Category
Lifestyle
Assisted Choices
Trend cluster
Category
Viral
Play
Purposely bizarre board game concepts capture the attention of teen consumers.
2.1
Trend score
Trend
What is the Viral Play trend?
Viral Play: The accessibility of resources like Kickstarter have made the toy market a crowded one. In response to this, both larger companies as well as more entrepreneurial teams are releasing board games focused around highly unusual concepts more likely to go viral than their more traditional counterparts. This appeals to consumers in search of more unique products to reflect their individualism, while tapping into a sense of nostalgia via analog play.
Trend themes
Themes within the Viral Play trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Unusual concept board games
Growing popularity of board games with unprecedented concept that encourages consumer unique identity expression
02
Gesture-based card games
The emergence of gesture-based card games that bring excitement to traditional card games
03
Bribery-based card games
The growth of cards game that leverage on human emotional responses and makes it fun to play
Industry implications
What the Viral Play trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Board game industry
The board gaming industry has seen remarkable growth recently which has led to increased innovation in game design fueled by Kickstarter and other crowdfunding platforms
For
Toy industry
The development of unusual and creative toy products that provide consumers new and exciting options for analog play
For
Card game industry
The card game industry constantly evolves to satisfy consumers' need for new and exciting games that leverage modern technology and design
Workshop question
What is an aspect of your brand or product that has the most potential to go viral?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Viral Play
Trend score 2.1 out of 10, from popularity 33%, activity 22%, freshness 8%.
Popularity33%
Activity22%
Freshness8%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X (not a primary audience)
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Evidence
Examples of the Viral Play trend
6 featured examples from Feb 17 to May 30, 2017CategoryLife-Stages
Zombie Domination Board Games
The 'Zombie Tsunami' Party Board Game Has Players Form Undead Hordes
There is an opportunity for the board game industry to capitalize on the growing demand for unique party games and zombie-themed games.
CategoryLife-Stages
Swine-Collecting Card Games
The 'Sad Piggies' Game of Cards Has Players Collect Dead Pigs
Opportunity for the gaming industry to create new card games with innovative themes and gameplay mechanics.
CategoryLife-Stages
Gesture-Based Card Games
'Happy Salmon' is a Quirky, Fast-Paced Game of Fist Bumps and High-Fives
This trend presents an opportunity for game developers to create innovative gesture-based games and capitalize on the demand for interactive gaming experiences.
CategoryLife-Stages
Stinky Family-Friendly Board Games
YouTubers Jake and Ty Demonstrate How to Play 'Who Tooted?'
Opportunity for toy and game companies to develop and market family-friendly board games.
CategoryLife-Stages
Beard-Growing Games
'Big Beard Battle' is an Action-Packed Family Game Around Facial Hair
The board game industry can capitalize on the trend of facial hair games by creating and marketing innovative games that revolve around facial hair while incorporating creative ga…
CategoryLife-Stages
Bribery-Based Card Games
'Pricetitution' is a Fun Card Game That Says "Everyone Has a Price"
Opportunity for game developers to create unique and engaging card games that foster social interaction and emotional exploration.
