Slaying dragons, solving mysteries and making new connections are all in the cards with tabletop games.
“Doing tabletop stuff and physical interaction games and stuff like that. It really kind of changed my mind about, how I like to socialize,” said tabletop game player Cam Terry.
In an increasingly digital world, tabletop games have been resurging as a way for people to connect in person. The tabletop gaming industry was projected to have a $2 billion increase during 2024, according to the Business Research Company. For people in Nashville, the interest has been growing and can be seen through spaces like Tabletops Hobbies and Games and Game Point Cafe.
Part of the reason for this growth according to some is the growing need for connection and face-to-face interactions.
“Whenever you're playing a board game and something amazing happens or something terrible happens, you get to see that emotion from other people's faces immediately. That's one thing you'll never get from a video game,” said Tabletops Hobbies and Games owner Josh Bullock.
Game Point Cafe, which has been open for five years, has acted as spaces to bridge connections between older and newer generations as well as the community more generally.
“It appeals to everybody. And some of these games, you can find a game that grandkids as little as six, 7-years-old, can play with their grandparents, and it's interesting to everybody,” said Bob Bernstein, co-owner of Game Point Cafe.
The sheer variety of games that now exist and are being made on an annual basis are also part of the draw for some.
“Things are coming back in a more interesting way. It's the same with board games. They're better looking, they're more strategic, they're more engaging. They tell a story,” said Bernstein.
–
This video and article was made by Braden Simmons
Comments