Playing Pictionary: 10+ Potential Disadvantages / Drawbacks

Last Updated on January 25, 2024 by Gamesver Team and JC Franco

While playing fun games, we tend to see them pleasantly. Would you ever dare to think a game such as Pictionary has disadvantages? You may be surprised. There are some downsides to playing Pictionary, and today we’re going to take a close look at them.

While there are disadvantages to playing Pictionary, they are certainly not excuses for prohibiting the game. Instead, it would be best if you took notice of the obstacles. You can then handle the game with caution and implement guidelines the next time you play. 

Let’s discuss the hurdles that we may encounter when playing Pictionary and solutions to overcoming them.

These are 11 disadvantages of playing Pictionary:

1. It can be a noisy game. 

The more fun we have, the louder we tend to become. We are inclined to shout out our guesses in an attempt to be heard and even laugh uncontrollably. Our noise may be very distracting to those nearby, not engaging in the game alongside us. We need to be mindful of this, especially educators teaching in classroom settings. 

While Pictionary may be arousing for students, noise levels need to be controlled by educators as the noise could affect those in other classes nearby who are trying to concentrate.

2. The game may be considered easy. 

People like challenges. When we encounter something that does not provide us with a challenge, it becomes boring. When playing Pictionary, we must include more different and thought-provoking concepts to draw. Specifically, reviewers have criticized app developers in their approach to the game. 

App developers of the Pictionary game should be mindful of this when developing variations of Pictionary. They could incorporate levels where players can draw more challenging content—perhaps adding possible solutions for words where a player could not guess the picture. 

3. Not everyone is excellent at drawing. 

We tend to laugh at people who are terrible at drawing. Sometimes horrible pictures leave the others to wonder what the drawer was thinking. 

When we laugh at the person who is drawing, this can hurt them. They may despise the game. In this case, people need to shake off the negative comments, learn to laugh along, and practice drawing. 

While it may be true that some people are more artistically inclined than others, the truth is that we all can master the skill of drawing. Taking time to sketch random pictures when you’re bored can impact your drawing skills. 

4. Abstract concepts are difficult to draw. 

Sometimes words and phrases may be too difficult to illustrate. Abstract words/concepts may pose a problem when trying to lock in the win for the team. The solution would be to break down the words/concepts into smaller bits and draw easier homophones if possible. 

When you come across complex concepts that people could not guess, you can take ideas from what other people say they would have done, so you’ll remember that for the next time. The more you practice what works, the better you’ll become at communicating abstract concepts. 

5. People can be overly competitive and end up arguing. 

All games start with the idea of fun in mind yet somehow may end up in big fights. When people are highly competitive, they don’t like losing and will argue their way. They may even leave the game, causing everyone to be upset. To avoid this, all players need to know what constitutes a win. 

For instance, are you allowed to say “discuss” if the word was “discussing?” Always decide on rules before the game starts and not as the game goes along, and make sure everyone agrees on the rules beforehand. 

6. Some people find drawing to be highly stressful. 

It is true that when someone asks you to do something you don’t usually do, it can be stressful. Some people find drawing to be highly stressful. They may see drawing as stressful because they doubt their ability or fear others mocking them. These people should be encouraged.

Pictionary is not about drawing well. Your sketch can be hideous, but as long as you’re able to communicate it well, your team can win. 

7. There can be a problem with balancing teams. 

There can be a problem with balancing out teams. If there aren’t enough people to complete a group, it may seem like some teams will have an unfair advantage. If there is one extra person, depending on how big teams there are, they can be appointed to host the game. 

Hosts can still enjoy the game as much as those participating, and they can give their opinion on what they would have done in the situation. 

When teams have no other choice but to be unevenly split, it’s best to have people who are known to be experts at the game or are great at communicating paired up with those who are more reserved or unfamiliar with the game. 

8. People might get frustrated when no one can guess their drawings. 

If a game is leading to frustration, it is no longer fun and enjoyable. And a game of Pictionary can undoubtedly lead people down paths of frustration. If you are one of those who gets easily annoyed or know others who get irritated, there is a solution. 

First, remind yourself or your teammate that it’s only a game, so step back and take a deep breath. Secondly, it is a form of insanity to do the same thing repeatedly and expect a different outcome. Check out practical tips and strategies to win at Pictionary and remind others to do so as well.

If your teammate is getting exasperated that you’re unable to guess their drawing, you can remind them to apply specific strategies to help your team.

9. The problem with paper. 

You may try to cram your drawings around pieces of paper. In instances like these, don’t draw smaller but instead use a clean sheet of paper for every round. If you’ve invested in a large easel, good for you, but if you find yourself running out of paper every time, perhaps consider playing the game on a mobile device. 

Playing on a mobile device is ideal, especially in traveling situations. There are numerous variations of Pictionary out there. Chalkboards work well for teachers, and whiteboards work just as well in working environments. You may consider investing in one of these reusable boards if you’re playing the game at home.  

10. Players may fall into the habit of poor drawing. 

When we have to draw quickly, we don’t care what our picture looks like as long as we win. The harsh reality is we are bound to fall into the habit of drawing poorly. If we do anything too quickly, we are likely to display this trait somewhere else without much consideration. 

Rushing our pictures isn’t good because there are times when we need to pay attention to details. Bad drawing skills are not an inescapable problem. When you aren’t playing Pictionary, you should practice paying attention to detail and drawing decently. 

As you become more confident when you speed up the process, you won’t fall into the trap of drawing poorly, and you will consider paying attention to details when it matters. 

11. Players may lose track of time. 

When we play the actual Pictionary board game, there is an end to the game. However, variations exist where players who don’t have the board game may play for hours on end. When players are engrossed in a variation of the game, they may lose track of time as they may not always have a timer handy, and players may have words/phrases without limit. 

While Pictionary is a great way to stimulate kids’ creative side, they may go on and on guessing. While fun games can be educational, it does not replace homework, so adult supervision may be required to keep track of children’s playing time. 

Perhaps you are playing at a party, and friends with no time management may play Pictionary variations well into the night. Players may get carried away with the game, so excuse yourself if you need to leave or set a time to end the game. 

Conclusion 

While Pictionary is not without disadvantages, it is still a delightful game. There are always solutions to every problem you may encounter, so don’t let these disadvantages dissuade you from a happy time with your peers and friends. Happy playing!