Back to all games

Broken Message

Drawing telephone game

Pass a phrase through drawings and guesses, then discover how it changed along the chain.

100 opening phrases | 3-8 players | One device
Broken Message — Gameplay screenshot
Made by bububu

Broken Message

Free to play
Getting ready to play…
Broken Message— plays
How to play

How to play

  1. Enter 3-8 player names in passing order. Everyone except the current player looks away. One device is passed around the group.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  1. Enter player names, then pass one phone or tablet in that order. Others look away during each turn.
  2. Tap I am ready to reveal only your task. If drawing, memorise the phrase, then draw with a finger or stylus.
  3. If guessing, describe the displayed drawing in a few words. Submit your step and pass the device using the private handoff screen.
  4. 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.