The Rise and Rise of Cozy Board Games: Why We’re Trading Conflict for Comfort

Over time, trends will shift in our glorious hobby. Take 2016 and the types of games hitting the table as an example. Arkham Horror was into its stride, a tense world of monsters and madness that only those who play vinyl backwards would feel cozy in. Terraforming Mars rocketed up the charts (sorry), but proved to be a challenging learn/teach, and not exactly an accessible entry to the hobby. Scythe, arguably the least conflict-heavy of these, presented a relatively grim 1920’s Europe of mechs and worker placement that was unlikely to feature in your dream holiday destinations. Excellent games? Yes. Worlds you’d want to live in? Maybe not.

Now, what are we playing today? Thick, tactile cardboard hexagons displaying sweeping rivers and lush forests cover the table. Someone pulls a screen-printed wooden token of a red panda out of a velvet bag. Instead of grim orcs or space marines, whimsical witches fly across the board on brooms as they make deliveries, or cozy pirates host high teas with fine silverware. Across from you, a player sighs with satisfaction as they tuck a beautifully illustrated card of a Cedar Waxwing underneath their player board. There is competition, sure - someone took the bear token you wanted three turns ago - but nobody is angry. We are chill.

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