Board Games: Game Pieces, Board, History & Cooperative Games

by Joost Nusselder Updated on: September 21, 2023

Board games are fun to play, but also to watch others. But what are board games anyway?

Board games are games that are played on a board. For example monopoly, scrabble and cluedo. Classic games such as chess and othello also fall into this category. Most board games are strategic games.

In this article you can read all about board games and where you can play them.

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The versatile world of board games

Board games (the best of the moment reviewed here) have existed for centuries and can be found all over the world in different shapes and types. The oldest known board games have been found in tombs of pharaohs in Egypt and date from about 3000 BC. In the Netherlands, classic board games such as Ganzenbord and Mens don't annoy you have been known and loved for years. The word “board game” is a compound of the noun “board” and the verb “game”. The game is played in a certain place where players try to beat each other by scoring points.

Types and forms of board games

There are many different types of board games, from classic to new games and from strategic to free games. Board games can also contain different types of content, such as trivia, strategy, luck, or a combination of these elements. In addition, there are also cooperative board games where players work together to achieve a goal. An important difference between board games is the number of players and the way the game is played. There are games where you play against each other, but also games where you work together to achieve a goal.

Famous board games

There are many well-known board games, such as Monopoly, Risk, Settlers of Catan, Scrabble and Cluedo. These games have often been popular for many years and are still widely played. In addition, there are also new games that are becoming increasingly popular, such as Ticket to Ride, Pandemic and Carcassonne. It is interesting to see how board games develop and what new games will appear in the future.

Educational board games

Board games are not only fun to play, but can also be educational. For example, children learn to think strategically, cooperate, count and read by playing board games. In addition, board games can also help develop social skillssuch as dealing with wins and losses and respecting the rules.

Board games in the Netherlands

Board games have been popular in the Netherlands for many years and there are many game shops and board game associations. In addition, there are also many online board games available, making it possible to play with people from all over the world. It's nice to see how board games bring people together and create a fun evening.

The different types of board games you can discover

Abstract board games are games where the theme is not central, but where the focus is on strategy and tactics. These games often have no luck factor and are completely dependent on the brainpower of the players. Examples of abstract board games are Chess, Go and Othello.

Educational board games

Educational board games are games that focus on learning new things. These games are a great way to teach children about different subjects such as history, science and math. Examples of educational board games are Timeline, Brainbox and Qwirkle.

Solo board games

Solo board games are games that you can play alone. These games are a great way to challenge yourself and improve your thinking skills. Examples of solo board games are Friday, Onirim, and Mage Knight.

Board game examples with different elements

There are many board games that combine elements of different types of board games. Here are some examples:

• Gloomhaven: A cooperative strategy game with a fantasy adventure theme.
• Azul: An abstract game where players collect tiles and create patterns.
• Codenames: A cooperative game where players work together to guess words based on clues from their teammates.
• Ticket to Ride: A strategy game where players build train routes to connect cities.
• Wingspan: An educational game where players collect birds and learn their characteristics.

Classification of board games

Board games can also be classified according to the mechanisms they use. Here are some examples:

• Worker Placement Games: Games where players place workers to perform actions.
• Deck building games: games in which players build their own deck of cards and use it to perform actions.
• Roll-and-write games: Games where players roll dice and use the results to perform actions on a score sheet.
• Legacy Games: Games where the decisions players make affect future games.
• Party Games: Games that are quick and easy to play and often revolve around humor and interaction between players.

Well-known board games from the past and now

There are many well-known board games that have been popular for many years and are still played today, such as Monopoly, Scrabble and Cluedo. But there are also new board games that are becoming very popular, such as Wingspan, Gloomhaven and Azul. The nice thing about board games is that there is always a new challenge to be found and that everyone can find a game that suits him or her.

Who are the players?

In board games, the number of players often determines the choice of the game. Some games are suitable for two players, while other games are intended for a larger group. It is important to know how many players you can play the game with before purchasing it.

Age and difficulty

When choosing a game, it is also important to look at the age and difficulty of the game. Some games are suitable for younger children, while other games are more challenging for adults. In addition, there are games that are easy to learn, while other games take more time and effort to master.

Turn and strategy

In board games, it is often the case that each player takes turns to make a move. It is important to think carefully about your move and the possible consequences. Strategy plays an important role in this. Some games are more based on luck, while other games require more strategy to win.

Winner and points

In most games, the goal is to win. This can be done in various ways, for example by being the first to reach a certain number of points or by eliminating the opponent(s). It is important to know what the win condition is before you start playing.

Examples of games

There are many different types of board games, from old classics to new games with innovative game mechanics. Below you will find a number of examples of well-known board games:

• Monopoly: A game where players try to earn as much money as possible by buying and renting real estate.
• Risk: A game where players try to conquer the world by building armies and launching attacks.
• Carcassonne: A game where players take turns laying tiles to create a medieval landscape and score points.
• Ticket to Ride: A game where players must build train routes to connect cities to score points.
• Dominion: A deck-building game where players build their own deck of cards and try to score as many points as possible.

The game pieces: the building blocks of any board game

Game pieces are the physical parts of a board game that players use to play the game. It can be pawns, dice, cards, chips, miniatures, and much more. Playing pieces are an essential part of any board game, as they allow the players to take actions and make decisions.

The different types of game pieces

There are many different types of game pieces you can find in board games. Here are some examples:

• Pawns: Small pieces that players move around the board to indicate their position.
• Dice: Used to generate random numbers that determine how many steps a player can move or how many points they earn.
• Cards: contain information about the game and are used to perform actions or score points.
• Chips: small pieces that players collect to score points or perform special actions.
• Miniatures: Small plastic or metal figures that players use to represent their characters or units on the board.

The role of playing pieces in the game

Game pieces are important not only because they allow players to perform actions, but they can also play an important role in determining the outcome of the game. For example:

• Color: Some games have playing pieces of different colors, which players can use to indicate their position on the board or to indicate which player owns which pieces.
• Positioning: Some games allow players to place their playing pieces on the board in any way they choose, which can affect the strategy and tactics of the game.
• Quantity: The number of game pieces a player has can affect his chances of winning the game.
• Species: Some game pieces have special properties or abilities that can affect the gameplay.

The accessibility of game pieces

Game pieces should be accessible to all players, regardless of their age, skill level or background. This means that the game pieces must be easy to understand and use, and they must be suitable for a wide audience. Board games come in several categories, including casual games, escape rooms, puzzles, battle games, euro games, ameritrash, and war games. Each category has its own type of playing pieces and layout, which are suitable for a certain group of players.

Well-known board games and their playing pieces

There are many well-known board games that use different types of game pieces. Here are some examples:

• Carcassonne: This game uses tiles and pawns to build a medieval landscape.
• Monopoly: This game uses pawns, dice, and money to get players to invest in real estate.
• Stratego: This game uses miniatures to let players fight in a war situation.
• Risk: This game uses miniatures and dice to make players fight for control of the world.

The board: the playing field of board games

The board is an important part of many board games. It is the playing field on which the game is played and on which the players make their moves. The board can have different shapes and sizes, depending on the type of board game.

Shapes and dimensions

There are many types of board game boards, from small flat boards to large boards that need to be placed on a table. The shape and dimensions of the board depend on the type of game. Some examples of signs are:

• Halma: a hexagonal board with 121 squares
• Chess: a square board with 64 squares
• Checkers: a rectangular board with 100 squares
• Monopoly: a rectangular board with different squares and streets

Game pieces and movement

The game pieces are placed and moved on the board. The movement of the game pieces depends on the type of game and the rules that go with it. For example, the game pieces can only move horizontally and vertically, or also diagonally.

Goal of the game

The board and game pieces together provide the goal of the game. This can be, for example, to capture all the opponent's pieces, to be the first to reach a certain square, or to earn as much money as possible. The board is therefore essential to the game and allows the players to play against each other.

word origin

The word “bord” is a noun used in Dutch to indicate a flat surface. The word is also used in the context of board games, referring to the playing field of the game. The word “bord” is derived from the Old Dutch word “borth”, which means “plank”.

Comments

The board is an essential part of board games and allows the players to play against each other. It is important that the board has the correct dimensions and shape and that the game pieces move correctly. There are many types of board game boards and each board has its own rules and purpose.

The history of board games

In the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, board games became increasingly popular in Europe. For example, the game 'Shatranj' was played in Persia, which would later evolve into the game of chess. Many board games were also played in the Islamic world. In Europe in the fifteenth century, games such as 'Man don't get annoyed' and 'Battle of Seas' were played. In the sixteenth century, the game 'Monopoly' was already played in a form that is very similar to the game we know today.

Board games in the twentieth century and later

In the twentieth century, more and more board games were developed. In 1935, for example, the game 'Monopoly' appeared in the form as we know it today. In the eighties the game 'Carcassonne' was developed, and in the nineties the game 'The Settlers of Catan' (in English 'Settlers of Catan') was released. These games are among the most famous designer board games. Many board games were also developed in the twentieth century that are based on popular films, TV series and games, such as 'Risk', 'Trivial Pursuit' and 'Scrabble'.

Board games today

Today there are still many board games that are played. In addition to the well-known games such as 'Monopoly' and 'The Settlers of Catan', there are also many cooperative board games, where players work together to achieve a goal. There are also board games that have been specially developed for children to teach them something in a playful way. And there are still many new board games being developed, such as the game 'Azul', which was released in 2017 and has already won several awards.

Designer board games: Strategy games with deep replayability factor

Designer board games are a specific type of board games aimed at those looking for a challenging and strategic game. These games are designed by individual designers or small teams and are often more balanced than the typical board games you buy at the store. They have a high replayability factor, which means you can play the game multiple times and still enjoy it.

What makes designer board games different from other board games?

Designer board games are different from other board games because they often have more depth and require more strategy. Unlike games like chess or checkers, which are centuries old, designer board games are relatively new. They are meant to bring a group of people together and lead to a fun and social way to get to know each other.

Some examples of designer board games

There are many types of designer board games available, ranging from simple games to more complex ones. Here are some examples of designer board games:

• Carcassonne
• The Settlers of Catan
• Puerto Rico
• Tikal
• Ticket to Ride
• Torres

Buy designer board games

Designer board games are available at most game stores and online. They tend to be a bit more expensive than typical board games, but the quality and replayability factor make it worth it. Some well-known publishers of designer board games are 999 Games, White Goblin Games and Asmodee.

Cooperative board games: team up for victory

Playing cooperative board games is a fun way to collaborate and interact with other players. Instead of trying to beat each other, you have to work together to win the game. This creates a healthy competition where no one is forgotten and everyone can be a winner. It's a great way to develop skills like teamwork, communication and problem solving while having fun.

The best cooperative board games to buy

There are many cooperative board games on the market, but here are some of the most fun and popular:

• Pandemic: In this game, players must work together to stop a global disease outbreak before it's too late.
• Arkham Horror: In this game, players must work together to survive in a city plagued by supernatural phenomena.
• Forbidden Island: In this game, players must work together to escape from an island that is slowly sinking into the ocean.
• Spirit Island: In this game, players must work together to protect their island from colonists who want to conquer it.

Why are cooperative board games a fun addition to any board game collection?

Cooperative board games offer a different gaming experience than most other board games. Instead of competing against each other, players must work together to win. This can be a great way to add a new dimension to a board game collection and to collaborate with friends and family.

What do children learn from playing board games?

Board games offer children a great opportunity to develop their skills social skills to develop. By playing together, children learn to get along with others, wait their turn and help each other. They also learn how to deal with loss and how to be a winner without hurting others.

Creativity and spatial insight

Board games offer children the opportunity to develop their creativity and spatial awareness. Some games require children to think strategically and plan in order to win. Other games require children to use their spatial sense to move pieces on the board.

Educational and fun

Board games are not only fun, but also educational. Children learn new things while they play, such as math, reading and writing. In addition, children also learn important life lessons, such as working together and respecting others.

Extra time with parents and friends

Board games give children the opportunity to spend extra time with their parents and friends. Playing a game is a great way to spend quality time and get to know each other better.

Suitable for all ages

Board games are suitable for all ages, from young children to adults. No matter how much experience you have with board games, there is always a game that suits you. In addition, there are so many different games available nowadays that there is always something new to discover.

Conclusion

It is important to know that board games are a versatile world that have existed for centuries. You can find types all over the world, from oldest known board games found in tombs of pharaohs from Egypt, dating from about 3000 years christ to new games becoming more and more popular.

Board games are a fun and educational tool to teach strategic thinking, cooperation and counting. In addition, board games help you social skills skills, such as dealing with profit and loss and respecting rules.

If you apply the tips in this article, you are sure to have a nice evening with family and friends.

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.