Mattel : Updates Scrabble’s List of Playable Words
January 27, 2021 at 09:44 pm IST
Share
Mattel Updates Scrabble's List of Playable Words
By Ray Adler, Vice President, Global Head of Games, Mattel
In Scrabble® - as in life - the words we choose matter. Words have the power to strengthen, encourage and honor, but they also can be used to weaken, discourage and disrespect. Evolving the ways in which we support and stand with historically excluded communities through our brands and products has always been a top priority for Mattel, and we've learned from the events of last year this work must be continuous.
As a family friendly brand, Mattel will be updating the official Scrabble list of playable words so our game aligns with our mission, anywhere you play. We will do this in four ways:
Ongoing review and removal of words and definitions, including:
Removing hate speech from the game.
For words with multiple meanings, the definitions pertaining to hate speech will be removed.
Updating Scrabble products published by our licensee Collins accordingly to uphold the same standards.
Working with our mobile games developer, Scopely, to ensure removed words are not playable in the Scrabble GO mobile game, and definitions are updated to reflect the new word list.
Updating official Scrabble instruction sheet and tournament rules, in partnership with the World English Language Scrabble® Players Association (WESPA).
Scrabble is about harnessing the power of words for good, while finding and making words over equitable, fun, and fair gameplay. As language and connotations change over time, so must Scrabble, and just as we look to update the list with new words each year, we also must revisit words from the past. The removal of hate speech and definitions from the Scrabble word list is an important step for the game's inclusive progression and we hope to engage and educate ourselves alongside our players through the actions set forth above.
This will be an ongoing process, and we are committed to updating language as connotations evolve.
Media Contact
Mattel Newsroom
Email : press@mattel.com
Download Media
Attachments
Original document
Permalink
Disclaimer
Mattel Inc. published this content on 27 January 2021 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 27 January 2021 16:13:03 UTC
Mattel, Inc. is a global toy company and owner of catalogs of children's and family entertainment franchises. The Company's operating segments include North America, International and American Girl. The North America and International segments sell products across its categories, although some products are developed and adapted for particular international markets. The American Girl segment is a direct marketer, retailer, and children's publisher. Its product categories include Dolls; Infant, Toddler, and Preschool; Vehicles, and Action Figures, Building Sets, Games, and Other. Its brands include Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, and MEGA, as well as other intellectual properties that it owns or licenses in partnership with global entertainment companies. Its offerings include film and television content, gaming and digital experiences, music, and live events. Its products are available in more than 150 countries.
MATTEL, INC. 
