Board
Game Revolution: Not Just for the Bored Anymore
By Timothy Dickey
Sales
of board games increased 21% in the last year, surging to $381 million;
some theorize this spike is due to a renewed interest in homebound
activities after September 11th. Others point to the graduation
of Generation X-ers to an age of refined entertaining, meaning dinner
parties that focus on engaging social play rather than a case of
beer.
Meeting the demand, game companies and enterprising individuals
keep coming up with new ideas, or modifying old ones with different
or modern strategies. The creativity of sport probably evolves
alongside human nature, but it also seems relaxed social philosophies
offer new playing fields for the next generation.
Some new games seem to work by getting a rise out of the gathered
individuals, like Hear Me Out!™ or Zobmondo!!™.
Others are nostalgia themed, striking a chord with generational
knowledge. Educational and “brain” games focusing more on skill
development, and less on social dynamics, will always have a niche.
But one called Numbskull™, aimed at college-bound teens,
may succeed at all of these things at once.
Bottom line, the recent crop of board games seems in keeping
with current successful trends, aspiring to a revelry of togetherness
and our desire to have a laugh at ourselves.
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