News

GDC '09: Scrabble update spells support for Facebook Connect

Cross-platform play added to the game

GDC '09: Scrabble update spells support for Facebook Connect

Kicking off a dedicated effort to expanding the company's social games to iPhone, EA Mobile has revealed a major update this morning for Scrabble that ties it with Facebook Connect.

Joining wi-fi multiplayer, which had been added in an earlier update to EA Mobile's App Store launch game, Scrabble now offers cross-platform multiplayer games with users on Facebook. Through the network, you're able to effortlessly link up with friends from your Facebook account.

VP Worldwide Studios Travis Boatman outlined the motivation for tying Scrabble on iPhone with the Facebook community. "In order to be competitive on the App Store, you need to stand out by being highly innovative and connecting the two platforms sets out game apart from the other word games out there."

Unlike many of the multiplayer games currently on the App Store, Scrabble occurs in real-time, with turns relayed nearly instantly between users.

As soon as a player makes a move, the turn is immediately broadcast across both platforms and the next player gets their turn. Even better, you're able to manage multiple games at once.

While Scrabble didn't earn much praise for its lack of network play in our original review, this newest update is a welcome amendment that dramatically ups its value. According to EA Mobile, the update is free to existing Scrabble users and will be available today.

Tracy Erickson
Tracy Erickson
Manning our editorial outpost in America, Tracy comes with years of expertise at mashing a keyboard. When he's not out painting the town red, he jets across the home of the brave, covering press events under the Pocket Gamer banner.