The Story of Smoothie Wars
From a simple idea to a game that teaches business skills through tropical fun
The Spark
Dr. Thom Van Every, a medical doctor and entrepreneur from Guildford, UK, noticed a troubling gap in education. Business skills—essential for life success—were taught through boring textbooks and abstract theory. Students memorized formulas but never truly understood how markets work. As someone who had learned business through real-world experience, Thom knew there had to be a better way.
The idea was simple: what if you could learn supply and demand, cash flow, and competition by running a business on a tropical island? What if losing money felt real, and winning felt earned? What if business education could be... fun?
Development & Launch
Thom spent months refining the game mechanics. Every rule needed to serve two masters: strategic gameplay and educational value. The pricing system went through countless iterations. The loan mechanic was added to teach debt management. The bluffing element emerged from understanding that real business involves negotiation and deception.
The game launched on Kickstarter, where it found a community of backers who believed in the vision. Families wanted educational games that didn't feel like homework. Educators wanted classroom tools that students would actually enjoy. The campaign succeeded, and Smoothie Wars moved into production.
Success & Impact
The results exceeded expectations. Independent testing showed 100% of players would play again. Teachers reported students grasping economic concepts faster than with traditional methods. Families requested the game repeatedly for game nights. Reviews praised the perfect balance of fun and learning.
Today, Smoothie Wars is a limited edition deluxe game that continues to teach business skills through engaging tropical gameplay. Thom still travels with a copy in his suitcase, ready to introduce new players to the island business battle. The mission continues: make business education accessible, fun, and effective for everyone.
Be Part of the Smoothie Wars Story
Join thousands of players learning business skills through island adventure