Board game development on the rise during COVID-19

With the mounting cases of the novel coronavirus, it has now become an insurmountable problem for people in countries throughout the world. Even so while some businesses are hit hard by the virus’s repercussions, board game development has been on the rise as people look for ways to pass their time. The world endures a population of over 8 billion and counting, out of which majority was under lockdown at the beginning of COVID-19 threat, and few areas have all the same continued with the lockdown—the reason being the growing number of Corona positive cases in their region. The masses worldwide are waiting for the government and the World Health Organization to look for a way to terminate the spread of the deadly virus. 

The virus and the lockdown that followed have had adverse effects on people’s lives, some businesses are becoming successful, and others are struggling to outlast the competitive market. Industries are witnessing odd times and are introducing business continuity plans to get through this rough patch. Travel and hospitality industries are the worst hit. On the other hand, the gaming industry has somehow managed to remain afloat in these times of crisis, considering the challenges the global pandemic has brought along. In the middle of everything, the gaming business has remained popular even during these times. However, all the promotional and consumer events have been canceled or postponed due to the pandemic. There are important gaming events canceled, game launches delayed, and game companies are afraid of what uncertainty they could face in the near future, but it still is not bad for them compared to other industries.

“Based on GSD's data for the period of March 16 to March 22, there were 2.74 million games downloaded across the EMEA region, representing a 53% increase over the previous week. The longer a country has been in lockdown, the more sales increase; Italy, which introduced extensive containment measures on March 9, saw a 175% climb in digital sales.”

From being popular to now trending

The social distancing due to the COVID-19 triggered people to look for ways to stall time, and online games have been a great way to be entertained and build human interaction at the same time, predominantly online board games. The digital media has given people ways to stay social while maintaining social distancing. Concept board games that are available online build a sense of togetherness that people are trying to keep alive at these uncertain times when it is suggested that they maintain distance and avoid physical contact.

Ultimate Ludo Board Game

Ludo is the most popular game in India. Logic Simplified, a game development company in Dehradun, digitized and developed a fun multiplayer board game for a client known as Ultimate Ludo. A more advanced version of traditional ludo games with some added gameplay functionalities. The game has different Game Modes (Classic, Quick, or Master). It’s highlighting features and the lurking nostalgia that people experience make it so hard to resist.

People now avoid going outdoors as much as possible, and as said earlier, online games, especially board games, have become quite entertaining for people of all ages. Ultimate Ludo is prevalent amongst gaming enthusiasts. Digitization has made it possible for these gamers to play the game anywhere, at any time, and compete with other players such as their friends and relatives around the world. The designers and developers have kept the look and feel simple and disparate to give the user’s an immersive experience. The cross-functionality feature makes the game available to various people using different kinds of devices with versatile operating systems. It is a game that’s based on 75% Skill and 25% luck. 

What makes Ultimate Ludo stand apart from its other digital adaptations of the traditional Ludo is that it sticks to the standard rules that people around the world are used to and make the game competitive and fun.

The craze that demanded for more

Multiplayer board game development involves creating, designing, developing, funding, producing, and marketing a board game. Board games fall into one of the many categories of Tabletop games and are games based on strategy, randomness, or combination of both. You will see eye to eye when I say board games are the most popular amongst people, and this growing appetite has driven to bring improvements in the quality of this game. Elegant mechanics, components, artwork, and graphics have been enhanced for better performance and improved user experience.

The internet is stacked with options for board game apps for your phone, along with digital recreations of your long lost favorite board games. And, playing these games with your friends can be a stress-buster and help you survive the boredom at home. There are various board games ranging from casual to competitive. And, the want for choices doesn’t end here. The audience wants choices to match their preferences, which can be a long list.

To meet the growing demands, board game app developers present globally have worked from remote areas on the improvements of older versions and creation of newer ones, parallelly evaluating all the probable impacts the uncalled-for situation will have on the gaming business. Developers have been using the quarantine to build board games based on Coronavirus to educate and entertain where the game’s objective is to kill the virus, learn to practice social distancing. One of the games is also called social distancing itself. Another one was called Bhag Corona (Run Corona) built by Akram Tari and Anushree Warade, and there are many more to name.

With the trending hashtag #PlayApartTogether and initiatives like “Stay at Home, Stay Safe,” the game development outsourcing companies is also helping spread awareness on social distancing and sanitary measures for COVID-19. 

In the name of Mental health 

Taking care of one's mental health becomes all the more critical at a time when people are spending so much time alone and idle. Sports participation promotes good health, combats stress with the fight-or-flight response as it does in video games or board games. Having said that, scientific research has noted that playing board games like chess, ludo, carrom, scrabble, checkers, etc. have benefits of cerebral training. In recent times, there has been an immense observable change in the social lives of people - within their families and outside. Stress and frustration due to being caught up at home and not being able to step out have encouraged people to get involved in activities. And, playing board games online is an excellent way for families to spend time together and battle stress. It is also a great way for children to learn to follow the rules, build concentration, improve health education by stimulating players' interests and motivation. This cooperative learning enhances creativity, deep learning, and enhances teamwork skills by provoking children's thoughts and creativity. 

"The board game, like Monopoly or chess, are games that everyone can take part in, said Ashlet Priore, a second-year Dietrich School student majoring in English Literature and political science. Adding to that, they require the least of technical knowledge, and as they have minimum rules.

To conclude on the escalating demand for online board games, I would like to give a shout-out to the board game developers of Logic Simplified, who produce intense, customer-focused digital board games. Our multiplayer board game development team has the potential to meet different dimensions of a client's provoking thoughts and ideas, providing the best game development services one could ask for. They are capable of developing games that are engaging, entertaining, and compulsive in both 2D as well as in 3D and for iOS and Android platforms to make sure the gamers have an immersive experience. The game designers and developers hold expertise in AI development and reliable networking server/protocol that ensures large concurrent players for multiplayer and single-player games as they understand how valuable games have become for people in this challenging time.