We are living in the board game Renaissance, with a revived industry booming with creativity and innovation. Games like Risk, Monopoly and Clue were once the norm, while today they make up only a small part of the expansive variety of board game genres and titles available.
The golden age of board games began before the pandemic, but understandably saw a massive spike in popularity during the lockdowns of 2020. Market research company NPD Group found year-to-date sales of games in 2022 compared to 2019 were up 28%, and the board game industry had reached a size of around $19 billion according to market research firm Arizton. Small, independent publishers and designers have become increasingly popular in the board game sphere, during which time some well-known retailers like Barnes & Noble and Target have taken to stocking the kinds of games you’d find in a dedicated hobby niche store.
A passion for dedicating gamers has allowed startups to undercut the big retailers. For example, the founder of board game retailer and e-retailer Zatu, Simon Budd, encountered the space due to his own difficulty in locating a particular board game and took it upon himself to offer gamers a much more personalized service, unparalleled by the large companies. After the pandemic, Zatu is still pulling on average 15,000 visitors a day, nearly twice the 8,000 it received prior to the lockdowns.
Board games have even benefited indirectly from gaming industry trends. These days, multiplayer games are increasingly being played through online means, robbing some users of the genuine real-life social interactions board games offer. This, combined with the innovations by independent publishers and designers, allows board games to cater to an even wider audience.
One example of this is Gloomhaven, a giant campaign game that plays remarkably similar to a video game and allows players to create characters and a story together. This type of innovation allows board games to appeal to not only those familiar with the classic titles, but also those who aren’t necessarily interested in the more traditional layouts and formats.
The Daily Upside is proud to bring you the latest, crisp and insightful business and economic news. Make sure to subscribe for free to get all the updates! As a suggestion, the game Ticket To Ride is a great introductory game for those who are unfamiliar with the board game industry. This game spans across the industrial revolution, requiring players to build train lines across the US and is an engaging and creative way to become skilled in the board game sphere. So grab your figurines, roll the dice and get ready for an exciting game – the board game Renaissance is here to stay!
