Experience video games analog – More and more manufacturers are choosing to implement popular video games as board games. And you don’t even need electricity for that.
Board games are very popular among Germans, and many people spend their time with them, including video gamers. For years, the industry has generated a stable revenue of about 400 million euros per year. Some video game manufacturers have recognized this trend and are releasing analog versions of their games. A current example: “Mechs vs Minions” – the “League of Legends” board game.
Even here in the editorial office, there are board game enthusiasts. Leya, Jürgen, and Patrick are all passionate MMO players, but they are also not averse to a game at the table instead of the PC. One advantage: You don’t need electricity or the internet to indulge in gaming with friends.
Leya: “Whether analog or digital – I’m a playful child!”
Leya: I have remained a playful child all my life. Give me a computer, a console, paper and pencil, cards, miniatures – and I am happy. I’m even more pleased that board games are finding their way into my social circle. The friends I’ve spent hours behind the computer with are increasingly gathering around the table – hunting for the best cards, the optimal strategy, or hoping for great dice luck.
But why has the interest in board games grown so extremely? For me, the answer is quite clear: The games of recent years are just awesome! Anyone who thinks that today’s board games only consist of dice and moving figurines is greatly mistaken.
There are games like “Mysterium”, where one player takes on the role of a murdered ghost and conveys to their fellow players, using dream messages, who killed them. “Through the Ages”, an adaptation of Sid Meier’s Civilization, is a board game as complex and strategic as its digital original.
Board games have evolved significantly, and video gamers are discovering this too. There is something for every taste. However, I don’t believe in direct competition with video games; rather, I see it as an extension of the overall gaming market. For me, I enjoy both analog and digital equally. I am a playful child through and through.
Patrick: “We often play board games that we have seen in streams or on YouTube”
Patrick: In my childhood, I often played board games with my family. However, when the computer and console era began, I succumbed to entertainment with controllers. The Super Nintendo Entertainment System particularly captivated me. Generally, I still find board games entertaining and play them irregularly with friends. We don’t have specific days to meet just for board games but casually take a game out when we are already sitting together in a cozy setting. We like to try games that we have seen in streams or on YouTube channels.
When we play, it’s less about the “crazy” games that can last hours or even days. Although we gather at least once a year for a classic round of Monopoly to test our friendships, we prefer light games like Kakerlakak or The Crazy Labyrinth. By the way, one of the first board games I played was Malefiz. Those of you who are older may remember.
In general, I enjoy board games and like to play them together with my friends. However, in our friend group, we prefer digital games. Therefore, we often get together with several controllers for a “Gang Beasts” showdown, playing our unique version of “Sorry!”
Jürgen: “Some of my friends only discovered The Witcher board game”
Jürgen: I have been a Pen&Paper role player since I was 14, and board and card games have always been part of it. If I had to choose between a raid in an MMORPG and a nice round at the game table, I would always choose the analog game. Some of my friends feel the same way, and many of them now prefer board games over online games. Although they still play online, it is more of a coexistence rather than a replacement. Therefore, on weekends, board and role-playing games are more in focus, while I prefer online games during the week.
In addition to the German role-playing game DSA, I particularly enjoy the X-Wing tabletop, where you fight exciting space battles with detailed Star Wars ships. The gameplay is similar to the turn-based online game Atlas Reactor. Our absolute highlight in the friend group is the board game for The Witcher, as it wonderfully captures the dark humor and world of the game and the novels. Because of this game, even people from my friend group have been brought to the Witcher games. So it can go the other way too.
How about you? Do you ever leave the computer behind to fully devote yourself to a board game?
Board games are not the only hobbies of our editors besides playing online games. Many of us relax after a stressful day in fantasy worlds or, even worse… in the Mein-MMO editorial office with TV series. Here, Cortyn presents her favorite series:
