Whether it is sunny or cold, board games can keep a company busy and transform a dull or not so special evening to a competition for people with strong nerves. Last time my friends and I decided to play a board game, we all had such a lovely time that we forgot what time it was up until one of my friends pointed out that the sun was rising! It is true that it a board game is exciting and the teams are willing to invest time in finding the best strategy so as to win their opponents, a game can have a long duration, before someone looses or quits. But what exactly is a board game and why do board games have had such a success?



A board game is any game played on a board, which is represented by a marked surface, with counters or pieces that are placed on, removed from, or moved across this board. But although board games are considered as simple family entertainment, there are many different types and classifications of board games, created as simplified simulations of real life or on the contrary do not attempt to imitate reality. One example from each category is Monopoly, for instance, since it is a game where one can buy or sell property, resembling the real estate market, while Trivial Pursuit is a trivia game, examining the players' knowledge-base on a variety of categories.

Probably you and I have played board games inherited from ancient cultures and societies. Evidence reveals that board games were played since 3,500 BC in Egypt, while the Royal Tombs of Ur contained, among other things, the Royal Game of Ur. But even though taking my favorite board game with me is a thought I should consider at some point, since I still belong to the living side for the river of life, I should probably continue to have fun and invite friends over to play board games and learn something new.

It is worth noting at this point, that the board game industry is a rather competitive one, this comes as no surprise, full of corporate mergers and acquisitions. Hasbro, one of the biggest companies worldwide owns a variety of games and sells them under different brand names to its operating markets since it is extremely difficult finding a global name and strategy and promoting the game with the use of the same message to all customers trying to cover their similar needs.

Finally, it is important to know that board games are distinguished between the ones which are based on luck and those that based on strategy. But the truth is that some games include both elements and it is not advisable to classify them according to the one and not the other feature. Just play them!