The Role of Tabletop Games
Transforming Campus Life through Tabletop Games
The Challenge
Since 2019, over 4,000 game stores across the U.S. have closed, reducing the physical spaces where communities connect through games (National Retail Federation, 2023).
46% of college students report feeling isolated, which is linked to increased dropout rates and mental health issues (American College Health Association, 2023).
Only 29% of employers believe graduates are proficient in problem-solving and teamwork (NACE, 2024).
Experiential education is vital to bridge these gaps, and tabletop games can simulate real-world scenarios in a low-stakes environment. Experiential education increases retention and comprehension by up to 30% over traditional methods (Kolb, 2014).
Board Game Academics (BGA) is uniquely positioned to spearhead the development and implementation of tabletop-gaming across college campuses. With a track record of success that spans over a decade, BGA brings extensive experience working with universities and expertise in bridging the tabletop gaming industry with higher education.
An Innovative Leader in Bridging Tabletop Gaming and Higher Education
Board Game Academics is a trailblazer in introducing the tabletop gaming industry into higher education. Our multi-faceted approach includes:
Education and Training
Comprehensive training for university staff, ensuring they are fully equipped to seamlessly integrate tabletop games into their programming.
A unique focus on using games to teach subject matter, foster career readiness, and promote social engagement.
Research and Expertise
A wealth of resources, including an academic journal, essays, presentations, and guides on using tabletop games in education.
A data-driven approach to ensure programs are effective and impactful.
Event Management
Organization of campus-wide events, including tournaments and game nights, that attract students, faculty, and community members.
Co-branded events with tabletop game publishers to enhance visibility and introduce the broader industry to new audiences.
Building Communities
An emphasis on creating accessibility and inclusive gaming communities that bring together students from diverse backgrounds.
These communities help reduce social isolation and support mental well-being by fostering a sense of belonging.
Meeting the Needs of Colleges
Photo by Buro Millennial, Pexels
Addressing Social Isolation with In-Person Interaction
Colleges are seeking in-person solutions to counteract the rise of social isolation caused by increased screen time and remote learning. Tabletop games provide a shared, face-to-face activity that builds community and helps students form meaningful connections (American College Health Association, 2023). A study by Gillen et al. (2019) highlights the effectiveness of games in improving student engagement and academic outcomes.
Supporting Career Readiness and Personal Growth
Career readiness and personal development remain top priorities for higher education institutions. Tabletop games support these goals by creating opportunities for experiential learning, improving key competencies, and offering a playful yet serious space for growth (NACE, 2024). Structured social activities reduce feelings of loneliness and improve emotional well-being, directly impacting retention rates (American College Health Association, 2023).
Enhancing Recruitment and Retention
Programs like C-Sports allow colleges to differentiate themselves, attracting new students while engaging current ones. As a co-curricular activity, C-Sports reinforces a sense of belonging and encourages students to stay enrolled.
Why Colleges and Universities Are the Best Venues for Board Gaming
Board gaming appeals to a broad audience, but its most active and engaged demographic aligns closely with the college and university population:
Age Range:
According to industry reports, the 18–34 age group is the largest segment of board game consumers, comprising approximately 70% of regular players (Statista, 2023).
This age range overlaps directly with most college students and young professionals.
Interests and Habits:
Gen Z individuals prioritize social experiences and face-to-face connections, making tabletop gaming a natural fit.
They value games that encourage creativity, strategy, and storytelling—qualities prevalent in modern board games.
Spending Power:
The U.S. tabletop gaming market reached $12 billion in 2023, with millennials and Gen Z contributing significantly to this growth (IBISWorld, 2023).
Despite limited budgets, college students are enthusiastic hobbyists, often pooling resources to purchase games or attend gaming events.
The Benefits of a Higher Education Space
A Centralized Community
- College campuses are unique in concentrating thousands of individuals within the key gaming demographic.
- Students live, learn, and socialize in a shared space, making campuses ideal hubs for fostering gaming communities.
Built-In Networking and Recruitment Potential
- Board games are inherently social, facilitating student, faculty, and staff connections.
- C-sports leagues on campus could evolve into national competitions, expanding reach and visibility.
Alignment with Student Needs
- College students are seeking opportunities for entertainment, social engagement, and skill development, all of which tabletop gaming provides.
- As campuses work to combat social isolation, board gaming offers an in-person, screen-free alternative that aligns with institutional goals.
Retention Rates
Increase retention rates by 5% through improved student engagement and social connection (Tinto’s Retention Model, 1993).
Career Readiness
Demonstrate improvements in career competencies like teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving as measured by NACE Career Readiness Metrics.
Student Wellness
Track reductions in reported social isolation and increases in student satisfaction via annual surveys.
Learn More
Speak with a member of our team to learn how BGA can help your university or program leverage the power of tabletop games to address social isolation, support career readiness and personal growth, and enhance recruitment and retention.
References
American College Health Association. (2023). National College Health Assessment III: Undergraduate Student Reference Group Executive Summary.
American College Health Association. (2023). Social isolation and its effects on college students’ well-being. ACHA.
Bessa, B. J., & Vasconcelos, F. (2021). “Board Games and Social Interaction: An Analysis of Benefits for Young Adults.” Journal of Social Engagement Studies.
Bowman, S. L. (2021). The Psychology of Role-Playing Games. Routledge.
Eisen, C., Lechuga, M., & Torry, L. (2020). “Cooperative Board Games as Tools for Team Building in Higher Education.” Educational Research Quarterly.
Gillen, J., et al. (2019). “Tabletop Gaming in Education: Fostering Engagement and Critical Thinking.” Educational Review-Journal.
IBISWorld. (2023). Tabletop games market size and trends in the U.S. Retrieved from https://www.ibisworld.com
Kolb, D. A. (2014). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Prentice Hall.
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). (2024). Career Readiness Competencies Report.
National Association for Campus Activities. (2023). Annual campus activities report: Student engagement through recreation. NACA.
National Student Retention Research Center. (2022). The impact of campus social activities on retention rates in higher education. Retrieved from https://www.nsrc.org
National Retail Federation. (2023). “Impact of Store Closures on Consumer Behavior.”
Pew Research Center. (2023). Gen Z and millennial leisure habits. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org
Statista. (2023). Age distribution of board game players in the United States. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com