James Lowder

Game Contributor

James Lowder has worked in fiction and hobby game publishing for more than two decades. He is the editor of the award-winning anthologies Hobby Games: The 100 Best and Family Games, available in print and now in select ebook formats. The anthologies feature short essays by the top game designers and publishers from around the world, sharing their personal selections for the most enjoyable and innovative card games, board games, miniatures games, and role-playing games of the last century.

Top Games To Gift In 2018

By , Mitch Teich & • Dec 11, 2018
Diane Macdonald/Fotolia

Playing games might be a year-round hobby for some of us, but buying games is generally a holiday season pastime. Since 2010, writer, editor and games expert James Lowder has joined us during the holiday season to share his Games to Gift List.

While older adults might have learned to games from an experienced player, many of today’s players are turning to online videos according to Lowder.

Lake Effect's Top Games to Gift in 2017

By , & • Dec 14, 2017
Artem / Fotolia

For eight years (and counting), game aficionado James Lowder has joined Lake Effect, WUWM's locally-produced magazine program, to talk about the best games of the year. We are talking about classic games here, not the kind that are played on a screen.

"The thing that's amazing is how much this has become mainstream culture," Lowder says. "Everybody's watching the Marvel movies and everybody's familiar with The Lord of the Rings, so they understand the tropes and they understand the storytelling."

Top Games to Gift in 2016

By , & • Dec 19, 2016
Thames and Kosmos

Every December since 2010, Lake Effect has been joined by writer and game expert James Lowder. He is the  editor of the award-winning essay anthologies Hobby Games: The 100 Best, and Family Games: The 100 Best.

During 2016, Lowder noticed three trends in the gaming world:

Top Games to Gift in 2015

By , & • Dec 21, 2015
Randy Robertson / Flickr

Every December since 2010, Lake Effect has been joined by writer and game expert James Lowder. He suggests new and notable games to give as gifts - for nearly every age and ability level. 

James Lowder is editor of the award-winning essay anthologies Hobby Games: The 100 Best, and Family Games: The 100 Best. His next game-related project--The Munchkin Book, an official companion for the hit card game--is due for release in February.

Here are his top picks:

Hobby Category:

2014 'Games to Gift' List

By & • Dec 15, 2014

A favorite Lake Effect tradition at this time of year is our annual "Games to Gift" segment, helping you to find the perfect present for the board game enthusiast and casual player on your list.

Lake Effect's 2013 'Games to Gift' List

By • Dec 17, 2013
AEG

A favorite Lake Effect tradition at this time of year is our annual "Games to Gift" segment, helping you to find the perfect present for the board game enthusiast and casual player on your list.