A successful showing at the UK Games Expo can completely upend an indie studio’s carefully planned roadmap. For Manchester-based design outfit Sharkbait Games, the overwhelming reception of their debut prototype, Stinky Potions, has done exactly that, sparking internal deliberations on whether to fast-track their entire crowdfunding timeline.
Speaking to Geek Native at the UK Games Expo, the design team revealed that the game’s intense popularity on the show floor has led them to strongly consider moving their planned Kickstarter campaign forward to meet immediate demand. If the studio leans into the post-convention momentum, the campaign could launch within the next couple of months; alternatively, a more cautious approach would see them stick to their original roadmap, pushing the crowdfunding debut into next year.
Stinky Potions is a turn-based strategic party card game designed for two to five players, with an accessible rule set targeted at ages eight and up. A typical playthrough is fast-paced, wrapping up in roughly 15 to 30 minutes. The base box is surprisingly substantial for a debut indie offering, packed with 131 cards and an instruction sheet, while handily incorporating the Putrid Potions expansion, which introduces five additional potion recipes and a brand-new ingredient, straight out of the box.
The game revolves around point management and set collection across three distinct decks: the Potion Recipe Deck, the Spells & Ingredients Deck, and the Curses Deck. Players must spend their points wisely to collect the bizarre and intentionally unappetising ingredients required to complete their secret potion recipes. However, the game thrives on chaotic player interaction. Opponents can play powerful spell cards to gain mechanical advantages or actively sabotage rival cauldrons with sneaky tricks, while dreaded curse cards leave a player’s immediate fate entirely up to chance.
Getting a first-hand look at the prototype on the convention floor, the immediate draw is not just the tight, accessible gameplay, but the game’s exceptional visuals. The project is co-created and fully illustrated by Holly McDowell, a professional animator whose portfolio includes work on high-profile Disney productions. Working alongside co-creator Will Robinson, McDowell has infused the title with an incredibly distinct, expressive cartoon aesthetic that elevates the macabre theme into something thoroughly charming and premium.
The visual style is vibrant and dripping with personality, transforming inherently foul concepts into delightful visual rewards. Cards like Athlete’s Foot (represented by a well-worn sneaker with a bone poking out), Zombie Hand, Magic Baked Beans, and Urine Sample are drawn with the kind of clean line work and vivid colour palettes you would expect from a Saturday morning animated television block. Even the spell cards, such as Yoink and Finders Creepers, use spiralling, hypnotic background patterns that keep the tabletop looking energetic and visually engaging during play.
Currently, Sharkbait Games maintains a minimal web presence, operating primarily through a centralised landing page that directs interested players toward their mailing list and social media channels. The studio’s immediate future now hinges on how it processes its post-Expo high. Choosing between capitalising on immediate crowd energy or patiently iterating via their original development timeline is a classic indie dilemma, but given the visual polish and mechanical cohesion on display, Stinky Potions is firmly one to watch regardless of which path they take.
