# Low-Tech Gaming Classic video games get an offline do-over in the form of board games. By [Courtney Scharf](https://www.trendhunter.com/Courtney), Chief Client Officer | Published Jul 27, 2016 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/lowtech-gaming ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.0/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Low-Tech Gaming trend? **Low-Tech Gaming:** Capitalizing on the popularity of classic video games in a fresh way, low-tech board games based on digital franchises are beginning to emerge. Both novel and nostalgic, this approach to fandom appeals to consumers who want to engage with much-loved characters and narratives in a way that they haven't had a chance to before: offline. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Jul 20, 2016 - Published: Jul 27, 2016 - Patterns: [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality), [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation), [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship), [Nostalgia](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/nostalgia) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Low-Tech Gaming trend ### Low-Tech Board Games The trend of converting digital franchises into low-tech board games appeals to consumers who want an offline, nostalgic gaming experience. ### Cooperative Gameplay Mechanics Games such as Dark Souls: The Board Game and XCOM: The Board Game appeal to players who want to collaborate with other players, creating an opportunity to create new cooperative gameplay mechanics. ### Deck Building Card Games The success of the Street Fighter Deck Building Game highlights the opportunity for low-tech versions of digital card games to cater to the growing number of millennials who embrace board games and card games. ## What the Low-Tech Gaming trend means for industry ### For Gaming Industry Low-tech board games offer an opportunity for gaming companies to expand their fanbase and cater to nostalgic consumers. ### For Entertainment Industry The popularity of low-tech board games based on digital franchises creates an opportunity for the entertainment industry to further monetize beloved characters and storylines. ### For Product Design Industry The success of low-tech board games also highlights an opportunity for product designers to create new, immersive, offline gameplay experiences. ## Workshop question Brainstorm the exact opposite of your service or product; what ideas could you borrow from the result? ## Trend signals for Low-Tech Gaming Trend score 3.0 out of 10, from popularity 32%, activity 49%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 32% - Activity: 49% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Low-Tech Gaming trend 4 featured examples from Jul 20, 2016. - [Combat-Themed Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dark-souls-the-board-game): 'Dark Souls: the Board Game' Brings a Popular Video Game to Life (Category: Tech) Implication: The success of 'Dark Souls: The Board Game' presents an opportunity for the tabletop gaming industry to create more immersive and engaging experiences based on popular video games. - [Laboratory-Themed Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/humorous-board-game): This Humorous Board Game is Based on the Popular Portal Video Games (Category: Tech) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce innovative and unique board games to enhance the overall gaming experience. - [Arcade-Themed Card Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/street-fighter-deck-building): The Street Fighter Deck Building Game is Inspired by a Digital Classic (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The gaming industry can create and market card games inspired by popular video games, targeting a market of Millennials seeking nostalgic gaming experiences. - [Alien Invasion Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xcom-the-board-game): 'XCOM: The Board Game' Plays on the Theme of an Alien Invasion (Category: Tech) Implication: The gaming industry is continually evolving, with new opportunities for innovative game design like the digital-physical hybrid game 'XCOM: The Board Game'. ## Recent trend clusters - [Constructible Franchises](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/constructible-franchises) (Life-Stages) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Life-Stages - [Retro Graphic Tees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nostalgic-graphic-tees) - [Screen-Free Kids Phones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/screen-free-kids-phones) - [Edible Oil-Based Lubes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coco-lube) - [Women's Health-Focused Probiotic Supplements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/womens-health-probiotic-capsules) All articles: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages)