When you browse a game store or Kickstarter page, you’re likely to see hundreds of titles — each trying to catch your attention with flashy art and clever titles. But what really helps you decide if a game is for you? The answer often lies in how it’s classified. Whether you’re a game designer seeking to create something new or a gamer trying to find the perfect play, knowing how board games are categorized gives you a powerful edge.
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Why Classification Matters to You
If you’re a player, categories help narrow your choices. You might love fast-paced party games but find long strategic games exhausting. For creators, choosing the right classification means clearer marketing, stronger engagement, and a better fit with crowdfunding platforms or retail distribution. Ultimately, clear categories save time, improve targeting, and ensure the right people find and love your game.
The 4 Primary Axes of Classification
Board games are typically divided into categories based on four major traits:
1. Mechanics
This refers to how the game is played — its core rules and systems. These are essential to player experience.
- Deck-building: Players build a personal deck as part of the gameplay (e.g., Dominion).
- Worker Placement: Players assign workers to perform tasks each round (e.g., Lords of Waterdeep).
- Area Control: Players compete to dominate areas on the board (e.g., Risk).
- Co-op Play: Players work together to beat the game (e.g., Pandemic).
You should always be clear on your main mechanics when introducing a game. They’re often the hook that makes people say, “I need to try that.”
2. Theme
Themes are the narratives or settings that immerse players. While themes don’t usually affect gameplay directly, they have massive influence over your audience’s interest.
- Fantasy: Think dragons, wizards, and magical lands (Gloomhaven).
- Sci-Fi: Space exploration, aliens, and advanced technology (Terraforming Mars).
- Historical: Grounded in real events or eras (Twilight Struggle).
- Abstract: Minimal or no story; focused on logic or spatial play (Azul).
Make sure your theme matches your mechanics. A game with deep strategy but a silly party theme might confuse your audience.
3. Complexity & Play Time
How long does it take to learn and play your game? This is crucial for helping players know what they’re getting into.
- Light/Introductory: Easy to teach, short games — perfect for families or beginners (Sushi Go!).
- Medium: Moderate complexity with layered strategies (Wingspan).
- Heavy: Games with deep rulesets and long playtimes (Twilight Imperium).
When deciding your game’s difficulty level, focus on your ideal audience. A mismatch here can lead to frustration or lack of interest.
4. Player Count & Interaction
Does your game work best solo or with a large group? Do players cooperate, compete, or interact directly?
- Solo Play: Increasingly popular; great for solo hobbyists.
- Two-Player Games: Head-to-head designs that often balance perfectly (Jaipur).
- Party Games: Best for groups; often lighthearted and quick (Codenames).
- Asymmetric Games: Each player has different roles or abilities (Root).
This axis is especially important when preparing your Kickstarter pitch or game box — it helps set clear expectations.
Using Board Game Categories in Development and Marketing
Once you’ve developed your core concept, use classification to guide your development choices and promotional efforts. In the middle of this process, board game categories act like a compass, helping you align every component — from artwork to rulebooks — with your ideal audience.
Benefits of Proper Categorization
- Better player satisfaction and fewer returns.
- Clearer marketing copy for websites, Kickstarter, or retailers.
- More accurate quotes for manufacturing components, especially when using guides like Hero Time’s Guide for Selecting Components.
- Efficient campaign building using tools like the Kickstarter Creator Checklist, which emphasizes showcasing game features, play style, and components early on.
Pitfalls to Avoid
- Over-categorization: Don’t cram every possible mechanic into your game. Simplicity is clarity.
- Genre mismatch: A heavy war game with cartoon artwork and a lighthearted theme might struggle to find the right audience.
- Vague descriptions: Avoid calling your game “for everyone” — instead, focus on your niche.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re designing a new title, shopping for a game, or preparing for crowdfunding, understanding the logic behind board game categories empowers you to make better decisions. Classifying your game correctly not only improves engagement but also builds trust with your players — they know what they’re getting, and they’ll appreciate you for it. Looking to manufacture your next game? Once your game type is defined, companies like Hero Time can help you bring it to life with the exact box, components, and rulebook style that suits your chosen category. Ready to turn your idea into a playable masterpiece? Let the classification begin