Boardgaming in the U.S. suffers from a number of factors:

1. Competition from other entertainment media
2. Greater demands on time
3. Shorter attention spans
4. A decline in social get-togethers
5. Lack of respect

It is the lack of respect for board gaming that is perhaps the greatest obstacle facing game manufacturers today. And that lack of respect seems to be a result of a lack of awareness. Let's face it. . . most Americans have no idea that games beyond Toys R Us exist, because all they see on the shelves are the "kids classics". Why are these the only games on the shelves?...because anything else will not sell in that setting. Why won't they sell?. . . because most of their customers could not imagine a gaming environment other than the typical "Hasbro" style roll-the-dice track games. They can only imagine simplistic, boring games that they "have" to play with their kids.

So, how is this remedied? Well, there are two solutions. . . One solution is to be patient, and teach great games to everyone that will listen. After all, one of the best features of games is that they must be played with other people, therefore expanding the market. If we only play games with other "gamers" we should not expect the market to grow. However, if we all take the time to introduce other "newbies" at our game nights, they in turn will introduce others. There is indeed, the potential for exponential growth in this industry. This brings new players into the fold, along with more new game titles and designs.

A second solution is to get bigger companies involved in promoting games. The recent interest by Hasbro, and the growth of WOTC are good reasons to believe that gaming can achieve a higher level of quality exposure. This is essential to counter the vast sums being thrown at competing entertainment options. Success by Hasbro and WOTC will only help expand the gaming community, which in turn will help smaller start-up gaming concerns.

And let's not overlook the contribution currently being made by Rio Grande Games. I believe that RGG is really breaking new ground in the United States. Not only are they bringing the best of Germany to the U.S., but they are also raising the standards of game quality and production. Although I don't personally know any of the RGG owners or staff, I am simply amazed at what they are accomplishing in this very small marketplace. I hope that none of us ever takes their contributions for granted. Bravo to Rio Grande Games!

Finally, I read many statements concerning game costs over the past few weeks. Quality games are worth every penny we invest into them. Unlike a book which we read once ($10-20). . . or a trip for two to the movies ($25 w/popcorn :-)). . . a movie rental for $3. . . games can be played 100's of times. On Saturday night, I played the Acquire game I received in Junior High (35 years ago!) with my wife and son, and two sets of neighbors!...the new RGG games I just bought will be in my family forever...Quality games are a bargain...$10 - 20 for card games...20 - 50 for board games. . . Games are the best use of entertainment dollars today.

I predict that a combination of changing social habits, the influx of great new games, and the investments of much larger corporations will fuel a new era of gaming in the U.S.. This will not happen overnight, but I believe the trend is starting to move in the upward direction. We can all help by teaching games to as many people as we can, and by supporting the efforts of everyone who loves games.