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Mattel, the company behind the beloved Scrabble board game, has introduced a new cooperative mode designed to enhance social interaction and inclusivity among players.
The innovative Scrabble Together edition features a double-sided board and helper cards, offering a more collaborative gameplay experience.
Players team up to complete goal cards at their chosen challenge level, utilizing helper cards throughout the game to aid their progress. The mode also features simplified scoring for a quicker and more accessible gaming experience. According to Mattel, the aim is to make Scrabble more inclusive for individuals who may find traditional word games intimidating.
Ray Adler, vice president and global head of games at Mattel, expressed the company’s commitment to ensuring Scrabble remains inclusive for all players. He highlighted the game’s enduring popularity and emphasized the importance of bringing people together through gameplay.
Brett Smitheram, the 2016 world Scrabble champion, noted that the new cooperative mode reflects a trend among younger players who prefer collaborative experiences over competitive gameplay. He emphasized the value of teamwork and collaboration in achieving shared goals.
Research conducted in conjunction with the launch of the cooperative mode revealed that board games serve as a means of unplugging from social media for over half of players. Additionally, the majority of respondents cited relaxation and social connection as primary reasons for playing board games.
Different generations have varying motivations for playing board games, with relaxation and social connection being particularly important for players aged 25 to 54. Despite perceptions of competitiveness among different generations, Scrabble players of all ages enjoy the game for its social and cognitive benefits.
Scrabble’s commitment to linguistic innovation is reflected in its continual updates to the official gameplay dictionary. The Merriam-Webster dictionary released the seventh edition of its Scrabble Players Dictionary in 2022, featuring 500 new words including slang terms and contemporary language derived from current affairs.
Mattel’s introduction of the cooperative Scrabble mode underscores its dedication to fostering social interaction and inclusivity through gameplay, ensuring that Scrabble remains a timeless favorite among players of all ages.
