Why are parlour games experiencing a boom? Background and future prospects

Result

In a leisure world of almost endless possibilities, board games have been experiencing a renaissance for several years. Ten years ago, only eight per cent of Germans said that they played at least once a week, whereas this figure is currently as high as 13 per cent. Young adults and parents in particular enjoy playing often, whereas young seniors and childless couples are less likely to pursue this leisure activity.

Reasons

There are many reasons for the enduring popularity of parlour games. They not only offer fun and a change from everyday life, but also promote social interaction and strengthen social bonds. Especially in an increasingly digitalised world, they offer many citizens a welcome opportunity to spend time together offline and experience real interpersonal interaction. In addition, playing analogue games arouses a variety of emotions, from surprise and recognition to success or even disappointment. The educational effect of playing games should also not be underestimated - whether it is the promotion of cognitive skills, learning to think strategically, dealing with rules or the ability to lose.

Forecast

In the future, board games will continue to evolve - thanks to augmented or virtual reality - and enable new gaming experiences. Artificial intelligence will also help to adapt games to players' preferences and abilities in order to offer a personalised experience. However, despite these digital development opportunities, classic games will remain popular, as they offer timeless entertainment, strengthen a sense of community and are often reminiscent of childhood.