Peace Steemians,
People from many cultures have played board games for thousands of years. One of the oldest games is Senet. It was played in Ancient Egypt about five and a half thousand years ago.
People still play many ancient board games today. One of these ancient games is called ‘Go’. It comes from China. It has also been called Weiqi, Igo, or Paduk. It is played with a green board, and black and white pieces or stones. Both players must try to surround more territory than the other player.
The most popular board game in the world is probably Chess. It began in sixth century India! Each player has 16 pieces. There are six different sorts of piece. They move differently across the 64 squares of the board. The object of the game is to capture the king piece belonging to the other player.
Monopoly is a property game created in the 20th century. This game is played in many countries around the world.
People recently started to play new games only online. They often played these games alone on their computers.
Some people even wondered if board games would survive in the internet age. On the contrary the number of board games sold started to increase. Board games found new popularity particularly among young people.
In the game Settlers of Catan, players try to establish the most successful colony on the island of Catan. Players build roads and settlements and can trade with other players.
Why has this new interest happened?
Some people think this may be for social reasons.
We have seen a real growth of interest in board games over the past ten years. The internet is a great thing. However, sit down and play with friends and family is becoming much more important.
Board games let us have time away from our phones and computers where we can talk, play and enjoy time together.
Board game cafes have appeared. People go to the cafe to drink coffee and have something to eat. They also play board games.
It is often so boring when people go to cafes. People just hold their phones, look at Facebook, and do not talk much. Board game cafe has opened so everyone would get used to put down their phones and talk to each other.
The increased interest in board games may seem strange but it is the internet and the growth of video games.
Mobile games are so popular now. There are more people who are open to the idea of playing a game than ever before.
The internet has helped the growth of board games and table top games in other ways too. Table top games include games like board games. They also include games that people play with paper cards or just pencils and paper.
The internet also spreads news about new board games.
Table top gaming can be about the journey you go on together when you are playing a game. It can be about friendship and relationships that form.
Do you play board games? Do you think that board games can be a way to bring people together? Tell us what you think.

Warm regards.
Peace