Pronounced “oo-sol-lee”, the game thematically captures the experience of trying to do Salah (Islamic prayer) on time throughout the day.

In Usolli, your goal is to collect beautifully hand-drawn cards that represent each Salah, then strategically discard them to score. Get the most points to win!

Usolli is built on the idea that passing on Islamic heritage and tradition can be a fun and engaging family experience.

IT'S BEAUTIFULLY HAND-DRAWN

With minimal text and a focus on vibrant aesthetics, the game invites players to explore the beauty of Salah. There's no AI art here.

IT'S THEMATICALLY ENGAGING

Praying on time, taking your Wudhu (ablution), being Khusyu’ (focused) and other Salah concepts are interwoven without requiring religious knowledge to play.

IT HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

The game is designed with modern board game principles.

• Beginners and players as young as 10 years old learn the game with Basic Mode.
• Advanced Mode offer more strategic choices for older or experienced players.
• Finally, there is also a Solo Mode where you compete against an Ustadh (teacher).

There are already many Islamic card and board games in the market. However, they generally fall into two categories:

• Too simplistic as they are designed for kids.
• Too technical as they expect players to have existing religious knowledge to play the game.

There is a gap for games between these two: fun family-friendly experiences that are satisfying to play, replayable, and does not require any religious knowledge.

Usolli aims to close the gap by providing an enriching game built on modern game design principles while weaving key Islamic concepts, which in this case is Salah, one of the pillars of faith.

Making an Islamic-inspired board game that ticked those boxes proved to be challenging!

I built nearly a dozen different prototypes before the right design was found for Usolli. Here are some highlights from the journey:

TESTING DIFFERENT CONCEPTS

• Back in 2023, I tried to make a Quranic-memorisation game, but this was too knowledge-dependent.
• I prototyped a tile-laying game about community building. There was a mosque-building aspect to it that was enjoyable, but it didn’t quite have the spark yet.
• I worked on a “Mosque Architect” prototype using roll & write and polyomino placement, but these didn't match the thematic expectation.

MATCHING THEME AND MECHANICS

• In late 2023, I made a “Battle of Badr” scenario-based prototype, and this had potential. It’s still a very solid prototype that I intend to revisit, but the theme wasn't suitable for a family game.
• In early 2024, I experimented with an 18-cards only game about Qurban. It was fun, and it would be the basis of Usolli’s movement system.
• I even tested a concept based on the Astrolabe (themed around the Islamic Golden Age).

FINDING THE BALANCE

• I experimented with various game systems for a Salah game. Eventually, the movement system for the Qurban game was fleshed out to become a key system for Usolli.
• In May 2024, the Usolli as we know finally took shape, and I started to playtest it with various groups.
• Once I was confident there were minimal design changes, I contracted Siraj Fakhri to be the game’s artist.

GOAL OF THE GAME

In Usolli, players strategically collect cards to perform the 5 daily Salah and obtain points. Certain actions like performing them on time or using Khusyu’ (focus) cards grants additional points. The player with the most points wins.

ADVANCED & SOLO MODES

An advanced mode provides more in-depth choices suitable for older players or those more strategically-inclined. For example, Musafir cards that allow you to combine prayers, Sunnah prayer cards for bonus scoring, and special movement rules that block other players.

The Solo Mode mimics a 2-player experience, where you are trying to score more points that the Ustadh (teacher)! Playable using Basic or Advanced rules.

PLAYFUL YET MINDFUL

Usolli features beautiful hand-drawn art with minimal text to create an immersive playing experience. Created using modern board game design principles, Usolli creates pleasant memories associated with Salah and provides an opportunity for parents and educators to talk about the importance of this pillar of faith.

Even if you are not Muslim or have no knowledge about Islam, you can play this game for its unique thematic experience and strategic depth.

WHY BACK THIS CAMPAIGN NOW?

If you’ve read this far, you know that I’ve been hard at working creating something unique with Usolli. If you back now, you get the following:

• 💸 A discounted price.
• 🎫 Exclusive coupon codes for other Islamic board games made by fellow game designers.
• 🚚 Early and fast delivery (limited stock). I have printed some copies in advance so I can send them to you immediately once the campaign ends. This is especially important for those who would like it for Eid. However please note that if the advance copies run out, I will need to do a second print run for the additional backers, which will take a while.

I hope that what I’ve shared has made you excited enough to support this campaign because you want this game.

NEED HELP?

If you need any assistance, please contact [email protected].

ABOUT GIVING LEVELS

I’m keeping the options simple to minimise logistics, but there are a few noteworthy highlights:

• Additional amounts: You are welcome to add additional amounts. This goes to supporting the project.
• Donated copies: The Maghrib Gift tier has donated copies. These will be sent to da’wah, mosques and education centres that are interested in the game but do not have the funds to purchase. I will vet each to confirm their eligibility. If you know an eligible centre, please let them know to email [email protected].
• DEENBLOCKS: The Isha Bundle tier has DEENBLOCKS by TAKVA, an educational toy set for kids. Please use the Notes section to clarify which option you would like. If none are mentioned, your order will default to the first option (ie Hajj blocks).
• Retailers: If you are a retailer and would like to purchase in larger volumes than shown below, please email [email protected].

REFUNDS & CANCELLATIONS

If you need to cancel your pledge, please note the following:

• Get back 100% of your pledge if you cancel before the campaign ends.
• Get back 85% of your pledge if you cancel before fulfilment begins.
• Get back 0% of your pledge after fulfilment phase begins.

When you back at any level, you will get exclusive discount codes for the following games:

• Merchants of the Caliphate by Safet Ziljkić: Set in the Golden Age of the Islamic World, this game invites you to become a master merchant, navigating vibrant marketplaces, perilous trade routes, and dynamic rivalries.
• Kalaam Word Game by Deen Square: Compete in rounds of 60 seconds each to guess the secret word while avoiding the forbidden words. Put your acting skills to the test with bonus and action cards!
• Reflection Deck by Tarbiyah Games: 50 beautifully designed cards with reflective prompts and snippet seerah lessons. Inspiring reminders drawn from the lives of the Sahaba.

The coupon codes are usable on each game's respective website. It is fulfilled separately from your order of Usolli.

IF YOU ARE AN EARLY SUPPORTER

I have a limited number of advance copies that will be immediately sent out on a first-come-first-served basis.

IF YOU ARE A LATE SUPPORTER

If there are more backers than copies, I will need to do another print run. This will take around 2 months to manufacture and send to the fulfilment centre before being shipped off to you.

SHIPPING COSTS

There is a flat shipping rate of $10 USD per copy, which is already included at all levels except the retailer tier.

This means there is no pledge manager required post-campaign (except retailer tier), so your game can get to you sooner.

Please make sure to double check your shipping information when you back this campaign.

FULFILMENT PARTNER

I have partnered with TAKVA to use their Hilal Launchpad service for global fulfiment. With nearly a dozen successful crowdfunding campaigns and over 8 years of business, they have the right experience and infrastructure to deliver Usolli to you safely and quickly.

IMPORTANT: Please make sure to double check your shipping information when supporting as there is no pledge manager post-campaign. This means we will fulfil as soon as funds are cleared. Any incorrect or incomplete shipping information from your end that results in lost or wrong deliveries will not be refunded, and you will need to pay for another copy and shipment instead.

This is the current plan, but please note they are only estimates and may be impacted by external factors beyond my control:

• 5 - 19 Feb: LaunchGood campaign. This is the page!
• 20 Feb - 6 Mar: Kickstarter campaign. This will be the same campaign. Pledge on Kickstarter if you are more familiar with or prefer using it.
• We estimate funds should clear within 2 weeks from each campaign.
• Once the funds have cleared, early supporters will have their copies sent to them accordingly using available advance copies.
• If there are more backers than copies, late supporters will need to wait another 2 months for a new manufacturing print run.

GAME DESIGNER: AHMAD SALAHUDDIN

Salam (peace) and hello!

My name is Ahmad and I'm super excited that you're reading this!

Usolli is a passion project that aims to provide a unique game experience on an extremely uncommon theme that isn't often associated with games or even the word fun!

My hope is that Usolli sparks reflection and conversations between Muslims, non-Muslims, parents and children, and even fellow gamers. In today's easily divisive and dismissive world, games offer a fantastic neutral medium where we're able to temporarily withhold judgement while enjoying a rich visceral experience. Physical games in particular provide an opportunity to have fun while appreciating each other's company! I hope you have a great time playing Usolli.

In the future, I hope to design more board games that positively impact players and induce reflection.

If you have any suggestions or feedback, please let me know at [email protected].

Thank you for reading and for your support!

ARTIST: SIRAJ FAKHRI

Hey there! I'm a concept artist in the gaming industry. I've worked on a few AAA titles in the past few years, so working on Usolli has been a great and unique experience! It's a different type of entertainment design, and seeing a physical print of my work is very rewarding and satisfying. I hope you enjoy the game and the art!

You can check out some of my artwork on Instagram.