Oh, I know; there are lockdowns, travel restrictions, firebreaks, limitations, tiers and all sorts of ways to describe what’s happening to much of the world now. Politicians are fighting over what to call them.
For the purposes of this post, we get to be less precise and much less political. We can focus on the single truth; the gift-giving season in 2020 is going to be radically different from last year.
In August, Geek Native bought a copy of Gameception to give away to one lucky reader. Why? In part to support local games store and as a thank you to readers.
Thank you to Board Game Guru for letting me stick a year’s worth of games in a safe place in the manager’s office while Geek Native runs one competition a month!
To enter the competition readers had to multiple-choice answer the question “Has the COVID-19 lockdown changed your Christmas shopping plans?”
How would you have answered? Well, let me tell you the results so you can see the three options readers had at the time.
| Has the COVID-19 lockdown changed your Christmas shopping plans? | Responses |
|---|---|
| I am more likely to buy some board games this Christmas because of the lockdown. | 44.39% |
| The lockdown has not affected my board game buying plans for Christmas. | 51.02% |
| I am less likely to buy some board games this Christmas because of the lockdown. | 4.59% |
The slight majority of readers are not going to change their gift buying at all this year.
Why do you think that is? In my case, it may not be possible to buy any more games, they tend to be my go-to point.
However, plenty of people plan to buy more board games, and I hope this is good news for the industry and friendly local gaming stores.
If you suspect there will still be travel or gathering restrictions in your neighbourhood and you have no one in your home to play board games with then I can see why you might be less interested in them for yourself. Board games for gifts, though, seem like a potentially good idea in many cases.
Should gaming stories stock up based on this Geek Native research?
Gee, I’d like to consider the blog had some influence, but I’m cautious of giving any advice. The competition was restricted to the UK here (for shipping) and received 196 responses from across the country.
I would treat this poll as anecdotal at best; hopefully, part of a more comprehensive collection of stats you might be getting from distributors and marketing assets from publishers.
Creative Commons credit: Mate in One by Inkary.
You're welcome to share observations about this article in the comments.
I have bought more games this year that I have in the last few years combined. When will I play them? Hopefully when the virus is less of an threat
Yeah, tell me about it. I’ve even got one Kickstarter game that requires many players still in the wrap because it seems pointless opening it right now. Which has been your best buy this year?