In the context of board games, the "Colonial" theme often involves players taking on roles related to the period of colonialism, such as settlers, explorers, or colonial governors. Games with this theme may involve mechanics such as exploration, resource management, and economic development. These games can offer historical settings that range from the age of European expansion in the 15th to 19th centuries, to fictional or alternative-history scenarios.
It is important to note that while the colonial theme can provide interesting historical contexts and game mechanics, it has increasingly come under scrutiny. Critics argue that such games can oversimplify or glorify a period that was detrimental to indigenous populations and involved widespread exploitation and violence. This has led to discussions in the gaming community about the responsibility of game designers to handle historical themes with sensitivity and accuracy.
Contemporary game designs often strive to navigate these concerns by ensuring a balanced representation of the impacts of colonialism, or by shifting the focus to themes of resistance and indigenous perspectives.
