Board games, as defined by the name itself, are games based on
boards. Players use boards as a platform and with the aid of other
equipments such as dice, timers, and other pieces that would enhance
the game. Others would be as intricate as monopoly, where dices and
pieces only make up a small part of the game. In addition to this,
some games would be a simple as a marker and a dice such as the game
of luck in snakes and ladders.
Basically, board games are divided into three types of games: luck,
strategy, and knowledge. Board games based on luck are usually
controlled by dice. The winner is usually determined by the one who
can luckily roll the desired number on the dice. Games of strategy
on the other hand are a game of wits, skills, and logic. People who
excel in this type of game really excel, and a game of chance will
not change their skills in any way. There are also games that
require the player to be knowledgeable on certain topics like
quizmasters and scrabble. There are also board games that do not
require only luck but also strategy in all aspects of the game. A
classic example of this is monopoly, where a dice is rolled and
players try to create an empire within the board.
However, the very first board game in recorded history is a game of
chance called Senet. The game was recorded to have been played as
early as 3500BC. The game was played by the Egyptian royalty as they
were engraved in their tombs documenting their interest in this
specific board game. The specific rules and game play of Senet is
debatable today, but it is certain that Senet is a game of chance.
Documents were also found stating the interest of the locals in
board games, but it is believed that commoners simply didn't have
enough time and resources to sit down and enjoy them.
It was only during the 20th century that board games started to be
known by everyone, even though they were created even before the
birth of Christ. It was after World War II that people became more
interested in the board games that were available at that time. The
rise of board game was due to the rising middle class. People
starting to have more time of their own, and they started to look
for games that would not require them to sweat.
People saw the rise in interest of these board games, and
competitions for some of these games begin to grow. This was
especially true for games of skill. Chess during the post war era
was at its hype worldwide, and many of the world champions of the
game were Russians. It was only through Bobby Fischer that the
United States experienced the first and only world champion in
chess, and this didn't occur until the 1970s.
The popularity of board games still continues with the help of the
internet and computers. Software was developed to give casual
players some games with the help of artificial intelligence. People
also go online to look for other players from the other side of the
world to play a great game online.
