14 October,2026 09:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish Kamble
Players test drive an upcoming astronomy-themed game by Hooktail Games at a previous board game convention. PICS COURTESY/INSTAGRAM
If you're that person at the houseparty who zones out every time someone explains the complex rules of a board game, the problem might not be you. This year, Indian board game makers made it easier for desi audiences to find relatability and familiarity on the board with some inventive games. From seaside adventures to games based on historical events, finding them is not too difficult in the mushrooming board game clubs and communities all across the city and its suburbs. To catch the best of the lot under one roof, head to board game convention Meeplecon 2026 this weekend.
ON October 17 and 18; 11 am to 8 pm
AT NESCO, Western Express Highway, Goregaon East.
LOG ON TO meeplecon.in
ENTRY Rs 1200 onwards (single-day pass)
1 Cricket or Nothing
Reminiscent of the tabletop cricket boards from the 2000s, this game by Manish Punwani, Dhaval Sheth and Amit Agarwal takes a complete detour from the timing and reflex aspects of the sport. Players from opposing teams attempt to outwit and read their opponents by choosing cards, and revealing them at the same time. With endless combinations and special cards, this one's slated to be a nail-biter.
LOG ON TO cricketornothing.com
2 Jatra
From Upar Ek, the makers of Kabutar, the card-game based on the menacing pigeons of Mumbai, comes a nostalgic project, Jatra. Players are dropped in the middle of a jatra (fair) with their siblings (co-players). The goal is to navigate the many tasks inside the fair before others. Memories resurface at unexpected times, disrupting your progress, changing how you play, and forcing you to adapt.
LOG ON TO @uparekstudio
3 Dariya
In this 2026 Golden Elephant Award-winning game designed by Sagnik Ghosh and Hrishikesh Parikh, players play as fictional fishermen who must plan and execute high-risk expeditions in the vast blue seas. Collect the tools, recruit your crew, and solve problems deep in the ocean. Termed a âpush-your-luck' strategy game, players will calculate their risks for the biggest fish before ambition sinks their expedition.
LOG ON TO @zenwood.games
4 Get Cooked
Ever wondered what running a restaurant in the city is like? Face the heat in the kitchen with this project by Hooktail Games that adds a tabletop spin by game-fying the ingredient procurement, resource management, and rivalry in the kitchen. Grow your business, throw a spanner in the works in your opponent's plans, and build camaraderie to find the perfect mix of luck and skill.
LOG ON TO @getcookedthegame
While platforming new indie board games, the convention will leave room for classics. Battle it out in community tournaments across the two days
Catan TIME 11 am (both days)
Azul TIME 1 pm (Saturday)
UNO TIME 4 pm (both days)
Mahjong TIME 4 pm (Saturday); 12 pm (Sunday)
This year, the board game convention joins hands with the video gaming convention Gaming Con 2026 for a 360-degree experience. Expect cosplay, live gaming tournaments, and hands-on simulation of an F1 race just in time for the upcoming United States Grand Prix.
LOG ON TO @gamingcon_official (for full schedule)
