Multiplayer game

Categories game online

Play Categories game, also known as Guggenheim or Scattergories online: create a game, send your friends the link or QR code and play. No installation, no account. Nobody to play with? Play against robots. Sitting together at a table? We have an offline version to print on paper too.

Create a game Free printable PDF

  • Free
  • On a phone and a computer
  • 48 languages
  • No registration

How the game works

A round starts when the game draws a letter. Then you only write: for every category a word that starts with that letter. Whoever finishes first presses STOP.

Step by step

From choosing categories to the results of the game.

  1. Choose the categories

    The New game page has ready-made categories. You can search for them, add your own, or press Shuffle to pick random ones. A game can have 3 to 12 categories. You can find inspiration in the catalog.

    Choosing categories Choosing categories
    Choosing categories
  2. Write

    After the start you see the letter of the round and a field for every category. Next to the players' names you can see who is already writing. The round ends with the STOP button, or when the time limit runs out, if you turned it on.

    Writing words Writing words
    Writing words
  3. Check the words

    After the round everybody's answers are shown. You mark words that don't belong in the category as invalid. A word marked by most of the players doesn't count. For common words, an AI description helps you decide.

    Evaluating words Evaluating words
    Evaluating words
  4. Results

    After the last round the points are added up and whoever has the most wins. Registered players are written into the hall of fame.

    Game results Game results
    Game results

What everyone can do, even without registration

  • Vote for the next game

    After the game you can vote on which categories will be played next. The game manager decides, your votes help them.

  • Play against robots

    Nobody to play with? Add a robot. It uses words other players have already written and that were accepted. Or play right away.

  • Invite friends

    A link or a QR code is enough. The game is ready right after you create it.

  • Play in your language

    The game exists in 48 languages and each has its own categories. You choose the language when creating the game, no registration needed.

Game settings

You can leave the basics as they are. The advanced options are useful when you need to control the game more.

Create game form Create game form
Create game form

Game manager mode

The manager decides when a round ends and which answers are valid. The game is smoother and easier to follow. Good for teachers, parents and teams. Available to registered players.

Setting: Game manager mode Setting: Game manager mode
Setting: Game manager mode

Fixed game start

You create the game in advance and set the time it starts by itself. Players can join early. For teaching, team building, workshops and company events.

Setting: Fixed game start Setting: Fixed game start
Setting: Fixed game start

Custom nicknames

Players who are not logged in can choose their own nickname instead of a random one. Available for private games only. For classes and groups that know each other.

Setting: Custom nicknames Setting: Custom nicknames
Setting: Custom nicknames

Registered players only

Only logged-in players can join. For private or organized games.

Setting: Registered players only Setting: Registered players only
Setting: Registered players only

Fixed time for writing words

A round can end with the STOP button, or when the time limit runs out. It often happens that somebody ends the round too early and the others don't manage to write, which is boring for them. With a fixed time everybody has the same amount of time and the game is better for everyone.

Setting: Round ends when the time limit runs out Setting: Round ends when the time limit runs out
Setting: Fixed time for writing words

Time to confirm the words

The longest time the game waits for players to confirm the results. Inactive players can't hold the game up.

Setting: Time to confirm the words Setting: Time to confirm the words
Setting: Time to confirm the words

Answer check by AI

For common words it shows a short description and explains why the word does or doesn't belong in the category. The vote stays with the players.

Setting: Answer check by AI Setting: Answer check by AI
Setting: Answer check by AI
Create a game

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to register?

No. You can play as a guest, a link to the game is enough. Logging in is useful for the advanced options: game manager mode, fixed start, registered-only games and being written into the hall of fame.

How many people can play at once?

You set the number of players when you create the game. Players who are not logged in have a lower limit (currently up to 20 players and 6 rounds), logged-in players can have more.

How do I invite friends?

After you create the game, a link and a QR code are shown. Send them to your friends so they can join from a phone or a computer, without installing anything.

What if I have nobody to play with?

Add a robot to the game, or play the game against the computer right away.

Is the game free?

Yes. The game is free and has ads that help with the running costs.