Crowdfunding platforms, such as Kickstarter, are highlighted in the article as a key factor in helping small game designers break into the board game industry. For example, the creators of Exploding Kittens utilized Kickstarter to fund their project, which went on to become a huge success with over 11 million copies sold. This evidence shows how crowdfunding platforms can provide a path for new and innovative games to enter the market.
My favorite board game to play is Ticket to Ride. I enjoy the strategy involved in building train routes across North America and competing against other players to complete my routes. The game also allows for some level of creativity in choosing which routes to claim, making each game different and interesting.
I believe playing games is an exciting pastime because it brings people together in a fun and engaging way. The article mentions how board games offer a chance to unplug from digital devices and connect face-to-face with friends and family. Board games provide a unique opportunity for social interaction, strategic thinking, and friendly competition, making them a valuable and enjoyable pastime for people of all ages.
In my opinion, playing board games is a great way to bond with others and exercise critical thinking skills. Board games offer a break from technology and allow players to engage in meaningful interactions with each other. This not only fosters strong relationships but also promotes cognitive development through strategic gameplay.
In conclusion, board games provide a fun and engaging way to connect with others, exercise strategic thinking skills, and enjoy friendly competition. Whether playing classic games like Monopoly or exploring newer titles like Exploding Kittens, the world of tabletop gaming offers something for everyone to enjoy. So why not gather some friends or family members, roll the dice, and make your move in the exciting world of board games?
In It to Win It: Board Games
Teen Channel: Arts & Entertainment
You roll the dice and move your game piece, landing on Park Place and triumphantly announcing, "I'll buy it!" If you've ever played Monopoly®, you likely know the power of this move. In the winner-takes-all board game, the acquisition of high-end properties like Park Place often helps set the stage for a windfall.
Monopoly first made its way into living rooms in 1935, but this classic board game has never gone out of style. In fact, tabletop gaming has made a serious comeback in recent years, and both eager hobbyists and industry innovators are in it to win it. With sales in the global board games market at an all-time high, just how much money does this paperboard pastime bring to the table? In 2022, the industry was valued at about $20 billion—and that figure is projected to nearly double by 2028.
Video games remain a huge draw, but increasing numbers of online gamers are relinquishing their controllers. They're setting them aside for more tangible forms of in-person entertainment. As players of mystery-themed games such as Clue® and Scotland Yard® might deduce, one culprit in the case of the burgeoning board game business could be digital fatigue.
Experts say that for many people, tabletop gaming represents a cultural return to the "real thing," much like the revival of vinyl records and paperback books. Board games are sometimes referred to as a kind of "digital detox." They offer an immersive, face-to-face alternative to online interaction, enabling people to unplug and connect in a meaningful way. Tony Hyams is a director of the gaming convention UK Games Expo. Hyams told the Guardian, "While the internet is a great thing, sitting down and playing with friends and family is becoming increasingly important. Having time away from our phones and computers where we can talk, play, and enjoy time together is something board games let us do."
Ironically, the internet itself is largely responsible for the rising interest in board games. First, crowdfunding platforms, such as Kickstarter, help people raise small amounts of money from a large number of people in order to fund a project. They offer a feasible entry point for small, unknown game designers who want to break into the biz. The creators of the elimination-based card game Exploding Kittens®, for example, campaigned for Kickstarter funding in 2015. The game quickly became a phenomenon, with more than 11 million copies sold to date.
Then there's social media. Sites such as BoardGameGeek allow ardent board gamers to review, rank, and discuss tabletop games. Viral TikTok videos show people playing games like Wavelength®, a social guessing game. These factors have helped hurtle board game sales upward as well.
Classic tabletop games such as UNO®, Trouble®, and checkers remain bestsellers. Yet today's board game enthusiasts are expressing a demand for more cooperative games like Forbidden Island® and Codenames®. Strategic card games have gained popularity as well, with sales of Pokémon® and Magic: The Gathering® rising over 200 percent in 2022. Fantasy role-playing games (RPGs) have also regained considerable traction. Dungeons & Dragons®, an RPG first introduced in 1974, has engaged 50 million devoted players to date.
Board games enable people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to get in on the game while enjoying some friendly competition and camaraderie. Whatever your interest, there's likely a board game out there for you. If constructing a railroad route across North America sounds like fun, you might take Ticket to Ride® out for a spin. If you want to express your creativity by acting, sculpting, or drawing, Cranium® may have your name on it.
Well, what are you waiting for? It's your move!
Think about and discuss these questions:
What evidence from the article and the sidebar shows how crowdfunding platforms can help people create new types of games?
What is your favorite board game to play? Why is it your favorite?
Think about the information presented in the article. Do you believe playing games is an exciting pastime? Why do you think this? Cite evidence from the article and use your own reasoning.
Draft a sentence that supports your opinion about the topic.
Present your opinion and provide evidence to support it.
Try to use one or more vocabulary words in your writing.
Organize your ideas and use transitions as necessary.
Write a conclusion.
Edit and proofread your work.
1 answer