The Renaissance of Traditional Gaming: Why Classic Never Goes Out of Style

by Jane Sandwood

Need a fun way to spend time with your family and friends? Bring out your Monopoly board and dust off your UNO Cards because traditional gaming is back in a big way. Despite the dominance of digital entertainment, board games have surged in popularity and will continue to be in demand in the coming years. Recent data shows that the global board game market is valued at around $13 billion and is projected to grow by 11 percent over the next five years. Thus, we can expect to see new versions of classic games, plus brand new titles on the horizon.

It’s surprising that traditional gaming is experiencing a renaissance amidst our ever-increasing reliance on technology. But what’s driving this huge boom in board games, and why do they remain a part of our culture? Here’s what you need to know about the return of traditional games, and why this classic pastime never goes out of style.

Promotes Social Connection

Playing a video game for hours and hours can be fun, especially if you’re looking to get some me time or if you just prefer to spend your down time on your own. But eventually, you’ll crave for some human interaction, and that’s what board games bring to the table. According to Zachary Horton, an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of English, even the most avid and introverted gamers will want to feel connected to others. “The interest in board games is a retaliation against the ubiquity of digital media,” Horton explains. “People are looking for more engaged and social activities as they become isolated by technology.”

Indeed, playing old school family games such as Monopoly, Clue, or Battleship can literally bring people closer together since you all have to be physically present to play. Moreover, you’ll have lots of interactions with each other since you need to work as a team, compromise, or negotiate with other players. Since you’re constantly communicating, this can help to bring down barriers and create opportunities for people to express themselves. Families and friend groups may find weekly game nights beneficial since they can foster and improve relationships while having fun at the same time.

There’s Always Something New for Everybody

Most people think of board games and their mind immediately conjures images of Scrabble tiles or Snakes & Ladders, apart from other elements of classic games. However, the gaming industry has evolved in such a way that there are now hundreds, if not thousands, of board games that will appeal to everyone. For instance, if you like anything that has to do with kittens, there’s a card game called Exploding Kittens, wherein players take turns drawing cards until someone picks an exploding kitten and loses the game.

Meanwhile, bird enthusiasts may want to play Wingspan, a competitive card game wherein you collect the best birds to add to your wildlife preserves. Want to play a horror-themed game instead? Consider playing Betrayal at House on the Hill. Here, players get to play as a character and they build their own haunted house tile by tile. One of the characters betrays the others, and the other players must identify and defeat the traitor before the game ends. Games like these, as well as new titles like Cascadia, Root, and The A.R.T. Project, can prevent board game fatigue and encourage more people to play since they upgrade the gaming experience. Moreover, most of the new board games available generate laughter and promote cooperation, so they’re likely to be more fun for non-competitive players.

More Places to Play Traditional Games

Back in the day, families and friend groups could only gather at a designated person’s house to play board games and maybe share a meal or have coffee afterwards. But today, the comeback of traditional board games has brought about the development of places where people can play and get some drinks or a bite to eat. More board game cafes and bars are now being built in the US and all over the world, and these establishments provide a fun place for competitive and casual gamers.

In an interview with NPR for their KCUR series, Matthew King, a tabletop gamer who frequents a board game cafe in Kansas City, says that the establishment is a great place for taking a break from day to day work. “You can come up here and kind of escape all that with other like minded individuals,” he adds. Most cafes offer a whole library of board games which players can choose from, and there’s a table time limit or per person limit, enabling more people to enjoy these places.

Traditional gaming continues to be relevant, despite the proliferation of video game titles and consoles. As the board game industry continues to thrive, expect to see new and fun games, as well as more places where you can play face to face with your family and friends.