News@11
News@11 Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Gameplay
News@11 is played in three rounds with some quick, interactive setup before the game begins. Each round, players are given Cue Cards with words that must be incorporated into their Segment (such as Weather or Traffic). Each player's Segment becomes part of the story of the day's events.
Throughout the game, Cue Cards and Segments from previous rounds return and are given to different players. The stories build on each other, and the events of the day unfold, twist, and tangle during the Morning, Afternoon, and Evening broadcasts.
There's no scoring and no winners or losers; just a fun time making up stories, creating inside jokes, and maybe even gaining some new friends. Yeah!
Setup
-
Pick a Lead Anchor, typically whoever is the most outgoing. You'll know who this should be.
Lead Anchor, your job is to keep the game moving along! You'll call on the other players to deliver a segment of the news, be sure to stay in character. We're counting on you!
-
All other players are Field Anchors. Welcome to the team!
Field Anchors, it's your duty to deliver the news! Include the words on your Cue Cards into the Segments assigned to you. Feel free to tie in other events from other Segments. Remember, you're officially a news anchor so also stay in character.
-
Do you have a player who wants to play but doesn't want to say anything? Great! That player can be the Producer instead. If not, the Lead Anchor is also the Producer. Two jobs, one salary; congrats!
Producer, sometimes things get out of hand... that's where you come in! Use your Producer Cards to save an anchor who's struggling, cut off someone if they're getting a bit too chatty, or just to mix things up and create some chaos... the best part is, you don't have to say a thing!
-
Now that everyone knows their roles, shuffle up all the Cue Cards and give 3 to each Field Anchor. Put the rest of the Cue Cards back in the box, they won't be used during the game.
Fill in some Blanks
In any order...
- Each Field Anchor picks one blank space on each card, then calls out the category listed under the blank. Don't start writing yet. Put the marker down.
- Everyone else shouts out suggestions that fit the category; they can be silly, literal, funny... anything goes!
- The Field Anchor picks one suggestion and now writes it in the blank. In permanent marker. Forever.
You don't have to take the first suggestion — pick whatever you think will be the most fun! Don't take too long, this part should be done quickly.
When all Field Anchors have filled in one blank on each card, put all their Cue Cards in a pile (there should 3 per player, check the floor).
The Lead Anchor collects all the Cue Cards and Segment Cards, too. The Producer takes all the Producer Cards, obviously.
Your crew is ready, The News will begin shortly.
Morning News
The Lead Anchor shuffles up the Cue Cards and deals 1 face-down to each Field Anchor. Set the other Cue Cards off to the side for now. Players may look at their Cue Card, or keep them face-down if they're up for a challenge. Either way works.
From here until the end of the morning broadcast, everyone should try their best to stay in character.
It's ok if things get weird or you don't know what to do, just go with it. You got this.
Lead Anchor
- In your best News Anchor voice, introduce the morning broadcast for your station.
- Choose a Segment Card and hand it to a Field Anchor of your choice. Be sure to lead into the Segment and/or introduce the Field Anchor.
First Field Anchor
- Now's your time to deliver the news! Look at your Cue Card and incorporate each topic into your Segment. These can be mentioned in any order, using any interpretation you'd like. Two to three sentences is usually enough.
- Briefly end your Segment, calling back to the Lead Anchor.
Lead Anchor
- Pick another Field Anchor to deliver a different Segment. Hand them that Segment Card.
Next Field Anchor
- Look at your Cue Card and incorporate each topic into your Segment. You can talk about topics from previous Segments, too.
- Briefly end your Segment, calling back to the Lead Anchor.
Lead Anchor
- Continue calling on Field Anchors one-by-one until each Field Anchor delivers 1 Segment.
- Close out the news.
Great Job! That wasn't so bad, was it?
Afternoon News
The Lead Anchor collects all Segment and Cue Cards used in the Morning News. Shuffle the Cue Cards, and give 1 to each Field Anchor. From the remaining Cue Cards you set aside earlier, give 1 to each Field Anchor, they should now each have 2 Cue Cards (one old, one new).
Do It Again!
The Afternoon News works just like the Morning News, with some small changes:
- Lead Anchors can call on others in any order, and the give them each a different Segment from what they had in the Morning News. Do whatever tells the best story.
- Field Anchors have 2 Cue Cards to incorporate into their Segment. Some topics are new, some are carried over from the Morning News. Incorporate them in any order, and it's no big deal if you miss some.
- You've got history now! Build off the stories of the morning, weaving in new topics and bringing back the previous ones.
Evening News
The Lead Anchor collects all Segment and Cue Cards used in the Afternoon News. Shuffle the Cue Cards and give 2 to each Field Anchor. From the remaining Cue Cards you set aside earlier, give 1 to each Field Anchor, they should now each have 3 Cue Cards (two old, one new).
Continue with the news as before, this time Field Anchors should try to incorporate the topics from all 3 Cue Cards. Do your best to bring your stories to a close, but most importantly, have fun!
Good night, and good luck!
Producer Cards
The Producer can throw these into the mix whenever they'd like! It's up to the Lead Anchor to then keeping the broadcast going. Have fun!