The Complete History of Board Games 5000BC to 2025

5000BC: Evidence of the First Pre-Historic Board Games

• Earliest board games date back over 7,000 years in regions of the Fertile Crescent.
• Discovered in Baur Hyk, Turkey.
• Involved carved and painted stones believed to be dice.

3100BC: Senet - The Game of the Gods

• Popular in Ancient Egypt, especially among royals.
• Played on elaborately carved boards or ground carve-outs.
• Senet board has 30 squares and utilizes dice and pawns.
• Theme linked to afterlife and protection from Egyptian gods.

3000BC: Mehen - The Game of the Snake

• Popular among Egyptian working class.
• Board shaped like a coiled snake with partitioned squares.
• Pieces included lions, lionesses, and marbles.
• Associated with the protective god Mehen.

2650BC: The Royal Game of Ur

• Longest-running board game, similar to backgammon.
• Discovered rules on a stone tablet by Irving Finkel.
• Two-player strategy game involving dice rolls.

2000BC: Ludos Duodecim Scriptorum

• Ancestor of backgammon, popular in Roman Empire.
• Played with 15 checkers and 3 dice on boards with 12 markings.
• Subject to opposition due to gambling elements.

1300BC: Ludus Latrunculorum

• Roman Empire game translating to 'mercenary'.
• Military strategy game similar to chess or draughts.
• Pieces called dogs, played on a checked board.

500BC: Board Games for Children

• Introduction of games for children like hopscotch.

400BC: GO and Eastern Influence

• Developed in China, sweeping the East.
• Deep strategy game with more possible moves than atoms in the universe.
• Played by surrounding areas on the board.

400BC: Liubo

• Han dynasty game found in tombs, using six dice sticks.
• Objective to move pieces to become Owls and enter the board's river.

200BC: Snakes and Ladders

• Originated as Mokshapat in ancient India.
• Used to teach morals via game squares as virtue or evil.
• Western adaptation stripped moral aspects.

500AD: Hnefatafl Board Games

• Viking strategy games played in ancient Europe.
• Asymmetrical setup with one player protecting a King.

550AD: Chaturanga

• Ancient Indian game believed to be chess's ancestor.
• Played on an 8x8 board with objectives similar to chess.

600AD: Chess

• Originates in Persia, spreads through Europe.
• Major historical milestones include rules evolution and chess clubs.

700AD: Mancala

• North African strategy game involving move and capture.
• Played with pits and stones, requiring deep thinking.

1027AD: Shogi

• Japanese adaptation of chess, rules solidified in 1612.
• Popular in Japan and the West.

1100AD: Checkers

• Evolved from earlier games, standardized on a chessboard.

1120AD: Dominoes

• Originated in China, evolved into popular gambling games.

1600AD: Pachisi

• Indian national game, precursor to Ludo.
• Cross and circle game involving team play.

1880AD: Mahjong

• Chinese tile-based game overtaking chess in popularity.
• Banned in early 20th century China, regained popularity post-1985.

1903: The Landlords Game

• Created by Elizabeth Magie, precursor to Monopoly.
• Two rule sets, highlighting monopoly and equitable society.

1949: Cluedo (Clue)

• Developed by Anthony Pratt based on murder mystery role-play.
• Sold to Waddingtons and Parker Brothers.

1959: Risk

• French origin strategic war game, introduced to America.

1974: Dungeons and Dragons

• Role-playing game inspiring creative storytelling.
• Published by Tactical Studies Rules, acquired by Wizards of the Coast.

1978: The Spiel des Jahres Awards

• Recognizes excellence in board game design in Germany.

1987: Warhammer

• Miniature tabletop wargame developed by Games Workshop.

1993: Magic The Gathering

• Developed by Richard Garfield, first collectible card game.

1995: Settlers of Catan

• Revolutionized board gaming with trading/negotiation dynamics.

2000: Boardgamegeek

• Online community for board game enthusiasts.

2009: Kickstarter

• Platform revolutionizing board game funding.

2013: TableTop Web Series

• YouTube series popularizing board games hosted by Wil Wheaton.

2025 and Beyond

• Exciting future with tech integration, online gaming opportunities.

Final Thoughts

• Board games have been an integral part of human history and social interaction.
• The future promises continued growth and innovation in the board game industry.