Debunking myths: the board game is an expensive hobby

In order to break away from the daily routine, people look for various entertainment options and hobbies. Their range is almost endless, and the right passion can be found for every taste. Hobbies are divided not only by activity, but also by cost. There is a belief that among the expensive hobbies are also board games, but is it really so? And what are the pros and cons of gaming compared to other alternatives?

Which board games to start with?

When you go into a board game store and look at the games and their prices, you can see numbers ranging from a few euros to well over a hundred euros. In addition, many games also have add-ons, which are also not for nothing. All this, of course, sounds expensive to the uninitiated. But it is not at all. It should be understood right away that expensive end games for people who are still unfamiliar with this hobby are not only unnecessary, but even undesirable, because they are complicated enough and will probably cause more headaches than joy.

But which games to choose? If you are not yet well versed in the world of board games, then definitely go to family games . There you will find such modern classics as Catan , Carcassonne , Ticket to Ride , Azul and other games. All these games are suitable for less experienced players because they are easy to pick up. In addition, these games will play out differently every time, so you won't get bored so quickly. The price of these games varies from less than 30 to slightly more than 40 euros . At first glance, it may seem that it is relatively much about a cardboard box with cards, wooden or plastic figurines and cardboard squares. However, the games do not have an expiration date, that is, you can play them both on the day of purchase and after ten years, because the game will not get worse . However, if the game wears out faster, then this purchase will definitely have been worth it, because the game will have regularly brought joy to you, your friends and family. From this perspective, these 40 euros no longer seem like a large amount.

Before you are sure that board games are for you, it is not necessary to buy several games at once. If you realize that you are passionate about this hobby, then you will also be able to think about buying the next game. Also, in the beginning, you can only look in the direction of game expansions to understand how popular this game is. If a game has multiple expansions, it's likely that it's loved by families around the world . However, games are a matter of taste , so it's definitely better to play the first game only with the base game to understand if this game is for you at all. You can also consider purchasing extensions later.

Remember that you will mostly play the games together with your family or friends, so this amount can also be divided among several people .

If the amount still seems too high, you can certainly look at the range of cards and other small games. Some of the options are Saboteur , 6. take! , The Mind , Ligretto and Game of Trains . All these games cost only 10.95 in Brain Games stores. Small size does not mean less fun. In addition, the compact packaging of the games makes it easy to take them with you on the go.

What are the alternatives to board games?

Alternatives to board games are many and varied, each with its own pros and cons. Reading books, playing video games, attending various events are just some of them.

Enjoying a good book can be a very relaxing process, and you don't need other people to do it. Depending on the length of the book, the amount of time you spend with it also varies. Thicker books can keep you entertained for dozens of hours. This is, of course, incomparably longer than a game of a board game. However, you will be able to play the board game again and again , while re-reading the book will no longer bring you the same pleasure as the first time. Books also have the advantage of libraries, which allow you to get books for free. However, the book you want will not always be immediately available, while you can take the game off the shelf at any time .

Video games are also available at different prices, and there are also games for free. Preparation time for these games is much shorter, as there is no need to assemble the game table in advance. Also, these games can be played together with friends, each in their own house. However, video games also have their drawbacks. First of all, playing them requires appropriate equipment - either a console or a sufficiently powerful computer. Similarly, improper prolonged sitting at the computer can have a negative impact on posture and health.

On the other hand, the prices of various entertainment events can vary greatly. Although these events can give an impressive charge of positivity, they are one-time events, whereas board games will be a pleasure to repeat.

Regardless of taste, determining the best form of entertainment is very difficult, as everyone has their own preferences. It is also impossible to develop a universal formula. Of course, we can divide the time we spend with the particular entertainment by the price, thus finding out how much an hour of entertainment costs us on average, but much more important is the value of emotions, which cannot be put into numbers. Everyone should find their own entertainment that makes them smile and forget about the other worries of life. And if one of the hobbies or several provide it, then money becomes a secondary matter.