BOARD GAMES & TABLETOP GAMES – THE RISING STARS IN GEN Z GAMING CULTURE

When people talk about “games”, people would think of video games first. It’s true that video games have become a prominent form of gaming nowadays. But there are also other kinds of games that don’t require machines. These are called Board games or Tabletop games.

Board games are the old-school games that require things like cards, markers, board, dice and other stuff. Something like “Monopoly” might be familiar to. Currently, the popularity of board games, at least in Thailand, has been on the rise. Many “Board games cafes” have been popping up all over the place, where people will gather around and play their favorite board games. There are also many Youtube channels and Twitch streamers playing and streaming board games sessions.

Video games have been adapting or using the concept of board games. Games like Werewolf, Mafia, and Avalon have been recreated as digital versions, often with added features unique to digital formats. Others, such as Mario Party and Pummel Party, have adopted the concept of board games to create party games filled with various mini-games. Games like Deceit and Town of Salem draw on elements found in board games as part of their mechanics or gameplay. For example, in Deceit, the infected players must act as though they are not infected while seeking opportunities to eliminate all of the survivors before they can escape.

However, what many people might not realize is that board games fall under the category of "tabletop games". They are also gaining popularity. The term Tabletop means that it is a game that is played on a table or other flat surface. Things like Chess, card games, strategy games, and even paper and pencil games are a part of tabletop games. Each category further divides into numerous subgenres.

Now, while delving into all these subcategories might be overwhelming, we'd like to focus on one type of game that is gaining considerable popularity—strategy games, specifically the miniature wargame known as Warhammer 40,000. 

A miniature wargame involves players collecting and painting miniature figurines, building armies, and pitting their forces against each other. Warhammer 40,000, produced by Games Workshop since 1987, is probably the most popular miniature wargame in the world.

As it’s name said, Warhammer 40,000 is set in the far future 40,000 years from now. Humanity of the Imperium of Man, once the most powerful factions in the galaxy, are now in constant struggles against other alien races (aka – Xenos), supernatural beings in the twisted dimension called The Warp, and the traitor human factions who join the four Chaos Gods. Each faction also has its own unique characteristic and playstyles, such as

• The Imperial Guard – normal human soldiers with World War 1-2 esthetic, is considered the “horde” army (have a lot of models in the army). Their playstyle is to form a defensive gun line and overwhelm the enemy with firepower from their soldiers and tanks.

• The Space Marines – often referred to as the poster boys of Warhammer 40,000, are superhuman soldiers clad in power armor and wielding futuristic weaponry. They are known as the "Jack of all trades" faction, capable of adapting to various playstyles based on the chosen "Chapter." Depending on the player's choice, they can excel in melee, ranged combat, hit-and-run tactics, forming gunlines, holding positions, or securing objectives. Space Marines are also an excellent choice for beginners due to their moderate army size and versatility in combat phases.
• Grey Knight represent a secret chapter of Space Marines, with every member possessing psychic abilities. They are considered an "elite" army with only a few units but excel in melee combat and the use of "psychic ability" (basically magic in this universe).
• Necron are ancient machines that have slumbered for millions of years but have been awakened by external disturbances. Their units are tough but slow, and they possess the unique ability to revive models that have been killed.
• Ork, characterized by their comical green-skinned appearance and ramshackle weaponry and vehicles, win battles through sheer numbers and brutality. They are a horde army with terrible shooting capabilities but excel in melee combat due to their overwhelming numbers.
• Tau, a relatively new alien race with an Eastern-inspired aesthetic, rely on long-range plasma rifles and powerful mechanized suits. They have the best ranged weaponry and various rules that deter enemies from approaching their army. However, they lack melee capabilities.

With its futuristic, grim-dark setting, intricate lore and stories, and the variety of factions available have contributed to its status as one of the most popular miniature wargames in the industry for over 30 years.

From time to time, many people stumble on the world of Warhammer 40,000. Many people start collecting models, paint their army, and wait for the situation to get better so that they can meet up and play together again.