Yule never guess what he’s launched for Christmas
In the fall of 2023, Doron Krinetz launched a Christmas-themed trivia game called Yule Never Guess. With a background in graphic design and creative writing and a degree in marketing, Doron was uniquely positioned to develop and launch this fun and exciting holiday-themed game that the entire family can enjoy. Doron followed up his initial foray into the gaming space with Who knew? Ultimate Hanukkah Trivia, a Hanukkah themed trivia game, and has just launched his first Yule Never Guess expansion pack in time for the upcoming holiday season. I recently spoke with Doron about what inspired him to create these holiday-themed games as well as what’s next for him in this space.
You entered the gaming market with a trivia card game called “Yule Never Guess,” whose theme is centered around Christmas. What inspired you to create the game.
Doron: You know, it all started on Christmas Eve. I was with my girlfriend and her family—ages ranged from 8 to 80. At some point, she had pulled out a bunch of trivia questions she’d printed off the Internet and everyone just dove in. I sat back for a minute, watching the chaos unfold—there were factions forming, people getting super competitive, and just so much laughter. It was hilarious! And then I had this thought: ‘I could totally turn this into a real game.’ With my background in design, and experience working with startups, it felt like the perfect challenge. So, I started researching—looking at costs, exploring other games, and connecting with manufacturers. Four years later, Yule Never Guess was born. It’s been an incredible journey.
What are the most important elements you wanted to see in your game?
Doron: There were three key things I really wanted to nail when creating this game. First, I wanted it to be something everyone could play, no matter their age. Some of the questions are tough—like ones only seasoned adults might know the answers to—but then there are pop culture, TV, and movie questions where younger players could totally dominate. That balance was super important to me.
Second, I wanted the gameplay to be as simple and straightforward as possible. I mean, who hasn’t been stuck in a game where the instructions are so complicated that people end up arguing about the rules—or worse, just giving up? I wanted to avoid that completely.
And finally, I wanted the game to feel timeless—not fully digital but with a digital element if people wanted it. That’s where the QR codes on the cards come in. It’s the only trivia game I know where you can validate your answers in real time with a quick scan on your phone. It’s all about blending the best of both worlds.
Walk us through how the game is played and what it takes to win.
Doron: Alright, so here’s how it works. The game has six trivia categories: entertainment, history, movies, music, stories, and traditions. You can play in teams or individually—totally up to you. Once a question is read out loud, it’s a race to see who answers first. The winner gets the card, which counts as one point.
Now, if there’s ever a tie, we get creative—you can either settle it with a classic game of Rock Paper Scissors or, if you’re feeling bold, beat each other into submission with a fruitcake. Totally optional, of course!
Some cards also come with bonus questions worth five points, but there’s a twist—only the person or team who answered the original question correctly gets a shot at those.
The game ends when someone reaches the agreed-upon point total, and they’re declared the winner. Oh, and here’s a fun house rule: whoever comes in last is stuck with cleanup duty after dinner. Keeps things interesting!
How did you go about getting the questions for the game and explain the significance of the QR codes on each card?
Doron: I pulled the questions together by scouring the web—everything from articles and stories to movies and songs. I wanted to make sure the game had a little something for everyone, whether you’re into pop culture or history. As for the QR codes, those came from a common experience we’ve all had when playing games—what do you do when there’s a dispute over an answer? Or when someone just wants to dig a little deeper? The QR codes solve that perfectly. You can scan them to validate the answer instantly or even explore more about it.
And let’s be honest—it’s also a fun way to bridge the generational gap. If someone’s not super into smartphones, it’s a great excuse for younger folks to show off their tech skills—or for the older crowd to surprise everyone by schooling the younger ones!
Give us a couple of sample questions that we might expect to see in the game?
Doron: Sure, here are a few sample questions to give you a taste of what’s in the game:
- Entertainment: What’s the name of the Grinch’s dog?
- Music: Brenda Lee was only 13 when she recorded this famous Christmas song.
- Traditions: What holiday treat is also known as ‘milk punch’?
- Movies: What Christmas movie starred Michael Keaton as a snowman?
There’s a little something for everyone, whether you’re a pop culture fan, a history buff, or just love quirky holiday trivia!
When did you know you had a game that would be popular?
Doron: You know, I didn’t really know it would be a hit—at least not at first. But I’ve always believed that trivia is one of those things people naturally love. Whether it’s Star Wars, cars, history, or bar trivia nights, there’s something about it that appeals to every kind of fan base. I was hopeful the game would catch on, but when I launched it last year, it actually doubled my projections, which was such an amazing surprise. Now, I’m excited to see what this Christmas season brings. Who knows? Maybe it’ll top last year!
What has been the reaction so far to the game and do you play it yourself with family and friends?
Doron: My family has absolutely been the guinea pigs throughout the game’s development—they were the first to play it and, honestly, the toughest critics! Now, it’s become a tradition for us, which is really special. The reaction beyond my family has been incredible too. The game has ranked highly on Amazon, and it’s even this year’s Amazon’s Choice selection. Who knows—this could be the start of a brand-new American Christmas tradition!
What other types of games do you like to play?
Doron: Alright, let’s see if anyone in your audience has ever heard of Cosmic Wimpout. It’s such a simple, fun game—if you haven’t, do yourself a favor and Google it. I guess I’m drawn to games like that—simple, but endlessly entertaining. When I was younger, I was all about Trivial Pursuit. And now, with my kids, Balderdash and Scattergories are two of our go-to favorites. They’re great for family game nights and always guarantee a lot of laughs!
You followed up your first game with a Hanukkah-themed trivia game. What inspired you to develop another seasonal game?
Doron: It’s called Who Knew? Ultimate Hanukkah Trivia. The idea actually came to me last Christmas when I went back to Baltimore to celebrate with my close-knit group of childhood friends. I was showing off Yule Never Guess, and they were all super excited about it, celebrating my new venture. But, of course, the conversation quickly turned into, ‘So… what about us? What about a Hanukkah game?’
I had thought about it before, being Jewish myself, but I wasn’t sure what kind of trivia I’d include. I mean, Christmas has so much pop culture tied to it, whereas with Hanukkah, I jokingly thought every answer would be Adam Sandler. But once I started researching, I realized there’s so much rich history, tradition, and even some fun pop culture moments. I think I’ve put together a pretty awesome game with Who Knew? that really captures the spirit of Hanukkah!
Any future plans for additional games or expansion packs?
Doron: Yes, I’m really excited to announce the release of Expansion Pack 1 for Yule Never Guess! It’s the same fun and fast-paced game that people love, but with all-new questions to keep things fresh. And the best part? It’ll be available just in time for Black Friday—perfect for the holiday season!
What do you think people will like most about the game and its theme?
Doron: I think what people will really love about the game is how simple it is to play. There are no complicated or hard-to-remember rules—it’s easy to jump right in and start having fun. And honestly, I think once people play it, they’ll realize they’ve found their new Christmas tradition without even trying. It’s the kind of game that just fits perfectly into the Christmas season.
Where can you get Doron’s fantastically fun games?
Doron’s games are available through Amazon.com via his website where you can get $5 off each or receive discounts by bundling your purchases here!
