Memphis has always been a city of creators. Music, food, art, and now – tabletop games. Chris Couch Games is one of the brightest up-and-coming names in indie game design, and it all started with a group of lifelong friends, a bachelor party, and a couch.
I caught up with co-founder Chris Porter to talk about how a wedding gift turned into a business, how Memphis has helped shape their success, and what’s next for this community-driven game studio with heart, hustle, and humor.
Game Night Origins
The story of Chris Couch Games starts, appropriately, with four friends who loved games – not just board games, but anything competitive or creative they could turn into a challenge. When one of those friends (also named Chris) was getting married, his crew had an idea.
“We wanted to make something special as a wedding gift,” Chris said. “Since we all loved Marvel and saw the movies together, we created a Marvel-themed board game as a surprise. We gave it to him at his bachelor party and he was totally shocked. On the way home we thought, why don’t we actually turn this into a business?”
The idea stuck. That small group – Chris Porter, Nick, Daniel, and the groom (another Chris) – became co-founders, and Chris Couch Games was born.
What’s in a Name?
The name “Chris Couch Games” might sound like an inside joke. That’s because it is.
“We used to play games on the couch and call it the ‘Chris Couch’ when we were winning,” Chris said. “Two of us are named Chris, and we’ve played soccer together since we were kids. We’d make other defenders ‘honorary Chris’ - so we kept that going into our company.”
Even their logo tells part of the story. Two dice sit on a couch, the pips adding up to seven, a number that always seems to pop up in their games.
As a brand designer and co-owner of the creative agency Baby Grand, Chris made sure every part of the brand had meaning. And yes, if your name is Chris, congratulations, you’re on the board now.
The First Big Move
Starting a game company anywhere has its challenges, but launching one in Memphis came with its own unique considerations.
“We knew we wanted to make games that were approachable but had strategic depth,” Chris said. “Something that felt like a step up from the usual party games, but still fun for everyone at the table.”
To make that happen, the team invested their own money and launched a Kickstarter to fund their first game, Kraken Skulls – a pirate-themed battle royale full of mini-games and dice rolling mayhem. The campaign was a success, and more importantly, they delivered on time.
“That was a huge milestone for us,” Chris said. “Not every indie game publisher gets to say that.”
“We’re really involved with the community at Board 2 Beers,” Chris said. “We host playtest nights and launch events there. I’ve also learned so much from other Memphis-based creators, like the team behind Very Special Games.”
Chris says Memphis has shaped not just how they make games, but how they build community.
“This city is all about showing up for each other, being intentional, and creating together,” he said. “That’s exactly how we try to run our company.”
The Design Process
Creating a new game always starts with two questions: What’s the theme? And what’s the hook?
“We think about what will be fun and immediately draw people in,” Chris said. “Then we make sure the mechanics match the theme and keep iterating until the game feels right. It needs to be easy to learn, but with enough depth to satisfy veteran gamers.”
While most of the early testing happens internally, the team eventually brings games to local spots once they’re almost ready for release. Chris says they’re hoping to add more early-stage playtesting events in 2026.
Representation and Pride
Chris is proud of everything the company has accomplished so far, but their upcoming holiday-themed game, Holiday Hills, holds a special place in his heart.
“We hit over 2,000 backers, and I collaborated with a lot of creative folks here in Memphis, including Pretty Useful Co., a woman-owned design studio that handled the artwork,” Chris said.
The campaign also announced Jingle Bell Roll, a fast-paced dice game designed by Marcus Ross, a Black game designer.
“There are not many Black-owned board game companies or designers in this industry,” Chris said. “So it was a big deal to publish this game and celebrate that.”
Favorite Memories and Fan Moments
For Chris, the work is worth it – even the late-night spreadsheets and marketing logistics – because of moments like these:
“Every time someone asks me to sign their copy of one of our games at a convention, I can’t believe it,” he said. “It’s the coolest feeling in the world.”
Local Spots You Might Catch Them At
If you want to dive into the Memphis tabletop scene, Chris recommends:
- Board 2 Beers – Their go-to spot for playtests and events
- 901 Games – For game nights and community building
- Unplugged Tabletop (coming soon to Collierville) – A new addition that’s expected to grow the local gaming community even more
What’s Coming Next
Right now, Chris Couch Games is busy prepping the release of Holiday Hills and Jingle Bell Roll for this Christmas. But they’ve got more in the pipeline.
“We’re working on Haunted Hills, a Halloween-themed follow-up to Holiday Hills, and we’re also developing a new space game called Vector. It’s coming together fast and we’re really excited about it.”
Chris says the dream is to become a go-to name in the board game world.
“We want our games to be part of people’s regular game nights. We want to keep growing, keep creating, and keep making Memphis proud.”
Where to Buy and Support
You can buy Kraken Skulls right now on Amazon, at Board 2 Beers, or directly through the Chris Couch Games website. Pre-orders for Holiday Hills and Jingle Bell Roll are available through their Kickstarter links.
Follow them on facebook and instagram and keep an eye out for new releases, events, and future games – especially if your name happens to be Chris.
This blog was written by Ryan Ladner
Ryan Ladner is the CEO of Thrill Comics and creator of the comic book Memphis vs. Zombies. He lives in Memphis with his wife, Maya, and their family. Visit www.thrillcomics.com to learn more about Thrill Comics.
