Board and card games are increasingly valued

To mark International Tabletop Day, asmodee and Kantar have published the first annual Tabletop Game Barometer, a study of 5,000 adults across the UK, US, France, Germany, and Sweden. The research highlights the growing demand for meaningful social interaction, quality time, and screen-free experiences.

Tools for social connection

The findings show that board and card games are increasingly valued not only as entertainment but also as tools for social connection, wellbeing, and self-care. In a world where 24% of people report feeling lonely, 66% say they want to be more present when spending time with others, while 57% would like digital devices to play a smaller role in their daily lives.

Findings 

More than half of respondents (56%) believe games reduce social pressure, helping people meet new people more comfortably (57%) and making meaningful or difficult conversations easier (51%). The study also reveals changing leisure habits: 57% would rather spend a Saturday evening at home playing a game than going out, and 82% say games bring family and friends closer together. Additionally, 94% agree that playing games is important at every age.

Games are also seen as beneficial for wellbeing. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (62%) say games help them stay present in the moment, 63% view them as a positive way to relieve daily stress, and 71% believe games have a positive impact on their mental health.

Genuine human connection and shared presence

According to asmodee CEO Thomas Koegler, the study demonstrates that games increasingly fulfill a need for genuine human connection and shared presence in an increasingly digital world.

In Germany, board and card games are firmly established in modern leisure culture: 55% of people play at least once a month, and 20% play weekly—making them more common than activities such as video gaming (54%) or attending concerts (23%).

Source: Press Release Asmodee