Scrabble for the Kindle

The Kindle is a device optimized for reading, so if you're looking for lots of snazzy video game stuff it's not the toy for you.

That said, Hasbro Electronic Arts has created a really nice Scrabble game application for the Kindle that works exceptionally well. So far I've only played it solitaire against the built-in AI, but the game does have the option for playing with up to four other people in a sort of "hot seat" mode (I assume you'd just pass it around.)

The AI at "Normal" level isn't too hard to beat. It knows a lot of strange words, but it doesn't play very strategically. I found it's style to be a very frustrating defensive style that seems most interested in blocking YOUR moves rather than trying to set itself up for high-scoring plays of its own. I have found that this makes it vulnerable to a steady counter play that concentrates on scoring moderately well every turn (10-15 points) rather than looking for Bingos or other big plays.

It plays using all the usual standard Scrabble rules.

The interface is very easy to use, and is based off the "5-way" controller on the Kindle, making it pretty intuitive. My only concern is whether the 5-way is designed to take that much use over the long haul. Normally, while reading, you don't use it all that much.

Still, it works well so far and the price is very affordable, just $4.99, making it just about the least expensive Scrabble game available. Overall I like it and I think it's almost a "must-have" for a Kindle owner.

A weakness for tin

I have to admit I have a weakness for tin game boxes. Nothing is more likely to get me to shell out money for a game I already own than putting it in a snazzy tin box.

I'm not sure what the economics are of tin boxes. On the one hand, I do see them used to package some decidedly low-end products. It's not uncommon to see a tin box version of chess or dominoes in a retailer like Wal-Mart or Walgreens that doesn't cost a lot. These do tend to be public domain games where nearly all the cost in in materials and not in any creative design.

But Hasbro has put out some nice tin-box editions for games such as Scrabble, Clue and Monopoly as well that also have really nice game play components as well.

Tin boxes stand up well to the test of time, compared to paper boxes, although they still require proper storage. The weak point in game boxes are the seems, which tend to split with age. For tin boxes the biggest threats are dents and rust. Some tin boxes use hinges, which can break, but most tin boxes simply use a snug fit for the top.

It may very well be that tin containers are not an economic decision for low print-run products such as wargames, but I wouldn't mind seeing them used for some euros. Tin boxes may be too associated with U.S. producers, though, to appeal to the Euro crowd. And there may be less incentive for them to go that route because German-style game boxes are very sturdy.

Right now the latest editions of some Hasbro titles have gone low-cost, presumably to attract new players and keep sales up during tough times. But eventually there will be new "deluxe" editions of Acquire and Diplomacy and I wouldn't mind seeing a tinned version of either one.

Game nght at church

We had a game night at my church, and I'll post photos soon, but it was rather successful.

We had a number of old favorites and classics of course, such as Scrabble, Sorry, Yahtzee and cribbage. But I was also able to introduce some newer stuff to several comments like "I've never seen that before" such as Lost Cities, Hive and Heroscape.

We also had games of dominoes, Oh-Wah-Ree and Abalone hit the table.

Fluxx was also a big hit, I think it's a perfect game for an outing like this, being fun, easy to learna nd very quick to play.

Game of the Week: Scrabble

Scrabble is an odd game, because it's not really a gamer's game. While there is some strategic game play involved, its fairly straightforward and obvious. On the other hand, it definitely requires a good vocabulary -- or at least a good vocabulary of certain kinds of words.
On the other hand, there are many Scrabble players who don't play any other game. It ranks among those few games (such as Chess, Go, Backgammon, Diplomacy) that have their own devoted following with clubs, tournaments, magazines, etc. Like those other games, being a top-flight Scrabble player requires the kind of single-minded study and devotion that the casual gamer is not going to muster.
That said, it is a fun game among casual players and a great way to pass some time so long as everyone is more or less on the same level.