Players.

(PAW2009 02/52)

Printed card and carved wood can still be fun.

Electronic game-makers may finally be turning an eye to a more inclusive and social experience (you’ll believe it when you hear my father-in-law giggle as he flails madly to win an on-screen boxing match), but the humble board game has been around much longer.

Is it Monopoly in your family? Or Risk? Trivial Pursuit, even? I remember a few years ago when everyone seemed to be talking about Settlers of Catan, but I’ve never played it myself.

Carcassonne is an easy game to pick up, doesn’t take too long to play and is gently competitive in a social way. In other words, it’s dangerous. I hadn’t played board games for years until a couple of friends introduced us to it. Now the collection of games is growing, and we’re always on the lookout for people to play with.

Of course, if you prefer your entertainment mediated by a screen, it’s a laugh on Xbox Live, too :)