Humans have long invented ways to stay occupied during downtime. Hoop rolling. Book reading. Video games. TikTioks. But there\u2019s one pastime that\u2019s so old, it\u2019s prehistoric. No, really\u2014it\u2019s been around since before we had written language. It\u2019s a way to not just kill time, but enjoy it\u2014and, vitally, to share it. The need for play comes as naturally to us as the rest of our instincts. That\u2019s why humanity has hardly ever known life without the humble board game.<\/p>\n
The earliest gaming pieces were small, carved, and painted stones\u2014dice, dated 5000 B.C. Contrary to what you might guess, now that we\u2019re in the age of text neck and screen fatigue, board games have only surged in popularity (and creativity). They make up one of the most funded project categories on Kickstarter, and just this year, manufacturers saw an explosion in sales as we all spent more time at home during the pandemic.<\/p>\n
Who can blame us? Somehow, board games let us escape the world, yet be more present in the moment. They\u2019re competitive by nature but form deep bonds between us. Like physical exercise, the cognitive challenge of a board game is both demanding and relaxing. They\u2019re good for our health at any age. Better yet, when made well and with style, they\u2019re works of art.<\/p>\n
The good folks at Crisloid know the art of board games better than most. They\u2019ve got a relentless drive for creating the finest, and for that reason we\u2019ve partnered with them time and time again.<\/p>\n
Founded in Brooklyn in 1948 and now based in Providence, Rhode Island, Crisloid is unrivaled in its reputation for American-made, premium quality classic games. From dice to dominoes, backgammon to mahjong, it\u2019s likely you\u2019ve come across one before. \u201cWe hear stories weekly about folks who just inherited their grandparent\u2019s dominoes or backgammon set,\u201d says owner Jeff Caruso. These aren\u2019t your average supermarket editions of the classics\u2014Crisloid sets are made by hand and built to stick around. \u201cIt\u2019s not easy. If it was easy, everyone would do it,\u201d he laughs.<\/p>\n
The driving force behind that hard-to-attain lasting quality? The people. \u201cWe have a team that cares enough about quality to really spend the time,\u201d explains Jeff. \u201cThey feel it\u2019s their responsibility, because we\u2019re asking the customer to make a commitment. They\u2019re putting their trust in us that it\u2019s going to be there.\u201d So when heirloom board game stories come across Jeff\u2019s desk, he can\u2019t help but go tell the team. \u201cIt\u2019s important to them that they can be proud of their product.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ultimately, the life of a Crisloid board game isn\u2019t measured in years, but in generations. After working out safe back-to-work measures and precautions earlier in the year, Crisloid is back in action meeting the 2020 board game boom. One day, those games will be passed on with plenty of stories. For now, Jeff and the Crisloid team are overjoyed that they\u2019ll bring people together.<\/p>\n
\u201cA twenty-minute game of dominoes. Or mahjong. An escape. Crack open a couple of beers. Throw the dice. What\u2019s better than that?\u201d Jeff says. \u201cThat\u2019s happening all over the world with the games we make. Playing a small part in that is the best.\u201d<\/p>\n