The golden age of board games: a billion-dollar industry in Hungary

Explosive growth in the market

The growth of the industry is also confirmed by Péter Szöllősi, owner of the Vagabund publisher and webshop. According to him, the range of board games is extremely diverse: everything from light party games to more serious strategy games can be found on the market. However, the more complex the rules of a game, the narrower its target audience. While previously the demand for board games peaked mainly during festive periods – for example, at Christmas – there is now significant interest all year round.

Gábor Gyöngyösi, Piatnik Budapest Kft. According to its managing director, the annual Essen board game exhibition is also a defining event for the industry. Of the 1,500-2,000 games presented here, about five hundred end up on the shelves of Hungarian stores. According to the expert, the success of a game largely depends on whether it is able to offer something new that makes it stand out from the competition.

Prices and publishing challenges

The prices of board games have been rising steadily in recent years. While games intended for children and families typically range between 6,000 and 11,000 forints, the price of more complex games intended for gamers often exceeds 20,000 forints. A premium set, such as the Warhammer starter pack, can start at as little as 40,000 forints, and with accessories the total price can reach 100,000-110,000 forints.

Roland Kállai, the managing director of Főnixcsarnok, ironically remarked: “Show this game to your child, and he will never have money for drugs, alcohol, or tobacco.” This also clearly shows that board games are not cheap entertainment, but they provide valuable experiences and lessons in the long run.