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About Money Maker

The story behind the board game that teaches the world about banking and money creation

Our Story

"How come billion dollar banks suddenly go bust around the same time? And why do they need our money to keep them afloat? Most bankrupt companies don't get taxes spent on their bailout. Asking the people to bail out billion dollar institutions seems a bit rich."

These questions were plaguing our minds in 2008 when all hell seemed to break loose and major banks around the world were on the brink of bankruptcy. How come the place we use to keep our money safe is not always safe?

It turns out that the enormous profitability of banking as well as their occasional existential crisis are two sides of the same coin. That coin being their business model: while normal people must earn money before they can spend it, banks create money every time they lend it.

Paul's Quest

In 2008, Paul was a game design student in Copenhagen who used money daily but had no clue how it worked. "Who makes it? And why? Can I make some?" When he discovered the Goldsmith's Tale, he knew it would make a great game.

Luuk's Mission

A student in Utrecht, Luuk was shocked that the state cut education and healthcare spending to bail out billion-dollar banks. He started Ons Geld foundation and gathered 100,000 signatures for the first parliamentary debate on money in 200 years.

Gijs' Awakening

An investment banker in London who lost his job in the 2008 crisis. Only then did he learn about banks' money-making business model. He joined Ons Geld, realizing even bank employees don't understand how money creation works.

In 2016, when Luuk and Gijs played Paul's first prototype, they knew they'd found the perfect tool to educate the public. The game sessions were hilarious and enlightening - players screaming "You are just like Lehman Brothers!" as they faced sudden bank runs.

These moments brought clarity to stories heard on the news and made complex financial concepts tangible. We knew this was how we'd spread the Goldsmith's Tale to the next generation around the world.

Money Maker would become the Monopoly of the 21st century.

Meet the Team

P

Paul Brinkkemper

Game Designer & Economist

"I wanted to create a game that would make people understand how money is really created - not by governments, but by banks."

Kevin

Kevin

Physicist & Game Developer

"The mechanics of money creation are as fascinating as any physical law. This game makes those mechanics tangible."

Cecilia

Cecilia

Chemist & Playtester

"As someone who found economics confusing, this game finally made it click. Now I understand how credit creates money!"

Our Mission

Education Through Play

We believe the best way to learn complex concepts is through hands-on experience. Money Maker lets you experience being a banker and see firsthand how credit creation works.

Financial Literacy

By understanding how money is created, players gain a deeper understanding of economics, investment, and financial markets that serves them in real life.

"Our goal is to democratize financial education, one game night at a time."

Our Journey

2011 - The Origin

Paul finishes his master thesis with Money Maker, a game to teach the world about banking. Then digital and not very functional. Luuk starts the foundation "Ons Geld" (Our Money) with the purpose to reform the financial system to serve the people.

2012 - Public Movement

Ons Geld gathers 100,000 signatures to force a parliamentary debate and later a public inquiry into the working of the monetary system. Gijs joins Ons Geld.

2016 - The Board Game Is Born

Paul creates a paper prototype to show the mechanics from his digital game. He shows it to Luuk and Gijs from Stichting Ons Geld who ask "what if we make a board game out of this?" The first print of Money Maker is produced and 1,000 copies are sold out to Ons Geld fans.

2018 - International Expansion

With the help of sister foundations in Denmark (Gode Penge) and Germany (Monetative), Money Maker is printed for a second time in 4 languages: Dutch, Danish, German and English.

2023 - Professional Development

After the second print sells out and three banks go belly up due to a bank run, work begins on the third print. The game is redesigned to be faster, simpler and more interactive for the mass market. Artists Aditya Permana, Josh Nelson and Jason Boles join the team. 200 review copies are sent to journalists and YouTube reviewers.

2024 - Crowdfunding Success

April: Kickstarter campaign runs with over 600 backers pledging support. October: Gamefound campaign opens. Q4: Assets approved for manufacturing.

2025 - Global Launch

Q1: Manufacturing complete and sent to warehouses in EU, UK and US. Fulfillment to backers begins, bringing Money Maker to homes and game stores worldwide.