In the summer of 2019, Austin had an idea for a card game that would be an expanded version of rock, paper, scissors with classes of other objects that beat more cards as you move up in class. He made a table of card interactions and turned it into a prototype using colored pieces of paper. After some informal playtesting, he realized the game had potential and decided to turn it into a reality using a game-making website. He made designs for the cards, box and instructions, and finally ordered it on the website later in 2019. The game, originally called “Ultimate RPS” was designed for two players and featured tokens, a shop, and a large box with large cards (pictured below).

 

Although some friends and family purchased copies of the game, his goal was not to make a profit, but purely turn his idea into a reality. Now as a student at the University of Michigan in a product-designing entrepreneurship class, Austin and his team members decided to turn his idea from middle school into a full-fledged card game with updated cards, rules, and mechanics, giving creation to RPS Flip.