Board Game Invented in New England Has New, Easier Version Because Gen Z Doesn’t Like the Original
Hmmmm, okay. I'm not sure how to take this. But hey, if this is the move the toy and game company Mattel plans to make, then so be it. After all, it's just a game, and those of us who grew up with the original Scrabble can just keep on playing that one.
The word game has been around since 1948, and was invented by James Brunot in Newtown, Connecticut. It originated from a word game created in 1938 that he bought the rights to, changed it a bit, then renamed Scrabble from Criss-Crosswords, according to Wikipedia.
By the way, Scrabble means "to scratch frantically."
The board game was turned into a game show from 1984 to 1990, then returned to the small screen for a few months in 1993. Scrabble was inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame in 2004.
This iconic word game has entertained us for generations, as well as frustrated us to no end. The last part (the frustrating part) is why Mattel, which manufactures the game outside of the United States and Canada, is creating a less intimidating version to tone done the competitiveness. Hasbro manufactures the popular word game within America and Canada.
This will be the first change in its 75+ year history.
According to the BBC, it's called 'Scrabble Together', and is a double-sided board. While the original board game loved by basically every generation (except Gen Z, for the most part) will be on one side, the new, easier, friendly version will be on the other side.
Scrabble Together will have helper cards and an easier scoring system, which will also make it a faster-moving game. You can play solo or in teams, as well.
According to CNN, Mattel found that competitive games are declining with the younger generations like Gen Z. They prefer games involving teamwork, while simply having fun without the pressure and even intimidation that Scrabble can create.
Scrabble Together will only be available outside the United States and Canada for now, since Mattel is creating it rather than Hasbro. Although I love the original, I'd definitely try Scrabble Together if or when I can get my hands on one.
Sometimes, light-hearted fun is exactly what we need.
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