Beginning with the arcades of the 1970s and 1980s and continuing through the Xboxes and PlayStations of today, teens across the globe have developed an obsession with video games.

But Rob Davidson and Michael Emerson want to introduce the Dowagiac community to a new kind of game — or rather an old kind of game, with a new twist.

This kind of game doesn’t involve controllers, consoles or even electricity.

Davidson and Emerson are in the business of card games and board games — but they’re not talking about Crazy Eights or Monopoly.

They’re talking about Dominion, Kings of Tokyo, Dragon Rampage, Defenders of the Realm and, of course, Magic: The Gathering.

In other words, not the games you’ll find in your grandmother’s closet.

“With my family, we would always sit around the table and play Risk or euchre,” Davidson said. “I remember those times a lot as a kid … but, just like with computers, everything evolves. These are just updated games. At heart, they’re the same mechanics.”

At noon Monday, Davidson and Emerson will be opening the new store, Radiant Rogue Games, in the heart of downtown Dowagiac with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce.

Not only will patrons be able to buy games from the store, but half the store is set up with tables and chairs for people to play the games. Davidson and Emerson also have a snack stand set up to feed gamers should they get hungry.

“You can buy almost anything on Amazon, but they’re not giving you a place to play your games,” Davidson said. “I want this place to be the hang out for the community.”

Davidson and Emerson have been friends since fifth grade, and they’re confident that anyone — regardless of age — can come and learn new games, and have a blast doing so.

“We want anybody and everybody, even if you’re not a gamer, to come and check this store out,” Emerson said.

Beyond creating a new kind of store for the Dowagiac community, they are first looking to create a new kind of environment.

“We want to build a relationship with our customers,” Davidson said. “We want to be on a first name basis.”

Davidson and Emerson say most importantly, they hope the business will have a positive impact on the youth in the community. Every Tuesday the store will host a family game night where families are encouraged to come and play games.

The business is partnering with organizations like Southwestern Michigan College and Dowagiac Union High School to introduce collectible card and tabletop games to the community.

“We want to provide a fun environment for kids to come, hang out and learn something new,” Davidson said.

Ultimately, Davidson and Emerson are looking to make Radiant Rogue Games into a staple of wholesome, good-hearted fun in the Dowagiac community.

“This is our passion,” Davidson said. “This is what we love to do.”

Emerson echoed those sentiments, stating the heart of their business philosophy:

“You don’t just come into the store — you have an experience.”

Radiant Rogue Games is located at 204 S. Front Street in Dowagiac. More information can be found on their Facebook page under “Radiant Rogue Games.”