Outburst (game)

Outburst is a party game created by Parker Brothers in 1988. The game centers around guessing the ten answers hidden on a topic card, read aloud by one player while the others attempt to shout out correct responses.

Gameplay:

One player, the Reader, draws a topic card and reads the topic aloud. The other players, divided into teams, try to guess the ten target answers on the card within a 60-second time limit. Teams earn points for each correct answer they shout out, with deductions for incorrect answers (usually marked as "stinkers"). A scorekeeper tracks the team's points. The Reader rotates between players each round.

Objective:

The objective of Outburst is to be the first team to reach a predetermined score, typically 50 points.

Components:

A standard Outburst game includes:

• A deck of topic cards, each containing a topic and ten associated answers.
• A timer (usually a 60-second sand timer or electronic timer).
• Scoreboard.
• Rules sheet.

Strategy:

Successful Outburst players often employ strategies such as:

• Brainstorming quickly and broadly.
• Focusing on common associations with the topic.
• Avoiding overly specific or obscure guesses.
• Communicating effectively with teammates.

Variations:

While the core gameplay remains consistent, there have been numerous editions of Outburst with different topic sets. Some editions may also introduce minor rule variations.