One of the most popularly played board games in the history of games, Ludo is a game that needs no introduction. This game is a strategy board game and it gets its name from the Latin word ‘ludo’ which translates to “I play”. Ludo can be played by a minimum of two and a maximum of four players.
The quintessential game that involves players racing their tokens from the starting point to the finishing point on the basis of dice rolls at their respective turns, Ludo has been an integral part of the social and cultural lives of millions of people and its popularity remains undiminished to this day.
The origins of Ludo can be traced back to an ancient Indian game which was called ‘Pachisi’. Over the ages, as the game became adopted in various parts of the world, it became known by different names across different cultures as it slowly but surely integrated into their lifestyles.
In recent decades, as technology advanced by leaps and bounds, the use of electronic gadgets such as computers, tablets and mobile phones for playing games increased exponentially. In today’s world, there is no shortage of games available to play on one’s mobile device, and needless to say, Ludo is one of the games that is most widely played. As a matter of fact, the sheer popularity of playing games online has made it possible for people to play Ludo earn money.
However, it was a relatively recent event that made the popularity of online Ludo go through the roof, namely the coronavirus pandemic which broke out in the year 2020. As more and more people had no choice but to stay indoors in order to minimize the spread of the virus, their options for entertainment became severely limited. Mobile and online gaming helped to fill this gap. Of course, it goes without saying that it was the people who were staying at home during the pandemic-induced lockdowns who drove the enormous surge in online ludo over the past two years. Playing Ludo online has not only served as an enjoyable pastime for many people, it also helped them to keep in touch with family members, friends and loved ones during a time when face to face interaction was not possible. Ludo, being a game that holds an important place in the recreational lives of Indians, was exceptionally well received in its virtual, online form. Ludo’s place in history only provides further proof as to why it is widely deemed as the king of board games.
What are the various reasons for Ludo’s immense popularity? Read on and discover!
- Ludo Brings People Together
Ludo, being a game that requires a minimum of two players and can be played by up to four players, makes it a very social game. It is a game that helps to bring people together, serving as a unifying force. The very nature of Ludo is such that it helps to strengthen family bonds as well as friendships through good spirited competition. Additionally, it is a great way for people to spend time with one another.
- Ludo is Loved by People of All Ages
Ludo is such a game that it can be played and enjoyed by people of all groups – from children to adolescents to middle aged people to senior citizens. Its appeal is universal, and especially in India, it is a game that is closely tied to culture and heritage.
- Ludo is an Intellectual Way to Spend Time
As mentioned previously, Ludo is a strategy board game and it is one that depends on both the individual skills of the players as well as an element of chance (from the throws of the dice). Knowing which tokens to move at what time is a crucial aspect of playing Ludo as the object of the game is for a player to move all of his or her tokens from the starting point to the finishing point before all the other players.
- Ludo can be Played Anywhere and Anytime
Given the fact that Ludo is a board game, it only follows that it is a game that can be played at any location and at any time. To play Ludo, all that is required is enough space to place the Ludo board as well as sufficient room for players to be seated comfortably. In comparison, the online version of Ludo is even more convenient as it can be played on one’s mobile phone screen and without requiring players to sit face to face. All that is necessary to enjoy a game of online Ludo is a stable and reasonably fast internet connection.
- Ludo is a Game with Simple Rules
In comparison to various other games with a complicated backstory, intricate rules or a complex set of characters, side missions and plot twists, the rules of Ludo are simple and straightforward, and this makes it such that people of all ages and from diverse walks of life can learn the rules and acquire the skills to play the game. Ludo is a game that is easy to adopt for children and senior people alike, and this results in more and more people taking to the game.
- Ludo is Thrilling
Though Ludo may seem like a very simple game (which in many ways it is), it is a game that is full of excitement and thrill. This is primarily due to the fact that the throwing of dice is involved, meaning there is an element of luck that plays a role in how the game turns out.
- Ludo is Highly Competitive
Ludo is a game that can be played for fun, for relaxation, for socialising with family and friends or even competitively with strangers. This is especially the case in the online version of Ludo where every player puts in their best efforts in order to win against his or her opponents. Given the fact that Ludo is an incredibly easy game to learn, there are lots of new players taking to it on a regular basis. As a result, there is very stiff competition on various gaming platforms where Ludo is offered. Additionally, attaining a spot on the leaderboard as well as the prospect of winning cash prizes are both highly attractive incentives for players to give their best shot at the game.
- Ludo is More than Just a Game
For a large number of people, Ludo is not just a game, but an emotion. It is a game with significant cultural importance as it is one of the oldest games that is still played to this day. Having been played for centuries, Ludo is a game that carries a strong sense of nostalgia and cultural identity.
Ludo is a game that people have grown up playing and loving well into their later years, and the game is played with great enthusiasm by the young and the old alike. Its simplicity of playing as well as its ease of learning have made the game universally appealing. Therefore, one can conclude that Ludo being widely referred to as the ‘king of board games is a title that is well deserved.
