Strange

New Scrabble Rules: New 'Scrabble Trickster' Allows Proper Nouns

by Jon Azpiri | April 6, 2010 at 02:28 pm

9668 views | 5 Recommendations | 5 comments

A New Set of Scrabble Rules Are Being Released Allowing Proper Names. Are the New Scrabble Rules A Necessary Update or a Dumbing Down?

Reports have been circulating in the UK media about a new set of rules for the classic board game Scrabble. The new Scrabble rules would allow for the use of proper names, meaning that you could use the names of famous people, everyone from Barack Obama or Lady Gaga.

The new Scrabble rules would allow for place names and trademarks. On top of that, gamers will be allowed to spell words backwards or placed unconnected to other pieces.

New Scrabble Rules Only Apply To New Scrabble Trickster

Needless to say, some old school Scrabble fans are outraged at the new Scrabble rules. But old school fans shouldn't have much to worry about. The new Scrabble rules will only apply to a new version of Scrabble known as Scrabble Trickster, which will be released this summer.

The new Scrabble will be available in the UK, but there are no plans to sell it in North America. The old version of Scrabble will still be for sale in the UK and elsewhere.

Why Change the Rules For Scrabble?

A lot of board game fans will no doubt ask, why change the rules for Scrabble? The rules have been around for 60 years and you don't hear anyone complaining.

Mattel UK execs say the new Scrabble Trickster is a way to reach out to a new generation of gamers.

“It’s really adding a new dimension,” Mattel U.K. spokeswoman Charlotte Bird told the Star on Tuesday. “It’s an opportunity to bring new players to the game, younger players who may know celebrity names their parents wouldn’t know.”

Of course, many critics will no doubt think the new Scrabble rules are just a dumbing down of a classic board game.

These changes go against the core tenets of the game. Avoiding names is a discipline. And floating words make it even easier. Why play a game that doesn't challenge you?'

Judging by early reaction from Scrabble fans, the new Scrabble could flounder. Don't be surprised if the new Scrabble goes the way of another famous re-branding: New Coke, which coincidentally is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month.

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John McDonald (not verified)

at 02:49 on April 7th, 2010

The children today do not play word games , they sit on there computers spelling words like ur, cheerz , de , lol, lmao, ect. I believe It's a GREAT idea to inlude the younger generation into the game of scrabble. I would rather my child playing scrabbles new version, rather than playing violent video games .... So to all U winers , suck it up, It's not all about U .

Emmy123 (not verified)

at 06:14 on April 7th, 2010

Considering that you aren't much of a speller yourself, John, I'm not surprised that you feel this way.

BRONTE (not verified)

at 00:23 on April 8th, 2010

I am a purist when it comes to Scrabble. The introduction of proper nouns is an attempt to dumb down what is essentially an excellent board game. The world is just turning in to a morass of mediocre, mindless people who are all too keen to accept poor spelling and bad grammar.

DanielZ (not verified)

at 23:30 on April 9th, 2010

Exactly, i really don't see this as good thing either...

chiliwis (not verified)

at 19:56 on May 4th, 2010

I'm kind of half and half on the changes. I like the idea of countries and cities, but don't think people should be allowed. also foreign words and latin if all players know the language would be okay. non-connecting words-absolutely not! it defeats the purpose of the game. one thing my friends and I do that will probably bring some screams, is use the scrabble dictionary before we put a word down, to check for spelling and existence. to us, it's a great way to keep expanding our vocabulary. otherwise we always have the same base to play with, and don't grow. bottom line, I think, is that if all players are in agreement to a change in playing, it should be okay. after all, how many of us play in tournaments every day?