Colorful illustration of several game characters runnning, frightened, towards a retro station wagon while a bear's paw reaches toward them from the left side of the scene.

A board game

Outrun the Bear

20-45 MINUTES, 2-6 PLAYERS, AGES 8+

Outrun the Bear is an award-winning family board game that’s easy to play, but with just the right amount of crunchy puzzle for strategy fans!

Lace up your hiking boots and get ready to run… Outrun the bear, or outrun your friends!

Pick your runner from 8 charming and quirky standees, and move along the beautiful park trail using fun action cards that challenge your wits and tickle your funny bone. All the while, you’re menaced by a bear that seems to know your every move and has a mind of its own…

You know what they say about outrunning a bear– so try to keep your friends between you and the bear, and maybe you’ll manage to make it out of this alive!

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The game's antogonist, a grizzly bear, stands upright and bares sharp teeth. Its mouth is open, eyes narrowed. In one paw is a torn picnic blanket. On one foot is a pink bunny slipper, presumably stolen from a game character.

THE PEOPLE’S BEAR

Winner, People’s Choice Best Family Game

Award badge reading "People's Choice Awards, 2023 Winner"

Outrun the Bear was voted 2023 UKGE People’s Choice “Best Family Game” at the recent UK Games Expo Awards, which says it recognizes “quality and excellence in new games and products in the Tabletop Games marketplace.” Thanks, UKGE and everyone who voted for Outrun the Bear!

Outrun the Bear was recently chosen by Sparks Play for their Family Fun 2024 Award! Thanks Sparks Play! Their organization’s mission statement says their goal is “to recognize and celebrate toys, games and books that SPARK positive play experiences for children and families.”

Thoughts from reviewers:

“Not too complicated, it’s not too simple either… just fun all around.”
Lee
Party Tails
“Outrun the Bear is an entertaining mix of take-that gameplay and family fun night antics.”
West
Quackalope
“I love this chonky bear.”
Misty
Meeple Grande
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HOW TO PLAY

Light, but Crunchy!

If you’re a tabletop gamer looking for a fun game for the whole gang, check out OUTRUN THE BEAR.

Outrun the Bear uses the beginner-friendly mechanic of managing a hand of cards, and each card has instructions for how to use it. So it’s easy for younger gamers, or those new to tabletop games… but Outrun the Bear also allows more experienced gamers and fans of strategic games to gain advantage through card combos and terrain mechanics.

Unlike a lot of beginner-friendly games, you won’t be controlled by pure dumb luck here; Outrun the Bear is not a roll-to-move. Survival is influenced by player actions. The Bear’s movement is calculated by what cards are played.

A bear with a sweetly satisfied smile, wiping its mouth on what appears to be a stolen, ragged picnic blanket.
A game setup with reversible tiles fanned out on a table.

WATCH YOUR STEP!

Whether it’s a slope that slides you back or a river that wears you out, this beautiful campground is full of terrain that can be a boon or a hindrance. A careless run could cost you your survival.

FRIEND AND FOE?

As you run for your life, there will be opportunities for you to help or harm your other runners. Will you feed them to the bear for a better shot at your own survival, or try to survive together?

Game cards fanned out with the rest of the deck and the game box behind.

ACT, REACT, EQUIP

To facilitate your race, you’ll manage a hand of cards which represent ideas, items, and equipment that could help you make it to the safety of the car. Drew a card that won’t help right now? Toss it to gain some ground!

From below the bear, as if a camera has captured the scene while falling, we see the bear mid-surprise-attack. Against the blue sky, several objects are midair– a sandwich, an orange, a man's legs, and a camera with flashbulb illuminated. The illustration is titled "Surprise!"

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How many can play?

Outrun the Bear can be played by 2-6 players.

How long does it take to play?

Games usually run from 20-45 minutes.

Is this game kid-friendly?

Yes! Outrun the Bear is good for ages 8 years and up. Everything’s family-friendly.

All artwork is delightfully illustrated by Andrea Alemanno, who also illustrates children’s books.

I’m a Serious Gamer– would I enjoy Outrun the Bear?

I think so! As the designer of this game, I enjoy the challenge of strategic games and I hate when games are predictable, boring and purely luck-based.

But I also have lots of family and friends that don’t game as much as I do, and I wanted something EVERYONE could enjoy. That’s why I made Outrun the Bear.

It’s approachable, because you manage a hand of cards and each card tells you what to do. But fans of strategy will enjoy the ability to find and deploy powerful card combinations and terrain effects to gain advantages.

And as for the bear, it’s not luck based– its movements are calculated from the actions of the players at the table!

Retail Sales

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Please contact me to inquire about stocking OUTRUN THE BEAR in your retail space!

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