As a society, we’re spending more and more of our free time on our smartphones, and an increasing amount of that playing mobile games.
By 2020, 50% of the gaming market will be mobile games, and as such board games and traditional games seem to be struggling to compete.
The good news, though, is that there are games where technology and the real world collide, bringing everyone together. Below we’ve put them together for you to peruse…
Heads Up!
Perhaps the most popular game that fuses together real life and technology is Heads Up, encouraging players to put their iPhone on their head and ask friends for clues as to which celebrity they are.
There are lots of these games on the market, but perhaps the biggest and most important was designed by Ellen Degeneres, who continues to play on her chat show.
Pokemon Go
Using augmented reality to create a Pokemon-inspired world wherever you are, Pokemon Go is one of the most innovative titles in its genre.
Sure, it’s a gaming app, but it requires you to spend time traveling around your town or city to discover new Pokemon and creatures to add to your collection – and it’s become one of the most lucrative and successful games of all time.
The title has inspired offshoots such as the upcoming Harry Potter game, which will no doubt also be a success and encourage more people to play virtual games in the real world.
Telephone game
One fun icebreaker game is the telephone game, which encourages players to whisper and see how, intentionally or unintentionally, information is misinterpreted.
It’s good fun and is one of the simplest games to play. Indeed, there is no actual technology involved, but you can use your favorite telephone phrases and tongue twisters like she sells sea shells, as outlined on the Meebily.
Give it a go and see where you end up; you might be surprised.
Storytelling games
Board games like One Night Ultimate Werewolf require a smartphone to narrate the story, bringing together modern technology with traditional gameplay.
Some argue that this breaks the immersion of a board game, but the tactic is becoming increasingly popular in the genre and allowing for more in-depth storytelling that takes board game users on a journey.
There are so many games that take storytelling to a new level – we have selected just a few in this article.
Let us know your thoughts on @AppleMagazine – are you a fan of this genre?