Codenames is a popular word association board game that challenges players to communicate and guess words based on limited clues. It is designed for two or more teams, with each team consisting of a spymaster and field operatives.
The game is played on a grid of word cards, each representing a codename. The spymasters have access to a key card that shows which words correspond to their team's agents, which words correspond to the opposing team's agents, and which words are innocent bystanders. The objective is for the field operatives to correctly guess all their team's codenames without accidentally selecting the opposing team's codenames or the assassin, which instantly ends the game.
To play Codenames, the spymasters take turns giving one-word clues that relate to multiple codenames on the board. The clue should be related to the meaning or association of the words, but it must not directly reference any specific word on the board. The number in the clue indicates how many codenames are associated with that clue. The field operatives then discuss and make their guesses based on the clues provided by the spymaster.
The game continues with alternating turns between the teams until one team successfully identifies all their codenames or until a team selects the assassin, resulting in an immediate loss. The team that correctly identifies all their codenames first wins the game.
Codenames has gained significant cultural significance since its release in 2015. It has become a popular party game due to its simple rules, engaging gameplay, and ability to accommodate large groups. The game encourages teamwork, communication, and creative thinking as players try to decipher and interpret the spymaster's clues. Codenames has also been adapted into various language editions, further expanding its cultural impact and appeal across different regions.
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