Three ways to play a category game
For a simple spoken game, choose a category and take turns naming something new. Agree on repeats and disputed answers before starting. You only need a topic and someone willing to play.
For a letter-based game, add a starting letter: animals beginning with B, for example. For a recall race, keep one topic and list as many answers as you can before time runs out. ListOff is a recall race; it does not impose a starting letter.
What a ListOff round feels like
You might get Dog Breeds and type Labrador, Poodle, then Beagle. Each accepted answer adds time: 3 seconds normally, or 5 for a rare answer. The clock starts at 30 seconds and can hold up to 60 seconds at once. That is a cap on time remaining, not a one-minute limit on the whole round.
Small typos and supported nicknames can still count, so recall matters more than perfect typing. Matching is generous, but an answer still has to be recognized for the topic. Repeating an answer does not earn another score.
Pick a challenge that suits your interests
A useful trick is to explore smaller groups in your head. For fruits, try citrus, berries, then tropical fruit. If one group dries up, switch rather than stare at the same blank.
- An easy start: fruits, colors, or zoo animals. Familiar topics help you get into the rhythm.
- A knowledge test: world capitals, chemical elements, or historical figures. Follow the connections between answers.
- A fan challenge: Pokémon, movie characters, or car brands. See how far your favorite subject takes you.
Play on your own, then send a challenge
You can play solo or share a completed round for a friend to try. Friend challenges are asynchronous: you play separately and compare results on the shared topic. They are not a live room where everyone types at once.
ListOff is free to download and every topic is free. It includes ads and optional purchases. Choose it if you enjoy fast recall and typing; choose a spoken or paper game if you want everyone around a table without phones.