The era of peak board game sales is ending, with title counts and price pressures pushing hobbyists into less expensive parts of the hobby.

It was a tough year for hobby board and card games in 2023, with Covid-era trends continuing to revert and sales concentrating in core hobby evergreens, according to our reporting.

Including charts of the best-selling games in those categories for the Summer season, May through August.

This week, columnist Scott Thorne, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, offers up thanks to various companies, products, and offers in the games industry.

Board and card game sales were on a downward slope in the Spring 2023 (January-April) season, as the pandemic-driven demand dissipated.

Board and card game sales were on a downward slope in the Spring 2023 (January-April) season, as the pandemic-driven demand dissipated.

This chart of the Top 10 Card/Dice Games (hobby channel) reflects sales in Fall 2022 (September-December).

Hot new games and availability drove board game sales, while a preference for deck-builders manifested on the top card games chart.

Hot new games and availability drove board game sales, while a preference for deck-builders manifested on the top card games chart.

This chart of the Top 10 Card/Dice Games (hobby channel) reflects sales in Fall 2021.