Latest news with #boardgames
Times
4 hours ago
- Business
- Times
A century of board games and sustainability with Kate Gibson
Running a company can be all fun and games when you're in the business of jigsaw puzzles and Sherlock Holmes board games. For Kate Gibson, managing director of Gibsons Games, this blend of heritage, creativity and entertainment makes leading the London-based games company a unique and fulfilling experience. 'We're lucky we do something that is fun,' Gibson said. 'There's nothing like being involved in the start of a puzzle or a game. What's it going to be like? What's the packaging going to be like? And actually seeing that on the shelf, it's a really incredible feeling.' Gibsons Games was founded in 1919 by Harry Percy Gibson, her great-grandfather, and has remained a family-run business for more than a century. The company recorded almost £6 million in sales in 2024 and recently expanded into the US market, where it launched jigsaw puzzles in Barnes & Noble, the US bookshop company.
Arab News
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Where We Are Going Today: Day Day Game
If you are looking for a vibrant social hub in Riyadh, look no further than Day Day Game. This unique venue offers a diverse range of activities that cater to all types of fun-seekers. Whether you are a skater, a board game enthusiast, or someone who enjoys classic billiards, this place has something for everyone. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ One of the highlights is the skating area, where you can wear your skates and glide around with friends. It is a great way to enjoy some physical activity while having a blast. If skating is not your thing, you can play board games or read a book in a cozy corner. The atmosphere is relaxed, making it perfect for unwinding with friends over a card game or two. For those who enjoy classic games, Day Day Game features billiards tables where you can challenge your friends to a friendly match. And if you are feeling adventurous, why not try your hand at crossbow shooting? It is a unique offering that sets this venue apart. Additionally, there is a fun air hockey table that is sure to ignite some competitive spirit. A particularly appealing aspect of Day Day Game is their Ladies Day every Wednesday and Sunday, providing a welcoming environment for women to enjoy all the activities without any pressure. Accessibility is another key feature; you can conveniently reach the venue via the Riyadh metro by taking the orange line. When it comes to food, Day Day Game does not disappoint. Their delicious menu offers a variety of options to refuel after a day of fun. Whether you are in the mood for snacks or something more substantial, you will find it here. The venue also serves as a social hub where you can meet new people and make lasting connections. With an open mic night, talented individuals have the opportunity to showcase their skills, adding to the vibrant atmosphere. For nostalgia lovers, there are arcade games from the 1980s that will take you back in time. And if you are in the mood for something more classic, there is bowling available too. Day Day Game is an exciting destination with endless options for entertainment. Personally, I love going there to skate, but with so many activities available, you will likely find yourself trying something new each visit. Whether you are with friends or looking to meet new people, this venue promises a memorable experience in Riyadh.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘Internet Scrabble Club': The Retro Site That Shames Modern Apps
Online Scrabble is a crowded field It looks like it hasn't been updated since 1996. It has sound effects that you've not heard since the glory days of AOL. Yet the Internet Scrabble Club puts the game's official apps to shame. Created by a Romanian player called Florin Gheorghe, according to the site's Wikipedia page, the Internet Scrabble Club is all about the game – there are no ads, no in-app purchases, no distractions. There's a premium tier for those who want to unlock more advanced features, but anyone can play for free. It's a glorious reminder of what the Internet used to be like and the best place to play online Scrabble that I've found. There is no shortage of apps and sites out there that will let you play Scrabble online – although many avoid using the 'S' word for intellectual property reasons. One of the officially endorsed apps is Scrabble Go, which is available for both iOS and Android, but it's a user experience horror show. It's a barrage of pop-ups and promotions as you play, desperately trying to convince you to link social media accounts or buy virtual currency so that you can purchase needless trinkets such as fancy tiles. It feels more like playing a slot machine than Scrabble. Scrabble Go deluges players with constant promotions FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder Then there's Classic Words With Friends, which is very similar with the constant pleas to try this and that, and the full-screen, unavoidable video ads after you play each word. Some of the websites are better. lets you get on and play without even requiring you to register, and with minimal intrusive advertising. However, not having to register means anonymous players think nothing of abandoning games early if they're getting well beaten and the site has some curious features. For example, it shows you precisely what letters remain unused, including your opponents' letters when you get down to zero tiles left in the bag. That just feels like cheating. The curiously named is a decent Scrabble site, too. It's a non-profit funded by donations, allowing it to run ad-free. My only real gripe with the site is that it's often difficult to find people waiting in the lobby for a game, especially outside of U.S. hours. The Internet Scrabble Club doesn't look pretty, but it's a haven for players The Internet Scrabble Club doesn't make the best first impression. It looks like a site that was abandoned around the turn of the millennium, with dated graphics and few concessions to modern web design. Don't let that put you off, because the gameplay itself is wonderful. It clearly has a small but committed community of players. There's rarely any trouble finding an online match at any time of day and the players take it seriously. I've played almost 40 Scrabble matches on the site now, and only one of those games has been abandoned, with an opponent leaving midway through. Players are courteous, but not overly chatty. It's common to wish the opponent good luck before a game starts; seven-letter bingos are normally met with a 'wp' (for 'well played'). It will take a while to get used to the site's labelling and acronyms. The figure in brackets next to a player's name is their ranking. Anything over 1,000 is seriously good, while 800 is the average (according to the site's help files). Your rank will improve greatly if you topple a much better-ranked player, but it's best to find opponents in and around your level and improve your rank gradually. Most players use the CSW (Collins Scrabble Words) dictionary, which accepts both U.S. and U.K. English spellings and is more generous with two-letter words than most dictionaries. Most will play in a mode where you're simply not allowed to play words that aren't in the dictionary, but some players use 'Challenge' mode where the opponent can dispute whether it's a valid word, and you lose your turn or points if it's not in the dictionary. There is a variety of match times on offer too, ranging from three minutes per player right up to 20 mins. If you're new, I suggest starting at ten minutes or longer. The faster 'blitz' games require extraordinarily quick thinking. The site looks like it's desktop-only and it certainly plays best when using a PC or laptop, but it does play fine on tablets too. There's the odd glitch as you drag a tile on to the board, but it's more than playable on an iPad or Android tablet. It's even usable on smartphone screens, although I personally find it a little small and fiddly. So if you're looking for a game of online Scrabble and you're willing to be part of a friendly community, you could do a lot worse than party like it's 1999 at the Internet Scrabble Club.
Japan Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- Japan Times
Under shogi's shadow, Tokyo's chess lovers make their move
On a brisk summer evening in Shibuya, the Aldgate Pub is filled with over a dozen people tucked in the rear booths. Between them, it's not pints of beer but 32 pieces of black and white plastic that fly back and forth as clocks tick down the seconds. This is Tokyo's chess scene, dedicated to a game older than the Aldgate, Shibuya and possibly even Japan itself. With its roots in the seventh century, chess has had centuries to become one of the most popular board games in the world. Originally considered a high society hobby, the introduction of online boards and chess content creators has brought the game to millions of new players around the globe. According to the International Chess Federation (FIDE), chess' largest governing body, there are now 605 million active chess players ranging from amateur enthusiasts to grandmasters. Yet Japan has largely resisted the draw of the 64 squares, with fewer than 20 titled players — a reference to ranks conferred on players of considerable skill — among the ranks of the 937 members of the Japan Chess Federation. Many will suggest this is because of shogi, Japan's own traditional board game. While children in Europe and America attend chess clubs, Japan's schools, colleges and community centers are home to the distinct clack of wooden shogi tiles. While chess is known for its theoretical and tactical acumen with tense endgames needing precise maneuvering of one or two pieces, shogi is more strategic, with captured pieces returning to keep the game an intense battle right up to the end. The Tokyo Check Mates group brings amateur chess enthusiasts together for weekly games. | COURTESY OF AZIZJON MAMATKULOV, RANGGA HANDIKA AND MICHAEL HOLD However, in Tokyo, a thriving chess community has bloomed to challenge shogi on its home turf. That's thanks in no small part to the amateur enthusiasts that make up Tokyo Check Mates (TCM). 'Honestly, it was more or less an accident,' says Michael Hold, the organizer of TCM, of the group's origin in 2019. 'I met someone to play with in Shibuya, and we found the Aldgate. We also found some other chess players, and agreed to meet the week after. And over the next few months, it became a regular thing.' TCM now meets every Wednesday evening from 7:30 p.m. at the Aldgate. Usually, you can expect a dozen or so players, but some nights see up to 20. As I sit down to a game with Hold, 42, his fluency with the pieces becomes clear as his vicious attack rips through my kingside. But despite the comprehensive win, Hold chooses to focus on what he sees as most important to TCM. 'For me, the biggest goal of TCM was to create a casual environment for all types of chess players to enjoy the game,' says Hold. 'We're about chess but also social interaction.' While the local chess scene with Hold and friends is perfect for a relaxed night, others have more ambitious plans. The Japan Chess Federation counts around 900 members in its ranks, though it hopes to grow to 3,000 by 2030. | SHYAM BHARDWA Amid the competitive buzz of the Japan Rapid Chess Championships, held this year on June 7 and 8 at the Shinagawa Ward General Kumin Hall in southern Tokyo, Japan Chess Federation (JCF) President Hiroshi Manabe explains how chess in his home country is currently evolving beyond its humble roots. 'When I started playing chess, I was a student (at the University of Tokyo), and some of my shogi friends introduced me to it,' says Manabe, 58. 'They gave me a book — 'Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess.' From there, I was hooked. But Japan didn't have many chess players, and most of my experience came through the now-defunct Asaka Chess Club. At the time, it was one of the premier chess clubs in Japan and hosted some tournaments throughout the year. But outside that, chess was still quite small in Japan and concentrated in Tokyo.' As the tournament's 119 players duel across a multitude of chessboards behind Manabe, it's hard to imagine chess struggling to draw a crowd in Japan. But he explains that it was only recently that his organization was able to chart a new course for players in the country. '(The JCF's) precursor, the Japan Chess Association, was flawed,' Manabe says of the organization that ceased operations in 2019. 'The leadership was not very democratic, with no elections and an acting president for 15 years. This only changed because of a remarkable woman — Ms. Yumiko Hiebert.' Today, the 54-year-old Hiebert is credited as the founder of the JCF. After qualifying as a FIDE International Arbiter, a certification required to run official chess events in Japan, she worked with other volunteers to create the modern JCF, which now hosts dozens of events around the country. In 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hiebert stepped down from her role, at which point Manabe was elected to replace her. Japan Chess Federation Hiroshi Manabe believes the game has a higher ceiling in international circles than Japan's homegrown game of shogi. | SHYAM BHARDWA Ironically, the pandemic was a shot in the arm for chess around the world. With large swaths of the population unable to leave their homes, chess websites like and Lichess reported surges in membership — from 35 million in late 2019 to over 200 million in 2024 for The popular Netflix series 'The Queen's Gambit' and the rise of chess-focused livestreamers also brought the game much closer to the zeitgeist. But to Manabe, the real driving force of Japan's chess growth is its community. "While online chess content and websites have helped, what people tell me most excites them is learning that their friends enjoy chess, too,' Manabe says. 'Nowadays, children will talk about chess in the classroom and find out four, five or six of them play, too. In the past, most of them would have been the only chess player in their entire school, let alone the classroom.' As we speak on the tournament floor, Manabe is quick to point out talented chess players around the room, many of whom are young. I'm introduced to Rikka Mitsuyama, a 16-year-old youth girls' champion with years of potential ahead of her, according to Manabe. He also touches on how, as a shogi player himself, he discusses chess with parents who may be apprehensive of their child choosing it over Japan's homegrown game. 'With shogi, if you become the Japanese champion, your reward is playing against Yoshiharu Habu or another shogi legend for honor and prestige. But it's very contained — where do you go from there? If you become a chess champion, though? The next step is the (Association of Southeast Asian) championships and then other, larger international events. Shogi retains more prestige among Japanese players, but chess is gaining ground in the country thanks to global growth. | AFP-JIJI 'Not only that, but (players) are interacting with an international community, learning English and enjoying all these other small benefits,' Manabe adds. 'In the future, as the world grows more connected, these experiences will be useful.' As part of his tenure as JCF president, Manabe is spearheading what he calls 'Vision 2030' — a set of goals for the JCF to achieve by the end of the decade. Many are community focused, with his most direct goal being to foster the new generation of chess enthusiasts. 'Right now, we have around 900 chess players in our federation, and 17 titled players like FIDE Master Taira Tyler Tanaka , and International Master Nanjo Ryosuke ,' he says, adding that an 18th titled member is awaiting final confirmation. 'With the passion and strength I've seen recently, I'm aiming for 3,000 members, with 30 titled players by 2030. But that doesn't mean we're forgetting our casual players. I want to start supporting chess clubs in smaller cities so nobody is out of reach of a club. Not only that, but we produce our own chess content.' As he says this, Manabe shows me the unique wooden boards hosting the top four tables at the tournament. These are digital boards, designed to capture the game in real time. Next to them, a blinking camera indicates a running livestream of the game. Opening his phone to he shows me the stream on the world's most popular chess website — hundreds of viewers are watching. As we leave the hall, Manabe confides one final goal to me, one that he feels would be the pinnacle achievement of Japanese chess and a tangible symbol of all the hard work put in by the local chess community. 'We've had some very strong chess players recently, and so I think it won't be too long now. But one day soon, all of us will be welcoming the first Japanese grandmaster in history.'
Geek Girl Authority
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
Tavern Talk Thursday: Must Play Board Games To Bring the Summer Vibes
Welcome to Tavern Talk Thursday! We are expanding! What started as a column dedicated to chatting with members of the TTRPG community is growing to talk about all things TTRPG. We aim to continue sharing all the things we love about the community and all the content within. So, consider this a little peek into our favorite worlds and creators as we explore everything we love. The official start of summer is only a few weeks away, but the weather and vibes are all here. And with all that warm weather comes plenty of time spent outside. But that doesn't mean we have to give up our quality board game time. To help kick off the fun, we've selected four board games that we think are a perfect fit for the summer vibes. RELATED: Board Game Review – Fallout Factions: Battle for Nuka-World Starter Set Bucket Race Kicking off the list is Bucket Race , a strategy board game created by friends Alex, Krista, and Ben. Players work against each other and against the clock to scramble across the United States and complete their bucket list first. Each persona in the game comes with their own list of items needed before hitting their final destination. Players only have so much cash to buy items, along with avoiding other players trying to get in their way. It's a fun game that offers tons of replayability and promises countless hours of entertainment this summer. Learn more about Bucket Race on the official page. Summer Camp Continuing the summer theme, we have Phil Walker-Harding's Summer Camp . In this competitive deck-building game, players will race to earn merit badges and collect experience points to take the winning spot. Each playthrough is uniquely set up by picking three major activities that range from adventure to friendship to water sports and more. Devise your plan early, build the best deck and firmly secure your title as the ultimate camper. Learn more about Summer Camp on the Buffalo Games official page. RELATED: 10 Hot Board Games for Summertime Tabletop Fun Forbidden Island Would it be a summer vacation without a trip to an island? Matt Leacock's Forbidden Island isn't just a must-play board game in the summer, but a must-play all year long. This is a do-or-die mission where players will work together to capture four sacred treasures. It's a race against the clock as water slowly engulfs the island after every round. It is a great game if your group would rather work together than against each other. Learn more about Forbidden Island on Gamewright's official page. Hive Our final must-play game for this summer is Gen42's Hive . This two-person strategy game pits players against each other as they fight to capture the opposing queen bee. What we love most about this board game is that it doesn't have a board. During gameplay, the pieces themselves become the board as players strategically place them together. It is fast-paced and will keep players on their toes as they anticipate their opponents' next move. And the small packaging makes traveling with this one super convenient. Learn more about Hive on the Gen42 official page. Looking to Limit Your Screentime? Try These Sci-Fi and Fantasy Jigsaw Puzzles
