Riffle Square Cut
Riffle Square Cut is an independent, founder-run publisher of the Hidden Marks social-deduction card game for 2–4 players, selling a $19.99 physical deck via its own e-commerce site and Amazon, with a free Creative Commons print-and-play version as a top-of-funnel asset.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersDublin, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Riffle Square Cut does
Riffle Square Cut is an independent, privately held card game publisher operating a single-product business built around the social-deduction card game "Hidden Marks." The game is designed for 2–4 players aged 13 and up, with play sessions of 5–20 minutes, centered on a hidden-assassin mechanic in which players load their hands, build a bank, and try to protect their identity while eliminating opponents. The core technology stack is minimal: a Squarespace-hosted direct-to-consumer storefront, an Amazon marketplace listing (ASIN B0DPRK6MPJ), a print-and-play download under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license, and a secondary itch.io page for higher-quality printable assets. There are no apps, APIs, or software platforms; the product is a physical card deck plus freely distributed PDF files for home printing.
The business model is product-led and consumer-facing. The physical Hidden Marks deck is sold one-time at $19.99 through the company's own e-commerce storefront and Amazon, while the print-and-play version is offered free for personal (non-commercial) use as a funnel and brand-building mechanism. Revenue mechanics are entirely transactional — there is no subscription, in-game monetization, licensing program, or recurring component — and the customer base is split between casual board/card game enthusiasts and family gamers. Distribution is global via Amazon and the owned site (with disclosed served markets being USA and Canada), and the company is actively soliciting domestic physical retail partners through a retailer interest form.
Operationally, Riffle Square Cut appears to be a founder-run micro-entity. The sole named contact is Andrei Roman ([email protected]), who serves as the point of contact for sales, rules questions, and general communications. No employees, management team beyond Andrei Roman, institutional investors, parent entities, subsidiaries, or funding rounds are disclosed. Marketing is lightweight: an email newsletter signup, an Amazon listing, organic/SEO presence on the owned Squarespace site, and a retailer-acquisition form. The company holds no patents or formal trademarks; its IP posture is defined by the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license on the print-and-play files and the unstated copyright on the physical product.
Riffle Square Cut firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Riffle Square Cut
- Legal name
- Riffle Square Cut
- Website
- https://rifflesquarecut.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Riffle Square Cut is an independent, founder-run publisher of the Hidden Marks social-deduction card game for 2–4 players, selling a $19.99 physical deck via its own e-commerce site and Amazon, with a free Creative Commons print-and-play version as a top-of-funnel asset.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Riffle Square Cut industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tabletop Card Games
- NAICS
- Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (459120), Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912)
- SIC
- Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Family/Party Board Games Retail (CRALALAB)
Keywords
Where Riffle Square Cut is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dublin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Riffle Square Cut business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel
Revenue model
- Physical Card Game Sales: One-time purchase of physical Hidden Marks card game at $19.99, sold through owned e-commerce and Amazon marketplace
- Print-and-Play Download: Free digital download of game files for personal use, drives awareness and adoption with no direct revenue
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Hidden Marks - Physical Game |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Hidden Marks - Print and Play |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Riffle Square Cut product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Riffle Square Cut designs, publishes, and sells Hidden Marks, a 2-4 player social deduction card game (ages 13+) priced at $19.99. The same game is also offered free of charge as a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 print-and-play PDF download. Sales occur through the company's own e-commerce site and the Amazon marketplace, with a retailer interest form signalling planned physical retail expansion.
Product overview
Riffle Square Cut is a single-product company that offers the card game 'Hidden Marks' in two formats: a physical retail product priced at $19.99 available for purchase on their website and Amazon, and a free print-and-play digital download version. The game is a fast-paced social deduction card game for 2-4 players aged 13 and up, with gameplay lasting 5-20 minutes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Hidden Marks (Physical Card Game) Hidden Marks is a fast, cutthroat social deduction card game for 2-4 players aged 13 and up where every player is a hidden assassin and only one walks away. Players load up their hands, build up their bank, and protect their identities; gameplay lasts 5-20 minutes. Priced at $19.99 per unit and sold through the company website and Amazon.
- Hidden Marks Print & Play Hidden Marks Print & Play is the free personal-use digital version of the Hidden Marks card game. Printable PDF files are provided in Letter and A4 formats with both 9x9 and Gutter Fold layouts, plus a rule booklet and box template. The download is free under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 and is not licensed for resale or commercial use.
Companies that use Riffle Square Cut
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Riffle Square Cut technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Riffle Square Cut partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- AmazoncoreAmazon serves as primary distribution marketplace for Hidden Marks physical card game, allowing product to reach established board game buyer base through Amazon's e-commerce infrastructure and fulfillment.
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Riffle Square Cut competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Exploding Kittens: Independent card game publisher built around accessible, party-style card games. Shares the indie-publisher DNA, Amazon-led distribution, and casual social-game target audience with Hidden Marks, though with a much broader catalog.
- Greater Than Games: Independent tabletop publisher of card and board games (Spirit Island, Vast). Comparable as a privately-held indie publisher distributing via Amazon and specialty hobby channels at similar price points to Hidden Marks.
- Indie Boards & Cards: Independent publisher specializing in social deduction and party card games, including The Resistance and Coup — the most direct competitive analogues to Hidden Marks in both genre and small-format card-game distribution model.
- Stonemaier Games: Highly regarded indie board and card game publisher (Wingspan, Scythe, Tapestry). Comparable as an independent publisher leveraging Amazon and hobby retail for distribution, though operating at a substantially larger scale with multiple product lines.
- Cryptozoic Entertainment: Hobby game publisher with a focus on licensed and original card games sold through Amazon and hobby retail channels. Comparable in product format (boxed card games) and distribution strategy.
- Bezier Games: Indie tabletop publisher focused on small-box strategy and party card games (One Night Ultimate Werewolf, The Mind). Closely comparable business model: lean indie publisher selling niche card games through Amazon and specialty channels at similar price points.
- Renegade Game Studios: Independent tabletop publisher with a diverse catalog of card and board games distributed through Amazon and hobby retail. Comparable in operating model and pricing tier to Riffle Square Cut.
Broad incumbents
- Asmodee USA: U.S. arm of the global board game giant (Catan, Ticket to Ride, Pandemic). Operates broadly in the same specialty hobby retail channel where Riffle Square Cut is trying to gain shelf placement, representing the dominant incumbent that any indie card game must contend with for retailer mindshare.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Riffle Square Cut social profiles
Digital presenceRiffle Square Cut financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Riffle Square Cut leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Riffle Square Cut funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Riffle Square Cut M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Riffle Square Cut
What does Riffle Square Cut do?
Riffle Square Cut designs, publishes, and sells Hidden Marks, a 2-4 player social deduction card game (ages 13+) priced at $19.99. The same game is also offered free of charge as a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 print-and-play PDF download. Sales occur through the company's own e-commerce site and the Amazon marketplace, with a retailer interest form signalling planned physical retail expansion.
Is Riffle Square Cut a public or private company?
Riffle Square Cut is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Riffle Square Cut founded?
Riffle Square Cut was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Riffle Square Cut based?
Riffle Square Cut is headquartered in Dublin, United States, in the North America region.
How does Riffle Square Cut make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Physical Card Game Sales are the primary driver. The others are print-and-Play Download.
Who are Riffle Square Cut's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Exploding Kittens, Greater Than Games, Indie Boards & Cards, Stonemaier Games, Cryptozoic Entertainment, Bezier Games and Renegade Game Studios. Asmodee USA is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Riffle Square Cut have an API?
No public API is recorded for Riffle Square Cut.
What industry is Riffle Square Cut in?
Riffle Square Cut's product category is Tabletop Card Games. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRALALAB, Family/Party Board Games Retail. Its NAICS code is 459120 and its SIC code is 5945.