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CODENAMES

Players: 2 teams (min 2 players each)
Age: 8+
Objective: word guess
Skills: explaining
Learn: vocabulary and speaking 
Time: 15 - 25 mins

RULES

  1.  Split players into two teams: red and blue

  2.  Select one player of each team as the team's spymaster; the others are field operatives.

  3.  Place twenty-five code name cards in a 5×5 rectangular grid on the table.

  4.  The cards represent 17 red and blue agents, 1 black assassin and 7 yellow civilians.

  5.  Give the spymasters a random map card showing a 5×5 grid of 25 squares of various   colors, representing the agents, assassin and civilians. (see point 4)

  6.  Teams take turns. On each turn, the team's spymaster gives a one word hint about the       words on the respective cards.     

  7. Each hint may only consist of one single word and a number. The spymaster gives a hint   that is related to as many of the words on his/her own agents' cards as possible.   The number tells the field operatives how many words in the grid are related to the word   of the clue.

  8. NOTE: At elementary levels or with kids substitute the one word hint with full description as in taboo games. The one word hint is way too challenging for them. And from the experience they love this game, so lets adapt it for them.

  9.  Field operatives must make at least one guess per turn, risking a wrong guess and its           consequences. 

  10.  Field operatives make guesses about which code name cards bear words related to the   hint and point them out, one at a time.

  11.  When a code name card is pointed out, the spymaster covers that card with an appropriate identity card – blue and red agents, yellow civilians, or the assassin card – as indicated on the spymasters' map of the grid.

  12. If the assassin is pointed out, the game ends immediately, and the given team lost.

  13. If an agent of the other team or civilian is pointed out, the turn ends immediately, and the other team takes turn.

  14. The game ends when all of one team's agents are identified.

Codenames agents.PNG
codenames maps.PNG

Agents

Maps

To play the game you need a set of 8 red agents, 8 blue agents, 1 double agent, 7 civilians, 1 assassin, 8 blue team maps and 8 red team maps.

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If you already have the agents and maps, print out only the vocabulary cards you want to play with below.

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EDUCATION

A popular codenames game based on vocabulary related to education. 80 words at upper-intermediate level. Please download the agents in another set.

Topic

Grammar

Age

Education

Vocabulary

13

+

Type

Codenames

Players

4-12

Easter go fish.PNG

Environment

A popular codenames game based on vocabulary related to environment, pollution and recycling. 80 words. Please download the agents in another set.

Topic

Grammar

Age

Environment

Vocabulary

12

+

Type

Codenames

Players

4-12

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Trinity 6 Vocabulary

Game based on vocabulary for intermediate level. Topics related to money, health, rules and regulation, travelling and fashion

Topic

Grammar

Age

Trinity 6

Vocabulary

12

+

Type

Codenames

Players

4-12

Easter go fish.PNG

Trinity 8 Vocabulary

Intermediate stage of Trinity GESEs exams, vocabulary is based on conversation phase topic: Society and living standards, Personal values an ideals, The world of work, Unexplained phenomena and events, National environmental concerns, Public figures past and present

Topic

Grammar

Age

Trinity 8

Vocabulary

16

+

Type

Codenames

Players

4-12

Easter go fish.PNG

Trinity 3 Vocabulary

Intended for basic levels. Vocabulary covers topics: jobs, places in the local area, home life, school place, weather

Topic

Grammar

Age

Trinity 3

Vocabulary

9

+

Type

Codenames

Players

4-12

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