International Tabletop Day on Saturday 30 March is being staged to champion the social benefits of playing board games with other people.

Flying the flag for Shrewsbury, local games specialist e-Collectica Games is setting up a series of modern participation games throughout the Market Hall and inviting people to join in or watch the action.

“Modern board games are not only a great way to get families and friends around a table, having fun together, they also promote many positive social and cognitive benefits like increased communication, team work and planning,” said Chris Smith, of e-Collectica Games, based on the Gallery Level of the Market Hall.

“Modern board games, with their staggering variety of genres, game mechanics and high levels of quality, offer a real alternative to electronic gaming. They have even crossed over into the electronic domain with board games apps, and several have been made into computer games and vice versa.”

International Tabletop Day has been inspired and promoted by the Geek & Sundry YouTube channel hit show Tabletop, hosted by the actor Wil Wheaton, star of Star Trek and The Big Bang Theory. It aims to remind people of the social benefits of board gaming and get as many participants as possible around the world playing games in their local gaming shops, public halls and home events.