After a tough round of Scrabble, Lehigh Valley man invents new word game

2024-07-16
After a tough round of Scrabble, Lehigh Valley man invents new word game

Kubble: The Innovative Word Game Blending Scrabble and Rummikub

Chris Webb, a passionate game enthusiast from Emmaus, Pennsylvania, has combined his love for classic tabletop games with his creative flair to develop a unique and engaging word game called Kubble. Inspired by the strategic elements of Scrabble and the tile-based gameplay of Rummikub, Kubble promises to captivate players of all ages and skill levels.

Unlocking the Potential of Wordplay and Puzzle-Solving

Blending the Best of Scrabble and Rummikub

Chris Webb's journey to creating Kubble began in his childhood, where he grew up in England playing a variety of table games. This early exposure to the joys of strategic gameplay laid the foundation for his later endeavors. As an adult, Webb continued this tradition with his own family, bonding over classic games like Scrabble and Rummikub during their evenings together.One fateful night, after a particularly frustrating round of Scrabble, Webb found himself daydreaming about the possibilities of combining the elements of the two games. "I was kind of daydreaming with the tiles out while we're sitting there in conversation. And I just wondered if you could do it, you know, make runs with letters or anything differently," he recalls. This moment of inspiration led to the creation of Kubble, a game that seamlessly blends the word-building mechanics of Scrabble with the tile-manipulating strategies of Rummikub.

Bringing Kubble to Life

With the help of his family, including his wife Rosemary and stepdaughter Julianna, Webb set out to turn his vision into reality. The first step was to gather a collection of used Scrabble games from thrift stores, allowing him to experiment with the tiles and explore different ways to incorporate them into a new game."I had about five or six Scrabble games at one point. I had all the tiles and we were putting different colors and numbers and things on the back of the tiles to differentiate which person would have what color and things like that," Webb explains. This hands-on approach allowed the team to prototype and refine the game, seeking feedback from others to ensure Kubble's design and mechanics were engaging and intuitive.The name "Kubble" itself is a clever combination of the words "Rummikub" and "Scrabble," reflecting the game's hybrid nature. "We started with 'Rumble' and it was kind of like a mixture of Rummikub and Scrabble," Webb says. "But then we typed 'Rumble' on Google and there's millions of hits for that. So in just like the style of the game, we wrote out the word Scrabble and Rummikub with the tiles on the table, and then we messed the tiles around until we came up with a word that we liked and then settled on a couple."

Bringing Kubble to the Masses

With the game concept and design solidified, Webb set out to bring Kubble to the market. He attended PAX Unplugged, an annual game convention in Philadelphia, to connect with potential manufacturers. After evaluating several options, Webb settled on a manufacturer based in Amsterdam, with the games being produced in China to keep the costs down.The Kubble Kickstarter campaign launched on July 1, with the goal of delivering the games by the holiday season. The game will be available for purchase at a 10% to 20% discount during the Kickstarter campaign, with the full retail price set at .99 upon its official release in 2025.

Gameplay and Unique Features

Kubble is a puzzle-solving word game that combines the best elements of Scrabble and Rummikub. Players have their own set of 45 colorful tiles, starting with 14 tiles and taking turns laying words on the table. The game's strategic twist lies in the ability to steal other players' tiles and use them to create new words, adding an element of competition and creativity to the gameplay."It's not just about having a vast vocabulary; it's about clever strategy and making the right moves at the right time," the game's website states. Unlike Scrabble, which primarily rewards players with extensive vocabularies, Kubble emphasizes puzzle-solving skills and the ability to adapt to the ever-changing game board.To cater to players of all ages and skill levels, Kubble features bright, colorful tiles with symbols for colorblind players. The game is made entirely of cardboard and wood, with no plastic components, ensuring an eco-friendly and durable gaming experience.

Tapping into the Growing Tabletop Game Market

The timing of Kubble's launch couldn't be better, as the tabletop game industry continues to thrive, even in the face of stiff competition from digital entertainment options. According to a report by research firm Arizton, the global tabletop game market is expected to grow from .91 billion in 2022 to .7 billion by 2028, driven by the increasing demand for educational and family-friendly activities.The report highlights the importance of incorporating learning and social-emotional skills into tabletop games, a key focus for Kubble. "Nowadays, the intelligence quotient is not the only parameter, but social and emotional skills are also some characteristics that parents want in their children," the report states. "Tabletop games allow kids to develop all these traits. Thus, incorporating the learning quotient is driving the tabletop games market."With its strategic creativity, educational value, and appeal to players of all ages, Kubble is poised to capitalize on this growing trend, offering families and game enthusiasts a fresh and engaging way to bond over the joy of wordplay and puzzle-solving.

Article "tagged" as:

Related Article

How to Keep Your Kitten Safe While Playing

How to Keep Your Kitten Safe While Playing

While letting your kitten play and explore is important to its mental development, you need to make sure that what it's playing with is safe.
Kitten Development From 6 to 12 Weeks

Kitten Development From 6 to 12 Weeks

Learn how kittens develop during the first 6 to 12 weeks and what signs of development you need to look out for with these tips.
5 Common Foods In Your Pantry That Are Not Safe For Your Pets

5 Common Foods In Your Pantry That Are Not Safe For Your Pets

One potato chip is not going to hurt your pet, but there are other foods that can. Learn which to avoid and some safe foods that can be used as treats.
Fleas in Dogs

Fleas in Dogs

If a dog scratches, does that mean it has fleas? These biting bugs are no fun for dogs or their owners. Learn the causes, treatment, and prevention.
Can Dogs Eat Papaya? What to Know About Sharing This Tropical Fruit With Your Pup

Can Dogs Eat Papaya? What to Know About Sharing This Tropical Fruit With Your Pup

Papaya is safe for dogs in moderation, and it can even provide some nutritional value for them. However, too much can cause digestive upset, and it's not suitable to share with dogs with certain health conditions.
Can Dogs Eat Parmesan Cheese?

Can Dogs Eat Parmesan Cheese?

It's no secret that dogs love cheese, but what kinds of cheese should you avoid? Is Parmesan cheese a good option to treat your pup to?
10 Cat Breeds That Have Blue-Colored Coats

10 Cat Breeds That Have Blue-Colored Coats

Blue cat breeds have a uniquely colored coat that makes them stand out. The eye-catching blue coat often appears light to dark grey.
Sphynx: Cat Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care

Sphynx: Cat Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care

The sphynx cat is a hairless cat breed known for their playful and affectionate nature. These cats do have special needs. Learn about the sphynx cat breed’s appearance, temperament, health, and care.
Border Collie: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

Border Collie: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

Learn about the border collie, a popular herding breed. They're a smart and energetic dog that's also a great companion to the right pet parent.
Beagle: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

Beagle: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

Learn about the beagle, one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. They are known for being a cheerful, comical, loud, and energetic family dog.
How to Grow and Care for Living Stones

How to Grow and Care for Living Stones

Find out how to grow living stones, unique miniature succulents that look like pebbles. This guide covers how to care for living stone plants, including watering them just right to keep them thriving.
How to Grow and Care for a Money Tree Indoors

How to Grow and Care for a Money Tree Indoors

Money trees make beautiful, easy-care houseplants. Use this guide to grow a money tree indoors.
How to Attract Bluebirds to Your Yard: 11 Must-Know Tips

How to Attract Bluebirds to Your Yard: 11 Must-Know Tips

These tips on how to attract bluebirds will help you create a welcoming habitat. Discover the best types of foods, birdhouses, water sources, and more for attracting bluebirds.
How to Propagate Clematis from Cuttings and Layering

How to Propagate Clematis from Cuttings and Layering

Learn how to propagate clematis successfully with this step-by-step guide on two different techniques.
How to Plant and Grow Black Chokeberry

How to Plant and Grow Black Chokeberry

Learn how to use and care for this low-maintenance native shrub, including planting tips and the best types of black chokeberry to grow.
This Low-Water Garden Plan Will Look Vibrant Through Droughts

This Low-Water Garden Plan Will Look Vibrant Through Droughts

This low-water garden plan will keep your plants vibrant all throughout the hot, humid summer.
This Woodland Garden Design Overflows with Shade-Loving Plants

This Woodland Garden Design Overflows with Shade-Loving Plants

Easy-care native ferns add luxurious foliage from spring to fall. Other shade-loving perennials complement the soft textures with colorful blooms.
11 Essential Tips for Growing Vegetables from Seed for Beginners

11 Essential Tips for Growing Vegetables from Seed for Beginners

These beginner-friendly tips on growing vegetables from seed will help you successfully kick off your edible garden in spring.
Should You Use Shredded Rubber Mulch in Your Garden?

Should You Use Shredded Rubber Mulch in Your Garden?

Rubber mulch is widely touted as a game changer in landscaping, but does it live up to the hype? Find out the pros and cons of using rubber mulch.
How to Plant and Grow Cattail

How to Plant and Grow Cattail

Learn to care for this easy-growing aquatic plant, including tips for pruning, propagating, and planting.