New product based on comic Rob Delaney's tweets

Stand-up Rob Delaney is to launch a board game based on his tweets.

The American announced the ‘filthy’ War of Words on Twitter, naturally enough, where he has more than 750,000 followers.

The game is out in May but available to pre-order now, and is the latest and perhaps most intriguing attempt by a comedian to make money from their social media influence.

It is being manufacturer by All Things Equal, a company that has already adapted the popular website Awkward Family Photos into a board game

War of Words – which will be officially launched at the New York Toy Fair next week – challenges players to test their knowledge of more than 500 of Delaney’s ‘most entertaining’ tweets, by filling in the Blanks or answering other questions based on the 140-character messages.

One example depicted on the back of the box, is completing the phrase: ‘Things aren’t going well. I just said “I love you” to...’ Delaney’s original tweet ended ‘...a bottle of lotion.’

Amazon’s description of the game, which also includes a board, voting chips, an answer pad and a die, maintains that ‘no knowledge of Twitter is required’ and warns that it ‘contains naughty words’.

Delaney said: ‘I’ve been an avid board game player my whole life. Even though I’m a comedian, some of the loudest laughs I’ve ever heard or emitted myself have happened while playing games with family and friends.’

Eric Poses, president of All Things Equal, added: ‘Rob’s unique brand of wit and humour provides the perfect foundation for a fun adult party game.’

Last year, Delaney was named Funniest Person on Twitter by Comedy Central. And when he made his UK stand-up debut in October, he sold out his entire week-long run at the Soho Theatre in an hour to followers.

Delaney returns to Europe soon, performing at the Shepherds Bush Empire in London on April 13 and at Vicar Street in Dublin the following night.

Several comedians, such as Peter Serafinowicz, have compiled joke books from their tweets, while funny corporate Twitter accounts like Betfair Poker and Arena Flowers employ anonymous humourists to attract followers to their brand.

- by Jay Richardson

Published: 7 Feb 2013