A group of people having fun playing board games Photo: IC

For many people, board games have long been associated with joyless family gettogethers over generic Hasbro and Milton Bradley games that always seem to culminate in sibling spats and missing pieces. But a cursory look at any of the plethora of sites for board game geeks or, better yet, a chat with one of the growing number of tabletop gaming aficionados, will put pay to such outdated ideas.

The golden age of board games was in the pre-digital decades, most notably the 1970s, when classic games such as Monopoly, Scrabble and Clue helped pass the time for children and adults of all backgrounds. The first wave of home video game consoles in the mid-1980s relegated many board games to the backs of closets, and the post-90s internet explosion all but killed off the board game industry.

Nonetheless, board games have seen a resurgence in the past decade, and while the reasons are debatable - timeless nostalgia? souring economy? - the undeniable fact is that despite their cardboard and plastic materials, board games will always be around.

There's something to suit every age, taste and occasion, from quick-hit party games such as Cash 'n' Guns and Dixit to more involved strategic challenges like Power Grid and Acquire.

In an increasingly anti-social world dominated by social media and smartphones, board games offer a way to meet new people face to face and have fun without digital barriers.

China is of course no stranger to board games. One can watch lively games of xiangqi on the street, while the new generation of players is particularly enthusiastic, with board game cafes popular haunts of many Chinese youths. 

Shanghai in particular is an ideal city to find fellow players due to its constant influx of newcomers looking to make friends.

It is no wonder, then, that board games have become a big hit here.

It's quite something to see people from so many different cultures pit their wits against each other while at the same time making new friends and having fun.

The Global Times recently spoke to some expats in Shanghai about the appeal board games have for them.

Jillian Ong, graphic designer, Malaysia

Jillian Ong, graphic designer, Malaysia

Board games are really awesome. I play computer games but you always end up playing by yourself. I first got into board games when one of my animation classes at college was about games. We had a few classes learning about the design. [They let you] get out there and meet people. It's much better playing games with people in person. For example, you can read their body language. It's definitely the social aspect that I enjoy the most. There is a misconception that board games are square, and that the hardest game is Risk. I've been to a weekly board game night a few times. It's nice because, even if you miss a week, you can catch up with much the same people the following time.

Kamil Suleyev, college admissions manager, Kazakhstan

Kamil Suleyev, college admissions manager, Kazakhstan

I've always liked board games since I was little. Card games first, chess which I still like, but then I wanted to play something more social. About a year ago I found how board games have actually developed and bought a few games. Only recently I found this board game meetup and got really into it. The first game I got was Pandemic, a classic co-op style game. You either win or lose together. The game requires a good team effort as it is extremely difficult. But this is the kind of game where you might have as much fun losing than winning. I also bought Carcassonne, Takenoko and Dixit. The first two are more strategic types, and Dixit is a good party game. After some time I have realized the kind of games I like are the hidden identity/bluffing/deduction type of games. My favorites so far are Coup, The Resistance, Saboteur and Mascarade. The best part of these games, apart from the need to lie to your friends' faces, is that they involve a great deal of interaction between players, which is the most important factor for me. [Some people] have no idea how board games have developed over the past decade. As video games started to get popular, they got all the attention. But what people don't realize is that video games lack that social factor that we all, as the human species, need on the genetic level, and this is where board games shine. It is then important to introduce the so-called "gateway" games. Intuitively easy, inviting and light, they will help to make the transition to the game world a smooth one.

Johan, logistics expert, Sweden

Normally when you go to bars and meet other expats, you have to deal with the same questions - where do you come from? What do you do? How long have you been here? When will you leave? The good thing about board games is when you meet new people, you skip all those questions. Instead you start talking about the games you've played, which ones you like. And then you move on to other topics like art and philosophy. It's far more interesting and stimulating than the usual bar chatter.

Tim, engineer, the US

I got into board games around the age of seven. Mostly the classics like Monopoly, Life, Risk, and Scrabble. I didn't get into more hardcore German-style games until college. I now play at least once a week in a group. We meet regularly.

I like the social aspect of board games. It brings people from different walks of life together. I like the casual party games that go well in large groups as well as the more intense strategic ones.

[Anyone interested in learning more] should come hang out with regular board gamers to discover wonderful new games. I was lucky enough that someone introduced me to the world of board games. It is as diverse as the people who attend these meetups.

Gateway games

For those looking to dip their toe into the fecund pool of board gaming, there are a number of titles that are generally regarded as "gateway games" due to their mild learning curve and quick-gratifying yet deep play that hooks newcomers on the wider world of gateway gaming.

Here are three such games:

Settlers of Catan

A classic example of the loose genre known as "German games" or "Euro games" that have simple, inclusive mechanics and place less emphasis on cutthroat competition. Players must vie for resources on an island as they attempt to claim territory by building settlements and roads.

Saboteur

Quick to pick up, Saboteur is a good example of co-op games, in which players are working together for a common goal. Players take on the role of miners, trying to retrieve a gold nugget by digging a network of tunnels. However, among the players are saboteurs, who must try to derail the team's efforts without being discovered.

Acquire

This is the game Monopoly should have been. Players take on the role of hotel investors, attempting to maintain their cash flow through canny investments and ultimately win by having the biggest pot of money. A beguilingly simple mechanic leads to tough decisions, and the evergreen attraction of screwing over your fellow players.