specs/history.md

Battlewords: History

Foundation

• Invented in the early 1980s as "Word Battle," a paper-and-pencil grid game inspired by Battleship.
• Used in reading classes for international students at San Diego State University.
• In 1992, developed for submission to game agents; accepted by Technical Game Services (TGS).

Rename & Presentation

• Renamed "Battlewords" in 1993.
• Presented to Milton-Bradley at the New York trade show, but only as a videotaped paper prototype.
• MB declined due to another European word game in development.

Sabotage & Similar Games

• Turkish students reported a similar game, "The Admiral Sank," in Turkey.
• Suspicions arose that students adapted and sold the idea, which became "Battle Words" (two words) in Europe, licensed to Hasbro International.
• MB ultimately rejected the original Battlewords after seeing the European version.

Reboot & Digital Version

• The European "Battle Words" faded into obscurity.
• The original creator retained prototypes and correspondence.
• Later collaborated with a Turkish programmer to create a Flash version of Battlewords for the website.
• Plans to further develop the game.

Copyright

BattlewordsTM. All Rights Reserved. All content, trademarks and logos are copyrighted by the owner.