I just watched Rental Family, and it got me thinking about board game communities acting in a similar way. Tokyo-set drama/comedy Rental Family could have easily tipped into cringey, overly sentimental territory, but in the hands of the director Hikari, it’s quietly beautiful and contemplative. Brendan Fraser plays Phillip, a middle-aged actor in Japan taking on jobs with a “rental family” service. Essentially, he is hired to play a spouse, a parent, or a friend to help people navigate tricky emotional situations. The story explores loneliness, connection, and the moral complications of helping others while pretending to be someone else. It’s tender, thoughtful, and funny, with moments of sweetness that land without ever feeling forced.
TL;DR - Board game communities often function like a “rental family.” They offer connection, belonging, and shared experiences, even if the relationships start out temporary.
How Board Game Communities Become a “Rental Family”
Just like Phillip steps into someone else’s life to offer companionship, board game nights offer a low-pressure way to belong. Open game nights, clubs, and local board game groups become a kind of rental family: a space where you can show up, sit at a table, and feel included, even if only for an evening.
You do not need years of shared history. You just need a game, a seat, and a willingness to play.
In board gaming, connection often comes naturally - a third space. You collaborate, compete, laugh at mistakes, and celebrate small victories together. (I have made many new friends through board games, so much so that I have been invited to multiple weddings of board gamer friends. Rest assured, we have played and will continue to play board games at the reception. HAHAHA!) These shared moments build trust quickly. For many people, especially in a world that can feel increasingly isolating, that sense of temporary belonging matters more than we realize.
A Filipino Board Game Community in Action
I want to give a shoutout to my home board game community, the Mandaluyong Board Game Club, which meets every Friday in Kapitolyo. At our open game nights, you see this “rental family” idea play out in real time. Newcomers are welcomed. Strangers become teammates. Regulars look out for one another.
There is a shared goal: play, learn, and laugh together. You do not have to be lifelong friends to feel comfortable. The community itself becomes the anchor, a place where friendships are allowed to grow at their own pace.
This is something I have seen across many Philippine board game communities. We may come for the games, but we stay for the people.
How to Start Your Own Board Game Group
If you have ever thought about starting a board game group, the first step is simple: invite people to play.
Here are a few practical tips:
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Start with friends, coworkers, or classmates.
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Post in local Facebook groups or community chats.
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Pick a regular schedule, even if it is just once a month.
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Keep the atmosphere welcoming and low-pressure.
Game selection also matters. It helps to have a mix of games: party games like Flip 7, Trio, and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza are perfect for new players to jump in quickly, while gateway games like Cascadia, Catan, Harmonies, Splendor, and Ticket to Ride are excellent starting points for those ready to try heavier games. Veteran players may prefer more complex titles, but giving new players an approachable entry point helps the community grow—and who knows, they might level up into heavy gamers in time!
Nurturing a Healthy Board Game Community
Once a group exists, culture is everything.
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Encourage new players and explain rules without judgment.
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Actively introduce people who need a table or a game.
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Mix casual game nights with deeper, more strategic sessions.
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Celebrate wins, mistakes, and funny moments equally.
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Stay consistent, but flexible. Life happens.
The more intentional you are about fostering connection, the more your group starts to feel like a rental family: supportive, welcoming, and built on shared experiences rather than obligation.
Where to Find Board Game Communities in the Philippines
If you are looking for a board game community, social media is often the best place to start. Many groups post regular open game nights and events online. There is also a community-compiled list of open game days maintained by Jerico (one of my good friends, and an awesome guy), one of the most dedicated board game organizers around. Reaching out can feel nerve-wracking, but in my experience, board gamers are warm, generous, and excited to welcome new players.
Community on a Bigger Table
What makes this even more exciting is that ALL ABOARD EXPO brings together board game communities from across the Philippines and beyond. It is a rare chance to meet new people, share stories, and build connections that extend beyond your local table. Last year, we saw so many players actively looking for welcoming groups to join, and many communities found new members because of it.
Board games are not just about strategy or competition. They are about community. In a world that often feels disconnected, that matters deeply. As Rental Family gently reminds us, sometimes the family you need is not given. Sometimes, it is made, one shared moment at a table at a time.
About Gaming Library
Gaming Library aims to be the go-to resource for board games, providing not only titles that can be enjoyed by families, but also to be enjoyed by friends both newcomers and veterans alike. By pulling from different resources from all over the world, we at Gaming Library curate an impressive collection of games for consumers to choose from, suitable for anybody from casual players to hardcore hobbyists. In doing so, we hope to provide the best means to foster activities that strengthen family ties and friendships, while teaching relevant skills and practical critical thinking that can be applied to your everyday life.
