Coming soon
A categories game for phones: call it out, flick the letter
Coming soon // 3 to 12 players
A category on the TV, a fuse burning down, and a board of letters that run out. Say a word, flick its first letter, and pass the spark.
Coming soon
A categories game is simple: a category comes up, you shout something that fits, and the letters run out. Most versions need a pad, a pencil and a timer. This one runs on phones, with the category on the TV and a fuse burning down. You call a word out loud, flick the switch for its first letter on your phone, and pass the spark along before the fuse goes. It is coming soon, and this page explains how a round works.
How this categories game works
- A category appears on the TV. For example, "Things in a lunchbox". Every letter on the board starts lit.
- The spark starts with one player. A fuse starts burning down.
- You say a word that fits and starts with a letter that is still up. Then you flick that letter's switch down on your phone. The fuse refills and the letter is gone for the round.
- You send the spark on. Swipe Next or Back to pick who goes next. You cannot send it straight back to the player who just sent it to you.
- If the fuse burns out, you lose the sparks you banked this round, and only this round. The spark jumps on and you stay in the game.
The round ends when the board is nearly out of letters or the round clock runs out. Banked sparks are locked in, the board resets and the next category comes up.
The twists that keep it honest
Dodgy? Think someone is bluffing? For a few seconds after a switch drops, every other phone shows a Dodgy button. Tap it and the room votes Fair or Dodgy. If the room says dodgy, the letter flips back up and the player gets a fresh few seconds to try again. Each player has two calls a round, and a tied vote counts as fair.
Crossed wires. When half the board is down, a second category sparks in beside the first. From then on a word can fit either, and you can claim a double for a word that fits both.
The final round. Everyone plays at once: the first flick the room receives owns the letter.
Because you say the word out loud and tap only a letter, nobody has to type, and the screen does the scorekeeping.
At a glance
- Players
- 3 to 12, best with 4 to 8. Larger groups play in pairs, sharing a phone.
- Length
- About 12 to 14 minutes: three rounds plus the final round.
- You need
- A phone each and one shared screen. No pencils, no paper, no app.
- Fuse speed
- Relaxed, standard or hot, so a table of kids and a table of quick talkers can both play.
Who it is for
Groups who like shouting out answers. There is a family mode for ages 7 and up with everyday categories, and a separate grown-ups mode, 18 and over, for the host to switch on once everyone in the room confirms their age. Both are cheeky at most, never crude.
A taste of the categories
A dozen from the family set, so you can try a few out loud before it opens. Pick a random letter and see how fast you can answer.
- Things in a lunchbox
- Animals at the zoo
- Things that are yellow
- Things at the beach
- Things at a playground
- Foods for breakfast
- Things with wheels
- Things at a birthday party
- Things on a camping trip
- Musical instruments
- Things in a toolbox
- Reasons to be late
Get a launch alert
It is not open yet and no date has been set. Leave your email and you get one message when it is ready.
While you wait
For a talking game tonight, try Read the Room or Which Would Ya?, or run a round of charades with the charades generator. See all our party games for more.
Updated 2 November 2026.
Questions
Is this categories game available yet?
It is not open yet and no date has been set. Leave your email in the launch alert on this page and you get one message when it is ready.
How many players?
3 to 12, and best with 4 to 8. Larger groups can play in pairs, sharing a phone.
Do we need pens and paper?
No. You say your word out loud and tap only its first letter on your phone. The screen keeps the score.
What happens when the fuse burns out?
You lose the sparks you banked in that round, and only that round. The spark jumps to the next player and you stay in the game.
What if someone is bluffing?
Any other player can tap Dodgy for a few seconds after a switch drops. The room votes Fair or Dodgy, a tie counts as fair, and if the room says dodgy the player gets a fresh few seconds to try again.
Is there a version for kids?
Yes. Family mode is for ages 7 and up with everyday categories. A separate grown-ups mode, 18 and over, is switched on by the host once everyone confirms their age.
How long is a game?
About 12 to 14 minutes: three rounds and a final round where everyone plays at once. The fuse speed can be relaxed, standard or hot.
How much will it cost?
We have not set a price yet, and we will not guess here. The launch email will tell you before anything opens.