Mattel introduces a friendlier and collaborative Scrabble edition

One of the most popular word games in the world, Scrabble, is getting an updated version that is more collaborative and accessible.

For over 75 years, Scrabble has been entertaining and frustrating players with its simple concept of forming high-scoring words from a set of random letters.

The double-sided board will also include the Classic version of the game.

The double-sided board will also include the Classic version of the game.

Mattel is introducing an improved version of the game Scrabble called Scrabble Together. This new version includes a collaborative and faster-paced second side to the board. The goal is to make the gameplay more accessible for those who may feel intimidated by word games. Mattel made this announcement on Tuesday.

Instead of competing, players collaborate to complete goal cards, and there are helper cards if assistance is required.

Ageless Innovation

Related article

These popular board games are getting revamped for older adults

The aim is that the new game mode “brings people together,” Ray Adler, Global Head of Games at the company, said in the statement.

"Scrabble has remained a popular board game throughout history, and we want to make sure it remains inclusive for all players," he mentioned. "If you've ever thought word games weren't your thing or found the Classic game a bit intimidating, Scrabble Together Mode is a great choice."

Mattel conducted research with British board-gamers, revealing that competitiveness is seen as decreasing in younger generations. Out of the 2,000 surveyed, 35% believed baby boomers were the most competitive, followed by millennials at 31% and Gen-Z at 29%.

People play Scrabble on November 19, 2014.

People play Scrabble on November 19, 2014.

Yui Mok/PA Wire/AP

Related article

Scrabble has introduced 500 new playable words such as ‘vax,’ ‘deepfake,’ and ‘Jedi’.

According to Brett Smitheram, the current UK number one Scrabble player and the 2016 World Scrabble Champion, the game reflects a shift in preference among younger players. They are moving away from competitive games and leaning towards teamwork and collaboration to achieve a common enjoyable goal.

Scrabble Together will be launched in Europe, according to a Mattel spokesperson who informed CNN on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the updated version of the game will not be released in the United States because Mattel does not have the license for that region.

This marks the first significant update to the Scrabble board's appearance. The game continues to incorporate new words into its official dictionary to stay current with the evolving English language.

In November 2022, over 500 new words were introduced in the seventh edition of the dictionary. These additions include words such as "adorbs," "dox," and "zoodle," which were not commonly used back when the game was originally developed in the 1930s.

Editor's P/S:

The updated version of Scrabble, called Scrabble Together, aims to make the classic word game more accessible and collaborative. By introducing a second side to the board that encourages teamwork and provides helper cards for assistance, Mattel hopes to appeal to those who may have felt intimidated by traditional word games. This move reflects the changing preferences of younger generations, who are increasingly drawn to cooperative games that emphasize shared enjoyment over competition.

The update to Scrabble also highlights the ongoing evolution of the English language. The addition of over 500 new words to the official dictionary in November 2022 reflects the dynamic nature of language, which continues to incorporate new terms and expressions to keep pace with societal and technological advancements. This ongoing update ensures that Scrabble remains relevant and engaging for players of all ages and backgrounds, fostering a love of words and language while providing a fun and challenging gaming experience.