Who says partying is the only way you can enjoy your weekend? Have you tried board game nights with your buddies?

According to a study, the reach of board games has been growing rapidly since 2002. They aren’t limited to lounging around at home anymore; instead, they've taken up to cafes. In 2016, more than 5000 board game cafes were opened in the U.S., and mind you, that's more than the number of American Walmarts!

Board games attract people so much that several cafes dedicated to playing them have opened in the U.S.

But what’s so special about board games? Why do people of all ages get attracted to them? Moreover, what are the key board game trends we can observe in the upcoming years? To find answers to all these questions, stay tuned with us.

Why are people obsessed with board games?

They’re social

The fact that most board games are multiplayer makes them socially engaging. Playing board games is the easiest way to catch up with old friends and make new ones. Even an uncomplicated game like Sorry can be memorable when played with the right group of people.

They’re challenging

Every board game has challenges that push the brain to work faster and better. Things like understanding the rules, making smart moves, and saving your pawn till the end help the brain think strategically.

They’re tangible

The best aspect of board games is their tangibility. In a world where almost everything is digital, finding something substantial is very satisfying. The beauty of looking at and touching the board, the joy of moving your game pieces manually, etc., enhances the whole experience of playing.

They offer variety

Every year thousands of board games are released, with each offering different challenges, themes, and ideas that attract players. There’s so much variety in board games that different people can choose different games as per their preference.

There’s a huge variety of board games and you can pick any as per choice

Do you know about these board game styles?

There's a constant burden on game designers to keep bringing new ideas to the table. As such, they keep innovating gaming strategies and styles. Some of the best ones include:

• "Legacy" style games which allow the players to customize the game as they play it. Players can add and remove rules, write on the board, and do lots of new things.
• Then there’s the “Exit” game series which offers an escape room experience. They provide players with a series of puzzles to solve together as a team.
• A higher version of the Exit game series is the “Unlock” game series which uses an integrated app to provide clues and answers.
• Players who love solving puzzles can also use digital technologies, which are similar to board games. Games like Chronicles of Crime, Detective, One Night Ultimate Superheroes, and Beasts of Balance add a new flavor to traditional board gaming by introducing apps and websites to solve riddles.

There are several board gaming styles, “Legacy”, “Exit”, “Unlock”, and “Digital” being a few

Wrapping it up

By 2023, the board game industry is expected to grow at the rate of 9 – 17%. This only shows how much people love playing board games with family and friends. So if you haven't tried them out yet, run to a nearby store and get your board game now!