unicorn-or-bust
Start the Unicorn or Bust game. Use this skill when a user wants to play the Unicorn or Bust game - a choose your own adventure game where you play as a startup founder navigating challenges to build a unicorn. The game is powered by the unicorn-or-bust MCP server with dynamic challenges, resource management (runway, morale, product, investor hype), and stat progression.
When & Why to Use This Skill
The Unicorn or Bust skill is an immersive startup simulation and 'choose-your-own-adventure' game designed for Claude. It allows users to role-play as a startup founder, navigating the high-stakes journey of building a billion-dollar company. Powered by a dedicated MCP server, the skill features dynamic resource management (runway, morale, product, investor hype), character archetypes, and satirical storytelling that reacts to user decisions.
Use Cases
- Startup Founder Simulation: Experience the complexities of entrepreneurship by making critical decisions that impact a company's growth, funding, and survival.
- Business Strategy & Resource Management: Practice balancing competing priorities such as cash runway, team morale, and product-market fit in a risk-free, simulated environment.
- Interactive Narrative Entertainment: Engage in a satirical and humorous role-playing experience that explores Silicon Valley culture through unique character archetypes and fatal flaws.
- Educational Role-play: Use the simulation to understand the trade-offs and challenges typically faced during the different stages of a startup's lifecycle.
| name | unicorn-or-bust |
|---|---|
| description | Start the Unicorn or Bust game. Use this skill when a user wants to play the Unicorn or Bust game - a choose your own adventure game where you play as a startup founder navigating challenges to build a unicorn. The game is powered by the unicorn-or-bust MCP server with dynamic challenges, resource management (runway, morale, product, investor hype), and stat progression. |
| - https | //server.smithery.ai/@smithery/unicorn/mcp |
Unicorn or Bust
A choose-your-own-adventure startup simulation game where players navigate challenges as a founder trying to build a unicorn company.
Game Overview
The player creates a founder character with:
- Founder Name - Funny/satirical names work best (e.g., "Russ Hanneman", "Clark Zuckberg")
- Pitch - Hilarious one-liner startup concept
- Archetype - Character type (e.g., "The Hustler", "The Visionary")
- Archetype Stat - Core strength:
technical,hustle, orcredibility - Fatal Flaw - Character weakness that can trigger disadvantages
Gameplay Flow
1. Start the Game
Call start_game with founder setup and the first challenge. It's useful to ask the user for their character name and one-liner. If user does not respond, make up something creative and funny.
2. Play Turns
Call play_turn for each player decision. Do NOT describe next challenge options in your text — they appear in the UI. Only narrate what happened.
Resource Management
- Runway - Cash available (always visible)
- Morale - Team morale (unlocks month 3)
- Product - Product market-fit (unlocks month 5)
- Investor Hype - Investor interest (unlocks month 7)
Game End Condition
Stop calling play_turn when the game ends (omit nextChallenge in the final turn).
Key Principles
- Keep text concise - UI shows options and stats, focus your narration on story/consequence
- Make choices matter - Outcomes reflect the chosen path and trigger consequences
- Escalate challenges - Increase difficulty as months progress
- Use the flaw - Trigger the founder's fatal flaw strategically for drama
- Balance risk/reward - Create meaningful dilemmas with tradeoffs