The new Scrabble game, designed with beginners in mind, allows players to work as a team and complete goal cards at their chosen challenge level. 

Ahead of National Scrabble Day on 13th April, the Scrabble brand has unveiled a new way to play, adding a second side to the classic game board with Scrabble Together. This new version of Scrabble is a collaborative, faster-paced version of the iconic word game to make gameplay more accessible for anyone who finds word games intimidating.

To mark National Scrabble Day and celebrate the new game mode, new research has delved into UK adult’s love for board games, finding that 51% of board games players use it as a way of unplugging from social media and 65% believe that playing board games helps them switch off.

As the original word game, Scrabble has long been a celebration of words and language, evolving yearly to introduce new words in the official gameplay dictionary. Almost half (49%) of Scrabble players have tried to make up a new word to win a game of Scrabble, and 75% of those aged 25-34 have had to search a word to check if it’s real.

Scrabble has partnered with UK comedian and Scrabble superfan Babatunde Aléshé to to highlight the importance of screen-free family time. Babatunde said: “Quality time with the family, away from screens, is an absolute priority in the Aléshé household. Moments to connect together are so precious, and I’m proud to partner with Scrabble Together to highlight this important time.”

31% of Scrabble players say quality time and social interaction with family and friends is what motivates them to play, whilst 23% love the competitive nature.

Brett Smitheram, current UK No. 1 and 2016 World Scrabble Champion commented: “The game speaks to a trend in younger people who want to avoid competitive games and sense of losing, instead favouring teamwork and collaboration working towards a fun goal together.”

Designed with inclusivity and collaboration in mind, Scrabble Together allows players to work as a team to complete goal cards at their chosen challenge level, with helper cards to aid players throughout the game and a quicker game with simple scoring. The double-sided board allows people to choose whether they want a speedy cooperative game or would prefer to take the competition up a notch with the Classic version.

Ray Adler, VP, global head of Games, 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.”

The new research into board gameplay carried out by UK Scrabble also found that:

• 35% of Brits think that baby boomers are the most competitive generation, followed by Millennials (31%) with only 29% thinking Gen Z are the most competitive generation.
• 70% of board game players say they primarily play with family while 43% of board game players play board games primarily with friends.
• Over two thirds (68%) of board game players enjoy the strategic thinking and planning of board games.
• 70% of board game players appreciate the nostalgic appeal of time spent playing.