Playmakers — Nothing beats fun of old-fashioned board games

For entertainment value, social interaction, skill development and just plain fun, few things beat the old-fashioned board game. Except, these days, board games aren't so old-fashioned.

There's something out there for everyone, whether you want quick-and-easy, deep strategy, games for one or two players, games for a roomful of people, games that allow you to show off your knowledge, games that rely mostly on luck. There are games with space themes, and games set in medieval times. There are games based on popular movies. There are new versions of old favorites.

"Games sales are way up," says Greg Jones, a game distribution rep for Fred Distribution, and a game aficionado of long standing. "Board games are a better value than ever," he says, "and that's important in this economy. For the price of taking the family to a movie, you can buy a game that offers an enriching social experience every time you play it."

A lot of today's board games sell in the $20-$50 range, although you can find some for less and some for more. "But these are games you can play multiple, multiple times," says Casey Sartain, owner of The Tutoring Toy Shoppe.

Strategies and actions may vary, he says, "but games are always good for building self-esteem, bringing families together, taking time out of your hectic life to have fun."

"Our sales of games is strong, in fact, thriving," says Matt Molen, vice president of marketing for SimplyFun, which sells games through in-home parties. "In times of uncertainly in other areas, people focus back on those things that are most important to them: security, community, faith and family. Playing together as a family is not only fun, but it connects people and ties them closer together."

"We get lot of people who say they have a tradition of playing a game every Sunday night," says Toni Hansen, owner of Claypoole Corner in Layton, which offers a boutique corner of games. "Or, people get together with friends and neighbors." What she likes about games, she says, is that "every time you play, it's different. It's not like watching the same movie over and over."

A lot of people are looking for good family games these days, says Mike Compton, manager of Game Night Games. "Most people want games that are fairly quick to explain, with turns that rotate quickly, and that don't last too long."

Party games are popular, he says, "but we also have a lot of couples looking for two-person games. They want a fun way to spend a night at home."

Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne and Settlers of Catan remain the best-sellers at his store — and for good reason, says Compton. "They offer all the things people are looking for."

But there are a lot of new games to choose from this year.