Ludocene, a free “dating app that matches you with games rather than people,” has launched, following a successful Kickstarter campaign.
Created by freelance video game journalist Andy Robertson, Ludocene is a deck-builder that recommends new games to you based on your favourites.
Upon signing up to the web app you start a “new run,” before choosing whether you want a “starter pack” that prioritises the site’s recommendations, new and upcoming titles, or recent discoveries.
A dating-app-like screen then presents you with individual Game cards that display details about a game (from indie studios to AAA mammoths).
You then drag the card in a specific direction on the screen, depending on whether you want to pin it (play it later), or, if you’ve played it before, whether you liked or disliked it.
As you make more choices, the app builds you a deck of recommended games based on your picks.
In addition to Game cards, users are presented with Expert cards, each of which features a paid streamer, developer, journalist, or podcaster, who has selected their own game recommendations. So, upon loving their card, your recommendations will be tailored to their tastes as well as your own.
Experts include GamesIndustry.biz alumni James Batchelor, Eurogamer’s Christian Donlan, Backpage Podcast’s Matthew Castle, and Shut Up and Sit Down’s Matt Lees.
While the app is currently free, an optional £3 / $4 subscription is available which offers access to a wider range of experts and special card packs.
Ludocene’s Kickstarter was successfully funded in March, with £35.2K / $46.8K pledged to the campaign at the time of writing (nearly £10K / $13.3K more than its £26.3K / $35K goal.)
Stretch goals include implementing enhanced notifications, adding board game discovery functionality, and launching a Ludocene podcast.
“If you want a better way to find amazing games that rewards experts and is in the hands of players, this is our shot,” Robertson wrote in a Bluesky post announcing the launch on August 6.
“Thank you to the 1000’s backers and supporters. This is just the beginning.”