Most people, hearing the slogan "board games" probably have an image of children playing in them and having fun. On the shelves in the stores you can find a lot of different, colorful boxes with attractive content. Games not only provide children with entertainment and fill their free time, but also have an educational character. We can not complain about the shortage of various offers from producers. In almost every store, even grocery store, we can find even a small box of puzzles. On the internet, there are lots of different links with redirection to online stores, where a wide assortment awaits us as well. But ... games are not only for children. Once, chess, checkers and card games dominated among adults. But who said that adults are not also interested in logic, strategic or entertainment games that will ensure laughter at a group meeting?
Observing the environment, we can remark some changes. Only a few years ago, young people or adults reached for games reluctantly. Most of them played only with their families at home. Over time, the offer of stores began to tempt people with diversity and increasingly people started to reach for colorful boxes. Now in some stores are games predominantly for older players. Currently, there is nobody who does not have any single game at home.
The stores also have plenty of card or bone games for children with an educational function. Improving the skills of counting, inventing and telling stories turned out to be not only good for the youngest. Adults also often use such games. An example is Story Cubes, where players must develop stories together, it stimulates creativity and imagination. Similarly with another game - “Ikonikus” (“Gra na emocjach”), where under the guise of play we learn to talk about emotions. These types of games have been used by coaches on various trainings or even on psychological therapies.
Among social games and family games, I would single out these games: “Pickomino” (“Polowanie na robale”), “Ticket to Ride” (“Wsiąść do pociągu”) and “Jungle speed” (“Prawo Dżungli”). While the first two are strategic games, require ability of analysis and prediction from us, the last game requires excellent perceptiveness and reflection. Playing in “Pickomino”, we need to focus on a good strategy for throwing and selecting cubes to collect as many worm tiles as possible. “Ticket to Ride” is a game where the aim is to set up such wagons, that the train network would eventually take us on a route from one city to another. In “Jungle speed”, we do not have to think strategically, but cards with very similar illustrations require us to be fully focused, to quickly distinguish them and catch fast for a wooden totem.
Looking at such a rapid development in the sphere of board games, we can benefit from this not only in terms of entertainment, but above all in the social issue - by interacting with other people. Games support solving problems, develop communication and social skills.
While initially puzzles were mainly for younger ones, over time manufacturers increased their level of difficulty by increasing the number of elements. In this way, adults also could reach for this form of play. Possibly that made people look for more adrenaline in games and encourage them to try out more games.
Questions:
1.Do you like playing board games? If not, why?
2.Do you think board games are also for adults?
3.Do you agree with opinion that board games affect the relationship and strengthen social skills?
References:
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/148381/ikonikus
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/15818/pickomino
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/14996/ticket-ride-europe
https://www.boardgamequest.com/jungle-speed-board-game-review/
https://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/12/21/9-reasons-analog-games-are-awesome/
Comments
I'm quite a big fan of board games. It's sad that nowadays people tend to do things online which leads to weak social relations. Having board games nights with friends is great fun. My favourites games are: Talisman, Dooble, Ticket to Ride, Dixit and much more. There was a time that I've enjoyed Monopoly but I do not like this any more. I'm not sure if it counts as board games but I'm also a huge fan of chess and it's Japanese version called shogi.
As I said before, in my opinion, board games can help you make great friendships, more real than relations made in computer games.
I agree that board games affect the relationship and strengthen social skills. In some you are cometiting with other players and sometimes playing is very emotional, so you have to use your social skills and knowledge for example not to name someone not politely. It is a great opportuinity to cooperate with other, like in the game "Pandemic", where all of the players are in one team and they have to cooperate. There is "Wsiaść do pociągu", where everyine are rivals and there are games like "Carcassonne", where you can, but don't have to help other players. I also like a lot "Jungle speed", as it is not logical, but arcade game and somtimes it is the best solution for evening with friends (but you have to be careful and remember about nails, because someone may get hurt!).
In my opinion board games are really great way to have fun with friends and spend some time together.
I've played board games only twice or 3 times. It was something like Monopoly. And I was not good at it at all, so I don't keen on it. But I saw that many people play board games, especially in America, Canada. Many bloggers do enjoy this. I saw PewDiePie's video in which he played some games. But for me, it's nor very fascinatingly.
I do agree it is also for adults, and even by today's board game standards I'd say it is mainly for adults. The aforementioned Munchkin is definitely a game for adult players. Then there are many board and card games (like Cards Against Humanity) which are definitely NOT meant for younger players.
Also as I said before, board games can improve relationships but can also ruin them :) Generally they do improve social skills.
I think it's a lie that board games affect our relationship. Like in what way :)
I reckon board games should be played by children, because it's much better than to watch foolish cartoons on some tv channels or play GTA V with your friends XD. However, children can't be forced to play, parents should find a way how to encourage them.
I think than even a fact when people do something together and it brings some positive results is enough to realise that these board games help to fill the gap between generations.
I do not believe that boarding games are affecting on any kind of relationship, but they help you to think more.It is a way of improving your logic and to start make new decisions.
My favorite board game is Janga, really fun and makes you think :)
I know many board games that target adults as the ones that are supposed to play them, they are no longer just for kids. Pretty often, people that I know organise sessions for playing these games, so I must say it probably affects their relations and social skills in a positive way.
In my opinion board games are for everyone and they have affect the relationship and strengthen social skills. Spending time together is better than doing something alone for me :) It's funny because you can talk and have a lot of fun.
If you ever played games as Dungeons and Dragons, Munchkin, or even simple Monopoly, you should know that such games require a lot of communications between players. And there are always different points of views between them. In case of D&D, which is RPG game when one player is a master of the world, and others (4 and more) are a party of heroes with specific quest, it can be simple arguing about who should have that big shiny sword or something more "interesting", like dealing with consequences of betrayal of one of the party members. And the only skills such situations require are not knowledge of some game mechanics, but strong social skills of players. And as we know, every skill can be mastered with practise.
Board games are made for fun, and the age in such case doesn't really matter at all.
Ad. 2. They can be and they maybe even should be also for adults, who spend their free time just seating, eating and drinking alcohol, sometimes watching TV, while common activity, competition, could bring some interesting interactions, could provoke people to develop their personal skills, inspire them.
Ad. 3. Definitely, such games affect relationships and strengthen social skills. I recommend all the “Monopoly” games – they make people to spend long time together, simply to finish the session :) and thanks to that you have a lot of reasons to initiate interesting discussions in respect to economy and everyday financial issues :)
A lot of board games were made especially for adults so yes- in my opinion board games are also for adults.
Board game indeed affect our relationships (dont play Monopoly with your girlfriend/boyfriend!). It also strengthen social skills- especially cooperative board games.
I really like playing board games. Unfortunately, often there is no time to gather a group and play some nice board game. My opinion is that there are so many board games on the market today that there are so many things that everyone will find, regardless of their age. I also think that board games are certainly developing relationships.
Plus, board games help you develop a wide range of skills, so they're great for spending time with younger siblings. Not to say that drinking isn't "fun", but some of the most entertaining parties I've had the pleasure to attend were board game meetings.
* It certainly
Although these games strengthen social skills, you have to find some time to play them, whereas you can play with your friends from all over the world on your PC.
My favorite games are Ticket to Ride and Monopoly, because they were made with love :) Also computer games like Might And Magic and Hearthstone should be taken into consideration too, because in fact they are the same board games created for digital world.
I agree with statement that board positive affecct the realtionship and strengthen social skills.
2.Yes, why shouldn't it be?
3.Depends on the game and the people.
Of course especially with many friends around it is pure fun. Tried this also fewa hours ago it is good relax and fun.
2.Do you think board games are also for adults?
Especially for adults because few of them are really complex and hard and need a lot of inteligence.
3.Do you agree with opinion that board games affect the relationship and strengthen social skills?
Yes you can feel team spirit playing with your team mates.
I remember, how years ago such games became popular in cafes and people seemed to like it. That is why I don't consider board games to be only for children.
In my opinion board games are great entertainment for adults too. When I meet with my friends for a beer, we often play a board game. Recently, it was a game called Alias. I think that the board games are great because thanks to them we can integrate better with our friends.
I think that they are for children and adults as well. There are so many different kind of games on market that everybody will find something which will satisfy him.
They do, especially when you play with good friends and their task is to lie to you. Suddenly it shows up, that person you have known very well can change their behaviour completely just to fool you :)