People are looking for ways to play together face to face, and that is keeping demand for tabletop games strong, according to Asmodee CEO Thomas Koegler.<\/p>\n
Sweden-based Asmodee publishes and distributes many globally known board games such as Catan and Carcassonne. It also distributes other publishers’ titles, including Pok\u00e9mon, Hasbro<\/a>‘s Magic: The Gathering and Bandai Namco’s One Piece<\/a> trading card games.<\/p>\n “What’s clear is that our industry benefits from very strong sociological dynamics of spending time with your loved ones,” Koegler told Reuters<\/em> in an interview on Friday.<\/p>\n Board games have gained popularity among 16- to 25-year-olds, who are now putting them “at the heart” of their social life, Koegler said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n 74% of Gen Z think in-person experiences are more important than digital ones, according to one analysis (Getty Images)<\/p>\n An international barometer compiled by Asmodee and Kantar in 2026 showed that 74% of the so-called “Gen Z<\/a>” thought that in-person experiences were more important than digital ones.<\/p>\n The end-of-year holidays are a key sales season for game and toy companies and Koegler expects game nights to remain a popular Saturday plan,<\/p>\n