pictionary
Latest
Because everything needs AI in 2023, Mattel added it to Pictionary
Mattel’s Pictionary just got an AI-enhanced update. Pictionary Vs. AI tasks players with drawing from clues, like the normal game, but these doodles are sent to an algorithm that tries to guess what you drew.
Next-gen ‘Pictionary Air’ arrives at Target June 23rd
Starting this Sunday, you can pick up Pictionary Air at your local Target for $20. The new game puts a high-tech spin on the classic. You'll still pull a card, choose from a list of items to draw and race against a timer, but you'll use a large digital pen to sketch in the air. Thanks to the app, other players will see your doodle on their phones, tablets or TV screens, but you won't see your creation until your time is up.
High-tech Pictionary is more challenging than using a pen
Pictionary seems like one of those perfect games that doesn't really need an upgrade. You draw on a piece of paper, and people guess what you're trying to show them. Sure, you can put the game on a phone or tablet, but the basic concept remains the same no matter where you play. However, this weekend at Toy Fair Mattel is unveiling Pictionary Air, which takes away the paper — or any other drawing surface, really — and asks to you draw in the empty space in front of you.
The new Pictionary has you drawing in thin air
It's not easy being a traditional board game manufacturer in these digital days, although some companies have taken pretty bold steps to bridge the gap between table-top and pixel-based play. Now Pictionary is doing the same with Pictionary Air, which takes your competitive sketching off the paper and puts it onto your phone, tablet or TV screen instead.
'Pictionary' comes to phones five years after 'Draw Something'
It has taken its sweet time, but Pictionary (with all the appropriate copyright branding), has landed on iPhones, Android devices and, oh, even Amazon's app store. The game has two modes. For one, you're given plenty of time time to draw overelaborate masterpieces in a turn-based game, while in the other you're playing in a real-time, two-vs-two challenge, which is obviously why you downloaded the app, right? Categories cover people, places, animals, objects, actions and a spicy "Difficult" category, while you can pick and choose from pencils, crayons, paintbrushes and more to communicate that this is obviously an olive tree, why can't you see that? Stares and stern pen-tapping noises are currently are not supported.
uDraw preview: Hands-on with THQ's GameTablet
THQ's uDraw GameTablet is a rather interesting peripheral. At first glance, it looks like a first-party peripheral. The simple mostly-white design makes it a perfect companion for the Wii, the Balance Board and the iconic Remote itself. Even after playing a few of the games that are compatible with the device, it's hard not to think of it as a Nintendo-made accessory. Essentially, the uDraw enables gamers to translate a DS-esque stylus-based gaming experience onto the TV. I tested uDraw Studio, a design application that comes bundled with the uDraw peripheral. In addition, I got to try out Pictionary and Dood's Big Adventure, two additional games that support the accessory.
THQ pencils in uDraw release date: November 14
THQ's uDraw device, a drawing tablet for Wii, will launch in North America on November 14. The $69.99 package will include the tablet and uDraw Studio, a drawing and coloring game. In addition, the other two known uDraw-compatible games, Pictionary and Dood's Big Adventure, will also be released on November 14, for $30 each. Along with these three release dates (or this one release date for three things), THQ noted that "Future waves of video game titles are planned during calendar 2011 and beyond." It's nice to have some measure of reassurance that the peripheral will be supported, at least.%Gallery-99627%
Pictionary and Dood's Big Adventure coming to uDraw on Wii
Rather than a once-off gimmick, THQ's trying to make the launch of its uDraw Wii drawing peripheral seem almost like a miniature console launch. Those who grab the tablet this holiday will also have the option of picking up launch games Pictionary and Dood's Big Adventure. In the latter, you'll play through 60 levels as a "Dood" of your own creation in "a world where coloring books come to life." There seems to be a definite Drawn to Life influence (also published by THQ!), with players creating much of said world with their own doodles. In Pictionary, you'll lead a team of space soldiers as they venture to the barren, post-apocalyptic planet of Pictionaria where a wayward prison transport has just crash landed. Sgt. John Hawk and his crew are ready to recapture the vicious convicts, but are they prepared for the bug-like but also robot-like Insectagons that would die to protect their home world? ... No, no, it's Pictionary. %Gallery-99638% %Gallery-99639%
THQ announces uDraw Game Tablet for Wii
How's this for heady irony? The "Games Aren't Art" faction takes a mighty blow today, and it comes at the hands of the publisher that brought us ... 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand. THQ has revealed "uDraw," a four-by-six inch tablet peripheral for the Wii that makes drawing as natural an input into the system as punching and pointing. It launches this holiday season in the states for $70, bundled with uDraw Studio, an "expansive drawing, coloring and art-based video game." A couple of other titles, Pictionary and Dood's Big Adventure will arrive on the same day for the appealing price of $30 with more on the way. Wiicasos in international territories can look for the pad in early 2011. %Gallery-99627%
THQ's uDraw GameTablet is like a Wacom for Wii (video)
Art games on consoles tend to be unpopular creations, Mario Paint about the only one to even approach retail success, but maybe all they needed was a proper input method. That's what THQ is hoping, at least, announcing the uDraw GameTablet for the Nintendo Wii. It's a chubby, pencil-like stylus tethered to a tablet that connects wirelessly to the console thanks to the Wiimote that slots right in. The tablet comes with a drawing game called uDraw Studio, while THQ is also working on an artsy platformer called Dood's Big Adventure and a digital version of Pictionary, which could be this thing's killer app. (You can catch a glimpse of them all in action in the video after the break.) The tablet will cost $69.99 when it ships by the end of the year, while games will be a rather more affordable $29.99. THQ also promises more games to come through 2011, but we're guessing their release is somewhat contingent on just how many little Picassos find these in their stockings this holiday season.
Omegathon 2008 lineup includes Peggle, Boom Blox, Rock Band, Jenga
The 2008 Penny Arcade Expo Omegathon V lineup has been revealed and it feels surprisingly casual. There's no Doom or Quake title like we've seen in every previous Omegathon. Also new: starting the first round with a non-board game (Jenga has been pushed to round 5). Here's the list: Round 1: Peggle Round 2: Boom Blox Round 3: Pictionary Round 4: Rock Band (Our guess is Rock Band 2) Round 5: Jenga Final Round: *** TOP SECRET *** The 20 Omeganauts have already been chosen (congratulations to any Joystiq readers who made the cut!); first prize this year is a trip for two to the Tokyo Game Show with all expenses paid and $5,000 in "walking around money."While last year's Omegathon skipped the previous tradition of using a classic retro title (Pong, Combat, Tengen Tetris), every year has featured an id Software shooter. With Rage, Doom 4 and the new Wolfenstein looking unlikely, we're trying to think of another potential, unreleased FPS that could top last year's surprise Halo 3 inclusion. If Tycho and Gabe are looking to make our heads explode, maybe they can get Duke Nukem Forever. We won't find out until minutes before the final round on Sunday, August 31 at 4:30 PM PT. In the meantime, check out the list of past Omegathon lineups, and feel free to make your own and play along at home.
Sega announces Pictoimage
Sega has a new DS title in the works, by the name of Pictoimage. A puzzle title set for release this August, Pictoimage is essentially a variation of the game Pictionary, where a word is presented and the player must draw something reflecting the meaning of that word. The title will feature multiplayer support for up to eight players, as well as a full-fledged single-player mode.You can check out some screens from the game in our gallery below.%Gallery-21261%[Via press release]
Pictoimage Pict up for U.S. release as well?
Sega's Pictoimage, their take on the Pictionary-like drawing competition game, was recently spotted on the OFLC database, indicating that the game is planned for release in Australia. It has now appeared on the U.S. trademark list as well, meaning that we (probably) now have two DS games on the way that involve drawing pictures in response to prompts!Pictoimage has a more full-featured drawing program than LOL, with such amazing innovations as different colors, and it also offers a single-player mode. Yet, somehow it also seems less wacky than LOL, and therefore less interesting. Probably because of the name.%Gallery-21261%[Via Siliconera]
Second Life's Primtionary Marathon
This is the first such event I've ever heard of -- a Primtionary Marathon in Second Life, starting at 11 AM on Friday the 23rd PST, and continuing on until Sunday the 25th at 12 PM. What's Primtionary, you ask? From the press release:"If you've ever played the game Pictionary in Real Life, and thought it wouldn't translate to SL, you need to see Yummie Olsen's Primtionary! An audience member volunteers to build a word given to them in IM, based on one of 5 difficulty levels. The rest of the audience shouts out guesses until the word is guessed, with the guesser winning L$50, and the honor of building the next word. It's a great way to hone your building skills (many of SL's top builders began building in Primtionary games) and is also a great way to meet people."For the ignorant: a 'prim' is a basic building block in Second Life from which all creations begin. You can find this event at Asim Zahra, and whether you choose to participate or just watch, a hilarious time is guaranteed for all! Try not to let the tryptophan slow you down.(Thanks, Yummie!)
Wii Warm Up: Tabletop style
With the news that Jenga is coming to the Wii, and with the Wii so perfect for certain other games (DS/Wii Pictionary, maybe?), we're curious what else you might possibly be interested in. One of the best parts about board games on XBLA, for example, is the lack of setup or cleanup (which is always nice), but how many games really translate well? Also, are such games better suited for download services or budget titles?
