Is family game night a sacred tradition in your household? If so, you aren’t alone—for generations, families have gathered around their kitchen tables and partook in various board and tabletop games. And this trend steadily continues; in fact, the market for board games continues to grow year after year. That said, let’s take a brief look into the origin of board games and how they’ve gradually changed into the ones we know and love today.
What Exactly Are Board Games?
Simply put, a board game is any tabletop game that’s played on a surface or “board” with pieces that are moved around. Some games include dice, cards, or other pieces that contribute to gameplay. While some games are driven by luck and chance, many others involve planning, strategy, and quick wit on the player’s part. Often, at least two players are pitted against each other, and the pieces are moved around the board in accordance with the rules and the score.
Where Did Board Games Originate From?
Board games have been around for literally eons. In fact, experts believe that mankind was inventing rudimentary board games before we even discovered how to use language as a mode of communication. That said, they’ve been an integral part of human culture and tradition and have roots that trace back to all sorts of places. Here are some of the most important games in the historical timeline of board games and where they first originated:
- Dice – Unknown place of origin
- Senet – Ancient Egypt
- Hyena – Middle East Asia
- Royal Game of Ur – Iraq
- Ludus Duodecim Scriptorum – Roman Empire
- Backgammon – Ancient Mesopotamia
- Snakes and Ladders – India
- Mad Queen Chess – Western Europe
- The Landlord’s Game – America
- Settlers of Catan – Europe
What Are the Best-Selling Contemporary Board Games?
In the mid and late- 1990’s, board games saw a huge surge in popularity. The industry started to flourish thanks to a large, worldwide audience, and there was a considerable increase in the number of board games being designed and developed. Here are some of the best-selling contemporary board games that are now enjoyed worldwide:
- Chess, by far the best-selling board game of all time.
- Monopoly, the lengthy game that relies on luck and often turns friends against each other.
- Scrabble, the crossword-puzzle game with letter tiles.
- Battleship, which started out on pen-and-paper but is now played on a board with tiny pins and ships.
- Settlers of Catan, a dynamic board game involving building, trading, and hoarding resources as you acquire points.
No matter what your preferred game is, there’s a good chance that it has historical roots tracing back much further than you might realize! If you’re curious about trying out any of these boardgames for yourself, don’t hesitate to stop by your local games shop to check them out.
About the Store
Bricks & Boards + proudly offers a wide range of available board games, Lego®, and more to patrons in Dawsonville. Our selection includes all your favorite classic titles as well as the latest popular ones. We also house a 1,500sq ft. gaming space for communal games and activities. Feel free to browse our collection and shop online or give us a call at (706) 203-1378 with any questions you might have.
