We all have played board games, who doesn’t love a great board game to liven up the party. Growing up as a kid, I really got into it as a hobby and then one computer later, it all changed. Several years later, I found my calling to get back to it again. I couldn’t find places to get the games I wanted for the prices I wanted it at. Back To Games has now come in and solved that problem. The store has opened up in Times Square Center Dubai to offer gamers to get into more traditional and social ways to play.
Tabletop gaming is a term that is rapidly moving out of geek-culture and fortifying itself in the realm of pop-culture. This progressive and fast-paced transition into the limelight is accredited to numerous passionate game designers and countless high-end publishers across the world. For the past 20 years, the power of both combined, alongside the exponential growth of gaming communities, has taken traditional board and card games like Monopoly, Scrabble, Risk, Cluedo, Chess, etc. and given them a total re-vamp.
Today’s tabletop games may use some of the classic game components we all know, such as boards, cards, dice and tokens, but they are so well thought out and diversely themed, that amongst thousands currently available, one is truly spoiled for choice. It can be said with confidence, that there is a tabletop game for everyone.
Back to Games; a retail-brand and community gaming center, founded in Abu Dhabi in late 2015, is quickly becoming the premiere household name for tabletop games across the UAE. After opening in Shams Boutik Mall, Al Reem Island, just over a year ago, the Company has decided to open its highly anticipated second branch in Dubai in March 2017.
“The UAE’s thriving tabletop gaming communities are who we thank for such an unprecedented response and wonderful opportunity to expand.” Mark Azzam, Founder of Back to Games.
Back to Games is having its grand launch at its new location at Times Square Center today, on March 24, 2017. The brand is planning to celebrate tabletop games and the geek culture they stem from on a massive scale. Everything from a giant size Star Wars X-Wing Game, to deluxe modern board games, to cosplayers, to giveaways for the first 200 visitors, to prizes that can be won, all whilst game demos are on-going throughout the day.
“We are thrilled with our expansion to Dubai. There are many who already know of our brand here and would buy our products online through our webstore. Some would even drive from across the UAE all the way to our shop in Abu Dhabi to live the gaming experience. At least now, they will have us closer to them.”
Back to Games’ arrival to the emirate comes at no better time than 2 weeks before Dubai’s famous Middle East Film and Comic Con (MEFCC) taking place from April 6 to 8 at Dubai’s World Trade Centre. Being by far the largest celebration of games and pop culture of its kind in the Middle East, the event draws in tens of thousands of people from across the GCC.
Mark adds, “The Back to Games team is very excited to be participating in Comic Con for the second year in a row. We will have our own stand at the convention and we will be featuring, teaching, and retailing some of our best products. We look forward to sharing our passion with the attendees.”