# BoardGameArena Scraper - Game Database & Stats (`lulzasaur/boardgamearena-scraper`) Actor Scrape BoardGameArena's 1000+ board games. Get game names, player counts, duration, complexity, strategy, luck, interaction ratings, designers, publishers, play counts, BGG IDs, and more. - **URL**: https://apify.com/lulzasaur/boardgamearena-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [lulz bot](https://apify.com/lulzasaur) (community) - **Categories:** E-commerce - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $10.00 / 1,000 results This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## BoardGameArena Scraper Scrape the complete BoardGameArena game database. Extract detailed information for 1200+ board games including game names, player counts, duration, complexity ratings, designers, publishers, play statistics, BGG IDs, and more. ### Features - **Fast mode**: Scrapes the full game list in a single request (~1200 games in seconds) - **Detail mode**: Visits each game's page for designer, publisher, artist, year, complexity, strategy, luck, and interaction ratings - **Flexible search**: Scrape all games or filter by specific game names/slugs - **Rich data**: Player counts, duration, total games played, premium status, BGG cross-reference IDs, aliases ### Input | Field | Type | Description | Default | |-------|------|-------------|---------| | `searchQueries` | string[] | Game names/slugs to scrape. Use `"all"` for every game. | `["all"]` | | `maxListings` | integer | Max games to return (0 = unlimited) | `100` | | `scrapeDetails` | boolean | Visit each game page for full details (designer, publisher, ratings) | `false` | | `proxyConfiguration` | object | Proxy settings for rate limiting protection | `{}` | #### Example Input ```json { "searchQueries": ["catan", "ticket-to-ride", "wingspan"], "maxListings": 50, "scrapeDetails": true } ```` To scrape all games in fast mode: ```json { "searchQueries": ["all"], "maxListings": 0, "scrapeDetails": false } ``` ### Output Each game produces a JSON object with these fields: | Field | Type | Description | |-------|------|-------------| | `gameName` | string | Display name (e.g., "CATAN") | | `gameSlug` | string | URL slug (e.g., "catan") | | `gameId` | number | BGA internal game ID | | `description` | string | Game description (detail mode only) | | `imageUrl` | string | Box art image URL | | `playerCount` | string | Player range (e.g., "3 - 4") | | `minPlayers` | number | Minimum players | | `maxPlayers` | number | Maximum players | | `averageDuration` | number | Average game duration in minutes | | `complexity` | number | Complexity rating 1-5 (detail mode) | | `strategy` | number | Strategy rating 1-5 (detail mode) | | `luck` | number | Luck rating 1-5 (detail mode) | | `interaction` | number | Interaction rating 1-5 (detail mode) | | `designer` | string | Game designer(s) (detail mode) | | `artist` | string | Game artist(s) (detail mode) | | `publisher` | string | Publisher name (detail mode) | | `releaseYear` | number | Original release year (detail mode) | | `gamesPlayed` | number | Total games played on BGA | | `gamesPlayedRecent` | number | Recent games played | | `premium` | boolean | Whether Premium subscription required | | `hasTutorial` | boolean | Whether a tutorial is available | | `bggId` | number | BoardGameGeek game ID for cross-referencing | | `realtime` | boolean | Supports real-time play | | `turnBased` | boolean | Supports turn-based play | | `publishedOn` | string | Date published on BGA | | `aliases` | string\[] | Alternative game names | | `status` | string | Game status (public, beta, etc.) | | `url` | string | Game page URL | | `scrapedAt` | string | Timestamp of scrape | #### Example Output ```json { "gameName": "CATAN", "gameSlug": "catan", "gameId": 1539, "description": "Play CATAN online from your browser with the whole world!", "imageUrl": "https://x.boardgamearena.net/data/gamemedia/catan/box/en_280.png?h=1751536970", "playerCount": "3 - 4", "minPlayers": 3, "maxPlayers": 4, "averageDuration": 35, "complexity": 2, "strategy": 3, "luck": 3, "interaction": 4, "designer": "Klaus Teuber", "artist": "Eric Hibbeler, Quentin Regnes, Michael Menzel (former edition)", "publisher": "Catan", "releaseYear": 1995, "gamesPlayed": 7609152, "gamesPlayedRecent": 7027, "premium": true, "hasTutorial": true, "bggId": 13, "realtime": true, "turnBased": true, "publishedOn": "2022-06-22", "aliases": ["The Settlers of Catan", "Die Siedler von Catan", "Les Colons de Catane"], "status": "public", "url": "https://en.boardgamearena.com/gamepanel?game=catan", "scrapedAt": "2026-04-26T04:47:21.694Z" } ``` ### Use Cases - **Board game research**: Compare complexity, strategy, and popularity across 1200+ games - **Collection management**: Track which games are available on BGA and their details - **BGG integration**: Use `bggId` to cross-reference with BoardGameGeek data - **Trend analysis**: Monitor `gamesPlayed` and `gamesPlayedRecent` for popularity trends - **Premium tracking**: Identify which games require Premium subscription *** ### Run on Apify This scraper runs on the [Apify platform](https://apify.com/?fpr=lulzasaur) -- a full-stack web scraping and automation cloud. Sign up for a free account to get started with 30-day trial of all features. [Try Apify free](https://apify.com/?fpr=lulzasaur) ### Related Scrapers More marketplace scrapers and data tools by [lulzasaur](https://apify.com/lulzasaur): - [AbeBooks Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/abebooks-scraper) -- Rare and used books - [Bonanza Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/bonanza-scraper) -- Online marketplace listings - [Contractor License Verifier](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/contractor-license-scraper) -- Multi-state license verification - [Goodreads Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/goodreads-scraper) -- Book ratings and reviews - [Grailed Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/grailed-scraper) -- Luxury fashion resale - [Houzz Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/houzz-scraper) -- Home improvement professionals - [IMDb Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/imdb-scraper) -- Movie and TV show data - [Nurse License Verifier](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/nurse-license-scraper) -- State nursing board verification - [OfferUp Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/offerup-scraper) -- Local marketplace listings - [Poshmark Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/poshmark-scraper) -- Fashion resale marketplace - [PSA Population Report](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/psa-pop-scraper) -- Card grading data - [Redfin Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/redfin-scraper) -- Real estate listings and prices - [Reverb Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/reverb-scraper) -- Music gear marketplace - [StubHub Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/stubhub-scraper) -- Event ticket prices - [Swappa Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/swappa-scraper) -- Used electronics marketplace - [TCGPlayer Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/tcgplayer-scraper) -- Trading card prices - [ThriftBooks Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/thriftbooks-scraper) -- Used book prices - [Thumbtack Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/thumbtack-scraper) -- Local service professionals # Actor input Schema ## `searchQueries` (type: `array`): List of game names/slugs to scrape (e.g., 'catan', 'ticket-to-ride'). Use 'all' to scrape every game on BoardGameArena (~1200+ games). ## `maxListings` (type: `integer`): Maximum number of games to scrape. Set to 0 for unlimited. Only applies when using 'all' mode. ## `scrapeDetails` (type: `boolean`): If enabled, visits each game's page to get designer, publisher, artist, year, description, and community ratings. Slower but richer data. If disabled, uses the fast game list data only. ## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`): Proxy settings. Not required for basic scraping but recommended for large-scale runs to avoid rate limiting. ## Actor input object example ```json { "searchQueries": [ "all" ], "maxListings": 100, "scrapeDetails": false, "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": false } } ``` # Actor output Schema ## `results` (type: `string`): No description # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "searchQueries": [ "all" ] }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("lulzasaur/boardgamearena-scraper").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "searchQueries": ["all"] } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("lulzasaur/boardgamearena-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "searchQueries": [ "all" ] }' | apify call lulzasaur/boardgamearena-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=lulzasaur/boardgamearena-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "BoardGameArena Scraper - Game Database & Stats", "description": "Scrape BoardGameArena's 1000+ board games. Get game names, player counts, duration, complexity, strategy, luck, interaction ratings, designers, publishers, play counts, BGG IDs, and more.", "version": "1.0", "x-build-id": "nrtNXGj6uM5Attr5D" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/lulzasaur~boardgamearena-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-lulzasaur-boardgamearena-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/lulzasaur~boardgamearena-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-lulzasaur-boardgamearena-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/lulzasaur~boardgamearena-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-lulzasaur-boardgamearena-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "searchQueries": { "title": "Game Names or Slugs", "type": "array", "description": "List of game names/slugs to scrape (e.g., 'catan', 'ticket-to-ride'). Use 'all' to scrape every game on BoardGameArena (~1200+ games).", "default": [ "all" ], "items": { "type": "string" } }, "maxListings": { "title": "Max Games", "minimum": 0, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum number of games to scrape. Set to 0 for unlimited. Only applies when using 'all' mode.", "default": 100 }, "scrapeDetails": { "title": "Scrape Full Details", "type": "boolean", "description": "If enabled, visits each game's page to get designer, publisher, artist, year, description, and community ratings. Slower but richer data. If disabled, uses the fast game list data only.", "default": false }, "proxyConfiguration": { "title": "Proxy Configuration", "type": "object", "description": "Proxy settings. Not required for basic scraping but recommended for large-scale runs to avoid rate limiting.", "default": { "useApifyProxy": false } } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```