On Your Mark: A New Party Game to Try in Madison This Holiday Season
TL;DR: "On Your Mark" is a free, phone-based party game built by a Madison creator that gives families and friends goofy “missions” to complete together. One person hosts, everyone joins with a simple code, and the game runs right in the browser—perfect for holiday get-togethers, no app download required.
Holiday gatherings in Madison usually mean good food, board games, and someone falling asleep on the couch during a movie. If you’re looking for something new and easy to try this year, there’s a locally built party game that might be exactly what your group needs:
On Your Mark – a simple, hilarious, web-based game you play together on your phones.
What is On Your Mark?
On Your Mark is a social game you run in a browser (like Chrome or Safari) on your phone, tablet, or laptop. There’s no app store, no installs, and no signups for players.
The idea is simple:
- One person is the host and creates a game.
- Everyone else joins the game with a short code.
- The game gives players fun, light-hearted “missions” to complete.
- Each round, players get new missions, and the host keeps things moving.
Think of it as a cross between a party game, an icebreaker, and a challenge generator—all designed to get people laughing and talking instead of just scrolling on their phones.
Why It’s Perfect for Holiday Get-Togethers
Holiday gatherings can be great… and also a little awkward. You might have:
- Family members who don’t know each other well
- Teens who would rather be on TikTok
- That “what do we do now?” lull after dinner
On Your Mark helps break the ice without putting anyone too much on the spot. You can dial the energy up or down depending on your group.
Low setup, high fun
- No app download: Everyone just goes to OnYourMark.app.
- Fast to start: Games can be set up in minutes.
- Flexible: Works with small groups or a full living room of people.
Gets everyone involved
- Kids, teens, and adults can all play together.
- Missions are designed to be fun and social, not embarrassing.
- Great for that “in-between” time when people aren’t sure what to do next.
How On Your Mark Works (Step-by-Step)
Here’s what a typical game looks like:
- The host goes to OnYourMark.app and creates a new game.
- The game shows a room code – usually a short combo of letters and numbers.
- Everyone else pulls out their phone, goes to the website, and enters the code to join.
- Once everyone’s in, the host starts the first round.
- Players receive missions on their phones to complete within a time limit.
- At the end of the round, you can share what happened, laugh about it, and roll into the next round.
The goal isn’t to “win” in some serious sense. It’s to create those silly, memorable holiday moments people talk about later.
Ideas for Playing Over the Holidays
Because it’s browser-based and quick to start, you can drop On Your Mark into different parts of your holiday plans:
- After-dinner game: When everyone is full and a bit sleepy, play a lighter round to get people moving and laughing.
- Family game night: Use On Your Mark as a warm-up before your usual board games.
- New Year’s Eve: Keep things moving between snacks, countdowns, and other games.
- Snow day fun: Stuck inside during a snowstorm in Madison? Fire it up and play a few rounds.
A Madison-Made Game With National Potential
On Your Mark was created here in the Madison area, but there’s nothing “local-only” about how it works. Any group that can get to the website and share a room code can play, from living rooms in Madison to family gatherings across the country.
It’s the kind of simple, web-based experience that could easily spread if people start sharing it with friends and family in other cities. If you write about family tech, holiday fun, or party games, this is a unique, indie project worth watching.
How to Try On Your Mark This Holiday Season
Getting started is easy and free:
- Grab a friend or a group of family members.
- Have the host visit OnYourMark.app in a browser.
- Start a game and share the room code with everyone.
- Play a round or two and see what happens.
You don’t have to commit to a full game night. Try it for 10–15 minutes and see how your group responds. If people are laughing and asking for “one more round,” you’ve found a new holiday tradition.
On Your Mark Holiday FAQs
Does On Your Mark cost anything?
It’s free. The core experience is designed to be simple and accessible. Just head to the website and play in your browser. Check the site for any updates about pricing or new features as the game grows.
Do players need an account?
No. Players just join with the room code the host gives them. It’s quick and avoids the “everyone download this app and make an account” hurdle that kills a lot of party game momentum.
What kind of missions are there?
Missions are meant to be fun, social, and light-hearted—things that get people talking, noticing, and interacting, not doing anything unsafe or extreme. Think more “make up a ridiculous slogan” and less “call your ex.”
Is it family-friendly?
Yes. The game is built with families and mixed-age groups in mind. As with any game, the host can set the tone and decide what’s right for their group, but the default experience is designed to be clean and inclusive.
If you’re looking for something fresh to try with your family or friends in Madison this winter, give On Your Mark a shot. It might become the new “remember when…” story everyone brings up next year.
