Levelling Up! How Board Gaming Can Enrich Your Life

I have often explored the field of board games as a cultural and social phenomenon that has gained significant momentum in recent years. The industry has experienced remarkable growth since the late 1990s, although there has been a slight deceleration primarily attributed to increasing logistics costs and global issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2023 and regional conflicts such as the situation in Ukraine.

However, propelled by the resurgence of board gaming, largely driven by the significant rise in euro-style or German-style games, many have rekindled their love for the rich complexity of this traditional form of amusement. Board games are analogue cardboard constructs that rest on human intellect to bring life to their rules. The human mind, capable of extrapolating abstractions from intricate, imaginative, or real-life situations, stands as the essential element breathing life into these creations, completing their fundamental nature.

This blog serves as a personal reflection on the profound impact board games have had on my life, as well as an exploration of the key elements that I believe significantly influence the present and potential future of this engaging pastime.

Board games are not developed in a vacuum. They never materialise outside of a specific context, and I believe that this context can be coalesced in to three distinct areas of investigation. These are as follows: -

1.        - The Mental Benefits

2.       - The Business Aspect, and

3.       - The Social Dimension

These three aspects combined are what create the entirety or the raison d'être of the board gaming industry.

I believe that fundamentally when we consider board games, we encounter what can be described as the innate human inclination towards play. Play is a well-documented behaviour in mammals, serving as a tool for learning in young children, cultivating mental abilities, encouraging cooperation and healthy competition, and facilitating socialisation within groups.

Moreover, structured play offers additional advantages, subtle yet significant, stemming from the engagement of one's cognitive faculties. I venture to suggest that during structured play, the brain becomes more active, thereby enhancing its own health and longevity. Play serves as a mental workout, akin to cardio and weight training for the body, aiding in the maintenance of cognitive functions over an extended period.

Before I proceed any further, I would like to offer a definition for structured play and to point out that within the context of this blog, play and structured play are used interchangeably to mean the same thing. Structured play, also known as goal-oriented play, involves using logic to solve problems and following rules or instructions to reach a particular goal. It is a planned activity that fosters skills like setting and achieving goals, problem-solving, and active listening.

Recently, I came across a compelling study that conducted a longitudinal analysis on various individuals, concluding that engaging in play, specifically board and card games in this instance, can contribute to maintaining mental acuity for a longer duration.

Engaging in regular play through board games can enhance critical thinking skills and improve brain plasticity over time by creating and consolidating neural connections. It also aids in memory retention for equally evident reasons.

However, we may not always delve into how this can impact or influence the social dimension inherent in board gaming. I am referring to the potential of these games to nurture mental well-being. A healthier, more agile mind stands a better chance of ageing more gracefully and potentially leading to a more independent and active later life.

Working on neuroplasticity and the formation of new neural connections can also help delay the onset of certain diseases like Alzheimer's. Maintaining a healthy brain means ensuring that old age does not become a significant social burden in the future. While other factors such as genetic predisposition to specific ailments, obesity, and adverse environmental conditions can undermine these efforts, the adage "healthy mind in a healthy body" should remain our guiding principle in our pursuit of more dynamic and independent golden years.

Let us now shift our focus to another crucial aspect of board gaming: the social dimension. The way societies embrace or reject gaming in adulthood varies from country to country. You will find nations with a history of acceptance when it comes to games like Backgammon. To this day, for instance, Turkey, Greece, and Israel are three territories known to embrace backgammon as part of their cultural heritage. Chess, on the other hand, is particularly popular in Russia, the United States, and China. This does not imply that these games do not enjoy a healthy following in other countries; rather, it suggests that certain nations have populations that are more receptive to these games.

Additionally, there is the matter of what may be perceived as fashionable within a social context. Most popular games go through cycles of popularity during which they are embraced by society and the media in general. While the demographics must be present initially, having a particular game portrayed in popular media tends to increase that game's appeal within society at large.

As an illustration, I would like to highlight the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying system and board games in a broader sense. Popular television shows like The Big Bang Theory and Stranger Things have reintroduced the concept of playing Dungeons and Dragons. Individuals who grew up in the eighties witnessed a transformation where a once marginalised and stigmatised gaming system regained popularity. Playing Dungeons and Dragons once again became trendy.

This resurgence sparked a significant revival of the gaming system and, consequently, all board games and gaming literature associated with it. Moreover, ardent fans of the genre, who were previously discreet about their passion, now prominent figures in contemporary cinema, openly expressed their long-standing love for and engagement with Dungeons and Dragons since their youth. Such endorsements further fuelled enthusiasm among fans to explore what Gary Gygax had envisioned in the seventies.

Similarly, the sitcom The Big Bang Theory also brought board games back into the mainstream media. Audiences observed the actors playing modern classics like Ticket to Ride and Catan, often with a comedic twist, signalling a widespread acceptance of board games.

On a societal level, board games possess the remarkable ability to bridge generational divides and mitigate age-related biases that are prevalent in other social settings. For these and various other reasons, board games serve as excellent icebreakers, fostering the establishment of new friendships. By breaking down artificial barriers associated with age, they also contribute to promoting active aging in general.

While it is worthy to positively appraise the benefits of board gaming, there is one dimension that, while not strictly about board games, requires our attention and that is the business aspect, the proverbial elephant in the room.

As I stated earlier, board games are not created in a vacuum. They are the deliberate physical manifestation of a business venture focused on producing products that people desire with the goal of generating profits. If a game does not sell, it will not be produced; this is a straightforward concept to grasp. In the current market, where there is an appetite for quality games, businesses have proliferated like weeds in a race for potential buyers' money.

I am convinced that each board gaming company meticulously analyses sales figures, striving to maximise profits while minimising costs when it comes to sourcing raw materials, artwork, and manufacturing the products. In this case, the products are the game boxes themselves.

Admittedly, this philosophy does not always result in high-quality products. A board game company may choose to embrace sustainability and eco-friendliness in their design and manufacturing process, but they cannot do so at the expense of quality. With the vast array of new board game titles hitting the shelves each year, companies cannot afford to make mistakes.

While games like Wingspan can make a significant impact on the board gaming community, there are numerous unsuccessful attempts that never gain traction. A brilliant concept on paper may not always translate into a successful product in the global markets. Therefore, when a company achieves success, their primary goal is to ensure the enduring popularity of their products. Essentially, they must come up with ways to prevent the game from fading into obscurity, overshadowed by the pursuit of the next trend or fashionable game.

Unfortunately, definitive answers to this challenge are not readily available; otherwise, we would be inundated with exceptional new games throughout the year. Nevertheless, it is evident that designers have tried everything to garner the attention of gamers, from compact titles with streamlined components to expansive multi-box creations that require a cart for transportation. While innovation is abundant, there are instances where designers prioritise glamour and extravagance over quality and the long-term viability of their products.

The truth is that if you do not prioritise longevity for your latest game creation, you will not bother with those details. However, from a personal perspective, it is difficult to imagine dedicating enough playtime to justify spending €200 upfront on a massive game with multiple expansions. The alternative, a more contained price tag on a core game with subsequent “expansions” hitting the market later (spread out over time) could be considered more acceptable to the consumer. It could also work miracles in ensuring the longevity of a gaming product.

As businesses strive to produce high-quality titles, they must consider other aspects when embarking on their next project. They need to understand that players interested in their games are seeking something novel, the excitement of discovering an exceptional new game. This means that businesses must invest in design, creativity, and, most importantly, innovation.

Simultaneously, these board gaming companies must ensure that their costs are contained, that the coordination required to deliver the end product to customers is reasonably priced, and that none of these factors will compromise the longevity of their product. They must accomplish all this while adopting a sustainable business mindset when sourcing raw materials, managing social stigmas that may exist in target markets, and addressing what could be considered acceptable.

This is the reality we face in 2024. We are witnessing diverse competing factors shaping the way we perceive and consume board games, while simultaneously being aware that these same games could prove beneficial on a societal level by nurturing mental health. As we promote these board games for all the potential benefits they offer, we necessarily require access to businesses that understand the market and the globalised world in which we live.

This industry attracts a diverse array of individuals, from business professionals and art designers to professors with a talent for converting numbers into games. This hobby transforms some into collectors, others into gamers, or both. Yet everyone involved in this industry is drawn to it by a common denominator: an appetite for play and the desire to tackle the next challenge.

In conclusion, as a hobbyist who is both a gamer and a collector of board games, I feel that the evolving landscape of board gaming offers valuable insights and experiences that have enriched my personal journey as I proceed through life.

From the mental benefits perspective, engaging in board games not only provides me with entertainment but also nurtures critical thinking skills, enhances my brain plasticity, and will hopefully aid in my memory retention. I look at these games as a platform for continuous learning, problem-solving, and cognitive stimulation, contributing to my mental well-being and cognitive longevity.

I have also grown to appreciate that from a social perspective, board gaming serves as a powerful tool for bridging generational gaps, fostering friendships, and combating ageism. Through board games, I feel that I constantly learn valuable life lessons in collaboration, communication, sportsmanship, and adaptability. The socialisation component of board gaming encourages teamwork, empathy, and social interaction, enriching my social experiences as I walk through life.

In essence, the amalgamation of mental benefits, the social dimension, as well as the business aspect offer insights into this holistic journey that not only entertains but also educates, and challenges, while allowing me to connect with others. I think that embracing these facets of board gaming can offer you a well-rounded perspective on life, teaching you resilience, creativity, and the importance of human connection in your personal growth and interactions with the world around you.

Embracing and sharing these values is what has kept me captivated by board games for so long. These games are not merely about play; if you delve deeper, you will arrive at the realisation that they are fundamentally about two things, communication and understanding. When we share common goals, follow similar rules, and engage meaningfully with others, we might discover that what divides us is not so much our differences, but rather a lack of empathy and a willingness to communicate unhindered by biases or misconceptions. Learning to overcome human limitations through communication can never be a detrimental pursuit, and I believe that if everyone followed the underlying philosophies that epitomise board gaming, the world would be a much better place.