Imagine the gentle lap of water, the lush greenery of the Kerala backwaters, the competitive spirit of the famous Vallamkali boat races—all brought to life on a tabletop in Chennai. At TTOX Chennai, the city’s vibrant board game scene celebrated its first-ever convention, a vocal group of players is wholly immersed in the strategically invigorating board game, Vallamkali. With cardboard vessels in hand, they navigate a richly illustrated course, their chants echoing around the room, filling it with an infectious energy.
This novel board game convention, an initiative to unite Chennai’s thriving community of gamers, saw nearly 400 attendees, including publishers, designers, and enthusiasts. The driving force behind the event, Phalgun Polepalli from Mozaic Games based in Bengaluru, highlighted the strong local interest by pointing out that more than 10 board game cafes exist in Chennai alone. This flourishing ecosystem provides evidence of a deeply engaged community.
Players and designers converged on playtest tables, which were separated into categories based on game complexity. Here, they could delve deep into new creations, sometimes spending hours to explore a game thoroughly. The convention also featured a library boasting a treasure trove of 700 board games—mostly donated by generous volunteers and cafes—a games shop, and a bustling D&D table. According to Phalgun, the role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons enjoys a special place in the hearts of younger generations, propelled by the popularity of shows like “Stranger Things”. Arvindh Sundar, celebrated as one of the best dungeon masters in the country, hosted three enthralling sessions to the delight of participants.
This assembly wasn’t just about play; it served as a catalyst to nurture a culture of careful selection and unhurried enjoyment of board games. Observing that fifty percent of the attendees came from outside Chennai, from cities as far-flung as Lucknow, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru, Phalgun shared that passionate gamers engaged in titles like “Ankh: Gods of Ancient Egypt” and “Chai Garam” long past the convention’s official closing hours.
The Chennai market for board games is waking up, and events of this scale play a crucial role. The rise of board game cafes and their ever-expanding collections primarily create a pool of players who more often engage in the collective experience rather than becoming individual consumers.
Girin Nayak from the relatively young Chennai-based Xotoxo Games was present to playtest his latest game “Masala Lab”, which drew inspiration from the book by author Krish Ashok. The game’s culinary and heritage themes resonated well with attendees, demonstrating the allure that familiar motifs and well-integrated gameplay possess both for novices and veteran players alike.
Phalgun’s reflections on the event emphasized the overwhelmingly positive and committed nature of Chennai’s board game cafe culture. The community’s enthusiastic support and collaborative spirit embodied a shared, passionate love for board gaming, reinforcing Chennai’s role as an emerging hub for tabletop fun.
As enthusiasts left the packed rooms of TTOX Chennai, they carried with them the vibrancy and collaboration that made this convention a landmark event. The overwhelming waves of excitement, strategy, and camaraderie promise an even brighter future for board gaming in Chennai and beyond.
