Doin’ the Most Games’ Edwin Benton on authenticity, representation – and Pick, Pic Boom!

Edwin, it’s great to connect. To kick us off, what set you on a path to launching a games company?
Thanks, Billy – great to connect! I’ve always been drawn to creating experiences that bring people together. Throughout my career as an entrepreneur, I’ve looked for ways to build meaningful connections through shared moments – and game night has always been one of those special spaces for me.

Growing up, my friends and I loved playing games, but as a Black young man in a diverse friend group, I started to notice that many of the games we played didn’t reflect our lives, humour or experiences. I saw a clear gap in the market for party games that spoke directly to Black audiences, while still being welcoming and fun for everyone at the table.

That realisation inspired me to start Doin’ The Most Games: a tabletop game company on a mission to make every gathering unforgettable, filled with internet humour and cultural references that resonate with people of all backgrounds.

Was that realisation as a player something you’ve also encountered since becoming part of the board game industry as a publisher?
Yes, the tabletop game industry is still largely led by white men, some of whom I’ve drawn inspiration from and am a huge fan of their games. Being a Black-owned founder allows me to bring my own perspectives, and those of my friends and community, directly into the games.

Absolutely. Let’s dive into the line! What sorts of titles is Doin’ the Most Games interested in publishing?
Our games are simple to pick up, ridiculously fun to play and designed to foster shared moments across generations and backgrounds, giving people a chance to laugh, reminisce and connect over stories that feel personal and meaningful.

Our ethos is about creating experiences that bring people together and make everyone feel seen. Representation is important, even in leisure and play. When people see themselves and their culture authentically reflected in a game, it fosters a powerful sense of belonging and validation.

Our team includes voices from historically overlooked communities to ensure that every game mechanic and joke is relatable to its audience. We directly consult with members of the cultures we’re representing so our games are not only culturally relevant, but genuinely connect with their intended audiences. That’s a large reason why our games have resonated so far – they include references and situations that would actually come up in players’ lives.

Hood You Rather is pitched as if “Barbershop Meets Friday” was a party card game – and it looks very funny. I can see how authenticity here is key to this game landing with players.
Absolutely. Hood You Rather draws on humour and scenarios that originated within Black culture, which has long been a driving force in shaping mainstream pop culture. Many of the jokes, memes and situations in the game are rooted in that cultural influence, so while they come from a specific community, they resonate broadly – everyone can get the references and laugh along.

Do you have a process for ensuring a game like Hood You Rather resonates with your audience?
To make sure the content genuinely connects, we start by testing it within our own circles. I bring together a close-knit group of friends for the first round of playtesting to get candid, no-holds-barred feedback. From there, those friends invite their own friends to test parties, and I attend as just another guest – without mentioning that I’m the creator!

Ah! So people aren’t holding back!
Exactly! We want to capture authentic, unbiased reactions. Finally, we encourage those groups to host their own gatherings with new players and send us written feedback afterward. This layered, community-driven process helps us understand what truly lands, what doesn’t, and how to fine-tune the humour so it feels both real and universally funny.

Absolutely – you’re getting three detailed layers of feedback there.
Authenticity is absolutely key for us. We want players to see themselves and their experiences reflected in the game, while also creating moments where everyone at the table can laugh together, relate and share stories. And by finding this balance between honouring our community and remaining welcoming to all players, Hood You Rather has become Doin’ The Most Games’ number one best-selling title.

Brilliant. And I know Song Survivor has also gone down well. How did this game come about?
Song Survivor actually came about during a dinner with friends. One of my friends started singing ‘I Love L.A.’ by Randy Newman, and out of nowhere, people from other tables in the restaurant started joining in. Suddenly, the whole place was singing together – it was this funny, spontaneous moment of pure joy!

Ha! And was this in LA?
No! What made it even better was that it happened in Costa Rica of all places! That moment really stuck with me; it showed how music can instantly connect people, no matter where you are.

And in the game, a player draws a card and everyone has to sing a song that contains that word – so if you draw ‘Moon’, I might start belting out ‘Dancing In the Moonlight’. But if you can’t think of one, you’re out!
Exactly! The game has been so well-received because it taps into music that everyone loves, from Disney classics to hip hop, pop hits, and indie anthems – so there’s something for every kind of music fan. And you don’t have to be a great singer to play, which makes it hilarious and approachable.

‘Hilarious’ is quite a kind way of describing my singing abilities.
Ha! Its flexibility allows it to work in almost any setting: family game nights, college parties, even road trip sing-alongs. At its heart, Song Survivor is about connection. Songs carry nostalgia and energy, and this game turns them into a shared experience that brings everyone together in the moment.

Song Survivor was also named one of Oprah’s Favorite Things last year, which was an incredible honour and a real validation of the game’s appeal.

Absolutely, congrats on that. And your latest game is called Pick, Pic, Boom – what’s the story behind this one?
Pick, Pic, Boom! was born from the idea of bringing generations together. We wanted a game where different generations, from Gen Z to Millennials and Boomers, could all play – and what better way to include younger players than by making their phones the centerpiece? Instead of trying to fight the phones we all carry, the game turns screen time into shared laughter and storytelling.

How does it play?
Each round, the Boomer – that’s the judge – draws an adjective and a noun, like ‘Absurd Snake.’ Players then have 60 seconds to dig through their camera roll or social media to find the photo or video that best matches the prompt. Once time’s up, everyone has 30 seconds to explain why their photo nails it, and the Boomer picks their favorite.

It’s privacy-first, so players only share what they choose. Pick, Pic, Boom! is fast, hilarious and deeply personal because you’re literally playing with your own memories.

One last question before we wrap up, what fuels your creativity? What helps you have ideas?
When it comes to creativity, I actually have an abundance of ideas rather than a shortage. My mind is constantly brimming with new concepts, day and night, which can admittedly be a little distracting at times. It often feels like these ideas come from the universe itself, like I’m tapped into an endless well of creativity.

For me, the real joy comes from taking those raw ideas and turning them into something tangible. I genuinely believe part of our purpose on this earth is to create – to grow, build and bring new things into being.

Great answer. Huge thanks again Edwin and congrats on everything you’re building with Doin’ the Most Games.

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