Board games are primarily making a comeback because they:
- Help to Strengthen Human Bonds
- Offer non-violent fun
- Can be used to relieve stress
- Stimulate thinking
- Can be a career option
- Can be used as mental rehab
- Aren’t expensive
- Draw you away from the screen
Board games have been around for a long time now.
Beginning with dice and clay tablets, they’ve now evolved into cardboard games.
Some have had a digital upgrade and use technology such as motion detectors and score predictors to make the fun and challenges of the game.
But times haven’t remained entirely the same. Board games continued to be inspired by the ongoing trends in different eras.
Now that we’ve spent some time in the digital age with computers and PlayStations, it’s an excellent time to analyze why board games are making a comeback.
So read on!
When Did Board Games Become Popular?
From the early 15th century, the development of the printing press and the industrial revolution marked the rise in the popularity of board games.
The modern form of board games developed when people used cardboard, printing machinery, plastic molds, etc., to make portable, lightweight games.
The spread of the printing press across the globe enabled manufacturers to design all sorts of campaigns for their products.
From this time onwards, board games became a tool for public entertainment alongside other media.
Before this era, board games were built with rocks and clay and weren’t available for massive, long-term use.
The invention of the press and industry led to an innovation in board games.
There were separate game pieces for each player, a decorated board game, and instruction manuals to guide them.
This was also accompanied by a rising need for entertainment in a busier, industrial lifestyle. Both literate and illiterate classes could play these games.
Did Board Games Lose Their Popularity?
In a way, board games did lose their popularity over the years.
The first-ever computer game was Spacewar, designed to be played on a computer the size of a car.
Since then, game board players and manufacturers alike feared that there would be a decline in the game board’s popularity.
Sure enough, during the next couple of decades, technological advancement in gaming was the global buzz, and many seemed to forget about good old board games for a while.
After all, digital games are fascinating.
Instead of imagining your pawns driving each other off the board, you can actually see it all happening:
- You can connect with players all over the globe.
- You can become globally known for your moves.
- You can become an eSports champ.
- You can even build your own games.
So, Where Did Board Games Go?
They didn’t go anywhere.
Despite the rise of technology, board games still hold their value in almost all societies of the world.
The temporary hype about tech-dominated gaming has evaporated to some extent, and we can see board games as loved as they always have been.
Are Board Games Really Making a Comeback?
Board games are most definitely making a comeback.
They haven’t lost their relaxing, challenging, de-stressing effect.
They’re still an excellent substitute for outdoor games, digital games, and eSports.
Here’s why board games are making a comeback:
1. Board Games Help to Strengthen Human Bonds
Spending time indoors gets tough, even when you have your loved ones right by your side.
Even for the most dedicated hermits, it’s necessary to spend some time with one’s folks.
For this purpose, board games are the most suitable option.
Similar to the dinnertime table, people can gather around the table, have a laugh, discuss their lives, and have a fun time.
It’s a way for the family to grow their tolerance and love for each other, too.
2. Board Games are Non-Violent
Entertainment in today’s world comes at a massive price: it’s a compromise on our values and mental health.
Scrolling through social media, watching films with horrible slang, and video game violence are all worrisome phenomena.
The rising criminal violence rate attributed to entertainment-based violence has steered the odds in board games’ favor.
They’re not filled with double-meaning, creepy messages.
They’re not something that can be hacked or experimented with.
Most board games are harmless occupations and actually encourage teamwork and honest effort.
Parental guidance is also more applicable to board games as compared to online gaming or outdoor activities.
3. Board Games are a Great Stress Reliever
Mental and physical stress isn’t a strange experience in our whirlwind lives.
Assignments, bills, social interactions, and economic and political ups and downs all lead to a massive buildup of stress on our minds and bodies.
With board games, there’s no rush. Some games can last hours, days, or even weeks.
You’re at the liberty to play as long as you like.
Other games are quickly over. You can go for a quick round while you’re on a lunch break or want some temporary distraction.
There are all sorts of games for removing any kind of stress.
4. Board Games Stimulate Thinking
Board games in academics? Yes, you read that right.
Board games are a great mental stimulant and encourage healthy, cheat-free competition.
Schools often add chess and Scrabble to their extracurricular syllabus and encourage clubs for specific games.
They hire coaches to train students on a professional level.
This has multiple advantages:
- First, it distracts the students’ minds from academic worries.
- Second, it encourages teamwork, participation, and group values among students.
- Third, board games encourage critical thinking and strategic planning.
- Fourth, playing board games in your school and college life gives you time to polish your skills to become an expert champion. You can embark on a career based on board gaming.
5. Board Games are a Career Option
Board games have crossed regional boundaries and now have worldwide fan clubs.
Similar to football or cricket or car racing, there are teams and alliances and fierce rivalries and sweet successes.
Card games and board games have some extraordinary players.
You can earn a handsome amount of money if you’re skilled enough.
6. Board Games can be Used as Mental Rehab
Rehabilitation centers use board games as a therapy mechanism.
Mahjong, dominoes, and similar games are used to treat patients with drug addiction, memory loss, or any conditions that render them immobile.
Playing board games is linked to peaceful behavior and healthy brain activity.
This is why a lot of rehabs and psychologists specifically recommend board games in one’s routine.
7. Board Games Aren’t Expensive
Most board games are a one-time investment.
You don’t need paid upgrades or go for purchase plans.
The pack comes as a whole and lasts for years.
On the other hand, technology-enabled games need electricity or a battery to run. You need expensive gear, and the amount that it takes to repair one slight damage is overwhelming.
8. Board Games Draw you Away from the Screen
Sitting in front of the screen isn’t good for your eyes or your brain.
The blue light affects your eyes, optical nerves, as well as your neck.
Dropping these and using board games for entertainment has ensured people that their health is safer than all that screen time.
Conclusion
To sum up, board games had a few hard days during the early rise of digital technology.
However, as more and more research comes to light, people are convinced that board games are easily the most productive form of entertainment.
So in case, you were worried about your favorite board games being discontinued, relax!
There’s no such thing happening anytime soon.
Now – do you think that board games are truly making a comeback?
Let us know in the comments below and make sure to check our other articles too!