Board games survey: why do you like them?
A while back, I invited readers to do a short survey on board games asking why you like them (or don’t like them). I was specially interested in replies from people 50+.
Here’s what I said, over a year ago.
“My granddaughter and I are making a board game. That involves playing board games, researching, and making and testing multiple versions of our prototype. Which is obviously a whole lot of fun.”My granddaughter and I are making a board game. That involves playing board games, researching, and making and testing multiple versions of our prototype. Which is obviously a whole lot of fun.
‘Our target market is a general market—excluding children. The general market includes older people, obviously. Board games and tabletop games have a timeless appeal, don’t you think?
“But given my interest in old age, I did wonder whether older people enjoy board games for the same reasons as others.
“We already know what’s good for us, thank you
“When I googled, I found lists of board games that are good for old people—mentally, socially, physically. Once again, there’s no shortage of nice and knowledgeable helpers. Once again, they’re telling me what I should do if I want to continue ageing positively and well. Their lists include old favourites like chess and Scrabble and Mahjong and Rummikub, and hooray for that. But we play them because we enjoy them—not because they’re good for us.
“But what do we like and dislike about board games?
“That’s why I created a survey about board games: why do you like them? Not about what’s good for you but what you enjoy.
“I included a question about some accessibility problems that might affect people of 50+ more than younger adults. What puts you off? What makes a game too hard to play? For instance I notice a huge difference in the legibility of cards and rule books. Your brain may be fine but your eyes or fingers make play difficult for you. These are problems that can be avoided. If you tell me what annoys you, we can avoid that problem with our new game. “I included a question about some accessibility problems that might affect people of 50+ more than younger adults. What puts you off? What makes a game too hard to play? For instance I notice a huge difference in the legibility of cards and rule books. Your brain may be fine but your eyes or fingers make play difficult for you. These are problems that can be avoided. If you tell me what annoys you, we can avoid that problem with our new game.”
Doing the survey was fun!
Because it’s interesting to reflect on your own experience: you get to understand a little more about board games and about yourself. Just by reading about the results, you may find yourself reflecting on your own opinions.
Update: people say why they like board games
What older people like or dislike about board games. Interesting!
Update your own list of family board games
