Beyonce on a triple-word score? Scrabble to upset purists with first rule change in its 62-year history

 

 

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 1:00 PM on 05th April 2010

 

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Shakira and Jordan will earn you 14 points each, while Jedward are worth 19 and Brooklyn Beckham adds up to an impressive 37 - and that's without double and triple letter scores.

In a move that's sure to upset Scrabble purists and bring accusations of dumbing down, the official rules are to be changed to allow proper nouns for the first time in the game's 62-year history.

Ever since the first Scrabble set was sold in 1948, names of people and places have been banned.

 

 

What will the purists say? How Scrabble games could look after the long-established rules are changed dramatically to allow proper nouns

 

 

Royal Marines and paratroopers prepare to spell out 'Happy Birthday Scrabble' in 1998 on the 50th anniversary of the board game

 

 

But games giant Mattel, which owns the distribution rights, has announced plans to make a series of dramatic changes designed to appeal to a younger audience.

Players will now be permitted to score with names of celebrities like Beyonce (14 points, or 42 on a triple-word score) and brands like Pepsi (nine points) and Reebok (12).

Mattel is also considering allowing players to spell words backwards and upwards on the board and place words unconnected to other pieces.

A spokeswoman for Mattel promised the new rules will be a 'great new twist' on the classic game.

 

She said: 'The layout, the colours of the board, the rules and the game itself have all remained unchanged for over 60 years.

 

'These changes are the biggest news for Scrabble lovers in the history of the game and will provide a great new twist on the old formula.

 

'We believe that people who are already fans of the game will enjoy the changes and they will also enable younger players and families to get involved.

 

'Obviously some people will want to continue playing the old rules so we will still be selling a board with the original rules.'

 

Out of work architect Alfred Butts began developing Scrabble in New York during the Great Depression in the Thirties.

 

He initially called his game 'Lexiko' and 'Criss Cross Words' but was unable to find a manufacturer willing to produce his idea.

 

Eventually he sold the rights to entrepreneur James Brunot who renamed it Scrabble.

 

 

Scrabble inventor Alfred Butts in the factory making tiles for his game, which has sold 150 million sets world-wide so far

 

The game was trademarked 1948 and since then over 150 million sets have been sold worldwide, with Butts receiving royalties until his death in 1993.

 

Enthusiasts from across the globe gather to compete in the world championships every year.

But the original rules have never officially changed - until this July this year when Mattel will release their new modernised version.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1263658/Scrabble-change-rules-allow-names-time-games-62-year-history.html#ixzz0kE6KTixV

:lol: Slow news day?

 

Mattel are considering what they write on the piece of paper that goes inside the box that everyone ignores? People were probably already using Beyonce as a word anyway.

 

And the people who actually play it for sport probably wouldn't know who Beyonce is.

Even so............................. :rolleyes:

Maybe they'll also start accepting nicknames like Lady Gargoyle, Wastelife and Groanan Keating.:P

And the people who actually play it for sport probably wouldn't know who Beyonce is.

 

:lol: true

So has anyone worked out whose name would get the most points out of the boys?:rolleyes:

:lol: Slow news day?

 

Mattel are considering what they write on the piece of paper that goes inside the box that everyone ignores? People were probably already using Beyonce as a word anyway.

 

And the people who actually play it for sport probably wouldn't know who Beyonce is.

 

Oh Mich....you've gone and hurt my feelings. ;)

I just got out of bed after playing the insomnia fix 'IPhone Scrabble' . Played Real Scrabble all Easter weekend with the fam as well. Now I feel like a bigger nerdwad than I already do on any given day. And PS...... there will be NO use of proper nouns on my Scrabble board, blasphemy :P

~K

Ah there's nothing wrong with playing Scrabble my dear, I just meant lots of people ignore the rules :kiss:

Even so............................. :rolleyes:

Maybe they'll also start accepting nicknames like Lady Gargoyle, Wastelife and Groanan Keating.:P

 

:laugh3:

Proper nouns in Scrabble is not right :angry:

:lol:, so random.

there will be NO use of proper nouns on my Scrabble board, blasphemy :P

~K

what she said :D

Proper nouns in Scrabble is not right :angry:

 

What about improper nouns?:rolleyes:

Proper nouns in Scrabble is not right :angry:

 

Agreed. Its like saying you can use 6 dice in yahtzee.

When I play Scrabble with friends and family we never follow the rules. We just kind of do whatever with it. Some of the words aren't even real. But, that is when you make up a definition to that word. It makes you get creative with it. :smiley:

I've never played Scrabble. :sad: It looks fun.

I love Scrabble. Now I will win for sure! Hoorah for allowing the use of Delacroix!

Proper nouns? In MY Scrabble?