Not every board game is for everyone, but for everyone there IS a board game.

This has become something we strongly believe here at Strong Point Games. Board gaming is a growing and burgeoning hobby, and with the growth in board gamers there comes a corresponding growth in the wealth and variety of games available. The image below shows some examples of the types of mechanics that can be found in games, that is, HOW you play those games.

I'm not so keen on the use of the word 'normal' in this image but I guess it's aim is to differentiate those people who think a board game is a board game is a board game from those people whose relationship with board games goes much deeper than the 'norm'.

Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, Risk, Cluedo are all widely known names and generally quite simple to learn family board games but they might not necessarily be the best for family games night or when it comes to entertaining friends.

There are so many types of board game within the board game 'ecosystem' and there are many 'species' that have very different ways of playing them. And those differences are why we are sure that there is a board game out there for everyone.

What the image above doesn't show, is the sheer scope of the themes of those games.

Think of something you love to do and there is a very good chance that there is a board game themed around that subject. There is a magnificent array of amazing games around themes from running your own distillery to walking your dog in the park (yes that really is a board game)!

The gallery above shows some of the board games in our collection, and they all have remarkably different themes as well as very different game 'mechanics'.

Games shown:

The Wolves by Pandasaurus Games

Heat: Pedal to the Metal by Days of Wonder

Azul by Plan B Games

Kavango by Mazaza Games

Viticulture by Stonemeier Games

From a wolf pack vying for control over different areas of a map, to tiling the walls of a Portuguese palace, from being the driver of a 1960s Formula One racing car to being the owner of a vineyard trying to produce and sell the best wine possible, or being a conservationist responsible for an African wildlife reserve, the themes in board games are as rich and varied as you can imagine. And this is why we say there IS a board game for everyone, you just may not have found it yet!

Some of the biggest complaints when it comes to playing games from people who aren't necessarily enthusiasts, is that the game is boring, or too competitive, or causes too many arguments. And those can be legitimate gripes for many players. To counter that we'd say that maybe the game you've been playing isn't the right game for you, and that is ok. The worst thing is being hounded into playing a game that you just don't like. Don't like competition? There are a lot of really great co-operative games where working together takes the competitive edge away (you still have to beat the game, just not each other). If a game is boring, it can often be because a lot of time is spent waiting for other players to have their turns, but there are many, many games where players take their turns simultaneously, so the waiting time is minimal, or games where each turn can be very quick so your turn comes around with real frequency.

The variety of games available is vast. Around 2000-3000 new board games are published each year so the pool from which to choose is growing larger all the time. And maybe that in itself could become a problem, because with so many brilliant and varied games to choose from how do you know which ones are for you and where to find them?

These shelves show the games in our collection, and I know there are games there that I would play with absolutely anyone. I also know that there are games here that wouldn't fit well with some friends or family and so I just wouldn't suggest playing them (if any of these games intrigue you feel free to ask about them).

Board gaming as a hobby has so many positive benefits, (that's a separate blog in itself), the primary one being they are fun. The key is playing the right game with the right people. And we've done it. Played a game and thought it was brilliant, talked others into playing it and they have just not enjoyed it. Knowing which games to play with which groups is the key to making sure that everyone enjoys themselves and wants to come back for more, and ultimately that is what we want. If you can find a game that gets people together, socialising and off their screens for a couple of hours, it is surely a good thing!

If you're reading this, it is possible that you have come here because you have played our game, Strong Point. We hope and believe that Strong Point is a great trivia game for a games night or a family occasion because it is simple to learn, quick to play, and as a player you always feel engaged in the game. Those were core principles in the design of the game, because for those 'normal' people who don't play games regularly, they are key factors in getting them to play.

What I'd love to come from writing this blog is for some of you who have taken the time out to read this, go and look at some lesser known games available on the market based on things that interest you. It's guaranteed that you'll find some games that you may never have heard of before but that actually really take your fancy thematically. If you find one you like the look of, we'd highly recommend heading to YouTube and checking out reviews or playthroughs before committing to buy, or, of course, you could just message us and if we've played it we'll let you know what we think!

We'd love to hear what it is about a game that makes you come back for more. What do you look for in a game? Do you want a game that is easy to learn, or a game that doesn't take too long to play? Or is the theme of the game the most important thing for you? Let us know in the comments below, and if we know a game that might be right up your street we can let you know!

Happy gaming,

Si.