Scenario-Based Gaming

With the mega successes of games such as Pandemic Legacy, Gloomhaven, and Sleeping Gods in recent years, the addition of in-depth storytelling and scenario-based experiences has taken hold in the hobby.

- Justin Spicer

Many of these experiences are not new to gaming, they have just taken big leaps forward in combining elements of role-playing games into traditional board gaming mechanics in big box experiences.

However, these experiences are no longer confined to games that require the ability to juggle too many mechanics in lengthy gaming sessions. It was only a matter of time before designers and publishers who enjoy casual gaming imprinted many of these elements into lighter fare. In recent years, there has been an explosion of legacy, scenario, and campaign-based play in casual and family gaming.

“I enjoy games with a strong narrative and a clear objective."

One of the biggest games of 2020, Lost Ruins of Arnak, became a hit for Czech Games Edition (CGE). The game brought a lot of traditional Euro-influenced gameplay elements into a lighter gaming experience. Designer Mín Štachová (along with her husband and designing partner Elwen) wanted to bring some of this to Lost Ruins of Arnak via the solo experience, devising an online campaign as part of expanding the game's replayability within extended storytelling.