by Blake Herzog
Every neighborhood seems to have at least one kid or adult with a big game room in their house that draws peers from miles away while everyone else is failing to impress even their own families with their own limited play space
But you can make your own dual-purpose dungeon go a lot further than you think!
Slip in a screen — As slim and easily concealed as wall-mounted flat-screen monitors are these days, it’s easy to add one anyplace where one or more people might want to play a round or two of D&D or WoW or even UGG (Untitled Goose Game, a hit with kids and families). A dining room or eat-in kitchen can be a great option since there’s ample seating plus a table for more hands-on card or board games.
Hide small speakers — If you don’t have a budget for a top-of-the-line sound system to fill the room, shop around for some gaming speakers, which are usually smaller than those intended for music, which can be strategically placed to put the pulse-pounding music and effects right behind, under or next to your players. You can build up your collection over time if necessary, surprising frequent flyers with new dimensions of sound.
A couple good chairs — This can go a long way toward making people more excited about gaming at home. Options range from classic floor-level rockers and swivelers that can be stowed away when not in use to amped-up office chairs that can be used at desks for work and play and recliners where you can nap after getting wrecked by an intense battle. All three types can have integrated speakers that can turn the most unassuming family room into a thunderous arcade.
Make the games smaller — If you’re out of storage room for new and exciting board games, look into printing games out at home. Many publishers offer this at a fraction of the cost of a full boxed set. It won’t have the same bells and whistles but the identical action and fun. Better yet, you can invent your own game!
