Scrabble has been a staple of many Christmases and family gatherings ever since its launch 75 years ago. But fans are now in for a huge shock, as the classic
is due to receive a major update for the first time in its history.
Called Scrabble Together, the word game will now use a double-sided board, with the changes designed to allow people to collaborate and play in teams. The game will also be more accessible for those who find word games intimidating or difficult and can be played by children as young as eight, using a simpler scoring system.
These landmark changes were announced by Firm Mattel, who own the rights to manufacture the word game outside the US and Canada.
Called Scrabble Together, the word game will now use a double-sided board, with the changes designed to allow people to collaborate and play in teams (©2023 Mattel, Inc./Cover Images)Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth, who organised the first British National Scrabble Championship in 1971 and is now president of the Association of British Scrabble Players, said he welcomed the new "exciting" launch. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he added: "We play the original game, but change is inevitable.
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"The makers of Scrabble found that younger people, Gen Z people, don't quite like the competitive nature of Scrabble. They want a game where you can simply enjoy language, words, being together and having fun creating words."
Ray Adler, head of games at Mattel, said: "Scrabble has truly stood the test of time as one of the most popular board games in history, and we want to ensure the game continues to be inclusive for all players. For anyone who's ever thought, 'word games aren't for me', or felt a little intimidated by the Classic game, Scrabble Together Mode is an ideal option."
Mr Adler added that "thanks to its exciting new co-operative and dynamic gameplay, it's more accessible and brings people together". It is a contrast to classic Scrabble, where players compete to get the highest score by strategically placing high-value letter tiles on the board.
The new version replaces the free-for-all of forming words with a more structured game, where players are given three "goal cards", each of which contains a set of challenges, alongside "helper cards" in case they get stuck (©2023 Mattel, Inc./Cover Images)The new version replaces the free-for-all of forming words with a more structured game, where players are given three "goal cards", each of which contains a set of challenges, alongside "helper cards" in case they get stuck. The winner is the player who completes all 20 challenges, while a participant will lose if they have used up all the helper cards and cannot complete a goal.
It is especially aimed at younger, Gen-Z players who prefer fun and playing together over the competitive nature of traditional Scrabble. Brett Smitheram, 2016 World Scrabble Champion, said: "The game speaks to a trend in younger people who want to avoid competitive games, instead favouring teamwork and collaboration working towards a fun goal together."
Mattel’s new launch comes as research found three-quarters of players aged 25 to 34 admitted they have searched a word online to check it exists. Meanwhile, almost half of Scrabble players also say they have tried to make up a new word to win a game.
Scrabble Together differs from Scrabble Junior - more of a crossword puzzle, with letters already on the board. The new board will still feature the original game on the other side for those who want to play the traditional version.
Scrabble started out life in 1938, invented in the US during the Great Depression by an unemployed New York architect named Alfred Mosher Butts as a method of distraction during the bleak economic situation. Butts devised the game’s iconic 15x15 board, calling his creation ‘Criss-Cross words’ - but game manufacturers weren’t interested.
It wasn’t until 1948 that it became the Scrabble we know today. Connecticut entrepreneur James Brunot bought the manufacturing rights in exchange for granting Butts royalties on every unit sold. He re-named it Scrabble, a real-world which means to ‘scratch frantically’ and brought in contributions such as the colour scheme of the board and the 50-point bonus for using all seven tiles.
It became a major hit, going on to be sold in 121 countries worldwide and available in more than 30 languages. Approximately 150 million sets have been sold across the world and it is estimated that around half of British homes have a Scrabble set.
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There are approximately 4,000 Scrabble clubs around the world as well as international competitions. Celebrity fans of the game reportedly include Jennifer Aniston, Daniel Radcliffe and Madonna.
What do you think of the new Scrabble update? Let us know in the comments
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