Introduce PLAYER STATS
Today’s board game scene is growing exponentially, and there is no better evidence of this than a look at the player stats. From competitive gamers to casual hobbyists, people of all age, gender, and geographic location are engaging with popular board games. Men still outnumber women in the tabletop gaming scene, but reports indicate that ladies are making up more and more of the base each year. According to 2018 Urban Pacific studies, 23% of Welsh adults have been recorded playing some sort of tabletop game within the last four weeks. The demographic insights have shifted with each generation as well – for example, gamers today are not limited to just children or young adults; the average age range for players has grown older as well. Additionally, the creative talent behind these gaming pleasures continues to diversify due to the ever-increasing public demand for innovative titles from new sources around the world.
Explore the HISTORY of Board Games
Modern board games have a long and fascinating history that dates back to early antiquity in ancient Egypt, India and China. The first known record of a playing board game is from 3000 BC, produced by Mesopotamians, which was played on a four-sided board and included pieces for playing. Other early examples include Senet from Egypt, originating around 2600 BC and Go, or “Weiqi” from China around 500 BC. There are even some records of written references to words associated with modern day versions of Chess in Mozia from 400 BC.
For centuries, the idea of a gameboard kept evolving but the basic concept remained the same; that is, an ever-evolving representation of strategic thinking aimed at gaining a game victory against an opponent or opponents.
In 14th Century Europe, a new round gaming table replaced the square one used up until then with rods that could be moved across it. Moving pieces represented armies fighting for political or territorial domination for which there were various rules determined by already established conventions. In 15th Century Germany evolved their own form of Chess as well as tarot decks and playing cards with unique symbols representing medieval culture motifs such as swords, cups and roses (used in today’s Tarot card readings). Much later in 1680 Francois Blanc launched his still popular Blanc et Noir gambling system at our favorite Monte Carlo Casino.
The 19th century saw further growth and refinement of these gaming styles together with the emergence of classic board game classics like Ludo (1896) Backgammon (1645), Jenga (1959), Monopoly(1935), Cluedo (1949) between others – some proved popular whereas others did not quite achieve lasting appeal to their current players. This era also significantly improved production standards making more accurate images able to be printed on boards as well higher durability components used for checkers or stringed opponent movement counters (uplifted from Asia). Cruise lines got involved adding strategic travel themed variations including World Famous Ports-of-Call (1976).
Today all forms of modern board games are incredibly vast ranging from tame parlour Pastimes adapted for little ones through to ultra-high complexity Role Playing Games often built upon abstract tile based Strategies employed by experienced gamers of all ages trying their strategies out both on the clock simulations or in epic head to head battles against each other. Truly something for everyone!
Showcase VARIETY
1. Codenames ” A fun word-and-picture game for two teams, ages 8 and up, involving a spymaster giving clues to his/her team in order to identify the words of their agents.
2. Joking Hazard ” A card game featuring comedic content where players compete to finish an awful comic strip. It’s full of dark humor and sarcasm, perfect for anyone who loves a good laugh!
3. ICECOOL ” An exciting game designed for kids 6 and up that requires a bit of dexterity as well as strategy as players have to use their penguin characters to traverse walls and hurdles in order reach the fish needed to win the game.
4. Qwirkle ” A game that combines skill, luck, observation and analysis; it consists of tiles with six simple shapes in six bright colors that must be matched up according to their attributes rather than by color or shape only.
5. Pandemic Legacy ” Players cooperate together in this unique storytelling adventure where each month is connected to its predecessor; you’ll make decisions with long-term consequences for your team and be rewarded with new content as you progress through the story!
Examine GAME EXPERIENCE
Playing a board game often begins with selecting the right game for the occasion. There are endless options available in every price range and level of complexity, so researching popular games and reviews can help narrow down which one is best suited for the occasion.
Once you have selected the board game, it’s time to remove any shrink-wrap or plastic covers, set up the components inside, and read the instructions. Make sure all players understand how to play by going over the rules together. In some cases this can take some time depending on the complexity of the game!
The next step is to decide who will go first and begin playing. Take turns to make sure everyone gets an even amount of playtime and challenge each player appropriately by choosing opponents that offer similar levels of competition. Set a timer or establish limits as to when it is time to stop playing or move on to another round. Take short breaks between rounds or games to ensure players remain focused and at their best.
Finally, gather any pieces or cards back together at the end when done playing, box them up neatly and store away for next time!
Highlight GAMING GROUPS
Today, board games are seeing a resurgence in popularity thanks to their ability to provide entertainment and family bonding time while staying socially distant. With so many different kinds of board games available, it can be hard to know which ones are the most popular. That being said, there are several that stand out above the rest.
Tabletop gaming groups have also become more popular in recent years for those who want to take their gaming experience to a whole new level. Joining one of these groups allows players from all over the world to play together. From classic board games like Monopoly and Scrabble to newer favorites like Dungeons & Dragons and Catan, there is something for everyone. To find a gaming group near you, simply search online for local game stores or hobbyists near you that offer board game nights or events.
Consider TECHNOLOGY
The popularity of board games has increased due to the advancements in technology. People are able to enjoy a variety of digital board games easily from the comfort of their homes. Digital board game apps have made playing board games accessible and fun to everyone with or without friends at any time. Today, some of the most popular digital board games include: Chess, Checkers, Backgammon, Mahjong, Battleship, Clue, Scrabble and Monopoly as well as many more puzzles and strategy-based ones. These digital versions often come in multiple levels allowing players to challenge each other within the same platform while keeping track of scores and rankings through leaderboards. Furthermore, they offer an exciting sensory experience such as sound effects or animation which adds to the enjoyment.
Offer TIPS & TRICKS
One of the most popular board games today is Monopoly. To increase your chances of winning, create a bidding strategy – rather than go all-in on one property, spread out your money among several properties you like. This will give you more potential options for making money off others by raising rents and using other tactics like building a monopoly! Another strategy is to trade properties with others in return for favors or deals. By having multiple colors and railroads in your arsenal, you can bring down an opponent’s business quickly.
Another popular game is Scrabble. To really master this game it is important to learn about strategies that can help you gain more points when playing. One such strategy is to build longer words instead of short 4 letter ones as they offer larger point yields; look at the board and plan out moves accordingly. Additionally, use up words placed in difficult areas so that you are guaranteed those points while still putting down curved or parallel words near them to get bonuses too. Finally make sure to keep track of recurring letters such as ‘Q’ or ‘Z’ which are worth more and if used wisely can be just the edge needed!
I love playing all kinds of games – from classics like Monopoly to modern favourites like Ticket to Ride.
I created this blog as a way to share my love of board games with others, and provide information on the latest releases and news in the industry.
