Pie Face

Pie Face is a physical challenge game licensed by Hasbro from Rocket Games and released in fall 2015, reviving Hasbro's original 1968 game. In it, players take turns spinning a wheel to determine the number of crank turns on a mechanical arm loaded with whipped cream or a wet sponge, with the risk of the arm triggering and "pieing" the player in the face.^[1] The game is designed for ages 5 and up, accommodating 2 or more players, and emphasizes luck and suspense as participants score points for successful turns without getting hit, aiming to reach 25 points first to win.^[2] It includes components such as a throwing arm, chin rest, splash guard mask, spinner, and sponge, though whipped cream must be provided separately.^[1] The Pie Face concept builds on classic slapstick humor traditions, reviving elements reminiscent of earlier pie-throwing gags in entertainment, and was initially distributed in Europe by Esdevium Games before Hasbro's global expansion.^[1] Upon release, it quickly gained popularity, becoming the top-selling game in the toys category for 2016 and ranking as the fourth best-selling toy overall that year, appealing to families for its simple setup, replayability, and mess-free alternative using the included sponge.^[3] Hasbro has since expanded the line with variants like Pie Face Sky High (2016), which incorporates a vertical climbing challenge, and Pie Face Showdown (2018), featuring a cannon mechanism for targeted play, broadening its appeal in party and family gaming scenarios.^[4]

Overview

Concept and Objective

Pie Face is a luck-based party game that revolves around a mechanical device designed to simulate the classic slapstick comedy trope of a pie thrown in the face. The core mechanism features a throwing arm loaded with whipped cream on the provided hand, or using a wet sponge for mess-free play, which is positioned near a player's face; the arm activates unpredictably based on player actions, delivering a harmless splat if triggered.^[5] This setup creates a simple, tension-building experience where chance determines the outcome. The primary objective is for players to accumulate points by successfully completing turns without activating the pie-throwing mechanism, with the first to reach 25 points declared the winner. On each turn, a player spins a spinner to determine the number of handle rotations required—1, 2, or 3—and earns one point for each rotation completed without the arm firing.^[5] If the mechanism triggers during the turns, the player is "pie-faced" and receives no points for that round, passing the turn to the next player while the group reloads the arm.^[6] Central to the game's appeal is the risk-reward dynamic infused with suspense and physical comedy, as players build anticipation with each crank while bracing for a potential mess. Unlike strategy-heavy board games, Pie Face prioritizes the thrill of unpredictability and shared laughter from the inevitable splats, making it ideal for lighthearted group play.^[5] This humorous element fosters a sense of playful chaos, where the loser's misfortune entertains the winners.^[7] To ensure safe, family-friendly enjoyment, the game employs non-toxic materials such as food-grade whipped cream and a soft, washable sponge, with all components designed to avoid injury when used as directed. Recommended for ages 5 and up, players are advised to rinse any accidental contact from eyes with water, and the unit should be cleaned thoroughly after each session to prevent residue buildup.^[5]

Target Audience and Components

Pie Face is designed as a family-oriented game suitable for children aged 5 and up, making it ideal for playful gatherings in home or party settings with parents and siblings participating together.^[2][8] It accommodates 2 or more players, performing best with 2 to 4 participants for balanced turns, though larger groups can join by rotating participation to maintain engagement.^[2][7] The original 1968 version targeted children aged 4 and up, also supporting 2 to 4 players in similar casual, laughter-filled environments.^[7] Its key components included a pie-thrower mechanism, a sponge for the "pie," a spinner to determine turns, a score sheet for tracking points, a mask to protect clothing, and a tall cardboard target with a face cut-out for positioning.^[7] Setup required assembling the thrower and loading the sponge with water or whipped cream, which was not provided in the box, along with basic instructions for safe play and easy wiping clean.^[7] In the modern 2015 revival, essential components consist of a pie thrower unit with an adjustable throwing arm (featuring a foam-like hand and plate for holding the pie), two cranking handles, a chin rest for stability, a double-sided splash-card mask to shield against mess, a spinner for gameplay prompts, a game connector for optional chaining, and instructions.^[8][2] Whipped cream or non-toxic shaving foam must be supplied separately for the pie, with the box including guidelines for quick assembly, supervised use to prevent injury, and straightforward cleanup using a damp cloth.^[8][2] Both versions emphasize accessibility through minimal rules that require no reading skills, relying instead on intuitive physical actions like cranking and spinning, which encourage active involvement for young children and foster social interaction without complex strategy.^[2][7]

History

Original 1968 Release

The Pie Face game was designed by Marvin Glass & Associates for Hassenfeld Brothers (later known as Hasbro) and released in 1968 as a novelty party game.^[7] It drew inspiration from classic slapstick comedy tropes, such as those popularized by Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, and The Three Stooges, combined with the suspenseful mechanics reminiscent of Russian roulette but substituting a harmless whipped cream pie for danger.^[7][9] Market launch emphasized its humorous appeal, with the tagline "Pile it high, it's a scream!" featured in television commercials that highlighted the game's potential for family laughter.^[10] Targeted at families, it aligned with the 1960s trend toward interactive toys promoting physical comedy and group play, amid a broader market for whimsical, action-oriented games.^[7][11] Production involved a relatively limited initial run, contributing to its status as one of the rarest vintage games today, largely because the game's cardboard components deteriorated quickly from repeated exposure to whipped cream.^[12] The design incorporated a spinner to dictate the number of crank turns before the potential pie trigger, underscoring its reliance on chance and mess for entertainment.^[7] This original version laid the groundwork for a 2015 revival by Hasbro.^[7]

2015 Revival and Licensing

Rocket Games first launched their version of the Pie Face game in the United Kingdom in 2014.^[13] In 2015, Hasbro acquired licensing rights to the Pie Face game from the UK-based Rocket Games for global manufacturing and distribution, targeting key markets such as the United States and United Kingdom.^[1] This agreement, announced on June 8, 2015, allowed Hasbro to capitalize on renewed interest in the classic concept originally inspired by the 1968 release. Rocket Games had developed an updated version of the game prior to the licensing deal, incorporating modern elements to refresh the gameplay while maintaining its core humorous appeal.^[9] The development process was heavily influenced by a viral YouTube video featuring a grandfather and grandson playing the Rocket Games version, which amassed over 88 million views and sparked widespread fan demand.^[1] Hasbro's team focused on adapting the game for contemporary family entertainment, emphasizing shareable moments that aligned with social media trends. This included integrating components like a splash guard mask and an included sponge for dry play options alongside whipped cream, facilitating easier setup and post-game handling without requiring messy real pie fillings.^[14] The game launched in the fall of 2015, with availability in the U.S. starting in October at a suggested retail price of $19.99, strategically positioned as a must-have holiday toy for family gatherings.^[1] Marketing efforts leveraged the existing viral buzz through social media videos showcasing pie-throwing reactions, broadening its appeal to digital-age families who value quick, photogenic fun. Hasbro promoted the relaunch via platforms like YouTube and Facebook, where user-generated content of gameplay further amplified its visibility and positioned it as an interactive experience ideal for holiday sharing.^[15]

Gameplay Mechanics

Core Mechanics in Modern Version

The modern version of Pie Face, released by Hasbro in 2015, features a straightforward turn-based structure designed to build suspense through risk and chance. To start a turn, the player loads the throwing arm of the pie thrower unit with either the included sponge or whipped cream (not included). The player then positions their chin on the chin rest while wearing the splash-guard mask and spins the spinner, which indicates a number between 1 and 5 determining the required handle turns. The player announces if they intend to complete the full number or opt for fewer turns (a partial turn for safer play), then begins cranking the handles forward one at a time.^[5][6][16] For a full turn, if the player completes all required cranks without activating the thrower, they score double the spinner number; if the thrower triggers during the turn, the player is "pie-faced" and receives no points for that turn, and play passes clockwise to the next player. For a partial turn, the player scores 1 point per completed crank if no activation occurs. The partial turn option allows players to risk fewer cranks for lower but steadier scoring, while completing the full spinner number maximizes potential points but heightens risk. The first player to reach 25 points wins the game.^[16] The game's probability element stems from the pie thrower's internal spring-loaded mechanism, where each handle turn winds a torsion spring, gradually increasing tension on the throwing arm until it randomly slips and launches the load toward the player's face, potentially after any crank and creating escalating tension within a turn. This design ensures unpredictability, as the trigger point varies per game due to mechanical tolerances, though overall play sessions typically last 10 to 20 minutes for quick, repeatable rounds. Optional house rules, such as requiring double the spinner's turns for bonus points, can be adopted to vary pacing and risk, though they are not part of the core rules.^[17]

Original 1968 Mechanics

The original 1968 Pie Face game, produced by Hasbro, featured a simple yet tense gameplay loop centered on a mechanical pie thrower designed by Marvin Glass & Associates. Players began each turn by spinning a spinner to determine the number of times—typically ranging from 1 to 5—they had to crank the thrower's "mystery handle," which built cumulative tension in the internal mechanism. This tension randomly triggered a spring-loaded arm holding a foam sponge loaded with whipped cream or water, potentially launching it toward the player's face positioned in a 15½-inch tall cardboard target with a cut-out window. The handheld pie thrower required manual resetting after each activation to reload and reposition the arm, adding a layer of physical interaction that emphasized the game's messy, unpredictable nature.^[7][9] Scoring in the original version rewarded risk-taking with points equal to the spinner outcome if a player completed the required handle turns without triggering the pie arm, accumulating toward a target total with variability in scoring potential based on the spin. This system differed from the modern version's options of double points for full turns or single points per crank for partial turns, but similarly encouraged accepting risk for rewards, though a failed turn resulted in no points and immediate cleanup. The score sheet provided tracked these accumulations, with the first player to reach the set total declared the winner, often leading to shorter rounds due to the simpler tension build-up mechanism compared to refined crank systems in revivals.^[7][9] The game's mechanism relied on a basic probabilistic trigger, where each handle turn increased the likelihood of activation without a fixed pattern, simulating a game of chance akin to Russian roulette but with comedic pie-throwing consequences. Components included the pie thrower, spinner, protective mask for the target area, score sheet, and the sponge itself, which absorbed the filling to mitigate some mess but still required real whipped cream for authenticity, resulting in quicker play sessions—typically 10-15 minutes per game—but more frequent cleanups than foam-only modern variants. This design prioritized immediate excitement and physical humor over prolonged strategy, making it ideal for quick family play but prone to real-world mess from the perishable filling.^[7][9]

Variants

Pie Face Showdown

Pie Face Showdown is a two-player variant of the Pie Face game series, launched in 2016 by Hasbro as a head-to-head confrontation edition designed to heighten the competitive tension through direct player interaction.^[18] Unlike the base game's solo risk mechanics, this version pits opponents against each other in rapid-button-pressing duels where the goal is to force the pie-throwing mechanism toward the adversary before it activates on one's own side.^[19] The game emphasizes quick reflexes and strategic timing, suitable for ages 5 and up.^[18] The components include a central pie thrower with a dual-sided throwing arm, two chin rests for positioning players' faces, two splash-guard masks to protect against minor splatters, a reusable sponge (or players may substitute whipped cream, not included), and a plunger mechanism activated by red buttons on each side.^[19] Setup is straightforward: the throwing arm is loaded with the dampened sponge or cream and positioned flat between the players across a table, with masks and chin rests attached to the thrower base for secure, face-forward placement.^[18] This configuration creates a compact, table-top arena that facilitates close-quarters play, with the arm's adjustable positioning allowing for varied difficulty levels to accommodate different skill ranges.^[20] In gameplay, the two players sit facing each other, place their chins on the rests to peer through the masks at the central arm, and on the count of three, simultaneously and rapidly slap or mash their respective red buttons to advance the throwing arm toward the opponent's side.^[19] Each button press incrementally pushes the arm via a mechanical hand, building suspense as it inches closer to triggering the pie thrower; the mechanism springs upward unpredictably when it reaches a critical point, launching the sponge or cream onto the nearest player's face.^[18] The hit player loses, while the survivor wins the game.^[21] Defensive elements arise indirectly through the splash-guard masks, which serve as foam barriers to minimize mess during launches, and the shared count-in that demands synchronized starts to prevent unfair advantages.^[19] Post-round resets involve reloading the arm and repositioning it centrally, ensuring quick transitions for replayability without extensive cleanup.^[20]

Pie Face Sky High

Pie Face Sky High is a vertical variant of the Pie Face game introduced by Hasbro in 2016, designed as a carnival-style strength-testing challenge that stands over 3 feet tall when fully assembled for heightened dramatic effect.^[22][4] The game emphasizes physical power and risk, where players compete to launch a pie at opponents by striking a base plate, building tension through progressive height and difficulty as the mechanical arm travels upward along a multi-tiered track.^[23] In gameplay, players take turns selecting an opponent to position their face in the chin rest and splash-card mask, facing the potential pie trajectory. A spinner determines the difficulty level (easy, medium, or hard, color-coded on a slider) and the maximum number of hammer swings allowed per turn, with the active player using a plastic mallet to strike the spring-loaded base plate. Sufficient force propels the throwing arm upward along the track toward the opponent's face, dispensing whipped cream (not included) from the pie thrower for a successful "pie" that earns one point; insufficient strikes fail to advance the arm fully, ending the turn without scoring.^[23] The mechanics promote physical exertion, as stronger, more controlled swings are needed to overcome higher difficulty settings, escalating the risk of failure and encouraging competitive intensity similar to classic strength testers at fairs.^[4] The first player to reach three points wins, with the tower's height amplifying the visual payoff of successful launches.^[23] The game's components include a base unit with the strike plate and difficulty slider, four interlocking track pieces forming the vertical tower, a sliding disk for arm movement, the pie thrower assembly, throwing arm with hand dispenser, chin rest, splash-card mask, two side panels, the plastic hammer mallet, and a spinner with arrow and base for turn determination, plus one sponge for cleanup.^[23] Assembly requires adult supervision and snapping the tracks together atop the base, creating a stable structure that supports the progressive arm travel.^[23] Recommended for ages 5 and up with 2 or more players, it requires only whipped cream as an additional supply and emphasizes safety, such as rinsing eyes if contacted by foam.^[4]

Pie Face Cannon

The Pie Face Cannon is a 2018 variant of the Pie Face game series, released by Hasbro as an action-oriented expansion that introduces projectile-based gameplay focused on aiming and defensive timing.^[24][25] Unlike the core mechanics of the modern Pie Face game, which rely on a slapping arm mechanism, this version emphasizes strategic positioning and quick reactions through a cannon-launching system.^[26] Designed for ages 5 and up with 2 or more players, it requires adult supervision and uses whipped cream (not included) as the primary projectile for messy, laugh-inducing confrontations.^[27] The game's components include a whipped cream cannon, cannon holder, numbered track for positioning, connecting stick, base unit with control buttons, a movable blocking hand, chin rest, splash-card face mask, and a spinner for determining shot parameters.^[27] Setup involves assembling the cannon into its holder and attaching it to the track on the base, securing the face mask and chin rest, and positioning the blocking hand; adult assembly is recommended to ensure proper function.^[26] Whipped cream must be loaded into the cannon via an access door before play, and the game board is cleaned thoroughly with warm water after each session to prevent residue buildup.^[27] In gameplay, the active player selects an opponent to place their chin on the rest and peer through the face mask, then loads the cannon with whipped cream and spins the spinner to determine the shot's position (a number from 1 to 4 on the track) and angle (a color indicating low, medium, or high elevation).^[26] The active player adjusts the cannon accordingly and aims, while the target player uses base buttons to maneuver the blocking hand in an attempt to intercept the launch. Pressing the cannon's "pie" button fires the whipped cream; outcomes are scored as follows: a direct hit awards 1 point to the shooter, a complete miss gives 1 point to the target, a full block earns 2 points for the target, and a partial block grants 1 point to each player.^[27] The targeted player then becomes the active shooter for the next round, and the first to reach 5 points wins the game.^[26] This variant prioritizes skill in aiming accuracy and timing-based blocking over pure chance, with the spinner adding variability to each shot while allowing players to adapt their strategy based on the revealed parameters.^[27] The defensive hand mechanism introduces an element of counterplay, rewarding quick reflexes and anticipation, which distinguishes it from more luck-dependent entries in the series.^[26]

Reception and Legacy

Commercial Success

The 2015 revival of Pie Face quickly became one of Hasbro's top-selling holiday toys, driving significant growth in the company's games category revenues, which increased 8% excluding foreign exchange impacts that year.^[28] Market research firm NPD reported that the game ranked as the best-selling item in the games category in 2016 and the fourth best-selling toy overall in the U.S., underscoring its immediate commercial impact following the launch.^[3] Hasbro executives noted that Pie Face contributed to a 13% rise in games division sales during the third quarter of 2016, with the title appearing among the year's top 10 sellers.^[29] The game's market positioning benefited from its viral spread on social media platforms, particularly Facebook, where user-generated videos of gameplay moments amplified demand during the 2015-2016 holiday seasons.^[30] Hasbro identified the property through a viral video clip in 2015, leading to its rapid licensing and production ramp-up to meet surging consumer interest.^[3] This organic buzz helped position Pie Face as a low-tech, high-engagement party game in a market favoring simple, shareable entertainment, peaking sales during those peak holiday periods.^[15] Distribution leveraged Hasbro's global network, launching in key markets including the U.S. and U.K. in fall 2015, with subsequent expansion supporting international availability.^[1] Retail strategies included bundling Pie Face with complementary party games to enhance visibility in stores like Target and Toys "R" Us, further boosting accessibility and cross-sales.^[30] The franchise demonstrated long-term viability through ongoing sales of core and variant editions. Continued introductions of spin-offs like Pie Face Showdown sustained momentum, contributing to sustained growth in Hasbro's games portfolio beyond the initial holiday surges.^[31]

Critical Reviews and Cultural Impact

Critical reviews of the Pie Face game have been mixed, with praise centered on its ability to deliver immediate family fun and high replayability through its simple, suspenseful mechanics. On BoardGameGeek, the game holds an average rating of 2.4 out of 10 from over 500 users, reflecting appreciation for its lighthearted slapstick humor among casual players.^[32] However, it has faced criticism for its messiness, requiring cleanup after whipped cream splatters, and its limited strategic depth, which some reviewers describe as overly simplistic for repeated play beyond young children.^[33] User feedback highlights strong engagement from children, who often cite the thrill of anticipation and laughter as key draws, making it a staple for family game nights and parties. Parents frequently note its popularity at gatherings, where the unpredictable "pie" outcomes lead to shared hilarity, though many mention the hassle of post-game cleanup as a drawback.^[34] Aggregate customer ratings on retail sites like Target average 4.6 out of 5, underscoring its appeal for short, energetic sessions with kids.^[34] The game's cultural impact lies in reviving the slapstick pie-in-the-face gag as a modern toy phenomenon, drawing from vaudeville and silent film traditions to appeal to 2010s audiences through viral marketing. It inspired numerous memes and user-generated videos on platforms like TikTok and Reddit, where clips of unexpected splatters amassed widespread shares.^[35] The game appeared on television, including a segment on The Ellen DeGeneres Show where producer Andy Lassner played against a guest, amplifying its visibility in pop culture.^[36] Pie Face symbolizes the era's shift toward experiential, shareable toys that leverage social media for organic promotion, encouraging families to create and post their own chaotic gameplay moments.^[35] In terms of legacy, Pie Face influenced Hasbro's focus on interactive, sensory-driven games that prioritize emotional experiences over traditional board play, paving the way for similar titles emphasizing physical comedy and family bonding. The original 1968 version, produced in limited quantities, has become a sought-after collectible among vintage toy enthusiasts, often fetching high prices on auction sites due to its rarity and historical significance in Hasbro's catalog.^[7]