Popular Conversation Board Games (Mechanic)

A​t Rathskellers Gaming Labs, we believe that time spent around a table with friends is time well spent. And we don’t think that just because we make awesome board gaming tables, though it does help! We know first-hand how board games can change your social life for the better. Board gaming is a social activity, after all. But just knowing that gaming can have a positive impact on social lives wasn’t enough for us. We wanted to explore what it is about board gaming that makes it one of the best hobbies for connecting with people in meaningful ways.

BOARD GAMES M​AKE YOU HAVE A SOCIAL LIFE

For some people, getting out of the house is easier said than done. But having a social life is super important for you and your health! Luckily, if you are a board gamer, your love of the hobby makes it almost impossible to keep to yourself. Board gaming is a social hobby. With the exception of digital board games or solo gaming, you have to experience the hobby with others. You sit at a table with real people for 30, 60, 120 or even 240+ minutes at a time (yes we are referring to Twilight Imperium) . How are you going to try out the hottest new games without being social? For some people, that means going to game nights at a local game store or a board game cafe. Others have dedicated game groups that meet at a house. Maybe you host a monthly game night at your home! It doesn’t really matter how you get together with others. The important thing is that you’re spending time with people who love doing the same things you do!

BOARD GAME EXPERIENCES KEEP YOUR SOCIAL LIFE EXCITING

Because of the huge variety of games, there’s no shortage of exciting experiences you can have with other people. You can play a game about pretty much anything these days. In one night, you can save the world from diseases, explore a haunted mansion, run your own winery, and fight monsters to become the best Viking! Playing through these various scenarios keep your meetups fresh. Many games now involve some sort of story element that you and your friends can play a part in. Each game is a chance for a group of people to experience a new challenge or adventure in a different setting. If you play cooperatively, you’ll have stand-up-and-cheer moments when you get just the right dice roll on the last turn! Competitive games are just as exciting, like when players are neck and neck and there’s just no way to tell who will win until the game is over! It doesn’t matter if you’re playing with close friends or people you just met. You can create so many memorable experiences when playing board games.

BOARD GAMES CAN DIVERSIFY YOUR SOCIAL LIFE

O​ne of the great things about board games is that anybody from any background can gather around a table and play. You don’t have to have any experience or belong to exclusive clubs. You don’t have to have the same political beliefs or religions. You don’t even need to be from the same country as the people you share the hobby with. In fact, we recommend going out of your way every now and then to play with people you don’t know. There’s nothing wrong with having a dedicated group of friends to play games with. But if you’ll seek out strangers at conventions and meet-ups, you’ll have a much more diverse social life! Since games last for about an hour on average, there are lots of opportunities to get to know who you’re playing with. Where are they from? What other hobbies do they enjoy? What do they do for a living? The conversations you have can open you up to new opinions and viewpoints. You might not like everybody. But it is possible that you could walk away from the table with a new friend.

BOARD GAMES HELP YOU STAY CONNECTED

We realize that you can’t always go out and play board games whenever you want (that would be awesome). Life happens and there are times when socializing is difficult. But you can still have a social life by being part of a vibrant gaming community online! At any time, you can go to your favorite social network to join a board game chat. Do a quick search on Facebook and you’ll find hundreds of groups dedicated to discussing board games. Twitter is great for chiming in on quick conversations and following your favorite designers and publishers (and game table makers). Instagram is a nice way to see how other people use games in their social lives. Of course, there’s always BoardGameGeek boardgameatlas with thousands of active users that stay connected through forums and threads. It’s easy to find discussions about your favorite game or to ask someone a rules question.

All of these channels are great resources for both developing your existing friendships and beginning new ones. One of the best things about board games is their ability to bring all types of people together. You can play with friends, family, and strangers and you’ll be part of a thriving community! As social creatures, we belong in communities! Life is better for those who share it together. It’s so awesome that we’ve chosen a hobby that becomes even more enjoyable the more that it’s shared with others.