Adam Davis Fernsby is certainly no stranger to the online community. He regularly interacts with followers across social media platforms such as Twitter (now X), and this is one of the ways in which his journalistic talents come into play. However, Mr. Fernsby has also had a pronounced impact throughout what many would call the “traditional” board game sector. In an era defined by virtual entertainment, why does he (and his fans) believe that we could soon be experiencing a so-called board gaming “renaissance”?
The Cyclical Nature of Society
Mr. Fernsby first decides to take “broad strokes”, and to provide a useful analogy. He rightfully observes that many societal trends tend to repeat in cycles.
“Take a look at the bell-bottom trousers associated with the 1970s. Much to the surprise of many fashion designers, they enjoyed a second resurgence in the early 2000s”
He is not wrong in this respect. Some other examples include older genres of music that influence contemporary artists, and reboots of popular films associated with prior decades. Some experts attribute this phenomenon to what has come to be known as the “20-year rule”. In other words, certain tendencies may repeat over a discrete period of time. Might the same be said for board games?
Mr. Fernsby is quite confident that these forms of entertainment may soon be basking in the glory days of the public eye once again. However, we still need to dig a bit deeper before drawing any sound conclusions.
All About the Memories
As Adam Fernsby was born in 1989, he has already developed a taste for nostalgia. We asked about the role that memories play, and his response was as passionate as it was insightful.
“I recall playing games such as Clue and Mouse Trap with my older siblings in the 1990s, and those were some of the best memories of my early life.” He pauses for a moment; seemingly caught up in the images themselves.
“I feel that many consumers are now yearning for simpler times; for an era associated with a certain degree of innocence; even if this was only a subjective perception. Board games are excellent ways to rekindle these sensations, so it makes perfect sense that they have always enjoyed a presence.”
He makes two very good points. We were nonetheless curious to obtain his perspective on the rise of the gaming sector, and how this industry continues to impact board games.
New, but not Necessarily Novel
“There’s no doubt that online games have become immensely popular,” He admits. “I nonetheless feel that we’re referring to a different industry. Although there’s a certain amount of crossover, the consumer base tends to be rather segmented in terms of the associated interests.”
He goes on to explain that digital games (such as MMORPGs) tend to attract a younger audience that boasts a significant amount of technical knowledge. This is the demographic associated with smartphones, the introduction of VR headsets, and one that has become firmly entrenched within social media communities.
“In some ways, we’re talking about apples and oranges. Let’s likewise remember that many of the premises attributed to digital games are based on the foundations provided by their real-world counterparts. I’m not entirely certain if gaming enthusiasts are aware of how closely the two are related.”
Might a Gaming “Nexus” Soon Occur?
Some analysts have pointed out that a growing number of board games are being equipped with means to access the wireless community (such as Bluetooth connectivity). We wanted to know how Mr. Fernsby viewed the matter.
“I recently brought up this very same topic with my TikTok followers to obtain their opinions. Many felt that gaming and board games may soon come to a crossroads; enabling each to benefit from the presence of the other. Although I tend to agree, I don’t believe that we’ll experience any type of sudden paradigm shift. I think that it’ll be more likely to see a blurring of the lines.”
A Flash in the Pan, or a True Renaissance?
Mr. Fernsby does not pull any punches when it comes to a return to the board game mentality. He summarises his viewpoint quite eloquently:
“Board games offer a form of hands-on entertainment, but this is only the beginning. Besides their nostalgic appeal, they can be used to learn new skills, to ‘break the ice’ when meeting others for the first time, to create new memories, and to strengthen interpersonal bonds. I don’t believe that online games offer these possibilities.”
After hearing what Adam Fernsby had to say, we are likewise convinced that board games may soon enjoy even more mainstream appeal.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
