ABSTRACT
Board games represent an intersection of strategy, social interaction, and material design.
While rule systems and visual aesthetics have been widely studied, the tactile qualities of
game components remain relatively underexplored. This paper investigates why board game
pieces evoke a sense of satisfaction that extends beyond their functional role. It examines
how material properties, weight distribution, ergonomic form, and surface texture contribute
to the sensory and psychological experience of play. Drawing from literature in design
theory, ergonomics, and consumer psychology, as well as findings from a pilot user study, the
research argues that tactile interaction is a critical factor in immersion and player attachment.
By foregrounding the role of touch, this study situates board game pieces as significant
design artifacts and highlights how small material decisions can shape broader experiential
outcomes in both games and product design.
KEYWORDS: ergonomics; tactile design; materiality; board games; haptic interaction; user
experience; emotional design; product design; material culture; play experience