How Boardgame Players Imagine Interacting With Technology

The integration of technology into tabletop gaming is evolving beyond simple mobile application companions toward deeply embedded, invisible systems that prioritize thematic immersion. By analyzing 242 design concepts generated by 31 hobbyist players, a new taxonomy of analogue-digital hybrid games has emerged, shifting the focus from administrative tasks like scorekeeping to sensory-rich interactions. This framework utilizes Internet of Things principles to categorize game mechanics into input triggers, processing logic, and output effects, providing a structured approach for designers to move past current technical limitations.

Players consistently express a preference for unobtrusive technology that preserves the tactile and social essence of traditional board games. The research identifies a strong desire for embedded sensors, actuators, and haptic feedback that allow physical components to interact autonomously with the game state. By prioritizing sensory effects—such as scent, movement, and environmental responsiveness—over traditional screen-based interfaces, these findings suggest that the future of the industry lies in creating intelligent, responsive game worlds where the hardware remains secondary to the narrative experience.

To facilitate the practical application of these insights, an open-source ideation card deck has been developed to assist designers in brainstorming hybrid mechanics. This tool serves as a bridge between player expectations and technical feasibility, encouraging the exploration of human-to-object and object-to-object interactions. While current industry examples like the Teburu platform demonstrate the potential for this evolution, the research establishes a foundational roadmap for future development, emphasizing that successful hybrid design must balance sophisticated automation with the cherished, tangible nature of tabletop play.