Board games are back in fashion with an increasing number of Australians hosting get-togethers, but it is not the traditional games like Monopoly attracting attention.

Regular player Pat Gallagher recently moved house to help accommodate his burgeoning board game collection.

The extra space also meant he could purchase a specialist square table to host large-scale games nights.

At his north Canberra home, spread out on the table are a series of interchangeable streetscapes and menacing grey zombie figures.

CanCon organisers have noticed a surge in the number of people coming to play board games. ( Photo: Pat Gallagher )

"This is Zombicide, and it is the game that got us all started with the resurgence of board games," Mr Gallagher said.

"It was a game that came up on the Kickstarter [crowdsourcing] website about three years ago and we all really enjoyed playing it.

"Zombicide is fairly simple in that you go around trying to kill zombies, and not get eaten but it is very adaptable and different each time, plus it is also a cooperative game, rather than being competitive for individuals."

The annual Canberra gaming convention CanCon boosted its board games tables to 60 in response to growing national demand.

"We were full for the majority of the time we were open and that was really gratifying," CanCon board games librarian Terry Furness said.

"In fact we will be looking at expanding the size again next year."

Re-playability a big factor for modern board games

Do not limit your thoughts about board games to the classics of Monopoly or Scrabble.

Most modern board games have abandoned the traditional model of one dice being rolled for each turn and some even incorporate smart phone apps into the activities.

"These days a lot of board games have got shorter play times, no player eliminations and some real meaningful decisions," Mr Furness said.

"Instead of rolling the dice, moving to a location and doing what the board tells you, there are a lot of games now where you are in control of your destiny, and that often makes it a much more enjoyable experience."

Customers have been purchasing games with flexible outcomes and targeting extension packs.

"It is not just the same game that you play over again, and whoever gets the most numbers on the dice wins," regular gamer David Cannell said.

"Now it is so much more about strategy with different cards coming up at different times it changes the outlook of the game, the objectives and the aim of various games.

"So the game is never the same."

Keeping up with the immense number of new games hitting the market has been a challenge.

This year more than 800 games were released at Internationale Spieltage SPIEL in Essen, Germany, which is considered the largest public international convention for board and card games.

There are a generous supply of websites dedicated to board game geeks and even a popular YouTube based show, hosted by a former Star Trek star, has been explaining new titles.

Using the internet, many board game developers are selling direct to consumers using crowdfunding websites rather than approaching large mainstream retailers.

They are also offering smart phone apps so potential customers can try out the game basics before they buy the boxed table-top version.

'There's a board game for everyone'

Despite the online competition from computer games for younger players, board games still appeal to a wide range of age groups.

Mr Gallagher said his growing board games collection made him move to a larger home and buy a bigger dining table. ( Supplied )

"Yes, with video games now you can put on a headset and chat, but it is board games that allow you to have your friends over and sit across from each other," Mr Furness said.

"It is a much more social experience, and I can certainly play the board games with my young niece and nephew but also with my parents."

Sarah Hull said her board game enthusiasm had sparked a new Christmas tradition.

"My mother now insists every Christmas held at her home that I bring along the train game, Ticket To Ride," she said.

"She loves it and makes everyone that comes play it.

"It is very different to the games we would have played when we were younger but the modern ones are a lot more interesting."