 |
| Total cards | 289 |
🎲How to playThe rules in four steps▼
How to play
The flow of each round
Each turn lasts the time of a breath. And an attempt.
Two players each draw a card. They look at them. They cannot speak, they cannot gesticulate. Just look at the card and think.
Everyone thinks of the word that connects the two cards. There is no time limit: when you are ready, one of you counts three-two-one.
At 'one', you both blurt out your word. If it's the same, you earn points and move on to the next pair. If not, start again with the two words just said.
If you make a mistake, the two words said become the new cards. Rethink, recount, retry. The more mistakes you make, the harder it gets. But also more fun.
⏱️Your first gameMoment by moment account▼
A game in five moments
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
The first pair draws
Two players draw cards. They look at them. Everyone else waits in silence. The two look at each other, nod, someone counts: three, two, one. They say two completely different words. Everyone laughs. Welcome to Medium.
The first serious attempt
Someone succeeds on the first try. They say 'Pizza' and their partner says 'Pizza' at the same instant. The table erupts. It's not luck: it's synchronicity. Or maybe it is luck. No one knows. But it works.
The infinite loop
A couple makes three mistakes in a row. The words become more and more absurd. 'Tree' and 'Phone' become 'Wood' and 'Nokia', then 'Old' and 'Vintage'. On the fourth attempt, they both try 'Nostalgia' and win. It takes them five minutes to stop laughing.
The desperate move
Someone tries a strategy: they say a super generic word like 'Thing'. It doesn't work. The other says 'Stuff'. The table ridicules them for the next ten minutes. Medium punishes those who seek shortcuts.
Game over
Someone wins on points. But no one remembers the score. Everyone remembers that time someone said 'Batman' and 'Fork' and then ended up with 'Dark'. No one knows how.
🐸Good to know beforehandThree honest things, from friends▼
Good to know beforehand
Three honest things
Shared culture is needed
Medium works best if players have common references: movies, music, memes, memories. With complete strangers, associations are more difficult. Not impossible, but slower. It's a game that rewards those who know each other.
Some cards are obscure
289 cards also mean some words that not everyone knows. If you draw a card you don't understand, say so: the game allows you to discard it and draw another. But it happens, and it slows down the flow.
The pace is irregular
Some pairs synchronize on the first try. Others take ten minutes. The game has no timer, so if a pair gets stuck, everyone waits. This can create downtime, but it's also part of the fun: watching others fail is half the experience.
🏆Victory and defeatWhat the ending rewards▼
How it ends
How to win and how to lose
You play until a predetermined number of points or for an agreed number of rounds.
Victory
- You earn points every time you synchronize with your partner on the first attempt
- If you synchronize on the second or third attempt, you earn fewer points
- The player who accumulates the most points at the end of the game wins
Failure
- There is no elimination: you play until the end even if you are last
- You can fail infinitely many times in the same round, but sooner or later you synchronize
- The only true defeat is never laughing
Medium is not a game where you win. It's a game where you fail spectacularly and then laugh about it for half an hour.
💬Frequently asked questionsQuick answers before checkout▼
Frequently asked questions
FAQ about Medium
Does it work well with two players?
Yes, but it's a different experience. With two, it's more intimate and associations are faster, because you always play together. With 4 to 8 players, it's more chaotic and fun, because each pair has different dynamics and the table comments on everything.
Do you need to know the other players well?
It helps a lot. Medium rewards synchronicity: if you know your partner's tastes, references, and sense of humor, synchronizing is easier. It still works with strangers, but it takes more attempts and the laughs come later.
What mechanics does Medium use?
Simultaneous word association with limited communication (zero verbal communication during the turn) and targeted clues (cards are reciprocal clues between the two players). It's a cooperative party game for pairs with point-based victory.
How long does a game last?
It depends on how many mistakes you make. A quick game lasts 30 minutes, an average one 45. If someone gets stuck on an impossible association, it can go longer. The game has no timer: it ends when you decide.
Is it available in Italian?
Yes, this is the Italian edition from Ghenos Games with all cards translated. The rules are included in Italian and the game is ready to play immediately.
The people behind the game
Who invented it, who designed it, who publishes it — and what else they've done.
Medium is a party game for 2-8 players where you have to say the same word as your partner without speaking. Designed by Danielle Deley, Lindsey Sherwood, and Nathan Thornton and published by Ghenos Games, it works with 289 word cards and an immediate mental synchronization system. Recommended age 14+, duration 30-45 minutes, simultaneous association and limited communication mechanics. Ideal for family game nights or as an ice-breaker for large groups. Available on FroGames.it.
Medium
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers you're looking for, no beating around the bush.
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