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Board Game Statistics: A 2024 Update
Mar
One of the things that has kept people closer over the centuries is undeniably the board games. However, with thousands of board games around the market, we often find ourselves lost and don’t know much about what’s happening. With the purpose of bringing you up-to-date information about certain topics relating to board games, we’ve finally put all our statistics together in one article!
- Board games market;
- Most popular board games;
- Demographics;
- Thoughts on digital apps;
- Impact of Covid-19 on the industry;
- BG tournaments;
- Predictions;
- Final thoughts;
Board Games Market
MARKET VALUE OF GLOBAL BOARD GAMES IN 2023 REACHED $13.06 BILLION.
You heard that right. The total worth of the global board game industry in 2023 reached no less than $13.06 billion. This is about 9.9% more than the total BG market value of 2022, which was $11.88 billion.
THE REVENUE OF BOARD GAMES IS AROUND $3.39 BILLION IN 2023.
This revenue represents the total amount of money generated by the board game industry in 2023, reaching approximately $3.39 billion. The revenue charge for this year is 16%, which compared to 2022, is 4.4% more. Revenue of this industry includes not only physical copies of board games but accessories, special expansions, fees, digital versions, and more as well.
THE UNITED STATES LEADS THE REVENUE OF BOARD GAMES
As of 2023, the US makes the most revenue in the board games industry, with approximately $2,611 million, or about 30% of the total revenue. Next, these countries follow:
- China, with around $1,175 million;
- Japan, with a revenue of $465 million;
- Germany, with approximately $402 million;
Then, other countries such as France, the UK, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Australia, Australia, Russia, and more, take place
HASBRO IS THE COMPANY WITH THE HIGHEST REVENUE IN THE INDUSTRY
Based on our latest extensive research, Hasbro remains the leading company in the industry, with a $5.03 billion revenue, however, it’s a 14.75% decline from the previous year, 2022. This high value of the revenue is pretty reasonable considering the success of Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, Operation, Cluedo, and more. Then, these companies take place:
- Asmodee Editions with a revenue of $1.22 billion;
- Ravensburger, having a revenue of €598 million;
- Goliath Games with a revenue of $52.8 million;
Right below on the list, we will find Ludofact, Stonemaier Games, GranPrix International, Rio Grande Games, Czech Games Editions, and such.
A TYPICAL BOARD GAME COSTS FROM $15 TO $80
Although you might find huge boxes of board games that can cost up to $200 (or over), as well as board games under $10, a good considerable creative game belongs to that range of price, $15-$80. However, this depends on the rarity of the game, the equipment it includes, quality, illustrations, and more features.
Most Popular Board Games
CHESS IS BELIEVED TO BE THE MOST POPULAR GAME OF ALL TIME.
Since there isn’t any specific data about this board game’s sales, it has been a top one since its invention, which is believed to be somewhere in the 6th century. According to the United Nations for World Chess Day, in a study that has been done in the US, Russia, UK, Germany, and India, about 70% of adults have played Chess at least once in their lives.
Over 600 million people play Chess in their everyday routine. And not surprisingly, Russia is the country with the most successful chess players (top 10).
IN TERMS OF MODERN BOARD GAMES, MONOPOLY TAKES THE LEAD.
With over 250 million copies sold since its first time in the market, Monopoly is the most popular modern board game, played by over a billion people. Considering its popularity, Monopoly was sold in over 110 countries, and published in 47 languages.
Talking about popular modern board games, here are games that stay right below Monopoly:
- Scrabble, which has sold over 150 million copies;
- Clue, with over 150 million copies sold too;
- Battle Ship, which has sold 100 million or more copies;
- Trivial Pursuit, with a total of 100 million copies as well;
…and then The Game Of Life, Trivial Pursuit, Cranium, Catan, Pictionary, and more.
WORD GAMES ARE THE MOST PREFERABLE BOARD GAME TYPE.
According to Words Rated, almost 50% of responders have said that they prefer word games, over other types of board games. Then, popular game types are also strategy games, dice, trivia board games, and the list goes on.
Demographics Relating To Board Games
AROUND 40% OF GEN Z FIND BOARD GAMES ENJOYABLE.
According to several surveys done in the US, around 40% of people born from 1997 to 2012, in other words, Generation Z, enjoy playing board games.
However, talking global, a survey done by YouGov has concluded that around 20% of the whole population, list card games & board games as one of their favorite things to do.
47% OF GAMERS ARE AGED 18 TO 35.
Taking into consideration studies of YouGov, 47% of people who enjoy playing board games regularly, are 18 to 35 years old. This specific age range is the most active in playing video and console games as well.
WOMEN AND MEN TAKE PART EQUALLY IN BOARD GAMES
Probably because women usually play board games at home with their friends, while men do that outside too, we’re led to think that men play board games more often. For your information, it’s actually 50/50!
However, to compare, men tend to enjoy competitive, strategy games more than other types of board games, while women are more into communicative and accessible games.
BOARD GAMES HAVE POSITIVE IMPACTS ON MENTAL HEALTH
One of the reasons people love board games is that it has helped them overcome anxiety, and stress, and socialize with a group of people. Considering what it takes to play board games, the latter also helps with social skills, counting here communication, strategy-creating, time management, and teamwork.
OVER 40% OF GAMERS PURCHASE 5 TO 10 GAMES EVERY YEAR.
This is the approximate number of games a typical board gamer purchases every year. It’s crazy to think that 27% of gamers purchase around 30 board games per year!
As reported by surveys, they also spend tons of money on board games: starting from $100 per year (6% of gamers), to over $1,000, which represents 22% of gamers!
Thoughts Of Board Gamers In Digital Apps
Living in the era of digital everything, lots of board games have started to include digital apps to help with organizing the game and making the gameplay a better experience. Such games are Mansions of Madness 2, One Night: Warewolf, Ticket To Ride, Carcassone, Gloomhaven, and more.
But people stand on two sides when it comes to preferring these apps or not. The majority of board gamers prefer these game apps since they make score-keeping, timing control, and resource management easier, also, most allow customization which makes the game better.
On the other hand, people have several reasons to dislike this feature of 21st-century board games. Some of these reasons are that lots of the time you have to pay an extra price to get that app, they can make the game more complex than it actually is, and unfortunately, could be inaccessible for a few people.
Impact Of Covid-19 On The BG Industry
If there’s one aspect that has impacted for the better one of the industries, it gotta be the board games.
THE BOARD GAME INDUSTRY REGISTERED A GROWTH OF 20% IN 2020
In a total lockdown because of COVID-19, people started buying more and more board games every day, even those who haven’t ever played before. Responders of the UK have said that they’ve changed their buying behavior to 18% more when it comes to buying board games
Probably the main reason for this huge increase is that people really needed a rest from the screen, and were looking to find ways to connect with their family members more. Yes, family games do wonders.
BG Tournaments
Board games are not only bits of enjoyment to have with your family or friends. Some people take them very seriously and send their hobbies far enough to compete in pretty well-organized tournaments.
WORLD SERIES OF BOARD GAMES IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR TOURNAMENTS.
During these last years, the World Series Of Board Games has been one of the most famous Board Game Tournaments. About 1500 people from all around the world compete to be the champions of their favorite game. WSBG includes a total of 16 games, and in 2023, they included Ticket To Ride, Splendor, Terraforming Mars, Gaia Project, Ra, The Castles Of Burgundy, and a few more.
The 2024 WSBG is expected to be held in Las Vegas, from September 22 to September 26. The winner will go home with $25.000 and the WSBG bracelet.
WORLD CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2023 REACHED 572,000 PEAK VIEWERSHIP.
Being one of the most talked about tournaments relating to board games, the World Chess Championship breaks records, to this day. Even though this tradition started in the late 1800s, it continues in this century too. In 2023, there were more than 350 participants from all around the world, and the championship reached 572,000 peak viewership.
Predictions About The Future Of The Board Games
IT’S EXPECTED THAT THE MARKET OF BG WILL REACH OVER $37 BILLION IN 2030.
And to be fair, that is pretty reasonable considering the creativity people are using in creating board games, more and more every day. However, one thing’s for sure: future board games will use more virtual reality and digital apps in their gameplay.
A $20 BILLION OPPORTUNITY WILL BE CREATED BY THE INDUSTRY OF BOARD GAMES BY 2030
This growth mostly depends on dealing with operations to improve features of board games and make it an overall better experience. Driven by the market’s dynamics and board gamers’ preferences, this prediction focuses on innovation, technology inclusion, and advancements in general.
ASIA PACIFIC BOARD GAME MARKET WILL BE OVER $4 BILLION IN 2025
Since it’s the fastest-growing market in the board games industry, Asia Pacific is expected to exceed $4 Billion in this industry by the end of 2025. With a growing interest and such commitment of creators, you can’t expect any less.
Talking about predictions, it’s supposed that the Chinese market will exceed expectations too! Experts have concluded that the worth of the BG industry market of Chinese in 2025, will be over $1.6 billion!
THE BOARD GAME CAFE MARKET IS EXPECTED TO REACH AROUND $2,400 MILLION BY 2030
People love going to a local cafe and finding out about new board games. This trend is going up year by year, and it’s actually one of the best ways to socialize with people. Yes, in 2030, this market is expected to reach no less than 2495 million dollars!
Final Thoughts
We have never had this many statistics, or numbers, to be fair, in an article before, have we? Nonetheless, this one includes pretty much everything you need to know to keep in touch with the board game industry. With the world becoming more intense day by day, and with technology taking over, there will undoubtedly be big changes in these types of games too. One thing’s for sure: the future of the Board Game Industry is bright!
