Rediscovering friendships through games people play
That's why traditional board and card games continue to be so popular.
Electronic games are still huge and have their own niche, said Joel Olry, a clerk at Go! The Game Store in Crossroads Plaza. "But they tend to be for one player, and after you play them two or three times, they can get tiresome." Cost is a factor as well, he said. With board games, "for $25-$40 you can get a game that the whole family can play. Board games let you interact with people; they teach learning math, reading, science, general knowledge and social skills, including how to win and lose."
Tim Hall, who recently opened a game store specializing in European strategy games, agrees. "Electronic games tend to be isolating, while board games offer hundreds of hours or interaction and enjoyment. They are a good entertainment value for the money."
At his store, Game Night Games, 2030 S. 900 East, Suite E, people cannot only find a wide selection of games, they can also come in and learn to play them and come back and play them with other people who enjoy the same games. The whole store is set up as a "tribute to a home gaming party," said Hall, "a tribute to the enjoyment of board games."
One reason Hall opened the store, he said, is because he realized it is important for people to get together and just play. "It's a great way to expand friendships."
A couple of years ago, he realized he was losing touch with some of his friends. Life seemed too busy; everyone doing his own thing. "Then I started doing gaming parties. And I realized that the richness of my social connections had increased, my quality of life enhanced, just by playing games."
He tends to like the games that are deep in strategy and have rich historical themes, but any games that people enjoy can serve the same purpose.
Here's a look at some of the trends and products of today's game world:
100 games: Each year Games Magazine announces its list of the best games ("the favorites of our editors and tireless playsters") in a variety of categories.
The winner of the magazine's Game of the Year 2005 award goes to Buyword, a word game that uses dice, letter tiles and money. There are several variants to the basic game. The magazine calls it "eminently innovative . . . destined for classic stardom. Even if you don't like the word games, give this one a try."
The magazine groups games into Abstract Strategy, Advanced Strategy, Family, Historical Simulations, Family Card, Family Strategy, Party and Word game categories.
Comments
- Turkoglu cuts off talks with Blazers 12:52 a.m.
- U2 asks fans to support 12:52 a.m.
- Bees blown out in Colorado 12:38 a.m.
- Beelines 12:34 a.m.
- Michelle Obama glamor to Moscow 12:30 a.m.
- NKorea fired 2 missiles, South says 12:21 a.m.
- Centerville breaks out 12:09 a.m.
- Editorial: America the beautiful 12:06 a.m.
- 'I' and 'we' must cooperate 12:05 a.m.
- The winners and the losers 12:05 a.m.
- Jazz talked Kirilenko for McGrady
- Palin's and Romney's roles in 2012?
- No luxury-tax relief for Harpring
- Millsap's potential suitor list smaller
- Y. gets verbal from cornerback
- U. quarterback set to take his place
- Harpring unsure about his future
- Independence Day activities
- Palin resigning as governor
- Manti woman paints fallen soldiers
- Boozer not opting out of contract
180 - Letters: Stop anti-Obama letters
109 - Lack of Obama photos concerning
95 - Korver stays; what about others?
91 - Utah leaner in too-fat country
90 - Palin resigning as governor
89 - Editorial: A sad day for Utah
85 - Jazz plan to re-sign Millsap
81 - Don't listen to marriage cynics
72 - Letters: Obama resembles tyrant
66
Salaries: AK + Harpring = McGrady. Buy out McGrady. Salary exchange would...
I'm quite proud of that play and I'm proud of Beck to Harline. I still get...
Tracyyyy Jazz must be smoking? Right? IT's gonna be good for AK only, he will...
If Jordan Wynn gets a fair and true shot at being the starter, he will take...
First off, I love Millsap because of his effort and nose for the ball in...
None of the Above! I love Milsap but he doesn't have the tallent to carry a...
Has the SLC Tribune cancelled their Utah Utes Sports section?Sure would be...
The only reason we looked better the last 20 minutes is because S.J stoped...
I am sick of hearing about San Antonio's brilliant cap work. If you have Tim...
It seems like I might be one of the only Kirilinko supporters still left here...

You can be the first to comment on this story.