Will there be any board or tabletop games in the future?

When the electricity suddenly goes out at home, everyone immediately remembers that somewhere on top of a cupboard there is a dusty box of board games. Or when sitting in self-isolation, after all the films have been watched and all the computer games have been played, someone in the family will certainly remember the board games. They ARE fun and exciting, they make us think and communicate, they bring us together and, despite the development of technology, board games will not be forgotten; they will continue to delight small children and large groups. But even the things we love most do not stand still—they evolve, so board games will probably undergo certain modifications as well.  

Technology offers a surprising and exciting perspective on how people all over the world can interact with all kinds of products and objects. The significance of 3D printing is enormous, and it will inevitably transform the world completely; however, even experts in this field rarely pay attention to its recreational possibilities.

3D printing may have a huge impact on the production of board games, especially on the manufacture of miniatures and components that are traditionally mass-produced rather than made in small batches. Thanks to the cost savings created by the home-printing revolution, the future will give new meaning to the phrase “print and play.”

Several games already demonstrate digital integration. Families enjoy the animal-themed game ‘’Beasts Of Balance’’; to play this board game, an iPad app must be used to turn the touch-based balancing game into an animal crossword puzzle. XCom, based on the highly popular video-game series ‘’Alien Explosion’’, uses an app to play out the game mechanics.

‘’Everyone together’’

As global society is now rapidly moving toward tolerance and the idea that everyone is equal, board games are also gladly supporting this trend, as the industry and hobby are opening up to new creators, designers, and enthusiasts. Middle-aged men no longer dominate board-game gatherings in pubs, and increasing diversity can be seen across all areas of the hobby. Board-game events and gatherings now take place all over the world on almost every continent (including Antarctica), not only in Europe and America. 

There is another trend that could affect the board-game market. When choosing between two companies or two shops, people will choose the smaller one. Why? To support a company or shop from their own country or region, or to appreciate the personal approach offered by smaller companies. Another short article could be written about this trend, but it is happening now. Therefore, huge companies such as ‘’Hasbro’’ are forced to think very creatively and innovatively in order to retain their ‘’customers’’. Thus, in the future we can expect new and interesting board games both from new, perhaps even local, companies and from the giants of the industry. 

Sound 

As smart headphones have become ubiquitous, audio has become a valuable platform for engagement. Board games can be used as foreground activities—such as charades and Mafia, in which players guess words, and music quizzes.

But why choose and give something up? Let our future include both board games and online/computer games. Board games develop your social skills, while video games primarily develop cognitive skills, such as problem-solving, navigation, and so on. In the evening, it is great to play cards or Monopoly with friends or family, but sometimes you want to take part in a battle in cyberspace or enjoy a win at an online casino. Where you can find your cards, I do not know, but I can recommend where to find an amazing selection of online casino games—click more information—and do not worry about the future of games!