ATM Gaming News: The party game publisher for large groups
ATM Gaming is a board game publisher specializing in party games with simple rules, short playtimes, and high interaction. They are exactly the type of game we look for at KLEFF for large groups and, above all, for our Playful Slow Friending events: they are explained in a minute, everyone plays at once, and within five minutes, you're already laughing with strangers who quickly become friends. In this article, we review 9 of their latest titles, noting how many players can play them, why they work well with numerous tables, and what other games they can be compared to.
If you're coming to one of our game nights at L'Estació – Espai Gastronòmic or just looking for ideas to liven up a gathering, this guide is for you.
What is ATM Gaming?
ATM Gaming was founded in 2018 by Ben and JB, two childhood friends passionate about board games who decided to create their own. That first party-style game quickly became a bestseller and led to a whole family of titles. In many of their game profiles, you'll also see the names of Toño and Pablo, the duo behind the Guatafac phenomenon, who are closely linked to the publisher's current catalog.
Since then, the publisher has grown to have teams in France, Spain, Germany, and Italy, giving it a multicultural approach well-aligned with the spirit of KLEFF. Their philosophy is clear: direct, fast, and addictive games, designed to disconnect from screens and enjoy in company. Two of their titles have won the prestigious Grand Prix du Jouet (Little Secret in 2022 and Speed Bac in 2024), and all their production is eco-friendly: designed in Spain, printed in Europe with FSC paper, and a percentage of profits donated to charitable causes.
You can learn more about the publisher on their official website (ATM Gaming) and on their history page.
Why do they fit so well into the Playful Slow Friending events we organize and are ideal for large groups?
In a Playful Slow Friending event, the key is not “who wins,” but rather for people to talk, laugh, and truly connect (the slogan is “Play games, make friends”). ATM Gaming's games meet the four requirements we look for on those nights:
Minimal rules. They are explained in one or two minutes, so no one is left out, even if it's their first time playing a board game.
Everyone participates simultaneously. In many games, there are no eternal turns: you respond at the same time, vote, or race against the clock. No one gets bored waiting.
Scale for large groups. Several accommodate 8, 9, 10… up to 16 players, which is unusual in the gaming world.
Generate conversation. Absurd answers and bluffs break the ice better than any formal introduction, perfect for a multilingual community like ours (Spanish, Catalan, and English).
Below are 9 titles, ordered from “the more people, the better” to gems for slightly smaller groups.
1. Little Secret — the hidden role game that gets you hooked
Players: 4–9 · Duration: ~20 min · Age: +8 · Award: Grand Prix du Jouet 2022
Little Secret is a social deduction, bluffing, and word association game. Almost all players share a secret password; infiltrators have a slightly different word and, with 5 or more players, a journalist appears who knows neither. In turns, each person says a single word related to the password… clear enough for your team, but not so obvious as to give yourself away. Then there's a debate and a vote to unmask the intruder.
Why it works in a group: the more of you there are, the more chaos, more bluffs, and more debate. Ideal for breaking the ice because it forces you to talk and to “read” others.
If you like… El Portero Baldomero, which we have in our game library, is practically its older sibling: the same scheme of “there's an infiltrator who doesn't know the word, give clues without giving yourself away, and vote.” It also connects with Codenames for word association and with Love Letter for the deduction and bluffing in just a few minutes. Check out our hidden role games.
Entry on BoardGameGeek.
2. Holy Sheep — do you all think alike?
Players: 3–9 (in teams of 2–3) · Duration: ~20 min · Age: +12 · 700+ topics
In Holy Sheep, your team must complete a wacky sentence at the same time and match answers. A card poses the theme (“As drunk as a…”, “I would love to have…”) and, after the classic “1, 2, 3,” everyone shouts their word. If you match, you score; the more consecutive times you get it right, the more points, but over-risking can cost you the round. The first team to reach 7 wins.
Why it works in a group: it reveals how well (or not) you know each other, and unexpected answers cause immediate laughter. Perfect for groups that have just met.
If you like… Wavelength or Just One for that magic of “brain synchronization” as a team.
Known internationally as Mouton Mouton — entry on BGG
3. JUMO — connect words at lightning speed
Players: 3–8 (up to 10 according to official entry) · Duration: ~10–20 min · Age: +12 · 450+ words
Created by Rémy, author of the successful Quickstop, JUMO turns something as everyday as word association into a mental speed duel. Based on unexpected card combinations, two players try to say exactly the same word at the same time. If you match, you advance; if not, penalty. Superpower cards add very fun twists.
Why it works in a group: connections range from logical to absurd, and that's where the game's success lies, making it an essential after-dinner game. It's explained in a minute, so it's a perfect icebreaker.
If you like… Wavelength, Unánimo or Holy Sheep itself, JUMO is their speedy cousin.
4. 50 50: 50% culture, 50% luck — trivia with no excuses
Players: 2–10 · Duration: ~30 min · Age: +8 · 800 facts
The premise is brilliant because of its deceptive nature: each question has only two options (A/B or true/false), so you always have a 50% chance of being right… but the questions are designed to make you doubt everything. You start with 7 lives (cards): if you get it right, you keep it; if you fail, you lose it, and the last participant standing wins. With 800 surprising facts about cinema, animals, science, or pop culture, you don't need to be an erudite to win.
Why it works in a group: since it doesn't need a board and you answer simultaneously, it scales wonderfully and generates constant (friendly) discussions.
If you like… Trivial Pursuit but get frustrated knowing everything, here luck saves you. And if you're looking for another snappy trivia for groups, try Linkee! from our game library, where the challenge isn't to get it right, but to discover the link between the answers.
5. Caída Libre — the king of VERY large groups
Players: 2–16 · Duration: ~15–45 min · Age: +14 · +1,000 questions · 6 categories
From the creators of Guatafac, Caída Libre is a question and answer game where the goal isn't to win… but not to lose! You start with a high score and descend the board every time you fail. The first to hit rock bottom loses, and whoever stays highest wins. It includes a wide variety of card types (fake news / real news, double questions, timed challenges…) that keep the tension high.
Why it works in a group: it accommodates up to 16 players, which is very rare for most board games. It is probably the best on this list for a packed table at a Slow Friending event, as it allows for direct interaction among all players.
If you like… Trivial Pursuit, this is its modern, fast, and funnier version. And if you enjoy trivia for huge tables, we have Linkee! in our game library, another party trivia game that can accommodate up to 30 players.
6. Play Hit — the musical journey with karaoke included
Players: 2–10 (2 teams) · Duration: ~30 min · Age: +14 · 500 songs
A musical party game for two teams and 4 rounds: recalling lyrics against the clock, mini-games of musical culture, “listen and identify” (the cards come with QR codes to playlists!) and the grand finale of charades, humming, and karaoke battle using the box itself as a microphone. It reviews hits from the 90s, 2000s, and beyond.
Why it works in a group: since it's played in teams, many people can join, and everyone participates. The karaoke round is a surefire icebreaker.
If you like… Hitster or any TV musical contest.
Official entry on Asmodee · Entry on BGG.
7. Smash It! — pure reflexes
Players: 2–8 · Duration: ~20 min · Age: +8 (approx.)
Pure speed: everyone plays at once, looking for a valid word (based on letters, colors, categories, or rhymes) and must react quickly to hit the correct card before anyone else to avoid penalties. It starts calm and ends in hilarious collective chaos. It's explained in two minutes and fits in any backpack.
Why it works in a group: pure simultaneous adrenaline; nobody waits their turn.
If you like… Jungle Speed or Dobble for reflexes, this is your game.
8. Quickstop — the classic “Stop” game, but at lightning speed
From the same Rémy who designed JUMO, Quickstop is the frantic version of the classic Stop (or Scattergories / Tutti Frutti). Each player has 5 letter cards; a wacky theme is revealed (“an animal that smells bad,” “a grandfather's hobby”…) and you must blurt out a word or phrase that fits and starts with one of your letters as quickly as possible, “throwing” that card onto the table and saying it aloud. Once 3 answers have been given, the theme changes. The round is won by whoever gets rid of their 5 letters first.
Why it works in a group: everyone plays at once, with no turns or downtime, and it fits wonderfully with mixed groups (it works equally well with seasoned gamers and those who have never touched a game in their lives).
If you like… the classic Stop card game, here's its modern version that will delight casual gamers. Some alternatives you'll find in our game library that will help you understand where to place Quickstop are: Cahoots, Secret Identity or Cross Clues.
9. Pili Pili — trick-taking for all audiences
Players: 2–8 (ideal 3–6) · Duration: ~15–30 min · Age: +8 · Award: Grand Prix du Jouet 2025
From Ben & JB, Pili Pili is a trick-taking game without suits: you bet how many tricks you think you'll win and then try to achieve it. The twist lies in the mission cards, which change the rules for each round (play without seeing your cards, reverse turn order, swap hands…) right after you've made your bet. If you don't hit your prediction, you accumulate pilis (chili peppers); the first to reach 7 loses, and whoever has the fewest wins.
Why it works in a group: it's the perfect entry point to trick-taking for those who have never played, with quick and chainable games.
If you like… Skull King or The Crew, here's a pocket-sized version with crazy twists.
Frequently Asked Questions about ATM Gaming Games
What is ATM Gaming?
ATM Gaming is a board game publisher founded in 2018 by Ben and JB, specializing in atmospheric party games: simple rules, short games, and high interaction. It has teams in France, Spain, Germany, and Italy, and its games are eco-friendly (designed in Spain and printed in Europe with FSC paper).
What are the best ATM Gaming games for large groups?
For very large tables, Caída Libre stands out, accommodating up to 16 players. It is followed by Play Hit and 50 50 (up to 10), and Little Secret, Holy Sheep, JUMO, Smash It!, and Pili Pili, which can accommodate 8 or 9 players.
Which ATM Gaming game is best for breaking the ice or making friends?
Little Secret, Holy Sheep, and JUMO are the most “ice-breaking”: they force conversation, require intuiting others, and lead to laughter from unexpected answers, ideal when people don't know each other.
Are these games suitable for beginners?
Yes. Almost all are explained in one or two minutes and require no prior experience, making them perfect for anyone who has never played board games.
Where can I try these games in Barcelona?
At KLEFF's game nights and Slow Friending events, at L'Estació – Espai Gastronòmic. Check upcoming dates on our calendar.
Try them at KLEFF
At KLEFF, we have been bringing people together around the table for years: we have a game library of over 600 games and organize weekly game nights at L'Estació, in addition to special events and Playful Slow Friending editions. Party games like those from ATM Gaming are the kings of these nights precisely because anyone can join without knowing how to play.
Do you want to know how our sessions work? See how KLEFF works.
Check out our upcoming activities and Slow Friending events.
Browse our game library to see what you can try.
Are you new to Barcelona or an Erasmus student? Get to know us or write to us: we play in Spanish, Catalan, and English.