So, the year is finally winding down. It’s been a journey with its fair share of twists, but if I weigh the scales, this one has been kinder than the last. New games found their way to the table, fresh mechanics led to entertaining evenings, and there were moments when play felt like discovery all over again. Of course, challenges cropped up along the way, some plans slipped, routines faltered, they always do. Still, gaming remained a reassuring presence throughout the year.
As Sid Meier of “Civilisation” fame once remarked, “In life, as in game design, you have to find the fun. There is joy out there waiting to be discovered, but it might not be where you expected.” (Sid Meier's Memoir!: A Life in Computer Games) That thought lingers as I look back, memories of simpler times when I was younger, when days felt endless and life seemed eternal. Nostalgia has its attraction, but it also fuels the appreciation of what I have built in the present, family, friendships, shared experiences, and the promise of more unforgettable moments to come.
From a board gaming perspective, I had the pleasure of playing several remarkable titles this year, for which I am grateful. Attending the club enabled me to enjoy a wider range of games and more live play than I would have experienced had I relied solely on the sessions I usually organise at home. Noteworthy examples include “The Castles of Burgundy”, “Terraforming Mars”, “The Palaces of Carrara”, and “Flamecraft”. In summary, 2025 proved to be a rewarding year in this respect.
With regard to gaming-related publications and books, I acquired a few good titles this year which proved to be both engaging and rewarding reads. As a supporter of the benefits of modern board gaming, I found these works both informative and, to a certain extent, eye-opening.
The first was “Board Games in 100 Moves” published in 2019 and authored by Ian Livingstone and James Wallis. This entertaining read offers a concise history of board games spanning millennia, covering more than a hundred titles ranging from the ancient Egyptian game of Senet to modern classics like Dungeons & Dragons, Monopoly, and Warhammer. It does so in a manner that is never obtuse, quite the contrary. I found myself breezing through the pages, eyeing the various illustrations and pondering on the ubiquity of gaming as a very “human” endeavour.
Another book that made it into my library is not really about board gaming but rather on the notion of play which lays at the very core of any game-like activity. The book in question is titled “Playful” by Cas Holman. This publication brings up the argument that play is not just for children but should be thought of as a vital skill for adults. Something I definitely agree with on many counts. Published in 2025, it explores how play helps us adapt, connect, and stay creative in a society that frowns upon adults being playful. Holman presents play as a mindset rather than a hobby of sorts, showing how curiosity, imagination, and risk‑taking through play can reduce stress and encourage innovation.
The book blends various disciplines like psychology, design, and cultural stories, emphasising the value of free, unstructured play. It is written in an approachable style, more philosophical than practical, and encourages readers to reclaim play. While it does not offer any step‑by‑step how-to’s, it does offer reasoned arguments which highlight how play can make life richer and more “human”.
The third book I have started to read this year is David Parlett’s “Card Games”, a more academic treatise. I’m still working through it, as it proves to be a demanding read, yet I find it an engaging and insightful guide to the wider world of card play. It explains the rules and variations of hundreds of traditional and modern card games, while also offering histories and cultural backgrounds. Parlett balances practical instruction with an accentuated scholarly insight, making this book both a manual for players who want to try some of the games mentioned within as well as a well-thought foray into card games as a living tradition embraced by diverse cultures and peoples the world over.
In 2025, I added several notable titles to my board gaming collection. Among the larger boxed games, the purchase that pleased me most was “The Castles of Burgundy”. Other distinguished additions include the board game adaptation of the popular rogue‑like “Slay the Spire”, the family‑friendly “Quest to Eldorado”, the award‑winning “Bomb Busters", and the highly regarded “Harmony” and “Verdant". In the smaller card‑game category, I must highlight the trick‑taking “Rebel Princess”, the compact “Scout”, “Odin”, “Bottle Imp”, and the lively party game “Flip 7”. These latter titles have shorter play times overall and very creative mechanics.
Next year I intend to attend more sessions at the club, though this will demand greater flexibility on my part. My usual preference is to play the larger box games, yet I acknowledge the importance of being more receptive to heavier titles. A further difficulty towards attending the club arises from the growing challenge of finding parking when returning home late in the evening, which brings a quiet anxiety whenever I plan a visit. It may appear minor, yet such issues are increasingly becoming obstacles to movement across the island.
Next year I would also like to introduce my younger son to a wider range of board games. This year he enjoyed “Clank!”, “The Lord of the Rings – Duel”, “Odin” and “Quarto”, an abstract strategy game with a simple yet clever mechanism. In 2026, I intend to go further by presenting him with more demanding titles and perhaps some of the other two‑player games in my collection. Above all, I wish to encourage his growing interest in off‑line gaming, not only in board games but as a broader pursuit.
In 2026, I intend to take this blog in a new direction, focusing on specific topics that will allow me both to research the subject of board gaming and to identify practical ways in which engagement with these cardboard creations can contribute to richer and more fulfilling lives. The emphasis will be on recognising the collateral benefits, those areas of life that stand to gain most when we choose to participate in structured play. I shall not provide further detail at this stage, as the list of topics remains provisional.
One final note to all of you who have followed me on my blog throughout 2025. Here’s my greeting for a fresh chapter filled with bold ideas, meaningful connections, and moments that matter. May we all step into 2026 with confidence, curiosity, and willingness to try the new. Happy New Year.
Books referred to above
- Meier, S. (2020) Sid Meier’s Memoir!: A Life in Computer Games. New York: W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN 9781324005872.
- Livingstone, I. and Wallis, J. (2019) Board Games in 100 Moves. London: DK Publishing. ISBN 9781465498717.
- Holman, C. and Denworth, L. (2025) Playful: How Play Shifts Our Thinking, Inspires Connection, and Sparks Creativity. New York: Avery. ISBN 9780593713402.
- Parlett, D. (1990) The Oxford Guide to Card Games. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780192141651.
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