It's a triple-word score for Beyonce

Scrabble to alter rules by allowing proper nouns for the first time in 62-year-old history; purists upset with 'dumbing down' change

Scrabble to alter rules by allowing proper nouns for the first time in 62-year-old history; purists upset with 'dumbing down' change

Columbianu00a0 pop star Shakira will earn you 14 points, and David and Victoria Beckham's oldest son Brooklynu00a0 adds up to an impressive 37 -- and that's without double and triple letter scores.

Words worth: Players will be able to score with names of celebs like Beyonce

In a move that's sure to upset Scrabble purists and bring accusations of dumbing down, the official rules are to be changed to allow proper nouns for the first time in the game's 62-year history.

Ever since the first Scrabble set was sold in 1948, names of people and places have been banned.

For GenY

But games giant Mattel, which owns the distribution rights, has announced plans to make a series of dramatic changes designed to appeal to a younger audience.

Players will now be permitted to score with names of celebrities like Beyonce (14 points, or 42 on a triple-word score) and brands like Pepsi (nine points).

Mattel is also considering allowing players to spell words backwards and upwards on the board and place words unconnected to other pieces.

A spokesman for Mattel promised the new rules will be a 'great new twist' on the classic game.

She said, "The layout, the colours of the board, the rules and the game itself have all remained unchanged for over 60 years. These changes are the biggest news for Scrabble lovers in the history of the game and will provide a great new twist on the old formula.

"We believe that people who are already fans of the game will enjoy the changes and they will also enable younger players and families to get involved. Obviously some people will want to continue playing by the old rules so we will still be selling a board with the original rules," she added.u00a0

The origin

Out of work architect Alfred Butts began developing Scrabble in New York during the Great Depression in
the 30s. He initially called his game Lexiko and Criss Cross Words, but was unable to find a manufacturer willing to produce his idea.

Eventually, he sold the rights to entrepreneur James Brunot who renamed it Scrabble.

2.6 lakh
The number of legal words allowed in Scrabble

1,049
The highest score in a game played by Philip Appleby in 1989