One of the new generation of board games now available. (CHAT News file photo)

By Alex McCuaig

New generation of board games flying off the shelf during pandemic

Dec 4, 2020 | 5:47 PM

REDCLIFF, AB – The old standard board games like Monopoly or Trivial Pursuit might still be favourites around the dining room table but a wide range of new generation of games is changing the landscape and perception of the pastime.

The 21^st century board games range from the timely such Pandemic in which players are trying to stem the spread of a virus to ones based on migrating monarch butterflies to betting on racing camels.

“It’s such an overload because there are so many neat, different games,” said Medicine Hat Board Game Guy, Steven Durk.

“There is different strategies that need to be used and overall, it’s just another way to unplug and reconnect that people are really starting to enjoy.”

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Durk had been hosting board game events at different businesses through the Hat prior to the pandemic which were proving the popularity of the pastime.

Since the pandemic, the local interest seems to only be getting higher.

“Sales have been more than double,” said Rob Hozack, owner of Redcliff Pharmasave which retails hundreds of games. “We were completely sold out in March and April. Everybody’s home doing family time and it’s just a great distraction from the trouble of 2020.”

And Durk says just because you might be socially distanced, it doesn’t mean you can’t find people to play with outside your cohort.

“Tabletopia is an online service you can actually log in and play a lot of these board games virtually with other people,” said Durk. “Things are really changing in the board game industry.”

And if you’re looking for an expert game or looking to dip your toe into the newer-style of games, Durk says you can visit his Medicine Hat Board Game Guy Facebook page and he’ll help you out.