Game nights can be a fantastic way to get together with friends without having to spend too much to head out to a bar together. Gather around a table with some drinks, snacks, and the right game for the night and it can easily become a tradition that you look forward to every week (or however long you do it.)
However, playing the same games time and time again can start to get a little boring. If you want to prevent your game nights from feeling like work, it’s important to spice it up with some changes now and then.
Make It A Themed Affair
There are not shortage of games that have their own themes that you and your friends can play with to heighten the immersion and add some amusement factor. For instance, if you’re playing “Clue”, you can encourage everyone to dress up as the characters they’re playing, while a more medieval vibe, like drinking with goblets, like fit better with games like “Catan.” Of course, you have to be ready for some players to not commit as much as others, so try to keep it a low-pressure affair.
Go For The Classics
If you’re looking for something a little more strategic and competitive, then looking into some of the oldest boardgames around might just the thing that you need. Chess might be a bit overly complex to teach all the players in one night, but games like backgammon can be the perfect thing to ensure that everyone is able to jump in while still experiencing some of the strategic depth on offer. This is especially good for those groups that love to get truly competitive.
Get nostalgic with some video games
Modern video games are often a part of game nights, with couch co-op and smartphone integration making it easy for people to play digital board games, social deduction games, and more. However, retro games are on the rise again. Not only can you get many of your favorites in online storefronts easily nowadays, but you could also look at the possibility of renting some arcade machines loaded up with all of your favorites for a night. Choosing some classic arcade multiplayer games can transport you right back to your youth or help you play gems that you might be too young to have appreciated at the time.
Keep Up With The Latest Releases
The board game industry has been truly booming, as of late, with ‘game nights’ becoming a lot more popular. As such, there is never shortage of new games coming out. Keep an eye out for the latest releases and follow some of the biggest board game sites for inspiration. Be sure to float ideas with friends become buying anything, as board games can be a pretty expensive hobby and you want to make sure that you’re able to play any game at least a few times.
Game nights should be something that fills you and your friends with anticipation and excitement. Introducing new games and ways to play can help you d that easily.
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