Blick aufs Brett

Play Forward 2026

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Last weekend, we were present at the Play Forward festival in Göttingen with a selection from our board game library. Play Forward is a multi-day gaming and culture festival held in Göttingen that bridges the gap between digital and analog games and themes such as education, health, work, and community. The event features various activities, workshops, and lectures taking place throughout the city center.

We look back on two wonderful days filled with games, new encounters, and sheer enthusiasm. With over 700 games in tow, we were able to bring families, students, casual players, and seasoned experts alike to the gaming tables. It was precisely this mix that made the atmosphere so special: curious people, relaxed gaming sessions, and the shared joy of playing together. Once again, it became evident that gaming connects people and often brings them together across linguistic and cultural boundaries.

We were also supported by Ben from the Brettspielblog. He was with us throughout the entire weekend, tirelessly explaining games to visitors. With his laid-back demeanor and infectious enthusiasm, he ensured that many visitors didn’t have to spend time poring over lengthy rulebooks, but could instead dive straight into the action. Thank you, Ben, for your dedication!

 

Three stories that perfectly describe the weekend:

It is the little anecdotes from the sidelines of the gaming tables that remind us why we do all of this. Here are our three highlights from Play Forward:

The Hanabi Mission: A small group discovered the cooperative game Hanabi. What started as a quick round turned into a two-day obsession. They played with such intensity and enthusiasm that their decision was firm: “We’re buying this first thing Monday morning!”

Dragonblood in Their Veins: Another group used Play Forward for an epic deep dive. They spent almost the entire weekend immersed in the world of Skyrim. From main quests to the tiniest side missions, they tackled it all—a feat of endurance that truly impressed us.

From Sapling to Zoo Director: We are particularly proud of one group that demonstrated a steep learning curve. On Saturday, they started off in a relaxed mood with Arten Garten to get a feel for the mechanics. After just two games, they felt confident enough to dive straight into the heavyweight title Ark Nova on Sunday. Hats off to them for having the courage to tackle an expert-level game!

For us, Play Forward demonstrates once again the true power of board games: bringing people together, creating new experiences, and sparking enthusiasm across generations.

A big thank you to all the visitors, to the organizers of Play Forward, and to everyone who played, laughed, and made discoveries with us. We’re already looking forward to the next time!