LET’S PLAY THE QUANTUM
APPLICATIONS
CARD GAME.

A century ago, brilliant scientists laid the foundation for Quantum Mechanics — the laws of physics at the very small scale, where phenomena behave differently than in our everyday experience. Today, we stand on the verge of quantum technologies making real-world impact. Quantum computers, networks, and sensors are entering the market with tremendous  promise for our future.

Quantum computers can accelerate the discovery of new materials with unique properties, potentially revolutionizing industries from pharmaceuticals to renewable energy. Quantum communications offer unprecedented security and can connect distributed devices to function as unified systems—for example, linking telescopes worldwide to operate as one massive observatory capable of peering further back
in time. Quantum sensors enable satellite-free navigation and measurements previously impossible, bringing highly accurate monitoring capabilities to healthcare, environmental science, and infrastructure maintenance.

This card set contains over one hundred cards illustrating future applications of quantum computing, communication, and sensing. Some applications are approaching commercial availability, while others may take years to develop.

The Centre for Quantum & Society created this card game to help you explore potential quantum applications in an engaging, playful manner.

GAME OVERVIEW

PLAYERS: 2-5 players. Larger groups, players can work in pairs, allowing strategy discussions between turns. Be careful though—your competitors shouldn’t overhear your plans!

COMPONENTS: 1 card set (110 cards)

DURATION: 30-45 minutes

MATERIALS NEEDED: Pen and paper to track scores

WINNING THE GAME

Build the strongest quantum technology portfolio by strategically collecting and combining cards across three dynamic rounds. Your goal is to:

• Collect valuable application sets such as “Quantum for Healthcare,” “Quantum for Water Management,” and “Quantum Computing”.
• Deploy Policy Cards to multiply the points value of your Application Cards
• Secure Critical Material Cards which provide essential bonus points during final scoring
• Block opponents from completing their high-value sets

The player with the highest combined score after three rounds of quantum innovation wins!

ACTIVE GAMEPLAY

The game unfolds over three fast-paced rounds of strategic drafting:

1. PREPARE FOR INNOVATION: Shuffle all Game Cards thoroughly and deal them out:

• Two players: Deal 10 cards each
• Three players: Deal 9 cards each
• Four players: Deal 8 cards each
• Five players: Deal 7 cards each

2. MAKE YOUR MOVE: Examine your hand and select one card that advances your innovation strategy. Choose a Quantum Application Card to collect points immediately, consider a Policy Card to double the points of future Quantum Application cards, or choose a Critical Materials Card to earn bonus points at the end of the game. Place the selected card face down in front of you.

3. REVEAL AND LEARN: When everyone has chosen, flip your cards simultaneously. To enhance the learning experience, read your card’s quantum application aloud to the group.

4. PASS THE POSSIBILITIES: Hand your remaining cards to the player on your left. You’ll receive a new hand from the player on your right.

5. BUILD YOUR PORTFOLIO: Repeat steps 2-4, strategically selecting one card at a time from each new hand until all cards have been played.

6. SCORE YOUR QUANTUM INNOVATIONS: After all cards are played:

• Set aside your Critical Materials for Quantum Cards for end-game bonus scoring.
• Calculate points from your Application and Policy Card combinations.
• Record each player’s score for the round.

7. ADVANCE TO NEXT GENERATION: Begin a new round by reshuffling all cards and repeating steps 1-6. While three rounds provide the full experience, two rounds work for shorter gameplay sessions.

8. FINAL BREAKTHROUGH: After the final round:

• Count each player’s Critical Materials for Quantum Cards
• Award 6 bonus points to the player with the most Critical Materials
• Subtract 6 points from the player with the least Critical Materials
• In case of ties, divide the (bonus) points equally between tied players

9. CELEBRATE INNOVATION: The player with the highest total score across all rounds becomes the quantum technology innovation champion!

The Quantum Applications Card Game was commissioned and funded by the Centre for Quantum and Society, a knowledge and co-creation hub dedicated to maximising the positive societal impact of quantum technologies. The Centre for Quantum and Society is part of Quantum Delta NL.

The Centre for Quantum and Society engages in:

• Facilitating groundbreaking academic research on ethics, legal frameworks, and effective communication about quantum technologies’ impact.
• Developing tools to help organizations leverage quantum opportunities while addressing potential challenges.
• Conducting customised training programs and awareness activities with diverse stakeholders.
• Leading foresight projects to build shared visions that shape governance choices preserving core societal values.
• Initiating mission-driven innovation in quantum projects.

Visit the Centre for Quantum and Society’s website and www.quantumforgood.eu to learn more.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thanks to our early playtesters at the Quantum Policy Academy, Alliander, the Policymakers and Designers usertests, TU Delft’s Industrial Design Engineering faculty, Centre for Quantum and Society team day, Centre for Future Generations Flagship Event, the Government Trainees Programme Day, and everyone else who helped refine the earliest versions of the game. We extend our special gratitude to the creators of Sushi Go!, whose game mechanics inspired the Quantum Applications Card Game.

CREDITS AND LICENSE

The Quantum Applications Card Game was created by Juwe van Vliet and Deborah Nas. The content brings together insights from academic research, white papers, and Centre for Quantum and Society projects. Reach out for the complete list of sources. Graphic design by Juwe van Vliet, with images by JC Gellidon (via Unsplash), Juwe van Vliet, Rose Galloway Green (via Unsplash), Willem van Aken (CSIRO, ScienceImage), Marieke de Lorijn (recoloured for game purposes), Marieke de Lorijn, Roy Borghouts Fotografie, Rebekka Mell, TU Delft QuTech, Quantum Delta NL, Matthew ten Bruggencate (via Unsplash).

The content brings together insights from academic research, white papers, and Centre for Quantum and Society projects. Reach out for the complete list of sources.

The Quantum Applications Card Game is published under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.

You are free to:

• Share | Copy and redistribute the game in any medium or format.
• Adapt | Remix, transform, and build upon the game.

Under the following terms:

• Attribution | If you create something using our game, you must credit us, provide a link to our original work, and clearly state any modifications you’ve made.
• Non-Commercial | You can’t use our game for profit.
• Share Alike | If you remix, modify, or expand on our game, you must release your work under the same CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.
• No additional restrictions | You can’t impose legal or technical limits beyond our license. That means no submitting anything based on our game to an app store without our approval.