Inklings

About this board game

Inklings is a team-based word-clue game for 4–6 players with a play time of approximately 45 minutes. Players form two teams and compete to identify seven words from a shared category.

Each player receives a card listing seven words in a category, along with a wipe-off board featuring space for clues beside each word. The challenge is to write the shortest possible clues that will help teammates recognize the answers.

During a turn, a player places their completed board in the display rack and announces the category. Their teammates then have a limited amount of time to guess the seven words. If any answers remain, the other team receives a single opportunity to guess each unanswered word.

• Seven category words on each player’s card
• Wipe-off boards for writing clues
• Team-based guessing under a time limit
• A final chance for the opposing team to claim unanswered words

Inklings supports the equipment provided for six total players, while additional players can be included if the group improvises. Its compact clue-writing and timed guessing format creates a focused contest between teammates and rivals.

First released in 1993, Inklings received Games Magazine’s Game of the Year award that year and was also recognized as a 1993 Mensa Select title. For groups who enjoy category-based word play, it combines concise clue writing with a direct team guessing challenge.