This holiday season, Mayhem Games is on a mission to flip the script on Asian American representation in gaming, and their debut game, Clapback: The Asian American Edition, is here to do just that—one perfectly timed comeback at a time.

Ever been hit with a microaggression and only thought of the perfect response hours later? Clapback gives players the chance to relive those moments—but this time, with razor-sharp comebacks and a table full of friends backing them up. The game is more than just a hilarious party experience—it’s a way to reclaim agency, celebrate community, and turn everyday frustrations into fuel for laughter and empowerment.

“We created Clapback because we were tired of being the punchline—we’d rather be the ones delivering it,” says May Lee-Yang, founder of Mayhem Games. “Asian Americans have long been sidelined in pop culture and gaming. Our goal is to change that by putting us at the center of our own stories—with power, wit, and joy.”

Lee-Yang developed her company while she was a fellow with The Finnovation Lab, a 9-month incubation space for entrepreneurs whose company has a social impact. While she is a first-time entrepreneur, she’s no stranger to entertainment. Lee-Yang is a Twin Cities-based Hmong American playwright, poet, performer, and filmmaker whose work has been supported by a Bush Leadership Fellowship, the McKnight Fellowship in Playwriting, the National Performance Network, and an Ordway Sally Award for Arts Access.

The Mayhem Games Mission: Taking Up Space & Powering Up

Founded on the belief that Asian Americans deserve to be more than sidekicks, Mayhem Games is dedicated to creating tabletop experiences where players can power up—on the board and in real life.

One way Mayhem Games creates impact is by ensuring that the people behind the scene also reflect the communities they serve. Clapback was developed in collaboration with the Twin Cities-based comedic organization, Funny Asian Women Kollective (FAWK), of whom Lee-Yang is a co-founder, and the art work was designed by Brenda Tran of Banana Leaf Collective. Additionally, Lee-Yang envisions that each game will have its own unique journey. For example, Mayhem Games is committed to donating five percent of profits back into initiatives that impact Asian American communities.

Why This Game Matters

More than just a game, Clapback creates space for conversations around the Asian American experience—while delivering unfiltered hilarity. Whether you’re at a game night, a family gathering, or a reunion with friends, Clapback guarantees memorable moments and hard-hitting laughter.

Clapback is available for purchase now at www.mayhemgames.net for $30.

Photo credit: Lucy Vang