Games, for me, symbolize curiosity, art, action, and excitement.

Before COVID happened, I was into quick, easy, fun party games. One of my brothers, who is a game designer (video game designer, to be specific), introduced me to board games. Around the same time, I attended a board game night at ThoughtWorks and finally played Catan—a game I had wanted to try for so long. I realized then that strategy games are far more engaging, immersive, and thrilling.

Once COVID hit, I suddenly had all the time in the world—and thus began my journey of exploring board games, diving into their history, and reading everything I could get my hands (and eyes!) on. It was exciting, and before I knew it, it turned into a full-blown obsession. Two of the first games I fell in love with were Catan and Five Tribes.

Now, for the past couple of years (actually, maybe more than that), I’ve been regularly researching and buying board games. The collection has grown considerably.

The challenge now? Finding consistent players or a gaming group. If you have ideas, do share!

Some Early Learnings from My Board Game Journey:

• It gets you into a state of flow—fully engaged and absorbed.
• It’s hands-on cooperation, negotiation, and healthy competition.
• It’s a safe space to experiment and take risks.
• It teaches you to think ahead and strategize.
• It brings people together and ensures a great time.
• It gives you an adrenaline rush, gets you thinking, strategizing, and brings you into full awareness.
• Board games are sheer joy—and an entertainment overload!

Of course, this joy is usually reached after overcoming the initial hurdle of learning the rules (some of which can be complex). You need to play a game at least a couple of times to get the hang of it. But over time, it gets easier—your brain expands and adapts.

I remember the first time I played Catan—I felt overwhelmed. But now, I think it’s one of the easiest and best starter games for anyone getting into the hobby. And yes, I managed to get my 8-year-old nephew hooked on it! That’s something I’m super proud of. (Okay, I can’t take all the credit—it was his curiosity and eagerness to learn, too.)

Now I’m at a point where I have strong opinions about games. I want to try ones with different mechanics and themes. I want to talk about them, host game nights, and connect with fellow gamers. Fueled by these aspirations, this weekend, I’ll be attending a board game convention in Bangalore—very excited about the opportunity to learn, explore, and of course… play!

I’m also toying with the idea of starting a blog series on board game history, game mechanics, starter guides, and of course, my personal experience of attending the convention.

Till then, here’s a glimpse of a blast from the past.

What started as a casual curiosity has become a joyful pursuit. Board games have taught me more than I expected—about myself, others, and how we play. And the best part? The journey’s just begun. And yes—if board games light a spark in you—or even if you’re just curious—reach out. Let’s roll some dice, build empires, and make memories!

Credits

• My Brother (the video game designer): To set me rolling
• Thoughtworks: For introducing me to “Game nights” as a concept
• My friends & family who participated in the game play
• ChatGPT for generating Gibli images of my clicks