Game Factory is bringing the award-winning Danish party game, QORK, to the German market. This reaction-based dice game, honored as “Best Party Game” at the UK Games Expo Awards 2026, will be available for €25.99 from late July 2026, just in time for the party season.
QORK: Simple Rules, Instant Fun
QORK is a game of quick reflexes and anticipation. One player, the “cork grabber,” rolls two six-sided dice. All other players hold a cork on a string, placed in the center of the table. If the dice show a seven or a pair, players must swiftly pull their corks away, as the “cork grabber” simultaneously attempts to cover them with a large cup. Those who fail to react quickly enough receive penalty points.
“Only those who stay sharp, aren’t rattled by feints, and are quick to grab corks will have the best chance of winning,” describes the publisher. With a playing time of approximately 15 minutes and accommodating three to eight players aged eight and up, QORK is suitable for family gatherings and lively game nights alike.
International Acclaim: “Best Party Game” 2026
The game’s success is evident across the English Channel. QORK received the Judges’ Choice Award in the “Best Party Game” category at the UK Games Expo Awards 2026 in Birmingham. The UK Games Expo, with over 87,000 daily visitors, is the largest tabletop fair in the UK and the third largest worldwide, providing a significant platform for this Danish design to make its mark.
Originally published by the US publisher The Op Games (known for titles such as Telestrations and Flip 7), Game Factory is now launching the German localization. This release is part of the Nuremberg-based publisher’s long-standing strategy to adapt international party hits for the German-speaking market.
First Chance to Play at Berlin Brettspiel Con
The first opportunity to experience QORK live in Germany will be at the Berlin Brettspiel Con, held from July 10th to 12th, 2026, at the Estrel Convention Center. Game Factory will be present as an exhibitor, showcasing the game at their booth. The Berlin Con has established itself as one of the most important summer events in the German-speaking board game scene, featuring over 100 exhibitors, a prototype gallery with more than 35 tables, and the “Goldene Tatze” new release award.
The publisher has set late July 2026 as the target date for broad retail availability. The suggested retail price of €25.99 positions QORK in direct competition with established reaction games like Halli Galli or Klask.
Birger Norup: Danish Design with Timeless Appeal
Behind QORK is Danish designer Birger Norup. The game was originally known as PlayProp and is based on a concept from the late 1970s, which Norup developed with friends. The fact that an almost 50-year-old design is winning an international award in 2026 and is now being released in multiple language versions speaks to the timeless quality of the idea: simple rules, physical interaction, and a dash of chaos – a recipe that works across generations.
Game Factory: From Swiss Quiz Game to Children’s Game of the Year
Founded in 2008, Game Factory is part of the Swiss Carletto AG, which was established in 1986 by Helmut and Peter Gygax. Under the motto “Games for Family & Friends,” the publisher has made a name for itself with titles like Frantic, the dexterity game Klask, and the deduction game Verfuxt. Game Factory achieved its greatest success to date in 2024 when “Die magischen Schlüssel” by Arno Steinwender and Markus Slawitscheck was awarded Children’s Game of the Year.
With QORK, the publisher continues its strategy of including accessible games with high entertainment value in its program – a concept that precisely occupies the niche between family games and party games, where Game Factory traditionally excels.
