Opinions about board games with digital elements

Hello guys,

I'm currently developing a game concept centered on a modular, card-driven narrative system. However, I've hit a recurring design wall. Pursuing true narrative flexibility seems to lead to one of two dead ends: logical inconsistencies where one card simply doesn't make sense following the previous one, or the impractical solution of creating an unwieldy number of decks just to maintain that coherence.

One potential solution is to introduce a digital element—a companion app designed to drive the narrative, track choices, and ensure a seamless story unfolds.

This practical fix to my design problem, however, raises a more fundamental question for you as players.

How do you genuinely feel about the presence of digital elements in your board games?

To elaborate:

• Do you find that apps are a welcome tool that enhances the experience, opening up gameplay possibilities that would be impractical or impossible on a purely physical tabletop?
• Or do you feel that a screen at the table inherently harms your immersion, pulling you out of the tactile, social magic that makes board gaming a unique escape?

I'm not asking about the quality of a specific app's UI or its technical polish, but about the core principle of integrating a digital component into your analog hobby. Does it add to or detract from your ideal gaming night?