Survive LLC Blackstone: From JD’s Market to Gen Con

Sometimes the best stories start small—like a family gift at Christmas that sparks something bigger than anyone expected. That’s exactly how Survive LLC, a tabletop game company based in Blackstone, began its journey.

Founded by a group of friends and family—including AJ Perez, Amber Masotta, Bethany Kinsman, Cassie Jansson, Giovanni Romeo, Kristen Eklund, Sam Levitre, Sid Mallick, and Christopher Chartier—the team has turned a homegrown idea into a nationally recognized success.

“This game was made by Bethany’s cousin, Giovanni, as a family tradition at Christmas where you have to make a gift for a relative,” said Christopher Chartier. “He made and gifted Survive to me and Bethany and us as a group fell in love with it. We decided to see what it would look like with a more professional look and everything kind of fell into place from there.”

What Makes Survive Different?

At its heart, Survive is a party game built on lively debates, laughs, and quick thinking. Players take on challenges from themed “editions” like Medical, Film, or Workplace. In one round, for example, you might have to argue who among your friends has the least self-control when faced with their favorite food. It’s lighthearted, funny, and—most importantly—designed for replayability.

Unlike many popular party games, Survive stays clear of cheap jokes. “We will not have anything that is racist, sexist, discriminatory, or homophobic for prompts as a cheap joke,” Chartier explained. The team has also noticed that fans of roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons have fun playing Survive as their characters, giving it an unexpected crossover appeal.

Rooted in Blackstone: Local Support at JD’s Market

Building a new game company from Blackstone hasn’t been without challenges. “As I have found out, it is hard to get anything built from the ground up,” Chartier admitted. That’s why local support has been so meaningful. JD’s Market in Blackstone gave the team a chance to demo and stock their game. “I am so thankful to JD’s Market for allowing us to demo and have our products on their shelves,” Chartier said.

That local connection led to some surprising moments—like a retired Hasbro vice president showing up at their demo. “His acknowledgement of the game and our efforts really justified our efforts and was the reason we went to Gen Con,” Chartier shared.

Gen Con Recognition: National Spotlight

In August, Survive LLC traveled to Gen Con, one of the largest tabletop gaming conventions in the country. To their surprise, Bower’s Game Corner declared Survive as one of their “2025 Games of the Show.”

“That was absolutely incredible and a big surprise,” Chartier recalled. “I wasn’t expecting those YouTubers to sit and play with us. The whole experience was incredible and I am still on cloud nine.”

That recognition has inspired the team to keep building momentum. “It has reinvigorated the love of the product and the desire to keep pursuing this game to get into other stores and ultimately into people’s homes,” Chartier said.

What’s Next for Survive LLC Blackstone

The team currently has nine editions of Survive available, with six more in the works—including Vacation, Holiday, Gaming, Technology, Dungeon Master, and Outdoors. They are also developing a deluxe box that will hold up to 18 editions.

Beyond game development, Survive LLC also gives back. Each November, they donate games to a charity auction hosted by a Universal/Warner Bros producer and his daughter, supporting a new cause every year.

A Local Story Worth Celebrating

What started as a handmade Christmas gift has become a full-fledged game company rooted in Blackstone. From demo tables at JD’s Market to the bright lights of Gen Con, Survive LLC’s story shows how far creativity and persistence can carry a small-town idea. And the best part? Their journey is still being written—right here at home.

You can support them by picking up their games right at JD’s Market in Blackstone—or by ordering online and bringing a piece of this hometown success story to your own table.

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At Small Town Post, our mission is to shine a light on the businesses, makers, and neighbors who make our community unique. Stories like Survive LLC Blackstone remind us that big ideas often start right here at home.

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