Pictionary
Pictionary is one of those games which is difficult to categorise. Yes, it has a board - but it's not a board game in any meaningful sense of the word. It's basically a cross between charades and drawing that's designed more than anything to be fun. It's a game where winning really is less important than playing.Pictionary was first released in 1985 and since then there have been various formats available to buy including 15th and 20th Anniversay Editions, Pictionary Junior (Jr) and themed sets with topics, words and phrases based on subjects such as The Simpsons and Austin Powers. You can even buy Bible Pictionary.
How to Play Pictionary
The Pictionary set consists of a board plus playing pieces and dice, a timer and a set of cards. The board is basically a scoresheet that also acts as a random subject selector. The heart of the game is the deck of cards. Each card contains a number of target words in various categories.The game is played in teams, with at least two players on each team. Team numbers should be about equal but if this isn't possible then team allocation can be used as a "handicap" mechanism, for example counting two children as one adult (in some cases two adults equals one kid would be fairer!).
Gameplay is simple - this isn't a game about rules! Teams take it in turns to play and within each team players take it in turns to be "artist". The artist on the team draws the top card, looks at the appropriate category, then starts drawing the word. His or her team must try to guess the word - time allowed is dictated by the timer which is nominally one minute.
If the artist's teammates guess the word before the time expires then the artist rolls the die and moves their marker forward the number rolled. The first team to reach Finish wins.
One rules complication is the "All Play" category. If an All Play category or word is selected, all teams are in play with their own artists, all drawing the same word for their own teams. First team to guess the word moves forwards and takes the next turn.
Pictionary has spawned various spin-off including a
video game and at least two TV shows.