And other countries, some with very many 'Articulate' enthusiasts, found themselves under restrictions. So we got shedloads of visits here from outside the UK. (Hello, Australian friends!) When the timer runs out the turn is finished. The DESCRIBERS count the number of cards that were correctly guessed and their team's playing piece is moved forward by that many segments. Play begins when a DESCRIBER throws the BONUS DICE to decide the team's BONUS TARGET for the turn. Now a member of an opposing team starts the RANDOM TIMER by pushing the large domed button on top. Describers and Guessers: Each turn team members divide into DESCRIBERS and GUESSERS. All players MUST take their turn at being DESCRIBERS during the course of the game. And for a completely new (yet pleasingly familiar) game… you’ll find Articulate Your Life starring in toy shops and department stores across the UK. You’ll find the gameplay and laugh-out-loud-factor very similar, but Articulate Your Life brings six totally different question categories, with cards that are slightly more left-field to test your creative description powers!

Finally, thank you SO MUCH for your stories, pictures and videos of folk using FaceTime, Zoom etc. to keep in touch with their loved ones over a game of 'Articulate'. It really does mean a lot. If you want to share anything then use #PlayArticulate and we'll find it - and you'll find our social links below.

WINNING:

Say the word itself or any derivative eg. If the word is "Post" you may not say "Postage" or if it is "Swim" you may not say "Swimmer" If this number of correctly guessed cards equals or exceeds the BONUS TARGET, the team adds two bonus segments to their move. No matter how big the team, there are never more than two DESCRIBERS at a time. Once familiar with the game, teams may wish to use only one DESCRIBER. THE TIMERS Both products come from the same team that brought you the original – so expect the same sort of gabbling team-based lunacy that you know and love…

If the icon shows two red timers, the 20 second timer is turned over when it first runs out, giving the team 40 seconds in total. PLAYING A TURN The colour and name of the segment on which the team's playing piece sits shows which category of words is to be described. For instance the START position shows 'HOME LIFE', so a team's very first turn would involve the pale brown card entries only. The segment's timer icon gives the time allowed for this turn. No matter how big the team there are never more than two Describers. Once you have played the game several times teams may wish to have only ONE DESCRIBER whatever the team size. PLAYING A TURN: When the timer runs out, the turn is finished. The DESCRIBERS count the number of cards that were correctly guessed and move their playing piece forward that many segments. If this number equals or exceeds the BONUS TARGET add two bonus segments. The segment that the playing piece lands on dictates the category that the team will play on the following turn. Play passes on to the next team. WINNING: Max Time Category: If a team lands on the MAX TIME segment (White) they can chose which category they want to play on their next turn AND they also get the MAXIMUM 37 second long turn. To make the timer give a 37 second turn, hold down the timer's button for 2 seconds. At the start of a 'Max Time' turn a DESCRIBER throws the Bonus Dice as usual. HOW TO PLAY:

If a team lands on the MAX TIME (white) segment, they can choose which category to play. The team gets 40 seconds for this turn (the 'two red timers' icon). WINNING The segment that the playing piece finishes its move on dictates the category that the team will play in the following turn. Teams compete to be the first round the board by guessing words that their team-mates describe during turns that vary in length. PREPARING TO PLAY The Bonus Dice: The Bonus Dice sides are numbered 3 - 8. At the start of each turn a DESCRIBER throws the dice to determine the team's BONUS TARGET for that turn. If your team correctly guess the BONUS TARGET number of words (or more) during that turn they win two bonus moves. For example if you throw a 4 and your team guess five card entries correctly you move your playing piece 5 spaces PLUS a further two. The ENTERTAINMENT category on the Finish segment is used if players decide beforehand that they want a longer game and play two circuits. DESCRIPTION RULES

Unfold the board, switch on the timer and place it in the centre. Players divide into teams. Two larger teams are better than several smaller teams. Each team selects a playing piece and puts it on the 'START' segment. SOME THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW: Say the word itself or any derivative, e.g. If the word is ‘Post’ you may not say ‘Postage’ or if it is ‘Swim’ you may not say ‘Swimmer’ A team's turn begins when one of their DESCRIBERS rolls the BONUS DICE. The sides are numbered 3 - 8 and this determines the team's BONUS TARGET. A member of an opposing team then sets the appropriate timer. For a longer game, use the ENTERTAINMENT category on the Finish segment and make a second lap of the board. DESCRIPTION RULES

PREPARING TO PLAY