The global board games market was valued at USD 13,281 Million in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 28,446 Million by 2027, expanding at a CAGR of 9.9% during the forecast period. A board games involves counters or pieces that are moved on a pre-marked surface called as board. Board games include tabletop games, card & dice game, collectible card games, miniature games, and RPG Games. These games cannot be played online and generally require two or more members to play. The recreational benefit associated with the board games is significantly increasing worldwide. Children and millennial are the primary consumer demographic using board games. They play these games to improve team building skills, facilitate active learning, and problem-solving skills. Introduction of innovative board games, and increasing awareness regarding recreational benefits of these games is significantly increasing their adoption among other consumer demographics such as baby boomers and generation-z. Re-emergence of tabletop and card games as entertainment and recreational activities in cafes, hotels, and lounges is expected to drive the market growth.
Increasing availability of board games in on-trade channel such as cafes, modern retail channels, and casino is expected to boost market in the near future. Key players of board games are engaged in manufacturing innovative as well as offering customized board games for these on-trade channels. Manufacturers are focusing on producing simple games with elegant mechanics and impressive artwork to attract more consumers.
Market Dynamics Drivers Rise in the Number of Board Game Cafes Cafes and bars which allows customers to play games are increasing in number across the world. Most of these games are board games. The increasing number of such cafes and bars all over the world is boosting the board games market growth. Moreover, rise in the number of board game cafes (Special game-based cafes enable people of all ages to play games at a table) is expected to positively influence the demand of board games in near future. For example, the Waterloo and Hackney branches of Draughts Café in London have approximately 500 and 850 board games respectively. The increasing interests of milliners in visiting such cafes is expected to further boost the sales of board games market during the forecast period Moreover, increasing number of casinos in Asia Pacific region is expected to register growth opportunities for the board games marker in near future.
Rising Influence of Social Media & Celebrity Endorsement The increasing influence of social media (apps & websites), especially on millennial is expected to drive the demand for board games. The promotion of board games through Instagram, Facebook and other social media network is significantly helping companies to increase their customers. Moreover, celebrity endorsement has become a key factor influencing millennial to purchase board games. For example, popular web series named ‘Tabletop’ launched in 2016, had improved sales of various tabletop games featured on the show. Thus, this type of promotional activities are expected to help companies to grow substantially in the board games market during the forecast period.
Restrains Availability of Counterfeit Products in the Market Growing presence of local manufacturers which produce counterfeit products is hampering the growth of the board games market. Rise in the number of local game board manufacturers propelled competition among players, which in turn, reduce the retail price of the product. Introduction of low-cost products by local/regional manufacturers has attracted a significant number of customers towards their purchase. This has lowered the prices of game board, especially in Asia Pacific region thereby increasing competition. Therefore, key manufacturers are witnessing growth challenges due to increasing number of local/regional players across globe.
Segmental Outlook
On the basis of product types, the market is segmented into table top games, card and dice games, collectible card games, miniature games, and RPG games. The table top segment accounted for 42.8% share of the market in 2019. The rapid growth of this segment is attributed to factors such as increasing engagement in leisure activities, emphasis on face to face interaction, and the trend of taking a break from digital screens. Introduction of Kickstarter, a global crowdfunding platform, has changed the profit model of the board games. A surge in the demand for board games on Kickstarter is expected to boost demand for tabletop games. This in turn, fuels the growth of the segment.
In terms of game type, the board games market is segregated strategy and war games, educational games, fantasy games, sport games and others. Educational games segment is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 10.6% during the forecast period. Rising use of educational games in several educational institutes contributes for the growth of the segment.
In terms of material, the board games market is classified as plastics, wood & cardboards, and others. The plastics segment is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 10.3% during the forecast period, as the use of plastics in covering the board games has increased, thereby boosting the growth of the segment.
In terms of distribution channel, the board games market is classified as online, and offline. The online segment is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 10.8% during the forecast period, the rise in the accessibility to the internet and availability of several products and personalized offers, absence of the constraints of a physical presence and interaction makes online shopping desirable to consumers. These are some of the factors, which are boosting the growth of the segment.
Regional Outlook
In terms of regions, the global board games market is fragmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America constituted more than one third market share in 2019. The market in the Asia Pacific is projected to expand at a CAGR of 10.3% during the forecast period. Increasing disposable income and rising popularity of board games, among the teenagers and rise in presence of several manufacturers, is thereby boosting the growth of the board games market in Asia Pacific.
Competitive Landscape
- Key players in the market include Asmodee North America, Inc. Buffalo Games, Clementoni S.p.a., CMON, Epoch Everlasting Play, Games Workshop Group PLC, Hasbro, Inc, IELLO USA LLC, INILLC.COM, Long Pack Games, Mattel Inc., NECA/WizKids LLC, Melissa and Doug, Ravensburger North America, Inc., The Walt Disney Company, Ultra PRO International LLC, University Games Corporation. These companies are considered manufacturers of board games based on their revenue, research development (R&D) activities, regional presence, and supply chain management system.
- The players are adopting key strategies such as acquisition, and geographical expansion where potential opportunity for the Board Gamesis added in the company’s capacity.
- For instance, In October 2020, MATTEL, INC. has launched Mattel Creations, an e-commerce platform. This platform offers all the products and brands offered by the company.
- In April 2020, Mega partnered with TerraCycle, for the recycling of the used toys.
- In August 2020, Mattel, Inc. launched the new Hot Wheels Infinite Loop a new racing game that is introduced on the mobile devices.
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