Games World of Puzzles May 2016

There’s no question that we live in a digital age. We see evidence of this everywhere: Go into any waiting room, for example, and you’ll find people passing the time on electronic devices—iPads, Kindles, smartphones, etc. They may be playing games, managing their bank accounts, or simply avoiding interacting with others—even members of their own family.

So naturally you might start to wonder if traditional family activities are becoming a thing of the past. Happily, the answer to that question is a resounding no. In fact, board games—one of the pastimes family and friends enjoy most—are experiencing a resurgence as of late in the United States. The board game industry saw a 10 percent rise in sales in 2014. Classics like as Monopoly and Scrabble are still going strong, while newer, more strategic games like Settlers of Catan have also joined the ranks of top sellers.

But what about the rest of the world? Are board games as popular in, say, Russia, as they are here? Jonathan Schmalzbach conducted an informal survey of his friends and family overseas. His article “Family Game Night Across the Globe” (page 34) will give you some insight into what games are enjoyed by families worldwide. It’s an entertaining and interesting piece that also delves into the history of some ancient games.

And in preparation for your next family Scrabble night at home, you can check out Scott Appel’s “Your Word Against Mine” (page 38) for tips, news, and puzzles that will help you improve your game. All of this information, including the puzzles, is more accessible than you might think, even if you’re the most casual of Scrabble players.

Finally, if you’re all about the puzzles, you’re in for a treat. Along with the usual favorites, we present “You’re On a Role!” by Christopher Magan. This “White House Mini-Movie Caper” casts you as a reporter who must solve a series of puzzles in order to learn what actor will star as George Washington in an upcoming Hollywood biopic. Give it a try and see if you can get the scoop!