Board games conjure up images of a bygone era, the annual Christmas Monopoly tournament or family holidays spent playing Snakes & Ladders. But in 2013 more money was raised on Kickstarter for tabletop games than video games. How has the digital world instigated nostalgia for the past?

It was the most Googled TV show of 2014, the most mentioned series on Facebook and boasts the most illegally downloaded TV episode ever – the finale of season three. Now,Game of Thronesis set to be the first ever TV show to be screened in IMAX cinemas.

The gaming landscape is changing. While blockbuster titles likeGTAandCall of Dutythrive, smaller companies are making waves. Telltale Games has launched award winning games based on current TV shows. But what is it that’s making ‘episodic’ gaming so popular?

Computer and video games inspired by social issues and real-life events like drone strikes, child labour, and child abuse are a growing segment of the industry. For example,The Unconcernedwas inspired by the 2009 protests over the Iranian election.