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Board Games at Odum: Codenames

A guide to help you navigate Odum Library's board game collection and the world of gaming.

Codenames

Codenames

Two rival spymasters know the secret identities of 25 agents. Their teammates know the agents only by their Codenames. The teams compete to see who can make contact with all their agents first. Spymasters give one-word clues that can point to multiple words on the board. Their teammates try to guess words of the right color while avoiding those that belong to the opposing team. And everyone wants to avoid the assassin. Codenames: Win or lose, it's fun to figure out the clues. 

 

Players

2 - 8 players

Time

15 minutes

Themes

Party

Mechanics

Communication limits, memory, push your luck, team-based game

How to Play ASL

How to Play

Codenames Pictures

Codenames Pictures

The spymaster says, "Insect: 3." Can you find the 3 pictures related to insect that win the game? What are these strange symbols on the map? They code for locations where spies must contact secret agents! Two rival spymasters know the agent in each location. They deliver coded messages telling their field operatives where to go for clandestine meetings. Operatives must be clever. A decoding mistake could lead to an unpleasant encounter with an enemy agent - or worse, with the assassin! Both teams race to contact all their agents, but only one team can win.

Players

2 - 8 players

Time

15 minutes

Themes

Party

Mechanics

Communication limits, memory, push your luck, team-based game