I would like to suggest 5 mechanics for letter-based word games. Some games may involve aspects of several mechanics, but usually one of them impacts the score more than the others. For example, Jarnac involves simple word formation, but the game is won by rearranging and expanding those words to increase their point value.

1. Recognition - identify words from a jumble of letters. Players are not allowed to manipulate the letters, only observe them (Boggle).

2. Simple Word Formation - here players form words from their own pool of letters without using other players' letters or being concerned about board position (Quiddler).

3. Complex Word Formation - players form words, but they may/must also use letters from already played words. Crosswords style games dominate this category (Scrabble). Are there other games where you play off of already exposed letters, but that DON'T involve cross-word style play?

4. Guessing - players try to discover words formed and hidden by other players (Hangman, Probe).

5. Rearrangment - players may begin with simple word formation or recognition, but the real scoring opportunities are offered by rearranging existing letters to form more valuable words (Jarnac, Word Search).

You can access these lists from my Metalist at http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist.php3?action=view&listi...

List #5: REARRANGING
In which games do players score primarily by rearranging letters into more valuable words? These games may involve word-formation to begin with, but the real points involve rearranging existing letters.