Scrabble wars: digital app of beloved game labelled a "nightmare" by purists

Clearly nothing is sacred in a time of coronavirus, as Scrabble is being turned into a digital app and dividing wordsmiths across the world in the process.

Purists have labelled this new version of the popular word game that has entertained families for 80 years an "online nightmare".

The new app "Scrabble Go", launched earlier in the month, adapted to digital times by providing users with the capacity to engage in anonymous battles through their smart devices with fellow spelling aficionados.

In addition to the classic mode adored by traditionalist Scrabble fans, the app offers new features, such as "tumbler", a quick, anagram-style game, and "duels" for players to face off in real-time matches.

In a world stuck inside, with people rapidly returning to old school forms of entertainment, a Scrabble championship winner is among those enraged by the digital platform, labelling it "a faceless app".

"Scrabble has a social element to it - if you're losing a game of scrabble over the board you have to sit there and take it," he said to the Telegraph.

"It builds up a bit of resilience and an ability to roll with the punches."

Smitheram suggested being able to quit out of an app, and not connect with another person would lead to insidious consequences, with players using the app to troll other users or cheat during the game.

"There are a number of apps that unscramble letters and tell you all the playable words, which can impact any real benefit someone gets out of the game," he said.id. 

Smitheram's criticisms echo an overwhelming desire for human contact amid a period of coronavirus self-isolation.

Criticism of the app has surged across the internet, with one Twitter user stating, "Tried it, hated it, deleted it. No thanks."

Another wrote the app was "an absolute disaster".

Others have been slightly more encouraging, writing, "The only dating app I use is @ScrabbleGO".

The digital version of the beloved game isn't Scrabble's first departure from tradition.

A limited edition Australian themed Scrabble was launched in 2017, sparking a conniption among fans as a glossary of words including local colloquialisms like "cozzie" and "schnitty" were permissible.

It was believed to be the first country-specific Scrabble in existence.