I got into board games about six years ago. Over that time, it has provided my family and I with many hours of enjoyment. It has brought us together as a family and kept us connected in a world that is dominated by screens and digital distractions. It has enabled me to reconnect with old school friends and maintain regular social interactions that wouldn’t happen without board games. I owe so much to this hobby.
There are so many benefits to board gaming. It helps to develop problem solving skills, it builds relationships, relieves stress, develops cognitive ability and creates enjoyable and memorable experiences. I believe it is a hobby that needs to be shared and enjoyed by as many people as possible.
However, there are barriers to the hobby. Firstly, it used to have a negative reputation – board games were seen as something only for geeks or people with poor social skills. Thankfully, this opinion is not as common anymore but may still exists for some.
Secondly, people may have negative experiences of gaming. I remember playing Monopoly with my best friend. The nicest person you could ever meet. However, 10 minutes into the game he turned into the most ruthless, selfish and cutthroat individual. He tore me to shreds and won by a mile. I hated every moment of it. This wasn’t his fault, it was just that the game wasn’t for me. I have avoided ‘take that’ style games ever since. Many people may have similar experiences, whether it is feeling clueless whilst playing Trivial Pursuit or having heated arguments over words in scrabble. These bad experiences can convince people that board games are not for them.
Thirdly, there is so much choice out there it can make it difficult to know where to start. Board games are becoming more popular and, as a result, more and more are getting made. In 2024 alone, there were thousands of new releases. With this huge catalogue, it can feel an intimidating hobby to get into.
So how can you encourage more friends and family into the hobby? Here are a few tips that may help.
1. Theme is important
Think about what the person enjoys or what things interest them. You could probably find a board game to match. There are so many themes out there, you are sure to find something to capture their imagination. Whether it is fantasy, steampunk, apocalyptic, nature, animals, science, racing, sport, horror etc, you can pique their interest with a well-chosen theme.
The other benefit of a strong theme is that it can help with the teaching of the game. It can give a purpose and understanding to certain mechanics or actions and help new gamers to grasp unfamiliar concepts. In Scythe, collecting resources is feeding your population; In Wyrmspan, running your engine is exploring caves and visiting your dragons,; in Flamecraft, worker placement is your dragon visiting a shop. By carefully considering the theme, you can help new gamers access the hobby.
2. Think about table presence.
Let’s be honest, some games look boring. The beige euro does not look appealing to most, even if there is a great game behind the drab exterior. More experienced gamers may be able to look past this but for most of us, great aesthetics can draw us in.
Consider games that have a bit of a ‘wow factor.’ Games that have deluxe components or miniatures add both visual and tactile appeal. I confess that I often buy upgraded components to a game, whether they are metal coins, acrylic tokens etc. I know that they don’t add anything to the gameplay but they add to the experience and, I believe, make it more of a pleasure to play.
If you want to entice new gamers to the hobby, there are some amazing looking games out there with outstanding artwork and components crying out to be picked up and played with. Just make sure that the gameplay is up to scratch. There are games out there that are style over substance.
3. Learn the game before teaching them
Nobody enjoys listening to someone read through a rulebook. I quickly learned to develop some understanding of the game before teaching it to my family. Not only can it add significant time to the game but it can put people off engaging with the game in the first place. Also, it can be frustrating for all if you have to reference the rulebook every single time someone asks a question.
Rulebooks are often not set out in an ideal way to teach the game to someone else. By taking the time to try out the game or watch how to play videos, you can determine the best order to present the rules so that everyone can get to playing as quickly as possible. Remember, if you are teaching, you need to be the expert, particularly for inexperienced gamers.
4. Verbalise your thinking
This links closely with teaching board games. There is lots of research in education around the power of metacognition (thinking about your thinking) and verbalising your thought processes when teaching others. It is very easy for people to become overwhelmed when presented with a new game, particularly for new gamers.
I recently taught my dad how to play Finspan. I started by explaining you have two choices of action – play a fish card or dive and trigger your engine). By the time I had finished explaining what was involved with each action, it was clear he didn’t know where to start. My son took it upon himself to talk through his own turn slowly and deliberately. I followed suit and by the time it was my dad’s turn he had a clear idea of what he wanted to do on his turn.
The thing is, understanding the rules is not the same as understanding the strategies needed to experience success in a game. Taking actions blindly and feeling you are getting nowhere is not a pleasant experience. As the experienced gamer, you can model different strategies or approaches and by talking through the what and the why, you will be helping less experienced gamers understand how to get more out of the experience.
Playing a cooperative game can help with this as it can make it easier to support a new player on their turn. Strategies can be openly discussed and decisions can be explained. Just be sure that you don’t take over completely. Give them more and more autonomy as the game progresses.
5. Make it a social event
Unless playing solo, board games are a social activity. Even those games that are considered ‘multiplayer solitaire’ are still part of a social interaction. Provide food or snacks as well as drink. Take the time to have conversations before, during and after. The board game should be the catalyst for interaction and the reason to get together. Take your time, relax and enjoy the whole experience so they can too. Invite friends and make it more than just the board game.
Board Game café’s are a great place for this. You can combine board gaming with a meal and drinks. By going out together, you can make it more of an event and entice those friends who might be reluctant to get together just to play a board game.
One of the great things about this hobby is that it makes it easier for people to get together. It gives them a reason, breaks the ice and fills any lulls in conversation. It prompts conversation and creates shared experiences. Lean into this so new gamers can appreciate what this hobby brings to the table.
These are just a few suggestions to help bring new people into board games. I’m sure you can think of many other ways. The most important thing is to ensure everyone has fun at the table. Keep it low stakes and create a relaxing and enjoyable environment. Do what you can to help them see what this hobby has to offer. The hobby might not be for everyone but the benefits are hard to ignore. The more people playing board games, the better.
