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Fun, Games, and GU Influence At The Hungry Hippo

Published: April 13, 2021

Note: The NPR interview referenced in this story took place before COVID19 redefined social gatherings for many of us. A recent check with the Hungry Hippo's Facebook page reveals plans to reopen when reopening becomes possible.

Fun, Games, and GU Influence At The Hungry Hippo

In one corner a detective uncovers a clue that puts a killer-professor named Plum behind bars for life. Across the way, a robber makes his way onto a settlement stealing untold wealth in sheep, bricks, and wood. Nearby, an art dealer shells out tens of thousands of dollars for Van Goghs Sunflowers only to discover its a forgery.

Dice clatter; spinners whirr; cards from draw piles elicit groans and cheers. Welcome to a night of games at theHungry Hippo Board Game Cafin Decatur, Illinois.

The caf brings pleasure to table game enthusiasts of all ages, just as owner-operator Kyle Tomey 10 hoped it would when the caf opened last fall.

Ever a problem solver, Kyle finally figured out what to do with those hundreds of board games he had collected and enjoyed over the years: share them with others. He tells the story in a recentinterview with NPR.

Resurgence In Board GamesFun, Games, and GU Influence At The Hungry Hippo

An environmental biology major at GU and now a quality auditor at Caterpillar, Inc., Kyle still loves a good game. Hes not alone. Surging sales in board games and the emergence of board game cafs nationwide point to a clear trend.

In 2016, ChicagosWTTWreported the opening of more than 5,000 board game cafs in the U.S. One year later,Leisure eNewsletterreported a 28 percent increase in U.S. board game sales, and board game giant Hasbro began offeringgame packages by subscription, including delivery.

Filling the Loneliness Gap

Today, visitors to the Hungry Hippo choose from more than 540 games. The collection provides a wealth of opportunities for face-to-face encounters and conversations. Board games seem to do something social media cant.

A lot of times people feel lonely when theyre on social media, Kyle said.

Board game cafs provide a pleasant balance of public and private space. Players engage in structured social interaction around game rules and taking turns.

Fun, Games, and GU Influence At The Hungry HippoYou can see the excitement on their faces, says Kyle. You can see them laughing; you can see them smiling. You can see them getting upset, and then next thing you know, they want to play another one and try something new.

He notices that gameplaying rejuvenates spirits. In a world saturated with technology at every turn, people yearn for something more personal.

I think thats what games bring to the table, he says.

Gameplayers at the Hungry Hippo pay a $5 entrance fee ($3 for kids) for all the games they can play until closing. Snacks, beverages, and a mismatched assortment of tables and chairs lend a welcome feel to the spacemuch like the kitchens and dining rooms where, years ago, many players first encountered games like Candyland and Monopoly.

Listen to the full NPR interview with Kylehere.

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Photo Monoply Shoe By Rich Brooks is licensed under CC BY 2.0

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