For decades, board games have brought people together around tables, sparking laughter, rivalry and shared moments of escape. For Philip Galliford, spokesperson for Solarpop and an avid board game player, the benefits of the hobby have always been obvious. Now, science is catching up.
A new study is exploring the positive impact that board games and tabletop role-playing games can have on wellbeing — confirming that the simple act of playing together can meaningfully improve how people feel, connect and engage with the world.
“Board games have been around for ages, and they never lose their charm or appeal,” says Galliford. “For me, a game is a great way of getting friends together, to laugh, be competitive, be rowdy and destress. Playing games like Catan, Flip 7, Spot It! or more quirky ones like Exploding Kittens and Unstable Unicorns, makes everyone feel good.”
What the Research Reveals
According to an article published on the BBC website, researchers at the University of Plymouth are investigating how board games and tabletop role-playing games could be used as tools within health and social care interventions.
Their findings suggest that games such as Dungeons and Dragons and Dixit can lead to improvements in confidence, assertiveness and real-life social engagement, particularly among neurodivergent individuals.
The study is led by Dr Gray Atherton and Dr Liam Cross, lecturers in the University of Plymouth’s School of Psychology, and is funded through the international Game in Lab programme.
According to Dr Atherton, the research highlights how board games can enhance wellbeing, foster inclusion and support learning. One of the key reasons lies in the structure of games themselves — they make social interaction more predictable and provide a safe space for people to experiment with skills such as communication and conflict resolution.
Why Games Work
Board games are carefully designed to strike a balance: they are stimulating and challenging enough to be engaging, without being overwhelmingly difficult. This balance creates an environment where players feel motivated rather than anxious — a key factor in promoting positive mental and emotional outcomes.
The benefits extend beyond wellbeing alone. Playing board games helps develop mathematical reasoning, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, while narrative-driven games bring history and storytelling vividly to life. In this way, games blend entertainment, education and emotional connection in a single shared experience.
For Galliford, the study validates what many players already experience firsthand.
“We’re excited about the study because it further confirms the benefits that game playing brings,” he concludes.
As research continues to explore how games can support wellbeing and inclusion, one thing is clear: board games are no longer just a pastime. They are a powerful social tool — one roll of the dice, one card flip, and one shared laugh at a time.
For more information on the latest games, follow @solarpopsouthafrica.
