Bake or Break!? A Fast Chaotic Cooperate Game

Welcome

We are Cafe Storybook, a small cafe based in Osaka, Japan.

We regularly host board game events and collaborate with picture book artists, building a space where games and storytelling come together. Through organizing and playtesting many sessions, we’ve developed our own approach to game design, focusing on smooth gameplay, meaningful interaction, and memorable shared experiences.

Bake or Break is our first original board game, co-created with Japanese illustrator COPECO and inspired by the everyday chaos of our cafe. This is not only the beginning of a game, but the first step in bringing picture book art and tabletop experiences to players around the world.

Game Overview

In Cafe Storybook, a team of clumsy staff races to fulfill orders. With limited time, mixed-up steps, and unexpected disasters, only the perfect teamwork can turn a mess into a sweet success.

• Players: 2 ~ 4
• Playtime: 15 minutes +
• Type: Cooperative / Real Time / Card Game

日本語の紹介はこちらへ

Check out the BGG page here! Read the Designer Diary on BGG and discover the story behind Bake or Break!

Key Features

What's In The Box

How to Play

In Bake or Break, players work together to run a busy cafe. Each round, Players secretly choose their actions according by the orders, Then everyone acts at the same time. Sounds simple, but chaos begins quickly:

• You don’t know what your teammates will do
• Unexpected events disrupt your plans
• One wrong move can ruin the entire order

Success depends on communication, coordination, and a bit of luck.

Work Together in the Cafe

At the start of each round, the team may discuss strategies without assigning specific action to anyone. Then each player will choose and play an Action card face down, and reveal their cards at the same time. Actions are resolved in the following order:

        Take → Prepare → Decorate → Serve

Each area resolves its effects separately.

Navigate the New Challenges in Your Cafe

Once you get used to the start of your shift, starting from round 4 new challenges will be thrown your way.  You'll need to stay on your toes to successfully navigate through the events together. 

The game will end after 15 rounds. The number of completed orders will determine your team's final score!

Stretch Goals

Pledge Levels

※The Early Bird Reward Tier can alse be picked up in person at the physical locations either at Cafe Storybook or Game Market 2026 Autumn in Japan. Detailed information will be provided in the post-campaign survey.

The rewards can be shipped or picked up in person: 
● The Delivery Rewards are shipped to the backer after the campaign ends.
● The Pick Up Rewards can only be picked up in person at the physical locations either at Cafe Storybook or Game Market 2026 Autumn ( Booth: Game Storybook H-001) in Japan.
● [2026/10/2 new added] The SPIEL Essen Pick Up Rewards can only be picked up in person at the physical locations at SPIEL ESSEN 2026 in Germany.(Booth: Japon Brand, Location: Hall 5-K415)

This is our first project, so it's only available on Kickstarter and in Japan for now.

Shipping

Fulfillment will be handled by Express Company from China, with tracking provided.　Estimated delivery time: 1–4 weeks after shipping begins.

VAT is included for selected regions (US, EU, Canada, etc.). For other regions, import fees may apply upon delivery.

* This campaign is in Japanese Yen.  The estimated USD amount was converted from Japanese Yen at time of launch.

Player Feedback

New To Kickstarter

• In the Rewards section, select the pledge tier you'd like to support.
• Select your country and click Next. You can review the estimated shipping cost in the shipping information below.
• Enter your payment information and click Pledge to complete.
• After the campaign ends, you'll receive a confirmation email. From there, you can review or update your order details and shipping address.

Our Story

Cafe Storybook is a small picture book cafe in Osaka.

We collect board games and illustrated books from around the world, and regularly host game nights and collaborative events with artists. Over time, this space became more than just a cafe, it became a place where people connect through stories and play.

Through continuous testing and hosting, we moved beyond simply loving games to seriously crafting them, refining rules, improving interaction, and designing better player experiences.

That journey led us to create Bake or Break together with a local Japanese illustrator. This game is born from real interactions, real players, and many rounds of iteration. For us, this is just the beginning.

We hope to continue collaborating with talented artists and bring their work beyond books, onto tables around the world.

Follow us here on Social Media : 

• X: https://x.com/game_storybook
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ehoncafe_storybook/
• Official Website: https://cafe-storybook.square.site/
• Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/storybook_community/

Why Back Us

・Support an Independent Designer & Local Artist

Bake or Break is our first original board game, co-created with Japanese illustrator COPECO and inspired by the everyday chaos of our cafe. This is not only the beginning of a game, but the first step in bringing picture book art and tabletop experiences to players around the world. By backing this project, you're supporting both an independent female game designer and a local female artist as we bring our first game to life.

・Early Access

As a Kickstarter backer, you'll receive Bake or Break before it becomes widely available. Since this is our first project, we currently only plan to sell the game through Kickstarter and in Japan. We don't yet have international distribution or retail partners, so this campaign may be the only opportunity for many players outside Japan to get a copy.

・Kickstarter Early Bonuses

To thank our early supporters, there is a 20% OFF Early Bird Discount, some early bonuses and updates and behind-the-scenes development news.

・Stretch Goals

If we exceed our funding goal, we'd love to make Bake or Break even better for everyone. We'll reveal more as the campaign progresses!

・Thank You

Every pledge, share, and kind word helps make this dream possible.

This is just the beginning. We already have ideas for future content, including a Bake or Break expansion that we'd love to develop over the next year if this campaign succeeds.

Thank you for believing in our first game. We can't wait to bake with you! 

Special Thanks

Thanks to everyone who helped bring this game to life.

We are grateful to all the playtesters, collaborators, and supporters who contributed their time, ideas, and encouragement.

Especially to our illustrator for bringing the game to life with their amazing artwork.

Follow here on her Social Media :https://x.com/mentai_wakame

We hope to continue collaborating with talented artists and bring their work beyond books, onto tables around the world.

Timeline

• Production: After campaign ends
• Shipping will start from December 2026
• Local pickup available at Cafe Storybook and the board game exhibition we will join after October

For Publishers

For Publishers

We welcome international publishing opportunities. Please contact us directly via Kickstarter messages if you are interested in partnering with us.