The gaming industry, with video and technological advances, has witnessed the advent of numerous innovativations in the past decade alone. Enhanced graphics and high-definition displays altered video games with realistic visuals, improved gaming experience, and playability. Facial recognition has made it possible to generate a virtual “lookalike” in-game. Gesture controls give players the ability to manipulate gaming elements with actual movements. And VR devices allow players to fully immerse themselves in the game world.
Despite these advances, tabletop gaming popularity continues to grow. Over 5000 board games were introduced in North America in 2017 alone. The global board game market is a billion-dollar industry, with sales reaching $9.6 billion in 2016, and it shows no signs of stopping. Some claim these recent years reflect a “golden age” of board games, with others predicting a continued demand until 2025.
In the digital age, why has board gaming experienced a renaissance?
The overload of technology fostered the need to “unplug” and spend more time with friends and family. Board games are perfect ice breakers at social gatherings. In addition to the face-to-face social interaction they promote, board game design has come a long way in both variety and game play.
The board game renaissance has lead to establishments specifically targeted at the tabletop gaming community — “board game cafes.” These locations feature games that can be enjoyed by customers, ranging from classic luck-based games (e.g. Monopoly) to more immersive role playing games (e.g. Dungeons and Dragons).
Compared to the technological advances in video games (and in most modern entertainment platforms), board games rely on relatively basic devices and essentially consist of the following:
Game Boards
Dice
Maps
Game Cards
Play Money
Cardboard Tiles
Score Sheets
Player Pieces
Packaging
A staggering number of modern board game types include:
Secret identity games – players have hidden roles and deception is key
Cooperative games – players unite to face a common enemy
Euro games – skill-based and centered on managing resources and workers
Role playing games (RPG) – story-based games where players role play as the central characters
With high demand and continual competition in the industry, board game designers and developers have their work cut out for them. To take advantage of the board game boom, they must create innovative ideas that sell, and build games from quality materials.
Game creators can meet high demand for their popular board games by purchasing quality paperboard materials. Get in touch with Hammond Paper for chipboard material suitable for tabletop gaming needs. We customize paperboard according to your specific requirements. Contact us at 1-877-750-CHIP (2447) or fill in this form for inquiries.