The potential of electronic board games
Påsse, Emil, Karlsson, Alexander · KTH Publication Database DiVA (KTH Royal Institute of Technology) · 2025
This study investigates the potential of electronic board games in terms of engagement, playability, and financial accessibility, differentiating them from traditional board games. To research this, a prototype of an electronic board game was developed, a modular board with OLED displays, RFID tags, and an Arduino-based server. Additionally, the pawns for the game were equipped with microcontrollers, RFID readers, and LEDs for displaying their current health. The prototype was evaluated through three playtests with five participants and a survey focused on player experience, divided into sections corresponding to our main research areas. Results show that electronic board games can provide enjoyable and socially engaging gameplay while streamlining the tracking of information. However, due to technical difficulties that disrupted play, and the high cost of off-the-shelf components, limited commercial viability. Survey results also show that while electronic features were appreciated, they cannot be valued higher just because of their electronic nature; the core value of the game still depended on its ability to provide enjoyment. These findings propose that electronic board games hold promise as a complement to traditional board games, but further development is required to address robustness, cost, and scalability.