Top Strategy Board Games for Engaging Minds and Fostering Competition

• Cosmic Colonies – This is one of top board games featuring space-themed strategy, that has taken the board game world by storm since its release last year. Players compete to establish colonies on distant planets while managing resources and fending off rival civilizations. With its stunning artwork and deep gameplay mechanics, Cosmic Colonies offers endless replayability and has quickly become a modern classic.
• Everdell: Spirecrest – While not brand new, this expansion to the famous Everdell game continues to impress players with its charming woodland theme and worker placement mechanics. The “Spirecrest” expansion adds new challenges and opportunities as players guide their animal citizens through harsh weather conditions and epic expeditions.
• Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition – This streamlined card game version of the hit Terraforming Mars retains the strategic depth of its predecessor while offering a more accessible entry point for newcomers. As the climate crisis continues to be a pressing issue, this game’s theme of transforming the Red Planet feels particularly relevant.

Party Games Designed for Laughter and Bonding

•  Wavelength: Harmonized Edition – This updated version of the popular mind-reading party game includes new categories and a sleek, eco-friendly design. Players attempt to read their teammates’ minds by placing a marker on a spectrum between two contrasting concepts. Wavelength: Harmonized Edition is perfect for large groups and always leads to interesting discussions and laughs.
• Just One: Expanded Universe – Building on the success of the Spiel des Jahres-winning Just One, this top board game edition includes thousands of new words and introduces optional rule variants to keep the game fresh for veteran players. Its simple premise – giving one-word clues to help a player guess a secret word – makes it accessible to all ages and group sizes.
• Codenames: Pop Culture – The latest Codenames franchise addition focuses on movies, TV shows, music, and internet memes. This top board game version brings a contemporary twist to the beloved word-guessing game, making it especially appealing to younger players and pop culture fans.

Family Games – Fun for All Ages

• Ticket to Ride: World Tour – This new installment in the Ticket to Ride series combines elements from previous editions into one global adventure. Players can now build train routes across multiple continents, adding a new layer of strategy to the familiar gameplay. With its vibrant board and easy-to-learn rules, “World Tour” is perfect for family game nights.
• Catan: Green Revolution – This eco-friendly reimagining of the classic Settlers of Catan incorporates sustainable resource management and green technology into its gameplay. Players must balance development with environmental conservation, reflecting real-world challenges. The game’s components are recycled materials, emphasizing its environmentally conscious theme.
• Pandemic: Rapid Response Team – Building on the cooperative gameplay that made Pandemic a household name, this top board game version focuses on emergency response logistics. Players work together to deliver aid to crisis-stricken areas worldwide, managing time and resources under pressure. It’s both educational and exciting, making it an excellent choice for families with older children.

Two-Player Games That are Perfect for Couples and Duos

• 7 Wonders Duel: Pantheon – This expansion to the award-winning two-player version of 7 Wonders introduces a pantheon of gods from various mythologies. Players can invoke divine powers to gain advantages, adding new strategic layers to the base game’s card-drafting mechanics.
• Patchwork: Folkart Edition – This visually stunning remake of the popular two-player game features intricate folk art designs worldwide. Players still compete to create the most beautiful quilt, but now with pieces inspired by diverse cultural traditions.

Top Board Games for Solo Players

• Gloomhaven: Forgotten Circles – While not new, this top board game expansion to the massive dungeon-crawling game Gloomhaven continues to offer one of the best solo gaming experiences. Its intricate storylines and challenging gameplay make it perfect for those looking for a deep, immersive experience.
• Arkham Horror: The Card Game – Edge of the Earth – This standalone expansion to the popular Lovecraftian card game provides a complete campaign that is playable solo or cooperatively. Its narrative-driven gameplay and atmospheric setting make it an excellent choice for those who enjoy story-rich experiences.

Classic Games with a Twist

• Chess: Quantum Edition – This futuristic take on the age-old chess game incorporates elements of quantum mechanics, allowing pieces to exist simultaneously in multiple states. While it may sound complex, clever design makes it accessible even to those unfamiliar with quantum concepts.
• Scrabble: Etymology Challenge – This top board game variant of the classic word game adds an educational twist by rewarding players for their knowledge of word origins. Special tiles and bonuses encourage players to explore the rich history of language while competing to create the highest-scoring words.

Conclusion

The board game renaissance shows no signs of slowing down in 2024. There’s something for every taste and group size, from strategic epics to laugh-out-loud party games. These top board games offer more than just entertainment. They provide opportunities for face-to-face interaction, strategic thinking, and shared experiences in an increasingly digital world.

Whether you’re an advanced gamer or new to the hobby, the diverse selection of top board games available today ensures you’ll find something to enjoy. So gather your friends and family, put away the screens, and rediscover the joy of playing together around a table. In a world that often feels divided, board games continue to bring people together, one roll of the dice at a time.

The post Tabletop Revival – Top Picks for Every Player and Occasion appeared first on Board Games Land.

Why Play Historical Event Board Games

Historical event board games offer a unique way to engage with the past. These games allow players to step into the shoes of historical figures, make pivotal decisions, and experience the complexities of bygone eras. They provide an interactive learning experience beyond textbooks by simulating key historical moments. Players can better understand historical context, strategic thinking, and the cause-and-effect relationships that shaped significant events. Additionally, these games often spark curiosity, encouraging further exploration of history while providing an entertaining social activity for history buffs and casual gamers. Historical event board games offer several benefits:

• Educational Value: Players learn essential details about historical periods, events, and figures.
• Immersive Experiences: Games offer a hands-on approach to history, making learning more engaging and memorable.
• Strategic Thinking: These games develop critical thinking and decision-making skills by simulating actual events.

Top 5 Board Games Based on Major Historical Events

The board gaming world offers a treasure trove of experiences that allow you to rewrite the past or relive its most pivotal moments. From ancient battles to modern geopolitical struggles, these tabletop adventures provide both entertainment and education. In this list, we’ll explore five outstanding board games that bring major historical events to life, offering players the chance to shape history from the comfort of their gaming table. Whether you’re an advanced gamer or a curious newcomer, these titles promise to transport you through time and challenge your decision-making skills in the face of history’s greatest trials.

Twilight Struggle (Cold War)

This two-player game recreates the tension and political maneuvering of the Cold War era. Players take on the roles of the USA and USSR, competing for global influence.

Memoir ’44 (World War II)

A tactical war game that simulates various World War II battles. Players command troops and use strategy to achieve objectives based on historical scenarios.

Freedom: The Underground Railroad (Civil Rights Movement)

A cooperative game where players work together to help slaves escape to freedom, highlighting the challenges and bravery of those involved in the Underground Railroad.

1960: The Making of the President (U.S. Presidential Election)

Players reenact the 1960 U.S. presidential election, taking on the roles of John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon in a strategic battle for the White House.

Watergate (Political Scandal)

A two-player game that recreates the Watergate scandal, with one player as the Nixon administration and the other as the Washington Post investigation team.

These games excel in translating complex historical events into engaging gameplay while maintaining a high degree of historical accuracy.

How Historical Events Are Adapted into Board Games

Designers face several challenges when adapting historical events into board games:

• Translating Real-World Events: Key aspects of historical events must be distilled into manageable game mechanics.
• Reflecting Historical Realities: Game rules and systems should mirror the constraints and opportunities of the time period.
• Balancing Accuracy and Fun: While historical accuracy is important, the game must remain enjoyable and accessible to players.

Educational and Classroom Uses of Historical Event Board Games

Historical event board games are emerging as powerful educational tools, bringing a fresh and interactive approach to history lessons. These games offer educators a unique opportunity to engage students in active learning, transforming passive recipients of information into decision-makers and problem-solvers within historical contexts. By simulating past events and scenarios, these games can make abstract concepts tangible, foster critical thinking, and encourage collaborative learning. From elementary schools to universities, teachers are discovering how these lucrative experiences can supplement traditional curricula, deepen historical understanding, and ignite a passion for history among students.

Historical War Games – Recreating Battles and Conflicts

Historical event games that focus on politics and diplomacy offer players a unique opportunity to navigate the complex web of international relations that shaped pivotal moments in history. These games go beyond military conflicts, delving into the nuanced world of negotiations, alliances, and strategic decision-making. Players must balance competing interests, manage resources, and employ subtle tactics to achieve their goals. From recreating the intricate power dynamics of Renaissance Europe to simulating Cold War tensions, these games challenge participants to think like statesmen and diplomats. By engaging with historical political scenarios, players gain insights into the delicate balance of power, the art of compromise, and the far-reaching consequences of diplomatic choices, providing a deeper understanding of how politics and diplomacy have influenced the course of history.

Cooperative vs. Competitive Historical Event Games

Historical event games come in two main flavors: cooperative and competitive, each offering a distinct experience in exploring the past. Competitive games pit players against each other, often recreating rival factions or nations vying for supremacy during a specific historical period. These games test individual strategy and decision-making skills as players attempt to outmaneuver their opponents. 

• Cooperative Games: In games like Pandemic: Fall of Rome, players work together against the game system.
• Competitive Games: Many war games and political simulations pit players against each other.
• Differing Approaches: Cooperative games often focus on overcoming historical challenges, while competitive games recreate conflicts between factions.

In contrast, cooperative games unite players against the game itself, simulating the collective challenges faced by historical figures or societies. These games foster teamwork and shared problem-solving as players work together to overcome historical obstacles or achieve common goals. Both types offer unique perspectives on historical events: competitive games highlight the conflicts and power struggles that shaped history, while cooperative games emphasize the collaborative efforts and shared experiences of the past. This diversity in gameplay styles allows history geeks to engage with historical narratives from multiple angles, enhancing both learning and entertainment value.

 How to Choose the Right Historical Board Game for You

Selecting the perfect historical event board game depends on your interests, experience level, and gaming preferences. Start by considering which historical periods or events fascinate you most, whether ancient civilizations, world wars, or political revolutions. Assess your comfort with game complexity – some titles offer deep, intricate systems for hardcore strategists, while others provide more accessible gameplay for casual players or newcomers. Consider the game’s scale, from grand strategy games spanning continents to focused simulations of specific battles or campaigns. Think about your preferred play style: do you enjoy competitive head-to-head conflicts, cooperative problem-solving, or solo play options? Also, factor in play time, group size, and replayability. Read reviews, watch gameplay videos, and if possible, try demo versions or attend gaming events to get a feel for different options. By carefully weighing these factors, you can find a historical event game that educates and provides hours of engaging entertainment tailored to your tastes. Consider these factors when selecting a historical board game:

• Interest in Specific Events: Choose games focusing on historical periods or events that fascinate you.
• Gameplay Mechanics: Consider whether you prefer strategic depth, luck elements, or narrative-driven games.
• Complexity Level: Games range from simple to highly complex. Choose one that matches your experience and desired challenge level.

The Value of Experiencing History Through Board Games

Experiencing history through board games offers a unique way to connect with the past. These games allow players to engage with key historical events, figures, and conflicts in an interactive format, making learning entertaining and insightful. Historical board games foster a deeper understanding of complex events by recreating real-world scenarios and decisions while enhancing critical thinking and strategic planning. Whether exploring political intrigue or pivotal battles, these games transform history into a hands-on experience that goes beyond traditional learning methods.

By combining education and entertainment, historical event board games serve as powerful tools for learning about and appreciating the events that have shaped our world.

The post Board Games Based on Historical Events appeared first on Board Games Land.

Game Mechanics & Play

Board game mechanics are the fundamental systems and rules that govern how a game operates and how players interact with it. They dictate the structure of gameplay, guiding actions, player decisions, and outcomes. Common mechanics include worker placement, where players assign workers to gather resources or take actions; deck-building, which involves constructing a personalized deck of cards; and area control, where players compete to dominate specific regions on the board. Each mechanic adds layers of strategy and variety, shaping the overall experience and flow of the game. Mechanics are key to defining a game’s style and depth.

The core system that drives gameplay include:

• Worker placement: Placing pieces to perform actions.
• Deck-building: Creating a personal deck of cards during the game.
• Dice rolling: Using dice to determine outcomes.

Strategy Concepts

In board gaming, several strategic concepts are commonly discussed:

• AP (Analysis Paralysis): When a player takes a long time to make a decision due to overthinking. “Sorry for the AP, guys. There are so many options!”
• OP (Overpowered): A game element that’s much stronger than others, often unintentionally. “That card seems OP – it wins the game too easily!”
• Meta: The most effective strategies in a game, as determined by the gaming community. “The current meta in Catan focuses on building cities quickly.”
• Downtime: The waiting period between your turns. “I like games with less downtime so everyone stays engaged.”
• Engine Building: A mechanic where you create a system that becomes more efficient over time. “In Splendor, you build an engine to generate more gems each turn.”

Each of these concepts significantly influences gameplay dynamics and strategy formation in various board games.

Victory & Scoring

Victory points and scoring are common mechanisms in board games that quantify a player’s progress and determine the winner. These systems assign numerical values to various actions, achievements, or acquired items during gameplay. Players accumulate points by completing objectives, controlling territories, or following game-specific strategies. At the end of the game, the player with the highest point total is typically declared the winner. This approach allows for clear measurement of success and creates a sense of competition, driving players to optimize their decisions and adapt their strategies to maximize their score.

• VP (Victory Points): Points you earn to win the game. “In Carcassonne, you get VP for completing cities and roads.”
• Win Condition: What you need to do to win the game. “The win condition in Ticket to Ride is having the most points from completed train routes.”
• Tiebreaker: Rules used when players have equal scores at the end. “We both have 50 points, so let’s check the tiebreaker rules.”

Player Types and Strategies

There are several types of players according to their skills and employed strategy during the gameplay:

• Alpha Gamer: In cooperative games, a player who tries to control everyone else’s moves. “Let’s make sure everyone gets a say and avoid alpha gaming.”
• Kingmaker: A player who can’t win but can decide who does. “I can’t win, but I’m in a kingmaker position between you two.”
• Turtling: A defensive strategy focused on protection rather than expansion. “He’s turtling in his corner, building up resources.”
• Bluffing: Deceiving other players about your intentions or resources. “Bluffing is a key skill in poker-style games.”

Game Components

Board game components refer to the physical items players interact with during a game. These elements include the game board, cards, dice, tokens, player pieces (such as pawns, meeples, or miniatures), tiles, markers, and player boards. Each component serves a unique function, from tracking resources and progress to determining actions or representing players in the game world. Components can range from simple pieces like wooden cubes or plastic pawns to more elaborate items like detailed miniatures or custom dice.

• Meeple: Small, person-shaped playing pieces. “Place your meeple on the farm to claim it in Carcassonne.”
• Token: A small object representing resources or actions. “Collect wood tokens to build structures.”
• Tile: A piece used to build the game board or represent areas. “Draw and place a new hex tile to expand the map.”
• Hand: The cards you’re holding at any given time. “I have a great hand this round!”

Game Setup and Flow

Game setup and flow in board games refer to the initial preparation and the sequence of events during gameplay. The setup includes arranging the game board, distributing components like cards, tokens, and player pieces, and explaining key rules or objectives to the players. This phase ensures everyone starts on equal footing and understands how to play.

Game flow describes how the game progresses, typically in rounds or turns, where players take specific actions based on the game mechanics. A well-designed flow keeps the game engaging, with a balanced mix of decision-making, interaction, and strategy, until the game reaches its conclusion.

• Modular Board: A board made of separate pieces for variety in setup. “The modular board in Catan means no two games are alike.”
• Drafting: Selecting cards or components from a shared pool. “We’ll draft our starting cards before the game begins.”
• Rounds: Structured phases where each player takes a turn. “We’ll play five rounds before tallying the final score.”
• Phase: A specific part of a round for particular actions. “In the Action Phase, you can move your character or attack monsters.”

Remember, the best way to learn these terms is by playing games. Don’t be afraid to ask experienced players for explanations – most gamers are happy to help newcomers learn the ropes.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the board game lexicon improves both gameplay and discussion within the hobby. From victory points to strategic concepts like AP and engine building, these terms form a shared language among players. As beginners familiarize themselves with this vocabulary, they gain deeper insights into game mechanics, strategies, and the overall gaming experience. This knowledge improves their ability to play and analyze games and helps them engage more fully with the board gaming community. Embracing these terms opens up a more prosperous world of tabletop gaming, allowing newcomers to transition from novices to informed players quickly.

The post Board Game Lexicon for Beginners appeared first on Board Games Land.

An Energizing Start

The day began with a hearty breakfast at a charming local café, where we fueled up on strong coffee and delicious pastries. Armed with our well-worn event map and a list of must-visit booths, we set out for the convention center, ready to make the most of our final day at Essen Spiel. The bustling energy of the event greeted us as we entered, the air filled with the excited chatter of fellow board game enthusiasts, cosplay, and the colorful displays of countless game booths stretching as far as the eye could see. With renewed vigor, we dove into the sea of gaming wonders.

Exciting Acquisitions and Inquiries

Our day was filled with a whirlwind of game demonstrations, publisher meetings, and exciting acquisitions. One of the standout finds was “Unconscious Mind,” a game that immediately captured our imagination with its intriguing premise and stunning artwork. We had the pleasure of meeting some of the designers behind this title, gaining fascinating insights into the creative process and the game’s development. We also inquired about several other games that piqued our interest:

1. Seti: This space-themed game caught our eye with its beautiful components and promise of strategic depth. We chatted with the publisher about the game’s mechanics.
2. Little Alchemist: A charming family game combining resource management and potion-making elements.
3. Stamp Swap is an innovative card game with a unique spin on set collection. We were intrigued by its portable nature and quick play time, perfect for gaming on the go.
4. Refasa: This economic strategy game impressed us with its intricate mechanics and beautiful production quality. We’re looking forward to reviewing it further.
5. Steam Power: This steampunk-inspired game caught our attention with its unique blend of worker placement and engine-building mechanics.
6. Monster Rock: This quirky party game combines elements of rhythm and bluffing, promising hilarious moments as players try to out-rock each other’s monster personas.
7. Black Forest: This enchanting game caught our eye with its beautiful artwork inspired by the mystical Black Forest of Germany. Combining elements of tile-laying and resource management, Black Forest offers players a chance to build their own magical woodland realm.

Each of these games offers something unique to the board gaming world, and we can’t wait to bring you more detailed information and reviews in the coming weeks.

Party Game Pickups

No gaming collection is complete without some great party games, and we made sure to round out our haul with a few crowd-pleasers.

“Lama Kadabra” caught our attention with its whimsical theme and promise of laugh-out-loud moments. We also picked up “No Thanks,” a classic that we believe every gamer should have in their collection for those impromptu gaming sessions.

A Glimpse Into the Future: Colosseum Demo

One of the highlights of our day was attending a demo for Colosseum, an upcoming game set for release next year. The demo left us thoroughly impressed and eager for more. The game’s blend of strategic depth and thematic immersion promises to make it a standout release in 2025. For those interested, here’s a brief overview of what we experienced in the Colosseum demo. (We apologize for the portrait mode of the video, we were simply too excited to understand the game, and we missed to pay attention to the video :). We’ll bring you a more detailed breakdown of Colosseum in a future article, so keep an eye out for that!

Networking and Community

One of the most rewarding aspects of attending Essen Spiel is the opportunity to connect with fellow gamers, designers, and industry professionals. Throughout the day, we engaged in countless conversations, sharing our passion for board games and learning about new trends and upcoming releases. We had the chance to talk with some of the designers and their insights about the games they created. These discussions not only informed our perspective on the games we saw at the fair but also gave us exciting new angles to explore in our future coverage.

Wrapping Up and Shipping Out

As the day drew to a close, we gathered our impressive haul of games – a testament to the incredible variety and quality on display at Essen Spiel. With careful planning (and perhaps a bit of Tetris-like skill), we managed to pack and arrange shipping for our newly acquired treasures. The anticipation of diving into these games and bringing you comprehensive reviews is already building!

Reflections on Essen Spiel 2024

Our time at Essen Spiel was nothing short of amazing. The event continues to be a cornerstone of the board gaming world, showcasing the creativity, passion, and community that make this hobby so special. While we unfortunately couldn’t stay for the final day to take advantage of the discounted games (a pro tip for future attendees!), we’re already planning for next year. Our goal is to attend the entire event in 2025, making the most of every moment at this board gaming paradise.

The sheer scale of Essen Spiel is awe-inspiring, with hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees from around the globe. It’s a melting pot of cultures, languages, and gaming styles, all united by a shared love of tabletop gaming. From heavy strategy games to light party games, from established publishers to indie designers, Essen Spiel truly has something for everyone.

To our readers: Thank you for following our Essen Spiel journey. We can’t wait to share more detailed insights, reviews, and stories from our experience. The world of board gaming is ever-evolving, and events like Essen Spiel showcase the best of what’s current and what’s to come. Stay tuned for all the exciting content we’ve gathered! In the coming weeks, expect to see in-depth reviews of the games we’ve acquired, interviews with designers we met, and our thoughts on the trends and innovations we observed at the fair. Essen Spiel may be over for another year, but the excitement and inspiration it generates will continue to ripple through the board gaming community. As for us at BoardGamesLand, we’re already counting down the days until Essen Spiel 2025. See you there!

The post BoardGamesLand’s Essen Spiel Adventure: Day 3 Recap appeared first on Board Games Land.

Hall 7

This hall had a little bit of everything. Most notable were the board game discount vendors, which had terrific sales of 75% off. Unfortunately, the games on sale were only in German, and none of us spoke German, so it was a disappointment for us. Besides discount stores, there were also major German publishers like Schmidt. There was also the business lounge where many famous designers hang out to meet and greet.  The hall was a bit overcrowded because it was the entry point, and common people who were not into the hobby were visiting also.

Hall 6

When we entered hall 6, we noticed a change in the atmosphere from a common area to a more family-friendly space. Clearly, this hall was designed for family-friendly and party games. We played shooting elephants and many other dexterity games. One noticeable game we played was making our own toast or sandwich with cards, which made us hungry. Also, no one can forget the River Valley Glassworks and its beautiful gems. We also got free coffee.

Hall 5

Hall 5 was the crossing threshold into board games or, more specifically, gateway games. There were some famous board games suitable for newcomers and advanced gamers. Some of the most renowned publishers, like Hasbro, Haba, and Iello, presented their old-time favorites like Monopoly, Stratego, and King of Tokyo and some new ones like Diamant, Flip Circus, and Clash of Magic Schools. After day one, when we were still jet lagged and exhausted, it was very nice to see old-time favorites reprinted in the latest versions and also play some new games like Diamant. 

Hall 4

Entering Hall 4 was like traveling into the future of board games because this hall contained games that were about to be published on Kickstarter and gamefound. It was amazing to see what the future holds for board games. One game in particular caught our eye, Harakiri by Synergic Games. We have a more than 20-minute video of the designer himself explaining the game, leaving us speechless and in awe of its remarkable story, theme, and mechanics.

The game was so masterfully crafted it made us want to play it immediately, but unfortunately, playing such a great game would take us more than a day, and we had only three days to experience as many games as we could. The game’s core mechanic was similar to Gloomhaven, where players are put into roles of different characters fighting monsters and recovering treasures and ancient artifacts while simultaneously rescuing innocent people from the jaws of great evil. However, a character’s death does not mean the game is lost. On the contrary, players can sacrifice their character to receive ultimate power for a few turns, enough to beat the final bosses and rejoice in the team’s victory.  

Hall 3

We have mentioned a bit on day one about Hall 3. It is our favorite hall because there were some of the best board games and their publishers, like CGI, Pegasus Spiel, Archona games, Queen Games, Feurland, and the Dice Tower. Many of these publishers graced us with their fantastic games, and we can’t wait to tell you more about them in the following month, so visit us regularly for juicy reviews. One game, in particular, fascinated us, Colosseum, by Fantasia Games, where players are put into the roles of noble Roman families organizing gladiatorial games and getting prestige, which is like victory points. Unfortunately, we could not procure a copy because the game was still in early development and will be released through Gamefound. On the bright side, we gained many other great games like SETI, Unconscious Mind, Stamp Swap, Resafa, and many more.

 Hall 2

With all these great games we mentioned, to make the experience even more immersive, we need some cool accessories like custom dice and minis, and these can be found right here in Hall 2. This hall was a mixture of all the halls, with discount stores, significant publishers like Hans im Glück, major toy brands like Hot Wheels, and even wine tasting. However, the best feature of Hall 2 was the game accessories like dice, wooden meeples, player mats, custom 3d printed Miniatures, and even whole 3d printed battlefields for D&D and similar games. There were also different types of artists, like painters, sculptors, weavers, and toy makers; on top of all that, there were unbelievable gaming tables, which were every gamer’s dream.

  Hall 1

We have seen all kinds of board games and even their accessories, and now it is time for the ultimate games, TCGs and CCGs. That’s right, Hall 1 was all about trading card games like Magic the Gathering, Yu Gi Oh, and Pokemon. The first thing that caught our eye was the golden demon’s head in the air beside the Warhammer stand. We have visited many famous publishers like  Asmodee, Fantasy Flight, and CMON and saw their unique products. Another thing that piqued our interest was the library of extra rare trading cards. From Yu Gi Oh to Pokémon, this library contained every rare card you could find on the market, pricing from 25 euros up to 3.000 for the ultra-rare Pikachu card.

Highlight of Day 2 – Meeting Mike DiLisio and Tom Vasel

The bustling halls of Essen Spiel were filled with excitement, but nothing could compare to the thrill of encountering two giants of the board game world. As we navigated through the crowded aisles, we stumbled upon none other than Tom Vasel and Mike DiLisio, the dynamic duo behind The Dice Tower. Their friendly demeanor immediately put us at ease, and we found ourselves engrossed in a passionate discussion about the latest gaming trends and hidden gems of the convention. Tom’s infectious enthusiasm and Mike’s insightful commentary provided a unique perspective on the industry, making this chance meeting an unforgettable highlight of our Essen Spiel experience. The opportunity to share our love for board games with these influential figures left us inspired and eager to explore more of what the convention had to offer.

Summary

Now that we have gained our bearings, we could not be more thrilled to be here at this marvelous event. Nevertheless, Hall 3 remains our favorite hall, and we will probably visit there again tomorrow for some quick gaming. However, we might also see other halls for some game merchandise and discount stores.  We will most likely visit Hall 6 for some hilarious party games, and who knows, some of us might buy some rare Pokémon cards in Hall 1.

The post Essen Spiel 2024: Day 2 Overview – Adventuring and Exploring Halls appeared first on Board Games Land.

Halls Packed With Pure Board Game Bliss

With seven massive halls filled to the brim, every inch of Messe Essen was packed with games, publishers, players, and eager fans waiting to dive into the latest releases. From indie designers with passion projects they’ve nurtured for years to major publishers with highly polished new entries, the convention was an overwhelming sensory overload in the best way possible. We couldn’t resist wandering through each hall, soaking in the electric atmosphere and the literal walls of board games around us.

But let’s be honest, if you’ve been to Essen Spiel before, you know it’s easy to feel lost among the sea of titles, demos, and booths. Yet, as we navigated our way through the convention on Day 1, one game hall stood out in particular.

Hall 3 is Like a Treasure Trove of Kickstarter Gold

While each hall had its charm, Hall 3 is our top pick. Why, you ask? Well, it was the hub for some of the most exciting and soon-to-be-published Kickstarter games. It’s clear that many of these games are poised to make waves in the months to come. There was a tangible buzz in the air as gamers previewed games that would be launching just days after the convention, giving everyone that ‘exclusive sneak peek’ feeling.

Hall 3 had everything from expansive, high-stakes strategy games to quirky, quick-to-play card games—enough to cater to all types of gamers. But what caught our eye the most was the sheer innovation on display. This hall was brimming with creativity, bold mechanics, and daring themes. You could almost see the gears turning in every designer’s mind as they explained their latest passion project. It’s no surprise that Hall 3 was constantly crowded, with eager backers lining up to see what these upcoming Kickstarter campaigns had to offer.

Among the games that immediately caught our attention were Tidal Blades: Banner Festival, Nightfall, and Moonrakers: Titan Edition. But even these fan favorites paled in comparison to the real star of the day, a game we had been itching to try since its announcement.

Our Highlight of Day 1 Was Black Forest

If there’s one thing we are certain about after Day 1 of Essen Spiel, it’s this: Black Forest is an instant classic in the making. For the uninitiated, Black Forest is the latest Euro-style worker placement game from Uwe Rosenberg and his collaborator Tido Lorenz. And let us tell you, it absolutely delivered. We were fortunate enough to snag a demo early in the day, and our expectations were exceeded in every way possible.

The game brings back the famous dials that Uwe Rosenberg originally introduced in Glass Road, but with a fresh new twist that fits perfectly into the game’s deep and engaging mechanics. We walked away from the Black Forest demo deeply impressed, and we are already itching for the official release. It’s clear that Rosenberg and Lorenz have crafted a game that is both deep and accessible, offering layers of strategy without overwhelming new players. We are predicting this one will be favorite for years to come.

Wrapping Up

As we wrapped up our first day at Essen Spiel 2024, one thing was abundantly clear: board gaming is alive and thriving. The sheer energy of the crowd, the excitement of players trying new games, and the passion of designers pitching their projects are all testaments to how incredible this hobby is.

From the seven jam-packed halls to the countless booths showcasing games for all tastes, Day 1 set the bar sky-high. While Hall 3 stole the show with its Kickstarter treasures, there’s still so much more to explore in the coming days. We’re looking forward to diving deeper into more demos, meeting even more creators, and, of course, bringing you the inside scoop on all the hottest games.

Stay tuned for more in-depth reviews and updates from Essen Spiel 2024—this is just the beginning!

The post Essen Spiel 2024: Day 1 Overview – The Ultimate Board Game Kickoff appeared first on Board Games Land.

First Historical Evidence of Ancient Board Games (5000 BC)

It may seem hard to believe that board games existed before written language but dice, or at least a pre-historic version of them, did! The Başur Höyük burial, a 5,000-year-old mound in Southeast Turkey gives us the oldest insight into the history of board games. When the site was discovered, archaeologists found nearly fifty small carved, painted stones considered to be the pieces of the oldest board game known to humanity.

Similar discoveries have been made in regions around the Nile, suggesting that the origin of the oldest board games begins somewhere in the Middle East. The original dice were made from a variety of materials including wood, stones and even carved knuckle bones. Some games involved painted sticks that would be flipped similarly to the way we use dice, so it’s safe to say that the concept behind dice games is where it all began.

As time went on, the materials used for dice became more refined and even extravagant. The six-sided dice we are familiar with began in the Roman times and were made of materials like glass, marble, and ivory.

Senet – The games of the Gods (3100 BC)

At around the 3000 BC mark, board games began to take on a spiritual element in the eyes of those who played them. It started with the pharaohs in Ancient Egypt who played a game called Senet, the oldest board game known to us today. It was the board game played with counters and throw sticks that featured three rows of ten squares and a range of figures, or pawns. The game was used by the rich due to it being discovered in the ancient tombs of Egypt and being depicted in the drawings. At the same time, the actual rules of gameplay are still unclear.

The ancient Egyptians believed that the Gods Ra, Thoth, and Osiris protected those who would win the game and it is mentioned in the Book of the Dead (Chapter XVII to be exact). The game of Senet is available in modern versions today with rules that have been assumed or adapted.

Another board game from around the same period which was given a spiritual connection is the game of Mehen. Once again the rules of the game are unclear, but the board itself is based around the God Mehen a giant serpent who wrapped itself around the God of Sun – Ra.

The closest we have come to understand the gameplay is thanks to an Arab game called Hyena which is believed to be very similar to Mehen. In this game, players have six marbles and a one lion figure. With the use of stick dice players moves along the outer edge of the board towards the center in a race. Once a player hits the center, they reverse and head back to the start, once they get there, the lion piece is activated which is used to capture the opponent’s marble pieces, almost like an early Pac-man!

The Royal Game of Ur (2600-2400 BC)

The longest game known to us that is still being played is The Royal Game of Ur. The rules of the game were found, carved into an ancient stone tablet. Played with two different sets, one black and one white, the game features seven markers and three tetrahedral dice.

This two-player strategy race board game is equal parts strategy and luck. It was first played in ancient Mesopotamia and was also given a spiritual significance as it was believed to reflect a player’s future. The Game of Ur eventually evolved into what we know today as backgammon.

And then there was Backgammon (2000 BC)

Between the Royal Game of Ur and a game played during the Roman Empire known as “game of twelve markings” are believed to have been the beginnings of what we now know as Backgammon. The game appears to have very similar rules, save a few modern tweaks, and dates back to 2000 BC.

An alternative version is that Backgammon has originated in ancient Persia around 5000 BC, but lack of evidence makes it hard to make that a statement.

What we do know, however, is that Backgammon has eventually become a big hit in the mid-1960s. Eventually, Prince Alexis Obolensky, would popularise the game and receive the title “The Father of Modern Backgammon.” The official rules for the game, that we use today, were established after Prince Obolensky created the International Backgammon Association and the World Backgammon Club of Manhattan. It was here that the first biggest backgammon tournament in the world would take place in 1963.

Backgammon is a game for two players, with a board that features twenty-four triangles called points. These points are grouped into four sections which make up the home board and outer board. The points are numbered with the outermost point being the highest. Each player has fifteen checkers and a pair of dice, the object of the game is to move all your checkers to your own home section and then get rid of them. The first player to get rid of all of their checkers wins.

oldest chess game recorded (1300 BC)

Around 1300 BC a strategy game called Ludus Latrunculorum was widely plated throughout the Roman Empire. Similar to, but far more complicated than, chess, the game resembled real military tactics of the era.

This is the first known insurgence of military strategy in the gaming world. Based on a checkerboard, the game’s concept revolves around capturing your opponents’ pieces by using two of your own to corner them.

Many believe that Ludus Latrunculorum was further refined to a simpler version of what we know now as Chess. The games appear to be using similar board, concept and pawn pieces. At the same time, no solid proof exists and some see both games as not related.

Snakes and Ladders (200 AD)

As far as the famous board games we know and play today go, it may surprise you that Snakes and Ladders (aka Chutes and Ladders) has been around for centuries. A version of Snakes and Ladders is known to go back as far as 200 BC as an Indian kids game that teaches about mortality and the difference between good and evil.

Put simply, making your way up the ladders was good, being eaten by a snake and sliding all the way back down though, evil. Makes sense.

When the British landed in India, the game spread through the Western culture like wildfire and was eventually made mainstream in 1943 by US company Milton Bradley. In fact, Snakes and Ladders is one of few board games from India that have made it to the current times and received global adoption.

And what about the kids? (300 AD)

You may have noticed that so far all of these games have been aimed at adults! What did the kids do during all of this time? Well, it wasn’t until about 500 BC until kids got their turn.

The catch is that they didn’t really get a board game, they got hopscotch, which is known to be the oldest game for kids. To be fair, they probably had more energy to burn than adults, so it makes sense they get something more physically active.

Hop-Scotch was played in the Roman era where rules were very similar to the game we know today. The first player throws a marker into the first square, and if it lands within the boundaries, you hop the course, minus that square.

The first iteration of the game, based on early English translations was “scotch-hop,” and somewhere along the line, we flipped it to the more aesthetically pleasing and marketable, hopscotch.

The Road to Chess (400 – 600 AD)

The history of Chess is probably one of the most fascinating and one of the longest in making, partly because there are a number of known ancient board games similar to chess. History shows that around 400 AD there was an ancient Germanic and Celtic family of games, one of which was a strategic game called Tafl. The game is still considered as one of the most influential medieval board games on what we know as chess today.

The checkered wooden game board had two opposing armies painted in different colors. The layout, size and a specific number of figures vary across cultures, but there is always a common denominator: one army being twice as big as the other one and the king-piece. The objective of the game was to help the King escape to board sides while being chased and captured.

It was initially thought that these games were created to mimic attacks from Vikings which is why the attacking force was given the advantage to kick things off. Further evidence suggests that Tafl was often found in places Vikings have often traveled to. Over time, Tafl could be found in most countries of Northern Europe.

There is a strong historical correlation that Tafl has gone through a moderate iteration around the 6th century AD which has resulted in Chaturanga – an Indian strategy board game of the Gupta Empire. The name of the game translates as ‘four divisions’ and represents chariotry, infantry, elephantry, and cavalry, which later become rook, pawn, bishop and knight in the modern chess.

Chaturanga was eventually brought to Persia around 600 AD, where it was given a European makeover called Chess. Muslim traders spread the game via European seaports into Western Europe and Russia. The rules were tweaked and varied along the way a number of times until in 1475 when the first chess book was printed. The rules have solidified into the rules we know today and have not been changed since. The simpler, modern version of Chess allowed pawns to move two squares on their first move while making the queen the most powerful piece.

Chess continues to be one of the most widely respected board game that is considered a way to improve the self. It was even taught in schools in the past. Today traditions carry via Chess Clubs, and prestigeous world tournaments.

Dominoes (1100 AD)

Another game popularised in 18th Century France was Dominoes. While it is not precisely known where and when was the game invented, many historians agree that it was invented in China around 1100 AD. However, it wasn’t until the 18th century before the game has landed on the European continent. Its rapid growth in popularity the game has achieved when it was brought from Italy to France.

The French even created a puzzle version of the game for which players had to place tiles over a pattern. Dominoes made its way over to Britain in the late 18th Century and then spread all over the world, finding particular popularity in Latin America.

Another early version of Dominoes was played by the Inuits in North America who used tiles made from bones, but it is believed to be an imitation of the Western version as opposed to creation by the Inuits.

Checkers (1100 AD)

Checkers (also known as Draughts) has some archaeological evidence that claims it was played as early as 3000 BC. At the same time, the board and pieces seem to significantly differ to what we know the modern checkers to be. Unfortunately, no description of the rules has been found, hence the correlation is only hypothetical.

An Egyptian game called Alquerque, however, is much similar to the checkers we know today and can be traced as far back as 1400 BC with the French deciding to finally place the game on a chess board around the year 1100 AD.

The game and the current rules eventually found their way to England and America, and in 1847 the first checkers world championship was played. It was also one of the first games to go digital! Right before World War II when computers were in a rudimentary stage of development, a man named Alan Turing created a basic checkers game for the computer that required paper calculations to assist.

Variants of Pachisi (1600 AD)

Another popular modern game with early beginnings is Pachisi, also known as Parcheesi, Parchisi, Parchisi, and others, which was the National Game of India.

The name and game centers around the number twenty-five, the highest score you can get.

The roots have been traced as far back as the 16th Century as it was played by The Indian Emperor Akbar I of the Mogul Empire.

Go (1612 AD)

Go is another game where the origins aren’t entirely known. The guess is that it has originated in China around 3,000-4,000 years ago. At the same time, it could be one of the ancient Japanese board games played in the 17th century. It is known that since 1612 the Shogun ran Go competitions and gave awards to the strongest Go players of the country.

Despite its increasing popularity in Japan, Go didn’t hit Europe until 1880 when Oskar Korschelt published a book about the game. It has since made a name for itself with a European Championship being established in 1957. Today you can find a fair bit of discussion online about the game as well as being able to play it with people all over the world. There are various servers that allow the game to be played over long periods.

Shogi (1700 AD)

A Japanese version of Chess called Shogi also popped up in the 18th Century. Ko Shogi which translates to “broad chess” features a large-board and was apparently created by the Japanese Confucian scholar Ogyū Sorai.

The game is played on a much smaller 7×7 board using the drop rule. The idea here is that a player will take five pawns, toss them on the board and if the number of pawns facing up is higher than down pawns, the opposing player gets the first move.

Mahjong (1880 AD)

Mahjong is believed to have its roots well into 550 BC in the provinces of Kiangsu, Anhwei, and Checking. The first historical record, however, dates back to the end of the 19th century. It is also known that the early 20th century has seen a steep rise in popularity of Mahjong where it became more widely played than Chess.

The idea of the game is quite simple – you have four wind tiles, laid face down ready for four players to draw them. When drawing, you can keep or discard the tiles you want in order to create a winning combination in your hand. The discarded tiles, however, can be picked up by other players to complete their winning combinations.

To win at Mahjong, a player (most often) needs to achieve four sets and a pair from their tiles. There are many winning conditions between different versions of the game, but purists say the rules from the 1920s are the ones to follow.

The printing press provided the next step in game evolution with the ability to add themes and subjects. One example of this is the game, Agon, known as the Game of The Hexagons.

Agon is a strategy game played on a hexagonal 6×6×6 game board, and it was first played in France in the late eighteenth century with first official mention in 1872.

The rules were simple, but the strategy could be quite involved, so they appealed to a wide variety of people and grew quickly in popularity.

The Landlord’s Game (1903)

From the early versions of board games discussed above, the concept was evolving and becoming more popular. In fact, as early as 1903, new games like The Landlord’s Game has started to arise.

A lady named Lizzie Magie became one of America’s first board game designers with the release of The Landlord’s Game. The board consisted of a square track that had properties around the outside for players to buy. Sounds vaguely familiar? The game also had four railroads, utilities, a jail, and a corner that players scored $100 each time they passed.

Recognize it yet? Yep, The Landlord’s Game would eventually become Monopoly after Magie sold the patent to The Parker Brothers in 1935. The interesting thing is, The Parker Brothers originally refused to buy the game; now it is their greatest success and one of the most popular board games in the world.

Magie has originally designed the game to demonstrated the concept of land grabbing and its principles to make it easier for people to understand. The game was based on Georgism, a system in which rent benefits property owners and financially disadvantages tenants. Maggie wanted children to play the game to see how unfair and easy it is for the rich to get richer. Because Monopoly did so well, The Parker Brothers were able to fund other games like Risk and Trivial Pursuit; they bought the original patent for $500.

The Fruitful Board Game Age (1949-1959)

Throughout the timeline, there have been some games that have made a more significant impact than others, and have maintained their popularity to this current day. Some of these titles include have been produced in the middle of the last century and have heavily influenced the board game development for decades to come.

The first board game that is still played today actively is Clue, also known as Cluedo outside of the United States. The board game represents and murder mystery challenge where players move from room to room in a mansion to solve the mystery of: who done it, with what, and where? It was released after World War II in 1949 in both the USA and the UK and was initially called Murder! Clue earned a spot in the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2017 with the original creator of the game selling the rights to Waddington for a mere 5,000 pounds. 

Almost a decade later, in 1959, the board game Risk comes out, which has later become one of the longest running board game series and the most sold war games in the world. It is believed that in its first year, the board game sold more than 100,000 copies. 

In addition, in the 1950s the Parker Brothers in conjunction with the French Miro Company worked on a game designed by Albert Lamorisse, the writer of a movie called The Red Balloon. Originally titled The Risk Continental Game and later retitled Risk: the Game of Global Domination the latest version was released in 2008 to commemorate the journey of the game with a reproduction of the original 1959 version.

Lastly, Diplomacy, also known as “the game that ruins friendships” was released the same year and still has a devoted and active fan base. The game is similar to Risk; it’s geo-strategy with players trying to capture supply centers and build their armies. At the same time, it adds a twist where you can negotiate, create pacts and betray other players.

The Phenomenon of role-playing games (1974)

A hugely popular evolution of the board game is the role-playing board game. The game that kicked this sub-scene into overdrive is a household name; Dungeons & Dragons, with a slew of variations that have followed.

Role-playing games are around forty years old. Dungeons & Dragons was first published in 1974, with various genres of single player and multiplayer boards and computer games following. The main idea behind roleplaying is that you and your friends sit around a table with pens, paper, and dice, and embark on an imagined world of fantasy. 

The rise of Dungeons & Dragons

A board game with no board and no cards that would start a massive wave of imagination-led entertainment, Dungeons & Dragons involves characters such as elves, dwarves, and gnomes along with a single Dungeon Master, who runs the game and describes the world the players are delving into. Dice are used to determine the outcome in a game that is open-ended and malleable to make for a new adventure each time it is played.

In the seventies and eighties, those who played the game were considered closet case geeks who spent their time creating maps in basements it was even shunned by various Christian moralists’ who claimed players were dabbling in witchcraft. The popularity rose and fell but a consistent cult following was always present.

Later, in 2014, a fifth edition of the rules came out and for some unexplained reason, popularity skyrocketed. Therapists even began using the game to get troubled kids to open up, and children with autism are encouraged to play D&D to develop social skills. It is also hugely popular with adults, Drew Barrymore and Vin Diesel claim they are regular players and constant D&D nights are held as stress relief in Silicon Valley.

Types of role-playing games

There are four different types of role-playing games determined by medium, means, and scale:

1. Pen-and-paper roleplaying games: The oldest form which simply uses pens and papers to keep track of the game. They involve character sheets with locations mapped out on paper while being played around the table and are told rather than enacted. Players play a character by describing what they can do or say with dice to determine the way the game will go.
2. Live-action roleplay: Using a larger group of people the games and characters are physically acted out, often with dress up. They are also location-based, this could be a forest or warehouse, and big ones can often have a hundred or more players for games that run over a whole weekend.
3. Computer role-playing games: Often computer adaptations of pen-and-paper games and usually single player, however, the internet has made term roleplaying games far easier.
4. Massively multiplayer role-playing games (MMORPGs): A relatively new form of roleplaying in which thousands of players connect to a server and enter a fictional world to run missions and set-up communities.

The awards were to originally created to reward excellence in board game design and to promote board games on the local market. It has been known to increase game sales for the winner to around 300,000 to 500,000 copies. Since its original intention, the event has spread globally and is now recognized by non-German speaking countries too.

Some of the bigger name games that have won The Spiel Des Jahres include CamelUp, Dominion, Codenames, Dixit and many more.

The World of Warhammer (1987)

Warhammer is a tabletop game of fantasy battles with a detailed and elaborate story/universe around it.

It puts players in command of armies that feature elves, orcs, and various other monsters via miniature plastic models with different stats and abilities.

With Warhammer you maneuver your figures over set distances using rulers and engage in combat by rolling dice.

The game has evolved over several editions, with rule changes and new players along the way. You may have walked past a Games Workshop store, and seen people playing board games over massive Warhammer battlegrounds that are set up in the shop.

The first edition of Warhammer came out in 1987 and was titled, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader.

Card Game Explosion (1993)

The 90s and early 2000s have seen a rapid growth of card games which have mainly been pioneered by first Magic: The Gathering and later Dominion.

In 1991, a company called Wizards of the Coast set out to create a portable game that people could play in line at conventions and on the go. This is when the first version of Magic: The Gathering was born. It debuted in 1993, and became one of the most popular board games of the decade, quite quickly.

It has later featured a tournament system known as the DCI, the first of its kind, created to help manage stats and rules.

Later, in 2002 Magic Online has hit gaming consoles with players dulling AI opponents while interacting with physical cards.

The Settlers of Catan (1995)

In the 90s the popularity of board gaming hit a peak, just before the internet stole its thunder. The Settlers of Catan is the perfect example of a board game (besides Monopoly) that reached a widespread audience. The game went worldwide, being translated to more than thirty languages.

As the name of the game explains, the goal is to settle an island called Catan with the game board making up the island with hexagonal tiles. We seem to love games where we can acquire land or properties as each player rolls a dice to try and buy land to build roads and settlements. One of the unique things about the game is that it encourages the players to bend the rules a little. Each game allows the participants to create their own agreements for trading and purchases.

The Washington Post once called The Settlers of Catan “The board game of our time,” and the popularity of the game was explored in a documentary called ‘Going Cardboard.’

The fun part of Catan’s story is the inventor, Klaus Teuber. There are very few people who design games and make a living from it; in fact, it’s usually someone’s hobby which happens to catch a big break and become popular. This was certainly the case for Teuber who was originally a dental technician in Germany who designed games for fun and stress relief from work. Teuber is now a board game superstar and is considered royalty when he attends gaming conventions. The reason why Teuber and Catan struck such an important chord in the world of board games, is they revealed an appetite for games that moved outside of the standard set-ups and rules of the time. Catan showed that board games could be a little more involved, and people were very hungry for it.

Legacy Board Games (2011)

The evolution of board gaming currently sits with legacy games, games that are designed to change over the course of a number of sessions.

Although it was Risk Legacy that has paved the legacy concept in board games, it was Pandemic Legacy that has exploded the legacy board games scene with Season 1 getting released in October 2015. Both games were co-designed by Rob Daviau as he invented board games since year 2000, but it was Pandemic Legacy that made him one of the most successful board game designers in history. The game has since redefined the perception of what a legacy board game is.

Matt Leacock, the second designer, had the necessary leverage to promote the game and Pandemic has quickly received critical and commercial acclaim. It evolved with expansions and spin-offs as people fell in love with the board game that changed every time they played it.

Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 has amassed dozens of board game awards and nominations and has managed to rocket to the first spot on Board Game Geek chart in record time to become the best game in the world.

The Future of Board Games

Considering the board games today and how far they have come, it is a safe assumption that they will continue to integrate with technology and remain a firm staple in the entertainment spectrum. This is best exemplified at events such as at Gen Con 50, gatherings at which industry insiders and amateur hobbyists get to have a sneak peek into the future of board gaming.

There are more board game cafes, shops, websites and events than the industry has ever seen. Also, the current trend suggest that new board games are set to be released more often in the future heating up a healthy competition in the market. With all the right indicators in place, the popularity of board games is set to continue its strong trajectory as we enter the golden age of board gaming. 

Digital integration

An example of how board games and technology will likely continue to intertwine is the game Beasts Of Balance, an animal stacking game that uses an iPad app to meld a physical game of balance and a digital animal cross-breeding puzzle.

Mansions Of Madness is another excellent example of a physical board game that works with an integrated companion app. In fact, the app integration has only been released with a second edition and has drastically improved the gameplay and player interaction. 

The idea of including apps and other digital elements is not new; however, it has been few and far between in the past as apps are expensive. But as the interconnected world of the internet is making everything more competitive, developers are looking to apps and digital components to stand out from the crowd.

3D printing

The transformative effect 3D printing is a natural next step for the physical board game. The production of board games, their miniatures and components will benefit significantly from 3D printing which can print smaller runs for cheaper, as opposed to needing large scale creation of figurines for games like Warhammer.

Gaming all over the world

An exciting inclusion at Gen Con is the annual Kenyan Board Games Con, which is the largest West African board games gathering in history. This shows positive growth for the board game community, uniting all parts of our diverse world.

As board game events spread beyond the European and North American continents, in which they were almost exclusive, tabletop gaming gains new perspective and insights. International companies are now entering untouched markets which are likely to lead to new board game mechanics, ideas, concepts, and tabletop games innovation in general.

The result is beneficial for anyone who enjoys cracking out the board game, sitting around the table with friends and family and having some good old-fashioned fun. May board games be a staple of our everyday household, game on!

The post The Complete History of Board Games appeared first on Board Games Land.

The post How to Pick The Perfect Board Game appeared first on Board Games Land.