BasGame

BasGame: Switzerland’s Celebration of Modern Board Games and Community

Every year, the city of Basel, Switzerland, plays host to a unique event that unites fun, strategy, creativity, and community: BasGame, the region’s largest and most vibrant board game convention. Held annually since 2013, BasGame has grown from a niche local gathering to a beloved fixture in the international board gaming calendar. Whether you’re a curious newcomer or a seasoned strategist, BasGame offers something unforgettable: a weekend of immersive play, connection, and discovery.

In a world where digital entertainment often dominates, this event reaffirms the enduring power of tabletop experiences. At its heart, BasGame isn’t just about games—it’s about people coming together to share joy, creativity, and a little healthy competition across the table.

A Growing Legacy in the Heart of Basel

BasGame began in 2013 with a simple but powerful mission: to provide a space for people to discover and enjoy modern board games. From its modest beginnings, it has evolved into the largest board gaming event in Northwest Switzerland, attracting hundreds of enthusiasts, families, designers, and publishers.

Held over a weekend, the event occupies a spacious venue that allows for organized play areas, exhibitor stands, prototype corners, and retail booths. With each passing year, its reputation grows—not just as a board gaming convention, but as a cultural gathering that blends entertainment with innovation and community spirit.

A Playground for Board Game Enthusiasts of All Levels

BasGame is welcoming to all, regardless of skill or experience. One of the key appeals of the event is its accessibility—you don’t need to be a gaming expert to enjoy it. Volunteers and publishers are available throughout the venue to explain rules, recommend games, and guide play sessions.

Visitors to BasGame can enjoy:

• Free play areas with hundreds of games to try
• Game instructors who help new players learn quickly
• Prototype sections where you can test unreleased games and give feedback
• Tournaments and challenges for competitive players
• Exhibitor booths showcasing the latest games from prominent publishers
• Retail corners offering special convention deals and rare finds

Whether you’re into cooperative games, competitive strategy, fast-paced party games, or immersive storytelling, you’ll find something that suits your taste.

Connecting Communities Through Play

BasGame is more than an event—it’s a community hub. It’s a place where friendships form over shared victories and collective losses, where people speak different languages but find common ground through dice, tokens, and strategy.

Many visitors come not just to play, but to meet like-minded people, discover independent creators, and even reconnect with old friends. Families, solo players, and groups of friends all find the environment inclusive and engaging.

The social aspect of BasGame includes

• Meetups for specific game types (e.g. eurogames, family games, card games)
• Playtesting sessions where creators invite players to shape future releases
• Networking with publishers, artists, and designers
• Workshops and talks on game design and industry trends

This atmosphere of openness and collaboration makes it a favorite not only among players but also among game creators looking to get honest feedback in a supportive setting.

Supporting Innovation and Independent Creators

BasGame has earned a reputation for being creator-friendly, especially for indie developers and small publishers. While major publishers are certainly present, the event also serves as a launchpad for new ideas.

Emerging designers showcase their prototypes in a dedicated area where attendees can try out new mechanics, themes, and formats. Feedback from these sessions is often invaluable in refining games before they go to market.

Key benefits for game creators at BasGame

• Direct user feedback from a varied audience
• Live demos that allow players to engage and critique
• Networking opportunities with publishers and distributors
• Brand exposure in a receptive and interactive environment

Many games that began as prototypes at BasGame have since gone on to enjoy full publication and international success, proving the event’s role in nurturing innovation in the board game industry.

Tournaments and Challenges: A Test of Strategy and Skill

For those who thrive on competition, BasGame delivers with a variety of tournaments and organized play sessions. These events are open to all and cater to both casual players and hardcore strategists.

Popular titles often feature prominently in these competitions, including classics and trending hits. Prizes, recognition, and of course, bragging rights, await those who rise to the top.

Past tournaments have included games like

• Catan – Test your settlement strategy
• Carcassonne – Compete in tile-laying mastery
• 7 Wonders Duel – Duel in ancient glory
• Ticket to Ride – Build your way to victory
• Magic: The Gathering – Face off in card battles

Participation often requires a small fee or registration, but the friendly and respectful environment ensures an enjoyable experience for everyone, win or lose.

Game Shopping and Exclusive Deals

What’s a board game convention without some good shopping? At BasGame, retailers and publishers bring not only their bestsellers but also rare editions, pre-releases, and exclusive bundles just for the event. Whether you’re building your collection or hunting down a hard-to-find gem, the shopping opportunities are plentiful.

In addition, many local game stores and publishers offer BasGame-only discounts, making it an ideal time to invest in new games for your personal library or as gifts for friends and family.

Where Play Meets Passion

BasGame is more than Switzerland’s biggest board game convention in the Northwest—it’s a celebration of connection, creativity, and the simple joy of play. For over a decade, it has brought together people of all backgrounds through a shared love for modern tabletop games.

Whether you come to discover new titles, test prototypes, meet fellow gamers, or simply spend a weekend playing your favorite classics, BasGame offers an unforgettable experience that bridges generations, cultures, and game genres.

As the world of board games continues to grow, evolve, and inspire, BasGame stands proudly as one of its most welcoming and vibrant gatherings—one roll of the dice at a time.