What Is A Board Game?

So, what is a board game anyway? Today, I’m going to attempt to answer that question to the best of my abilities. We’ll see how that goes.

A board game, in my opinion, is any shared game experience in a box. It has to be touchable in some way, and it has to bring people to the table. That’s it!

Why Am I Writing This?

As with many things I write here on Board Games Mania, this is an opinion piece. Sure, like those other opinion pieces, there is a basis in fact and experience, but in the end, this is an opinion too.

I had an interesting discussion with a friend of mine, Alex, in which we were talking about LEGO. He asked if LEGO is a board game. I immediately said no, thought about it for a minute, then said maybe.

By the way, if you’re curious if I think LEGO can be a board game one way or the other, check out this article here.

It got me thinking though, what actually is a board game? How do we define a board game? Does it need a definition?

Some Quick Backstory About Me

I have been buying and playing board games for over 10 years now. More than that, if you count my time playing them up through high school. Back then they were just something I did occasionally with friends, but they were in no way a dominant part of our time hanging out together.

For the past 10 years it’s been a different story. We still play video games, go out and do things occasionally, but we often end up playing board games. A lot of that has to do with me, I guess since I’m usually responsible for getting people together and providing something for us to do.

It’s also because I absolutely love board games. I love everything about them from unboxing them to learning about them to teaching them to playing them.

In short, I’ve spent a lot of time around board games. I don’t think that makes me an expert by any means, but I do think it gives my opinions some credibility on them. So, I just wanted to say that before going further. Thank you for reading.

Why Writing This Isn’t Easy

One aspect of board games that complicates this definition a little is the rise of app-assisted board games. They’re not incredibly common as of this writing, but between games like Mansions Of Madness Second Edition, Werewords, Forgotten Waters, Descent: Legends Of The Dark, and many more they are starting to become more so.

In the past, board games were purely on the table in front of you, physical, touchable, now, for some games, part of them is becoming digital.

I’m not saying this is a bad thing; I don’t think it is given the right use of the app. In fact, I own a few app-assisted games, and sometimes the app makes the game so much more enjoyable.

Not just for experience’s sake but also for keeping track of everything. It makes teaching games so much easier!

Also, what about legacy games? Those games permanently and irreparably change! What about games like Ca$h ‘N Guns which use foam in the game?!

The definition of a board game starts to get a little skewed with all of these games in mind, so the question for me is less about explaining in detail what a board game is and more about providing a simple explanation that validates and includes all these different types of board games.

So, let’s get to it.

What Is A Board Game?

First of all, I don’t think a board game has to strictly adhere to being made of cardboard. Traditionally, and in the vast majority of cases, this is true, but you have all sorts of materials being used now: plastic, metal, wood, resin, cardboard, and more. So, even though they’re called board games, I don’t think cardboard really needs to be a part of the definition.

Heck, just look at Love Letter. That game is very popular and only has cards and wooden cubes.

Second, board games don’t need to follow any particular structure. What I mean is that many board games have a board, cards, tokens, and the usual things you’d expect. But they don’t need to!

One of the great things about this awesome hobby is that there are so many unique designs and ideas of what a board game can be. For example, in Call To Adventure, you have plastic runes! In Return To Dark Tower, you have a working mechanical tower. The list goes on, but you get the idea.

Board games also don’t need to appeal to any one type of person. Anyone can play board games. Sure, some board games are better for certain ages or for certain types of people, but, in general, board games can be played by anyone.

A Board Game Definition

So, what is a board game then? Honestly, for me, they are just a game experience in a box that brings people to the table. There should be something people can touch, but, in general, it’s a shared experience that comes from enjoying the same game together.

And that’s really it! You may disagree, but, for me, this definition isn’t restrictive or exclusive. Like the hobby, I’d rather it be as inclusive of as many different games as possible.

Did You Know?

(Each time you refresh the page you will get a new “Did You Know” fact!)

Did you know that the biggest board game convention in the world is in Germany? It’s called Internationale Spieltage SPIEL but is usually called Essen Game Fair. It takes place in Essen, Germany, and features over 1,000 exhibitors from lots of countries. It has also regularly had over 100,000, or sometimes over 200,000 people attend.

By comparison, Gen Con, which takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana has only recently climbed over 60,000 and has only neared the 70,000 mark once so far.

Conclusion: What Is A Board Game?

In the end, how you define a board game is up to you. This is just my humble opinion, so, if you don’t agree, that’s perfectly okay with me.

I am curious though, what’s your definition of a board game? Where does it come from? Let me know in the comments below!

And, as always, keep on gaming, fellow maniacs.