TEHRAN-A specialized training course on designing tabletop games with a particular emphasis on ethical, and cultural values is underway in Tehran, organized by the Short-Term Specialized Training Center of the Quranic Organization of Academicians of the Country affiliated to the Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research (ACECR) in cooperation with the Center for the Growth of the Quranic Arts Technology Units, also affiliated to the ACECR.

Participants benefit from receiving a valid certificate from the ACECR upon completion of the course. Additionally, three selected projects will be supported by the center for commercialization.

Tabletop games involve pieces and/or accessories such as boards, dice, and cards. They can be played by two or more players. Such games are normally played on a table or any flat surface. Classified according to the general form, or equipment utilized, they include board games, card games, dice games, paper and pencil games, role-playing games, strategy games, and tile-based games. The term “board game” is used here in this text generally as a tabletop game.

Board games experienced substantial growth in the 1990s, especially in European countries. After the turn of the millennium, the board game industry registered significant expansion, with companies producing a rising number of new games for a growing global audience. In Iran, however, it is a rather new industry that is growing gradually.

Tehran Times has conducted interviews with the organizer of the course as well as the two instructors who are conducting the classes.

Need to elevate values

Saeed Rasteh Moghadam is the director of the Short-Term Specialized Training Center of the Quranic Organization of Academicians of the Country. “The idea for holding this course stems from the society’s need to elevate Islamic, cultural, and ethical values and the Leader's emphasis on the importance of preserving and promoting these values. Given the potential impact of games in conveying messages and values, it was decided to hold this course,” he said.

“These types of games, in addition to providing entertainment, can serve as a tool to enhance the culture and ethical values of Iranian-Islamic society. These games can help showcase distinct Iranian and Islamic values, improve young people's perspectives on the world, and enhance their social and mental skills, he added.

“The target audience for this event is broad, including teenagers and adults interested in designing board games, or enthusiasts of creative thinking. Before the registration for the course began, a one-day workshop on game design was held at this year's International Holy Quran Exhibition in Tehran, which was well-received by the visitors,” Rasteh Moghadam told Tehran Times.

In this course, which lasts for six weeks, the participants get theoretical training along with practical experiences to get ready for designing competitive board games in the market.

“Designing and presenting Iranian games come with challenges such as securing financial resources, providing specialized human resources, creating suitable and attractive content, as well as proper marketing and distribution. However, given the importance of the subject, it is planned to introduce the top three teams to the Center for the Growth of the Quranic Arts Technology Units to turn their game design ideas into final products and commercialize them,” he further noted.

Magic of games

Speaking to Tehran Times, board game designer Ali Edriszadeh, one of the instructors of the course, mentioned that the course includes topics such as introduction to games and toys, history and types of board games, creativity in game design, and board game mechanics, among others.

“The participants also get familiar with the process of game design, from idea to execution. At the end of the course, they will be divided into groups, each with an assignment to design a game,” he noted.

Edriszadeh who is also the manager of Tasino Intellectual Games Club in Parand and secretary of the Iranian Game and Toy Designers Hub (IGTD Hub), explained the differences between board games and other kinds of games. “There is more interaction among players in board games than in other kinds of games such as mobile, console, or PC games. Gathering together and communicating with each other during the game is the major difference. The vast variety of game types and mechanics can appeal to various tastes. From social deduction/hidden role games to party games and from light card games to heavy strategy games, they can attract all kinds of people in families and friends,” he underlined.

“In addition, the games can interest people with different abilities. For instance, a game like “Stogite” can involve people with verbal intelligence while games like “Nox” and “6 nimmt!” can absorb people with mathematical intelligence,” he further added.

Referring to the status of board games in the world, he said: “Board games are not just for children, and people of all ages can enjoy them. The fact that such games can involve various senses makes them one of the most fascinating and magical types of media and they can be used for educational, promotional, and even advertising and business purposes”.

“The board games market and industry have experienced significant growth in the last three decades in the world. In Iran, and especially since the establishment of the IGTD Hub last year, designing local board games has gained momentum. And I hope we can see Iranian-made board games in the international arena in the coming years,” the designer stated.

Constructive communication among people

Board game designer Seyed Ali Tabatabaei Lotfi, another instructor of the course, also spoke with Tehran Times, describing its purposes: “By the end of this course, we hope that participants will have the necessary skills to design the mechanics of board games, and also be somewhat familiar with the concepts of other parts of this ecosystem: concepts such as product design, production management, sales management, serious games, gamification, game research, and so on”.

Tabatabaei, who is also the head of Jiro Games and treasurer of the IGTD Hub, said: “In general, various types of games have been created for entertainment, including board games. Each kind of game has some advantages over others and sometimes they share common benefits. If we only want to mention the advantages of board games, two points seem more important to me. The first is creating interaction and constructive communication among different groups of people, especially families. The next point is that many of these games enhance various mental skills, which is why many people call them intellectual games”.

Pointing to the importance of games, he said: “There are games that, in addition to entertainment, pursue other goals. Such games are called serious games and they are used for promotional, educational, therapeutic, and many other purposes”.

Today, many experts in the education sciences consider the language of children to be play. Various models of learning through play have been developed, and there are schools that conduct all their education through play,” he asserted.

A growing cultural, educational phenomenon

Board games have been played, traveled, and evolved in most cultures and societies throughout history. Several important historical sites, artifacts, and documents shed light on early board games such as Jiroft civilization game boards in Iran. “Senet,” found in Predynastic and First Dynasty burials of Egypt, 3500 B.C. and 3100 B.C. respectively, is the oldest board game known to have existed.

“Hounds and jackals,” another ancient Egyptian board game, appeared around 2000 B.C. “Backgammon” originated in ancient Mesopotamia about 5,000 years ago. “Ashtapada,” “chess,” “pachisi” and “chaupar” originated in India. “Go” (4th century B.C.) and liubo (1st century B.C.) originated in China.

In recent years, board games have experienced a renaissance worldwide, emerging as significant cultural and educational tools. This resurgence is not just limited to Western countries but is also making waves in regions like the Middle East, including Iran. The evolution of board games from simple pastimes to complex, strategy-based experiences has broadened their appeal across various age groups and demographics.

Globally, the board game industry has seen exponential growth. According to market research, the industry was valued at approximately $11 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $26 billion by 2030. This growth is driven by several factors.

Modern board games cover a wide range of themes and mechanics, from historical simulations and fantasy adventures to cooperative problem-solving games. This diversity caters to varied interests, making board games appealing to a broader audience.

In an increasingly digital world, board games offer a unique opportunity for face-to-face interaction. They foster social connections and create shared experiences, which are particularly valued in an era where digital communication often prevails.

Board games are being recognized for their educational potential. They help develop critical thinking, strategic planning, and teamwork skills. Educational institutions are incorporating board games into their curricula to enhance learning experiences.

In Iran, the board game culture is gradually improving. The country's rich cultural heritage and storytelling tradition provide a fertile ground for the development of board games that resonate with Iranian values and narratives.

Currently, about 20 companies are producing Iranian board games. Among the notable games are “Last Spring” designed by Ali Edriszadeh and produced by Jiro Games and 24 Games; “The Last Station” designed by Ashkan Javaheri and published by Dorehami Games; “Fimbulwinter” designed by Armin Masroor and produced by Hamboardi; “Build & Blast” designed by Navid Atapour and produced by Hamboardi; “Varda” designed by Asma Safizadeh and Sadegh Rezania and produced by Land of Beautiful Mind; “Dadaan” designed by Ehsan Abdifar, Farnam Fartoot, and Samad Khatibi and published by Bahamzi; “Master Potter” designed by Fateme Alaeddin, Vahid Esmaeeli, and Amir Ardeshiri and produced by Houpaa; and “King Thief Minister” designed by Javad Abdian, Reza Agharahimi, Sohrab Mostaghim, and Mohammad Zarei and published by Reality Game.

The future of board games, both globally and in Iran, looks promising. With the increasing recognition of their cultural, educational, and social values, board games are set to become even more integral to our lives.

As the industry continues to grow, the collaboration between designers, educators, and cultural institutions will be key to unlocking the full potential of board games. Whether for education, entertainment, or cultural preservation, board games are poised to play a significant role in shaping the social and cultural landscapes of the future.

SS/SAB