A board game is a game played with pieces, relatively small counters or markers, on a gameboard, a reasonably flat surface, sheet, or map, usually of wood, paper, or cardboard, that defines the play area. The game usually involves moving pieces on the surface. In some games the board or surface itself is also made of composite parts, and also changes during play. This general description means these games require an area to play, often the top of a table, usually indoors. These tend to be mental games, rather than physically active games.