New club 'Mumbai Board Gamers' provides twist to cherished childhood hobby

Although the word board games conjures childhood memories of days spent enjoying favourites like Snakes and Ladders or Ludo, Mumbai Board Gamers is one group that wishes to bust the stereotype of board games being an avenue only children enjoy.

 

The group, started in April 2012, is dedicated to bringing together people from different parts of the city to enjoy unique games that go beyond some of the classics. With over 250 members, more than 200 board games, and play sessions that last anywhere between 20 minutes to 8 hours at a stretch, the club has grown in the last year, with its members coming back for the lifelong friendships the games help foster. 

 

Prashant Maheswari, one of the co-founders of this group, told dna how the idea came to him while playing a game on his iPad. Maheshwari, 28, originally from UP and now living in Mahalaxmi (Mumbai) with his wife Radhika for just over a year, works in his family business that exports scarves and parios. He realised how much more stimulating the physical version of his iPad game would be, yet sadly it was not available in India. He believed playing on a computer only depended on skills such as dexterity, whereas with the real thing, much more interaction and thinking are required.  

 

So Maheshwari decided  to get in touch with more people interested in such games. He then came together with Mohit Goel, who operates one of India's only websites that makes importing a range of board games to India affordable and easy. While the group started out as just 2-3 members, as word of mouth travelled, and the club became more active with social media,  the group only continued to grow.

 

In fact, members relocating to cities such as Bangalore, Pune, Gurgaon and Ahmedabad aim to adapt the same model in such cities, spreading their board game craze across the country. 

 

When asked how the group functions, Maheshwari said that the group plans weekly small get-togethers, coordinated through an IM group message, and a monthly mega-event with 35-40 members.

 

23-year-old Gaurav Agrawal, the other co-founder of the club says most events are held in public spaces such as restaurants or malls, and in all parts of the cities to make it easier for members to attend. The group has tie-ups with places such as Atria Mall, Inorbit Mall, Infiniti Mall and San Churros, Bandra, to hold such events, added the Matunga-based CA. 

 

"We attract members from all walks of life, with everyone from students, engineers and doctors wanting to join. Many of our members are those who have recently moved to the city, and find our club a great way to socialise and make friends.

 

"And although our group is male-dominated, what makes our club unique is that every member, from the shyest to the loudest, is on the same footing. People are attracted to such a model, where we don't aim to get into each other's personal lives, but purely come together for the love of gaming.

 

Of course, that is  not to say we do not end up becoming great friends along the way. In fact, we have participated in events such as rock-climbing, bowling and often attend each others birthday celebrations too", says Agrawal (also known as 'Gorz' by his gaming buddies), while speaking on the dynamics of the club. 

 

Maheshwari and Agrawal shared how the kinds of games played by the club go beyond simple dice games, and are games that involve high levels of negotiation, strategic planning and thinking.

 

However, this does not restrict the games to "geeks", says Prashant (whose gaming name is 'Pakz') but makes it a great stressbuster and way to just switch off.

 

"It makes you feel like you are in college all over again. You get to see all sides of a person, as their true colours are revealed under pressure," he says. 

 

Maheshwari shares his personal story, of how he found that playing board games has been a great way to spend family time and pass time while travelling, and "has been a great way for me and my wife, Radhika, to bond together". 

 

The games themselves are definitely out-of-the-box, a few such being The Pitt, a game simulating the stock market and another popular one called Settlers of Catan, described by Prashant as "monopoloy on steroids".

 

 

Each game has its own theme, such as games where one needs to please the Greek gods, capture the solar system, and light the power grid of the world's biggest cities.

 

In fact, the group is in the midst of planning a demonstration at HR College this month, where the club plans to use a game on economics  for an interactive economics learning experience in the classroom. 

 

One of the things that the group stresses most is that they attract the right kind of people, and keep in line with their aims at all times. For this reason, they filter out new members to ensure that people are only joining for their passion for the games.

 

"We want to create a comfortable space for all members, especially our female members, which is why we screen our members before letting them attend. We also have a strict zero-tolerance policy for any poker, gambling or card games", says Maheshwari. 

 

He confesses that despite his love for games, he seldom wins any of them. Yet he cherishes them as "it is not about winning, but about the journey itself. Finally, it seems India is opening up to the idea that board games aren't just for children, and I see a great future in this area".

 

Mumbai Board Gamers is set to hold their next mega event on the 29th of June at Atria Mall, Worli.

 

Visit their page, or contact Prashant on +91 9820331207 to get involved.