Moving Pieces On The Board

Amid new consoles, gaming PCs, high-end board and miniature games, and all the other now-familiar offerings across the spectrum of play, 2026 has a surprising new gaming device that stands apart from the rest of the market. The Board is best understood as a new console that aims for a sweet spot of multiplayer fun precisely at the meeting point between video games and tabletop games. Simple to use, engaging for family play, and unabashed in its simplicity and targeted approachability, I’m intrigued by the device’s potential and the impressive tech that drives it.

The world has had digital tabletop gaming for some time now, often populating our phones and tablets with familiar family standards. The Board distinguishes itself in a couple of key ways. First, its 12 launch games are all original titles, crafted to speak to different audiences, and easily welcoming everyone from the youngest kids to strategic play for adults. While the initial batch of games borrows liberally from established genres and legacy titles, everything is undeniably fun, easy to grasp, and offers something intriguing. “I really wanted to work on something where technology was bringing people together,” says Board CEO Brynn Putnam. “I think post-COVID I really felt like I wanted something where my friends and family were connecting and technology was kind of bringing people closer.”