Norwalk woman creates Face Factor, a social distance-friendly card game
NORWALK — It started as a hazy dream: A card game combining charades and Cards Against Humanity. But with the help of unforeseen free time brought on by the coronavirus, Norwalk businesswoman Liza Rivera Salta was able to turn the dream into a reality.
When the dream came to her on a January morning in 2019, Rivera Salta said she spent that morning jotting down the idea, detailing specifics, and then — as often happens with passion projects — became busy, and the game fell to the wayside.
A year later, COVID-19 struck and left Rivera Salta and her family at home, with plenty of time to flesh out the idea.
“I was definitely encouraged by my family.” Rivera Salta said. “... I’ve never created a game. I play a lot of games with friends and family, but never embarked on something like this. I started trying to roll up my sleeves and get something from a concept to an actual product.”
Rivera Salta, a businesswoman in the entertainment industry, began focused work on the game she called Face Factor last spring, trademarked the phrase in August and released the game in January.
Keeping social distancing in mind, Face Factor can be played in person or on video calls. It includes more than 200 cards with more than 500 scenarios.
Players act out different scenarios using only their head and facial expressions, and the other players guess what scenario on the card is evoking the expression.
Scenarios include: “When you’re exhausted and get a chatty Uber driver,” “When you’re on a date and the server is your ex” and “When someone opens the door while you’re in the bathroom.”
Rivera Salta said she and her family did the design and production themselves, contacted manufacturers, created the game concept and marketed the product.
“This was eking out little moments here and there whenever I could,” Rivera Salta said. “It’s just me. I’m a one-person operation. I’m the only one right now selling it. I’m sort of trying to see how I can bring this to life, what’s the lifeline going to be on this game?” Her younger son, 16-yearold Tyler, designed the game’s logo, and her older son, 20-year-old TJ, tested the game with his friends in college, Rivera Salta said. A graphic designer friend helped construct the game’s website and friends borrowed the game for a week at a time, offering tips and recommending scenarios to add, she added.
“They’ve been super encouraging because they fell in love with the concept,” Rivera Salta said. “My hope is it brings a lot of laughter and human connection, which we all need right now.”
The game is manufactured in the United States and sells for $29.99 on Amazon, but Rivera Salta said she is planning to partner
with local novelty stores, boutiques and toy stores to sell the game as well.
It is recommended for players 17 and older, as some of the cards have suggestive themes.
Face Factor can be purchased on Amazon and on Face Factor’s website.