Playing dice has remained a popular way to while away the time for centuries, and their popularity hasn’t died down despite the rise in phones and online gaming.
Nowadays, there is a wide variety of dice for consumers to choose from, with each style bringing its own twist to games. Read on to learn more about which are the most popular types of dice for games today.
Table of Contents
Global market value of board games
5 popular types of gaming dice
Conclusion
Global market value of board games
Dice are commonly used in many different types of board games, as well as in casinos, for card games, and as part of other games that don’t necessarily require other components to be played. However, it’s with board games that a wide variety of dice are used to create not only a unique gaming experience but a randomization of gameplay that means additional fun for players.
The global market value of board games will reach over US $17 billion in 2023, and that number is projected to increase by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of at least 9.2% over the next several years. This will bring the total market value up to US $34.35 billion by 2030. Consumers are taking a greater interest in the growing types of board games available, which is helping to drive sales. At the heart of these board games are different styles of dice for different types of gameplay, which will be discussed in more depth below.
5 popular types of gaming dice
Dice are available in a variety of different shapes, sizes, and patterns, with each style bringing something a little different to the game in question. Not all dice can be used universally though, so consumers will be looking for specific types depending on the games that they will use them for.
According to Google Ads, “dice” has 1.2 million average monthly searches. Between May and November 2023, searches remained steady at 1 million, with the highest number of searches seen between December and February.
When looking at which types of dice are most popular, Google Ads shows that “D20 dice” comes out on top with 14,800 monthly searches followed by “six-sided die” with 8,100 searches, “D4 dice” with 6,600 searches, “D10 dice” with 4,400 searches, and “D8 dice” with 2,900 searches.
Below we’ll look at what makes each of these styles of dice popular with consumers and in what context they are most often used.
D20 die
D20 dice have 20 sides and are predominantly used for games that work on the RPG system, where having many outcomes is important to how the game works. The numbers can greatly affect what’s known as critical “hits” and “failures,” depending on which of the many numbers is rolled. D20 dice are traditionally 19-22mm in diameter (though they can be bigger) and often come in vibrant designs to match the theme of the game.
Google Ads shows that over the six-month period between May and November 2023, searches for “D20 dice” increased by 18%, with the highest number of searches occurring between September and November at 18,100.
Six-sided die
The most commonly used and instantly recognizable die is the six-sided die. This die has been around for a long time and is cubical in shape with six distinct square faces. The design of the six-sided die means that there’s an equal chance of it landing on any of its six sides, while its straightforward use makes it ideal for children and adult games, and even educational purposes.
Google Ads shows that over the six-month period between May and November 2023, searches for “six-sided die” increased by 18%, with the highest number of searches occurring between November and December at 9,900.
D4 die
D4 die have a unique triangular shape that isn’t normally associated with dice. This is one of the most popular types of dice for RPGs to determine outcomes that aren’t chosen using D20 dice, and can be used simultaneously. D4 dice come in various colors and patterns that make them stand out, with some even presented as collector’s items too.
Google Ads shows that over the six-month period between May and November 2023, searches for “D4 dice” remained steady at 6,600 searches, with the highest number of searches occurring between August and October at 8,100.
D10 die
The D10 die features 10 isosceles triangular faces with the numbers 0-9 on them. They’re also commonly used in RPGs, and in some games, two dice will be used to determine an outcome.
Google Ads shows that over the six-month period between May and November 2023, searches for “D10 dice” increased by 19%, with the highest number of searches occurring in February at 5,400.
D8 die
One of the most popular types of dice for a variety of games is the D8 dice. These dice, like many others, are heavily used for RPGs to determine certain movements or actions during the game. They can also be used for educational purposes, such as teaching geometry and probability. D8 dice feature a diamond shape with eight equal triangular sides, each marked with a different number. Consumers will likely choose dice that match the game’s style.
Google Ads shows that over the six-month period between May and November 2023, searches for “D8 dice” remained steady at 2,900 searches, with the highest number of searches occurring between September and November at 2,900.
Conclusion
Choosing which types of die should be used for which games will depend on the game being played as well as how intricate the movements on the board are. Different types of dice determine a varying number of outcomes depending on how many number combinations can be thrown, and consumers will not only look at how many sides the dice have but also its physical appearance and how closely it matches the theme of the game in question.
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