Chicago Student Has Created New Card Game

Latin School senior Jordan Abell developed a game designed to turn arguments into friendly conversations.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Board Games

Chicago Student Has Created New Card Game

Live Poll

Do you believe card games can help people have more productive debates?

Jordan Abell, a senior at the Latin School of Chicago, has launched a card game titled Controversy: Turn Fights Into Friends. The game blends the social dynamics of game nights with structured debating to help players explore new perspectives.

Why it matters

The game aims to provide students with a framework for articulating complex ideas effectively. By fostering dialogue, the project encourages players to find common ground through structured interaction.

The game, Controversy: Turn Fights Into Friends, was developed by a high school senior based in Chicago. It was designed to facilitate debate-style engagement in a casual tabletop format.

The players

Jordan Abell

Jordan Abell is a senior at the Latin School of Chicago who serves as the creator of the new card game.

The details

Jordan Abell synthesized the experience of hosting game nights with the skills gained from debating to design this activity. The goal is to create an environment where participants can articulate their positions while actively listening to opposing viewpoints.

September 24, 2026: Article publication regarding the card game creator

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Culture Shift

This project aligns with the rise of social-emotional learning games in extracurricular curricula by providing a student-led approach to conflict resolution. It reflects a broader shift toward integrating structured civic discourse into modern social gaming.

For Chicago students and families, this game offers a new tool for fostering communication during group gatherings. The project demonstrates how high schoolers can translate academic debate skills into practical, everyday social interactions.

The takeaway

The development of Controversy shows that even simple card games can serve as effective bridges for personal expression. Readers looking to improve communication in their own social circles can experiment with blending structured debate formats into casual leisure time.