Draw to a friend: send one word, get three tries, draw one back
Not every game needs a table. Draw to a friend is a way to play Draw and Guess with one person at a time, even when you are not online together.
How it works
You draw a word. The game gives you a link. You send it to a friend by whatever you normally use. They open it, and they watch your drawing come to life stroke by stroke, as if you were drawing it for them.
Then they have three tries to guess the word. After that, it is their turn to draw one back for you.
What I like about it
The drawing is replayed in order, so your friend sees your thinking. A rushed scribble is funny. A careful drawing feels like a present.
The daily drawing
Separately, there is one word a day to draw in a minute and share. It is a good habit for a person who likes to draw for fun.
When to use it
I use it:
- when friends are in different time zones;
- when a group is too small for a full game;
- when someone is shy about drawing in front of a crowd.
Full games are still there
When you do want a table, Boardit has Draw and Guess for two to twelve players, with word packs and the host's own words. A friend can join a game that is already running, and everyone sees a gallery of the drawings at the end.
Sending it well
Choose a word your friend will enjoy, not the hardest one you can think of. They have three tries, so a word that is possible but not obvious makes a good game. Send the link with a short note, and say whether you want one back.
Who it is for
It is for two people who want a game that fits their own schedules. It is also a gentle way to introduce someone to Draw and Guess before asking them to join a table of strangers or colleagues. They can try a drawing, watch yours, and decide for themselves.
How big is the page?
The page you draw on is 800 by 600, the same for everyone, so a drawing sent to a friend arrives exactly as it was drawn. Four brush sizes (4, 8, 16 and 28) and eight tools (brush, eraser, fill, line, circle, square, rectangle and triangle) are all you have, which keeps a one-word drawing fast.
A tip for drawers
Start with the shape that gives the word away, not the details. A friend with three tries will get more from a clear outline than from a fine eye.
Ahmed Moaz builds Boardit, a free browser game site.