In our increasingly digital lives old, analog touchstones can be more than nostalgic — they can help ground us and remind us of what it is to be a living breathing person in a world of ones and zeros. The resurgence in sales of vinyl records is just one example of this phenomenon.

Another old-fashioned, analog obsession is increasing in popularity – card and boardgames, both old and new. I could trot out sales figures to back this claim, but let me share the most visible sign that board games have gone mainstream:

south park
Photo Via Comedy Central

Take a close look at this South Park still.  Those are all real board games, with some care taken to show surprisingly faithful renditions of the game art. And it wasn’t a fleeting cut — the camera held on this scene for a couple minutes. And by the way, if you were wondering…yes, those are pretty good games.

Hundreds of geeks came out to the GeekWire Game night earlier this month.
Hundreds of geeks came out to the GeekWire Game night earlier this month.

GeekWire fans celebrated this board game renaissance at its 3rd annual Game Night a few weeks ago. I attended the event and it was packed, with a full Settlers of Catan tournament running, along with a casino and lots of open gaming.

In fact, bars and taverns devoted to gaming are opening up and are thriving. Here in Seattle, I know of at least five, including one in pricey, hip Capitol Hill, The Raygun Lounge.

So, why are boardgames making a comeback in our digital age? Is this a “back to the roots” rebellion or something a little more interesting?

If you ask me, it’s the latter. Wander into Seattle’s AFK Tavern or Card Kingdom, and you’ll find plenty of smart phones, tablets and the like in view alongside the cardboard fare. None of the players are rejecting technology. Instead they’re embracing the social, tactile experience of playing games face to face with their friends.

Game players break out Ticket to Ride at last year's GeekWire Game Night.
Game players break out Ticket to Ride at last year’s GeekWire Game Night.

Another factor? Better games. You won’t see Monopoly or Trivial Pursuit at these local gamer haunts A new style hit our shores about 20 years ago that has slowly but inexorably transformed board games in the U.S. Originating largely in Europe (especially Germany) these games present interesting strategic challenges while being learnable and playable in an hour or two. Once you’ve played a good Euro, as they are called, your view of board games fundamentally changes.

I’ve seen the adoption of this new style of board game first-hand. In the late 90s I hosted Euro game nights for my co-workers and friends. Two of them were so taken with this new style of game that they opened up their own store, Blue Highway Games, in Queen Anne.

But what about video, computer and mobile games? Don’t they dwarf boardgames? To a degree they do — the size of the board game market is only a fraction of the total market for digital games. But the two are not mutually exclusive. Increasingly, digital gamers are finding that board games provide a social outlet that purely digital gaming does not.

If you love games, adding board games to the mix is natural. It’s a different, but complimentary experience. The consoles and phones aren’t put away. Rather, board and card games are added to the mix.

Wil Wheaton
Wil Wheaton’s Tabletop Show

And, like any popular phenomenon, board games have a devoted YouTube following.

Check out Wil Wheaton’s Tabletop Show on YouTube where he has over a million subscribers, if you’re interested in learning more. Wil plays various boardgames with friends and “celebrity” guests. His show provides some insights into what modern board gaming is like. It’s not boys in the basement pushing cardboard chits around. It’s fun, funny and very social.

If you’d like to get in on the action, you can check out Wil’s list here, but I personally think there are some better options that do a great job of easing folks into this new hobby.51WsixUjEJL._SY355_

My new favorite gateway game is Splendor, where two to four players amass gems and gem sources to build the greatest “gem” empire. It’s pretty, fun and quick. Games last 30-45 minutes and can be taught to kids 10 and up.

Settlers of Catan is an old favorite of many players and was long considered the gateway game615H5ZMhB7L._SY355_ of choice. I personally think it is overlong and complicated for what it is. I also dislike the luck factor, but many players enjoy an element of chance. Both games are available online and in regular retail stores.

Ticket to Ride is a clever, streamlined train game that is easy to learn,
colorful fun that will appeal to more than trainspotters. Like Settlers of Catan, it’s fairly easy to find if there isn’t a game store in your area.61dDQUfhuvL._SX355_

Note that these aren’t necessarily my favorite games or the best of all time. But they are a lot of fun and work well as an introduction to board gaming.

I hope you’ll try one or join up with friends who already play and can introduce you to your next great hobby. Perhaps after filling up on turkey and mashed potatoes today.

Stuart Moulder is the COO at Area 52 Games, a Seattle area game maker. 

Previously by Stuart Moulder: Gamergate: The Internet as a weapon of mass destruction

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