Will digital board games replace the physical?
With the rise of everything digital, are physical board games on the way out?
Can digital board games deliver the same level of enjoyment as their physical versions?
It’s a hot topic in the board game industry.
Since we started reviewing board games over 4 years ago, the growth of digital board games has skyrocketed.
The old adage, “if you can’t beat them, join them” comes to mind.
But that’s really not what’s happening.
A few years ago, Days of Wonder indicated that the incredible sales of the Small World and Ticket to Ride iPad apps actually drove more purchases of their physical versions. Having a digital version helped drive the popularity of the game overall.
Since then, it seems every board game company is scrambling to publish digital versions of their great games. And board game lovers worldwide are gobbling them up.
And we’re not immune.
I have 20 digital board games on my tablet (list below).
But will digital board games replace their physical predecessors?
Why We Love Board Games
One of the best reasons for playing board games is the face-to-face, personal interaction with the other players.
We’ve touted that face-to-face aspect and associated benefits many, many times over the years. Our lives are overrun with staring at screens. So sitting around a table, interacting with friends and families is a great way to connect.
The same is true in many other areas as well. Since I work remotely, I’m constantly on conference calls and virtual meetings. But I cherish when I have a chance to meet in-person for business. The atmosphere is different. The vibes are different. And it’s invigorating.
Playing digital board games is similar. They just don’t deliver that same level of personal interaction.
But I also love the strategic element of board games.
I love figuring out how to make the most out of what I have to work with to achieve a goal. Every game has a different formula in how to do it. And every game can play differently depending on who I’m playing it with. I love trying to figure out those dynamics and come out victorious. (The same applies to cooperative board games where we all work together to win.)
In this strategic aspect, digital board games can deliver a lot of enjoyment as well.
Many digital board games can deliver a thoughtful experience that engages strategic thinking very well. And some digital games are just simple to play for a diversion.
Why We Love Digital Board Games
Digital board games also deliver a lot of great advantages.
- Portable: The first distinct advantage of digital board games is that you can take them anywhere. There’s no way we can play the physical version of Small World while riding in the car. But on a tablet – it’s super easy to pass and play.
- No Set Up: Another distinct advantage is there is isn’t any game set up needed. Just a couple menu clicks and you’re playing.
- Less Space: Related to the first two advantages, digital board games don’t require a lot of space. No need to search out a table to play on. They hardly take up any space at all – right there in your hands.
- Scorekeeping: Some board games require a lot of scorekeeping. With digital board games, it’s all done for you. With either in-game scoring or at the end, the results are immediate.
- Time: Without set up, shuffling, sorting, or moving components around, digital board games take a fraction of the time as their physical counterparts.
But even though digital board games have a lot of advantages over physical board games, it still doesn’t mean we’re going to shut the door on physical board games.
They Both Have Their Place
Let’s jump back to the question we posed in the beginning – Can digital board games deliver the same level of enjoyment as their physical versions?
Is that even the right question?
Do they need to deliver the same level of enjoyment to be great games?
We don’t think so.
Both can coexist without worries about replacement.
The 4 digital board games I play the most are Dominion, Kingdom Builder, Ticket to Ride, and Memoir ’44.
And behind each is a reason.
Distance: Dominion and Memoir ’44
I play these games online with a great friend of mine. I first introduced him to Dominion when we worked together. With a few guys at work, we’d enjoy playing Dominion on our lunch break a couple times a week.
When he and I would get together away from work, we’d enjoy 2-player head-to-head plays at Memoir ’44.
But after he moved out of state, we missed our regular game time and banter.
Enter online Dominion and Memoir ’44.
Both of these online games have in-game chat, but typing banter just doesn’t cut it. With a headset on and in-game talking we’ve enjoyed a ton of games with each other. It’s not the same level of enjoyment as face-to-face, but when distance makes that tough, this is a very fun way to go.
Quick Play Time: Ticket to Ride and Ticket to Ride Europe
I don’t know how many digital games of Ticket to Ride have been played in our home, but it’s a ton. With pass-and-play or wi-fi capabilities and games taking a fraction of the time as the physical game, it’s great for short spurts of down-time.
On My Own: Kingdom Builder
This is one digital board game that I’ll play a lot on my own. I love the puzzlely nature of Kingdom Builder. So while I’m sitting in an airport, or just want a quick puzzle type game, I’ll fire up Kingdom Builder. Sure there isn’t any opponent interaction, but that’s not what I’m after in those moments.
Other digital board games on my tablet are played much less frequently than these 4 games. Here’s the list of what we have both in physical and digital form:
- Alien Frontiers
- Settlers of Catan
- Stone Age
- Small World
- Forbidden Island
- Hive
- Gubs
- Puerto Rico
These board games we only have in digital form (using digital as a way to first learn the game):
- San Juan
- Tikal
- Ascension
- Summoner Wars
- Neuroshima Hex
- Agricola (haven’t learned yet)
- Caylus (haven’t learned yet)
- Ghost Stories (haven’t learned yet)
Other digital board games we’ve heard are great as well:
- Pandemic
- Carcassonne
- Can’t Stop
- Hey, That’s My Fish
- The Magic Labyrinth
- Le Havre
In the end, why worry about whether both digital and physical board games should deliver the same level of enjoyment.
They don’t have to.
Enjoy them both.
Just make sure to keep them all in perspective.
Enjoy in moderation.
Don’t let digital interactions replace your face-to-face, personal interactions.
I don’t think the goal of “digital board games” is to ever replace their boxed versions. I think it’s more as a supplemental option – both for players (portable version of their fave games), and for developers (extra income from the same IP).
I still buy boxed games, and then the digital version (for example, I have Ticket to Ride, Quarriors!, Chainsaw Warrior, and many others) so I can bring them with me when travelling.
Great article. I usually prefer the box versions but recently, I started playing a lot more Carcassonne on my smartphone. Also learned how to play Tigris & Euphrates (still trying to get better). Then the classic Catan, and now Ticket to Ride. Kingdom Builder was just released for Android… I see a pattern here, yes, digital games are getting interesting, but will never replace physical copies and player interaction, but again, I would’ve never thought of playing a game of Axis & Allies when i’m at the bathroom 😉
Sylvain – Yep. Definitely a pattern. Just introduced Alien Frontiers to another friend and he asked if there was an app for the game as well.
I think that it’s starting to change the way we play as well. Recently, I did my first Ticket to Ride game on my HD-TV (via Android HDMI stick and a wireless mouse). Really enjoyed. I might even buy Smallworld ( i don’t own the physical game ) to play a little more. And I also have to admit that those computers can “replace” physical players (read : friends) since it gets a lot harder to reunite to play some games with our busy schedules (lucky you , you’re never short of players with your kids ) 😉
Unfortunately as the kids grow, I still do run into shortage of players. They have a lot competing for their time as well.
An interesting topic! Initially I started the idea of playing board games with the kids (now 7&9) because they’d end up arguing too much whilst playing the wii and the ipad meant we couldn’t play together. In the meantime I have to say for a non-game playing family we now spend quite a lot of time playing board games – and a big thanks to this site we know which ones to buy!
Regarding the digital vs board game – have to say that I think for family fun it’s the physical board game all the way. However it’s fun to sneak a game of train to train or carcassone or… whilst on the bus or tram on the way to work. Of course i don’t mind the kids playing them on the ipad too as they have to have their “me” time as well.
So I guess it’s like anything, all good in moderation. Too many board games and I think the kids would to start to get annoyed too.
Ps. Thanks for a fine site with plenty of info. We’ve bought dominion, pandemic, settlers of catan and a few others based upon your recommemdations and our boys love them all!
Jason – what a great story to hear. Moderation is definitely key. There are so many things in the world around us to enjoy. Get a good taste of many things.
And we’re glad our reviews have been helpful.