Locked-In: How Family Ties Turned into a Hit Card Game

When I hopped on a virtual call with my longtime friend Vic Hardison, I didn’t expect to leave the conversation not only inspired but genuinely excited about a card game. Vic, known to many as “Vics Vibes,” has worn many hats; engineer, content creator, former college quarterback, and now, co-founder of a new cultural phenomenon in the making: Locked-In, a family-style party card game that fuses trivia, strategy, and social connection into one experience.

What makes Locked-In unique isn't just its gameplay, it's the story behind it. Created alongside his first cousins Drew Thompson, Shante Davis, and Jordan Davis, “day ones,” as he puts it, Locked-In was born out of family bonds forged in the heart of College Park, Georgia. “It was crazy,” Vic recalls. “We literally grew up together in an apartment off Old National. Ten of us in the house. These are my best friends and family. So to come full circle and build something together, it’s special.”

Locked-In isn’t just another answer-and-vote game. It’s layered, strategic, and most of all, deeply rooted in real community. The rules are simple: answer a prompt like “Name a popular appetizer,” and try to match your response with others in the group. If two people write the same answer, they’re “locked in” and score big. But if too many people say the same thing or no one else says it at all; you’re left with nothing. Add in wild cards like "Guess Who" or "Majority Rules," and it gets real, fast.

“It’s like a nod to the greatest games of all time,” Vic says. “Spades, Uno, Family Feud, and even Taboo. We pulled the best parts and made something brand new.”

From Engineering to Entertainment

Vic’s path to Locked-In wasn’t exactly linear. Starting his collegiate career as a quarterback at Savannah State and then transferring to obtain an engineering degree from Kennesaw State, coupled with a resume that includes electrical design work at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, he built a technical foundation before pivoting into content creation and entrepreneurship.

“I started out in electrical engineering,” Vic tells me. “I’ve done everything from one-line diagrams to naming every switchboard at the Atlanta airport.” But he soon realized that his real strength was leadership, something he credits to his years as a quarterback. “When you’re in the huddle with ten grown men and you have to lead, that teaches you how to manage egos, communicate clearly, and drive execution.”

It’s no surprise then that Locked-In was developed, manufactured, and brought to market in just 90 days. “From December 25th to March 25th, we went from ideation to ordering 2,000 units,” he says. “Design, trademarks, sourcing manufacturers, it was all in-house. That kind of efficiency came from years of leading and building.”

Building While No One’s Watching

What struck me most about Vic wasn’t the hype, it was the humility. He spent months perfecting Locked-In in silence, opting not to post the behind-the-scenes journey on social media.

“I’m one of those people who really believes in working while no one’s watching,” Vic explains. “Everyone wants to document the process. I get it. But I wanted people to feel the game in their hands. That speaks louder.”

And it does. At a recent baby shower, the power went out mid-event but the party kept going thanks to Locked-In. “Someone literally stood up and said, ‘Let’s shout out Vic, this is a game that doesn’t need Wi-Fi or lights,’” he laughs. “That’s the biggest nod you can get in today’s tech-heavy world.”

Culture at the Core

Vic’s story is a celebration of Black creativity, community, and cultural resilience. He reflects on formative years at Lovejoy High School in Hampton, Georgia, what he and peers fondly call Lovejoy University. “We almost lost our accreditation during junior year, and everyone stuck together,” he says. “That bond created Olympians, NFL players, and now entrepreneurs like me. It was a magical time.”

It’s no surprise then that Locked-In was designed with adaptability and community at its core. “We wanted a game that anyone could pick up,” Vic says. “It works whether you’re 14 or 75. But we’re also rolling out expansion packs; anime, sports, ladies night, even an adult version. This is just the beginning.”

So What’s Next?

With a second wave of thousands of units arriving and listings on TikTok Shop and Amazon soon to come, the future looks bright. The ultimate goal? Taking Locked-In digital while maintaining that face-to-face magic. “We’re building One Degree Gaming,” Vic says, referencing the idea that games should bring people closer, reducing the “six degrees of separation” to just one.

And yes, he gave us his hot takes:

• Top 3 card games of all time? Spades, Taboo, and the physical version of Heads Up.
  
  
• Most overrated? Cards Against Humanity, “It’s funny at first, but the replayability fades fast,” he explains. “We wanted to fix that with Locked-In. The game changes depending on who’s playing.”
  
  

You can follow Vic at @vics.vibes and @lockedin_game and grab your copy of the game at lockedingame.com or on TikTok Shop. And trust me whether the lights are on or off, you’ll be glad you did.

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