Broken Message
Drawing telephone gamePass a phrase through drawings and guesses, then discover how it changed along the chain.
How to play
- Enter 3-8 player names in passing order. Everyone except the current player looks away. One device is passed around the group.
- The first player privately reads a phrase and draws it from memory. Use colours, brush sizes, eraser and Undo. Do not add letters or numbers.
- The next player sees only that drawing and writes a short description. The following player sees only that description and draws it. Continue alternating until everyone has had one turn.
- For example: a penguin with an umbrella becomes a bird holding a mushroom, then a drawing of that guess. Reveal the full chain together at the end. There is no timer or score.
- Enter player names, then pass one phone or tablet in that order. Others look away during each turn.
- Tap I am ready to reveal only your task. If drawing, memorise the phrase, then draw with a finger or stylus.
- If guessing, describe the displayed drawing in a few words. Submit your step and pass the device using the private handoff screen.
- After the last player, scroll through the original phrase, every drawing and every description together. Hide / pause conceals the current task.
Controls
- I am ready
- Privately reveal your part of the chain
- Drag mouse
- Draw the phrase from memory
- Description field
- Describe the drawing in up to 120 characters
- Pass my drawingPass my description
- Save your step and hide it before passing the device
- Drag finger or stylus
- Draw on the board
- Tap a drawing tool
- Choose colour, brush size, eraser, undo or clear
- Type a short description
- Guess what the previous drawing shows
- Tap the pass button
- Hide your step and hand the device to the next player
A little more about the game
Broken Message is a free browser drawing telephone game for 3-8 friends sharing one device. A secret opening phrase becomes a drawing, then a written guess, then another drawing. Each player sees only the immediately preceding contribution. After everyone has taken a turn, the group reveals the original and the complete chain. Includes 100 original opening phrases, mouse and touch drawing, six colours, two brush sizes, an eraser with a visible size outline, undo and instant clear. The game has no timer or competitive scoring. Drawings, descriptions and opening-phrase history save locally when storage is available. New chains avoid repeated opening phrases until the bank is exhausted. No accounts, downloads or separate phone connections are needed.