Årets Brettspill - Children's Game

Årets Brettspill - Norway - since 2005

The Norwegian Game of the Year is divided in 4 categories, although the Strategy category is already lost in the 2006 nomination process.

- Family / Light Strategy Game
- Children's Game
- Trivia / Party Game
- Strategy Game

Children's Game

2008 Chateau Roquefort
2007 Jumbo Zoo
2006 Geistertreppe
2005 Cranium Cadoo

Årets Brettspill - Strategy

Årets Brettspill - Norway - since 2005

The Norwegian Game of the Year is divided in 4 categories, although the Strategy category is already lost in the 2006 nomination process.

- Family / Light Strategy Game
- Children's Game
- Trivia / Party Game
- Strategy Game

Strategy Game

2005 Memoir '44

Årets Spill 2006 Nominees (Norway)

The second Game of the Year (Årets Spill) award in Norway will be awarded in October. Here are the nominees:

Family / Light Strategy Game

Aqua Romana
Clue DVD Game
Elasund: The First City of Catan
GIPF
Ticket to Ride Europe

Children's Game

Junior alias
Funny Farm
Mighty Magpies
Speedybag
Geistertreppe

Trivia / Party Game

Crossword Pyramids
Alle mot en
He & She
Reiselyst
Therapy

BoardGameGeek

BoardGameGeek.com is the biggest online boardgame community. And probably has the biggest Game Ranking as well. Over 5000 games (not counting expansions) are listed ranked; the database itself has over 40.000 games...

Games are ranked when 30 users rate a game. For more specifics on the methods used: see here. Of course, BGG users all have their own ideas on the system, but with a community this big, you can't please all. Moreover: if you don't like user ranking, don't use them.

Games that have been number 1:

Agricola

Puerto Rico

Euphraat & Tigris

Paths of Glory

Monkey Auto Races (April 1st Joke)

Game of Life (Testing the system)

BGG Top 10, July 10, 2009

All Games

1. Agricola
2. Puerto Rico
3. Power Grid
4. Twilight Struggle
5. Through the Ages
6. Dominion
7. Euphraat & Tigris
8. Le Havre
9. El Grande
10. Caylus

See all games: BGG Rankings

War Games

1. Case Blue
2. Combat Commander: Pacific
3. World at War: Blood and Bridges
4. The Devil's Cauldron: The Battles for Arnhem and Nijmegen
5. DAK2
6. Twilight Struggle
7. Lobositz: First Battle of the Seven Years War
8. EastFront II
9. Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear!
10. Napoleon's Triumph

See all games: BGG Wargame Rankings

IGA 2006 winner?

Weird things on the IGA website: it's announced the winner for the 2005 Historical Simulations category... Twilight Struggle. Message published: Dec. 9 2005.

Probably a small mistake, so I assume Twilight Struggle won the IGA 2006 Historical Simulations award. Ronald Hoekstra gives that info on his website as well.

International Gamers Awards - Historical Simulation

International Gamers Awards - since 2000

In 2000 Greg Schloesser and the Strategy Gaming Society founded The Gamers' Choice Award. Known figures of the gaming scene from around the world were asked to join the jury, making this an international award.

In 2003 the award became independant under a new name: International Gamers Award. More on the voting system can be found here. Games are awarded in 3 categories:

- General Strategy; Multi-player
- General Strategy; Two-player
- Historical Simulation

Historical Simulation

2009 Unhappy King Charles!

2008 Asia Engulfed
2007 A Victory Lost
2006 Twilight Struggle
2005 Sword of Rome
2004 Lock 'N Load: Forgotten Heroes Vietnam
2003 Hammer of the Scots
2002 Wilderness War
2001 Drive on Paris
2000 Paths of Glory

International Gamers Awards - Two-player

International Gamers Awards - since 2000

In 2000 Greg Schloesser and the Strategy Gaming Society founded The Gamers' Choice Award. Known figures of the gaming scene from around the world were asked to join the jury, making this an international award.

In 2003 the award became independant under a new name: International Gamers Award. More on the voting system can be found here. Games are awarded in 3 categories:

- General Strategy; Multi-player
- General Strategy; Two-player
- Historical Simulation

General Strategy; Two-player

2010 Campaign Manager 2008
2009 Day & Night

2008 1960: The Making of the President
2007 Mr. Jack
2006 Twilight Struggle
2005 War of the Ring
2004 Memoir '44
2003 Lord of the Rings - The Confrontation
2002 DVONN
2001 Battle Cry
2000 Lost Cities

International Gamers Awards - Multi-player

International Gamers Awards - since 2000








In 2000 Greg Schloesser and the Strategy Gaming Society founded The Gamers' Choice Award. Known figures of the gaming scene from around the world were asked to join the jury, making this an international award.

In 2003 the award became independant under a new name: International Gamers Award. More on the voting system can be found here. Games are awarded in 3 categories:

- General Strategy; Multi-player
- General Strategy; Two-player
- Historical Simulation

General Strategy; Multi-player

2010 Age of Industry

2009 Le Havre
2008 Agricola
2007 Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization
2006 Caylus
2005 Ticket to Ride Europe
2004 St. Petersburg
2003 Age of Steam *
2003 Puerto Rico *
2002 San Marco
2001 The Princes of Florence
2000 Tikal

* Period a game is eligible has changed; as is the award. Puerto Rico is awarded for 01-01-2002 - 01-07-2002; Age of Steam for 01-07-2002 - 01-07-2003.

BGG's Golden Geek nominees announced

The nominees for BoardGameGeek's Game of the Year (or 'Golden Geek') are announced here. Fifteen games each are nominated in 6 categories: Gamer's Game, Children's Game, Wargame, Two-player Game (non-wargame), Light/Party Game and Family Game. Voting will start soon (running until September 30) and the winners will be announced at BGG.CON 2006.

Essener Feder

Essener Feder - Germany - since 1981







The Essener Feder (or "Goldenen Feder - Wanderpreis der Stadt Essen") is an award presented by the city of Essen, Germany since 1981 and a part of the Deutscher Spiele Preis. Awarded at the Spiel convention, this prize awards the best-written rulebook.

2009 Diamonds Club
2008 Jamaica
2007 Burg Appenzell
2006 Nacht der Magier
2005 Piranha Pedro
2004 Fifth Avenue
2003 Alhambra
2002 Puerto Rico
2001 Die Neuen Entdecker
2000 Taj Mahal
1999 Union Pacific
1998 Die Macher
1997 Mississippi Queen
1996 Top Race
1995 Settlers of Catan
1994 Neue Spiele im alten Rom
1993 Acquire
1992 Coco Crazy
1991 Hotu Matua
1990 Lifestyle
1989 (no award)
1988 Ausbrecher AG
1987 Spy vs. Spy
1986 Das blaue Amulett
1985 Wildlife Adventure
1984 Inka
1983 Giganten
1982 Atlantis
1981 Focus

Austrian Spiel der Spiele 2006 announced

The Austrian game award Spiel der Spiele has been presented on August 22. Reiner Knizia's Tal der Abenteuer (Valley of Adventure), published by Parker / Hasbro, is the 3rd Knizia game to win this award.

Previous Spiel der Spiele were TransEuropa, Einfach Genial, King Arthur, Pueblo and Neuen Entdecker.

Other recommended games:

Children's Games

Piratissimo
Ramba Samba
Zoff im Hühnerhof

Family Games

Just 4 Fun
Nacht der Magier
Hey! that's My Fish!
Pecunia non olet

Games with Friends

Cleopatra & the Society of Architects
Thurn und Taxis
Um Krone und Kragen

Game for Many

Cranium Hullabaloo
Pow Wow

Games for Two

Hive


Link-er-de-link:
Board Game News (English)
Spielbox (German)
Bordspel (Dutch)

IGA 2006 Finalists

The nominees for the International Gamers Awards 2006 are announced:

Historical Simulation Games

Bonaparte at Marengo
Empire of the Sun
Fire in the Sky
Men of Iron
Silent War
The Mighty Endeavor
Twilight Struggle

Multiplayer

Antike
Blue Moon City
Caylus
Das Ende des Triumvirats
Hazienda
Indonesia
Jenseits von Theben
Mykerinos
Railroad Tycoon
Thurn und Taxis
Um Krone und Kragen

Twoplayer

Aton
Blokus Duo
Pünct
Twilight Struggle
War of the Ring: Battle of the 3rd Age

Premio Archimede - Unpublished games

Premio Archimede - Italy - since 1994

The Premio Archimede is awarded every two years for unpublished games by Studiogiochi.

Premio Archimede

2008 Lorenzo il Magnifico
2006 Clavigola
2004 Terra Nova
2002 Magma
2000 Bisanzio and Gnomoni
1998 Giano
1996 Krakatoa
1995 Svicolando
1994 Algoritmo

Thanks to Gone Gaming.

Lucca Comics & Games - Best of Show

Lucca Best of Show - Italy - since 2000












Lucca Comics & Games is the big convention in Italy, held in Lucca. Since 2000 it awards the "Lucca Best of Show" award for best Italian game and the "Lucca Best Unpublished Game" or Gioco Inedito, which has been around since 1994.

- Best of Show (2000)
- Gioco Inedito (1994)

Lucca Best of Show

2007 Kingsburg
2006 UR
2005 Siena
2004 War of the Ring
2003 Sine Requie
2002 Bang!
2001 Le Saghe di Conquest
2000 Warangel

à la carte

à la carte - Germany - since 1991

The award for best card game - à la carte - is awarded since 1991 by Fairplay Magazine.

2010 Jaipur

2009 Dominion
2008 Race for the Galaxy
2007 Caylus Magna Carta
2006 Ausgerechnet Buxtehude
2005 Jambo
2004 San Juan
2003 Coloretto
2002 Vom Kap bis Kairo
2001 Meuterer
2000 Citadels
1999 Verräter
1998 Caesar & Cleopatra
1997 Bohnanza
1996 Mü
1995 Magic – The Gathering
1994 6 Nimmt!
1993 Sticheln
1992 Loot
1991 Res Publica

Board Game Geek Awards

On BGG Aldie announced the start of the 'Geekies' - the much discussed BoardGameGeek Awards. For more info: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/120073

Speelgoed van het Jaar

Speelgoed van het Jaar - The Netherlands - since 2003

The Dutch Speelgoed van het Jaar (Toy of the Year) verkiezing is not a game award; it's a toy award. Quite a few games are nominated though, and even become winners. The award is probably more known then the Nederlandse Spellenprijs, even more reason to add it to this list. Nominees include games such as Cranium, Coda, Exago, St. Petersburg, Flaschenteufel, Niagara, Pirates of the Spanish Main, Shear Panic and more.

Since 2003 - five categories.

Ages 0-4

2008 No winning game
2007 No winning game
2006 Koetje Boe
2005 No winning game
2004 No winning game
2003 No winning game

Ages 4-6 No winning games
Ages 6-8 No winning games

Ages 8-12

2008 No winning game
2007 Het Huis Anubis
2006 No winning game
2005 No winning game
2004 No winning game
2003 No winning game

Ages 12 and up

2008 De Lama's
2007 Livequiz
2006 Wildlife DVD bordspel
2005 Carcassonne - The City
2004 No winning game
2003 Cut and Run

Dutch Game Award 2006

The Nederlandse Spellenprijs (Dutch Game Award) 2006 nominees are announced.

A mix of card-, family- and advanced games are in the running for Dutch Game of the Year. Games have to be published in Dutch between 01-06-2005 and 31-05-2006; that's why - for example - Tichu is in this list. The nominees are:

Attention Pirates! (Ravensburger)
Caylus (Quined / White Goblin Games)
Hey! That's My Fish! (Phalanx Games)
Manila (999Games)
Reef Encounter (Quined / White Goblin Games)
Skyline of the World (The Game Master)
Through the Desert (PS Games)
Tichu (999Games)

Public voting starts at the Ducosim September event and runs from September 2 - September 30. The winner is announced on October 2nd and the award will be presented at the SpellenSpektakel fair (27-29 October).

Vuoden Lastenpeli - Children

Vuoden Lastenpeli is the Finnish Children's Game of the Year Award. Games are not to strictly bound to categories, as publishers submit the games themselves. There are 3 categories in total:

- (Family) Game of the year (since 1994)
- Children's Game (since 1994)
- Adult Game (since 1999)

Children's Game of the Year:

2009 Quoridor Kid
2008 Tier auf Tier
2007 Polly the Porcupine
2006 Build-A-Burger
2005 Geistertreppe
2004 Chaos in der Geisterbahn
2003 Cat & Mouse
2002 Ali Baba
2001 Funny Bunny
2000 Safari
1999 Chicken Cha Cha Cha
1998 Kurre
1997 Pörri ja perho
1996 Pingu
1995 The Mole in the Hole
1994 Junior alias

Many thanks to Mikko Saari.

Vuoden Aikuistenpeli - Adult

Vuoden Aikuistenpeli is the Finnish Adult Game of the Year Award. Games are not to strictly bound to categories, as publishers submit the games themselves. There are 3 categories in total:

- (Family) Game of the year (since 1994)
- Children's Game (since 1994)
- Adult Game (since 1999)

Adult Game of the Year:

2009 Dominion
2008 Modern Art
2007 Thurn and Taxis
2006 Pentago
2005 Alhambra
2004 (no award)
2003 Cranium
2002 Fits
2001 Quarto!
2000 (no award)
1999 Alcatraz

Thanks to Mikko Saari.

Meeples' Choice Awards

Meeples' Choice Awards - by Spielfrieks - United States - since 2001

Awarded in May by Spielfrieks group voting

From the Meeples' Choice website:

"In 1995, the release of Settlers of Catan helped reinvigorate boardgaming in the United States. The popularity of this game led many boardgame fans to further explore other games released by German game companies. In January of 2000, the Spielfriek discussion group was founded by Stephen Glenn and Mark Johnson. Spielfrieks is a internet discussion group, with over 1,000 members devoted to boardgames.
In 2001, a series of retrospective polls from the membership of Spielfrieks were conducted. Awards spanning back to 1995 were awarded. The Meeples' Choice Award is given to the three most popular boardgames released in each year. Going forward, voting is open to every member of the Spielfriek discussion group. The votes are taken each May, and are limited to games released from the prior year."

2008 Dominion, Le Havre and Pandemic
2007 Race for the Galaxy, Agricola and Brass
2006 Blue Moon City, Thurn and Taxis and Yspahan
2005 Caylus, Louis XIV and Shadows over Camelot
2004 Ticket to Ride, Power Grid and Goa
2003 Amun-Re, Attika and Santiago
2002 Puerto Rico, Lord of the Rings - The Confrontation and Age of Steam
2001 San Marco, Wyatt Earp and Royal Turf
2000 Carcassonne, The Princes of Florence and Citadels
1999 Lost Cities, Ra and Union Pacific
1998 Through the Desert, Elfenland and Samurai
1997 Bohnanza, Euphrat & Tigris and Showmanager
1996 Carabande, Entdecker and Expedition
1995 The Settlers of Catan, El Grande and Medici

Spiel des Jahres 2006: Thurn und Taxis

Thurn und Taxis from Karen and Andreas Seyfarth has won the Spiel des Jahres 2006. Kinderspiel des Jahres was won by Guido Hoffmann for Der schwarze Pirat.

The Sonderpreis was announced earlier this year for Caylus and Shadows over Camelot.

Spiel des Jahres 2006

The Spiel des Jahres will be announced this Monday morning (July 17). I should've listed the nominees, but it's a little late now. You can find them here and here.

Winners & such next week.

Bruno Faidutti's Game of the Year

Each year Bruno Faidutti picks his Game (or Games) of the Year and writes a summary about the past year in gaming and designing. His pick for this year is Hey! That's My Fish by Phalanx.

From his site:

"This small game can look unimpressive at first sight, but there's much more in it than it seems, and it appeals to all kind of gamers, be it children, casual or hardcore gamers. Hey! That’s my Fish! is a nearly abstract game with penguins moving to and fro on the ice floe, trying to catch the most fishes before the ice melts down. Pinguins are dumb. The rules are clever and simple, the components are cute, and game itself is much more subtle than it first looks. With three or four players, it’s nasty and fast paced. With two players, it’s fast paced and brain burning. Simple, elegant and deep – Hey! That’s my Fish! is a future classic."

Faidutti also makes a list of recommended games (which is quite long), making it a good 'Year in Review'. Check it out at his site.

Meeples' Choice Awards 2005

Spielfrieks' 2005 Meeples' Choice Awards are announced:

Caylus
Louis XIV
Shadows over Camelot

I'll put the 1995 - 2005 overview up soon.

Total list of 2005 contestants are in this GeekList by Larry Levy.

Larry Levy:

"Every year, the spielfrieks user group votes on our three favorite games that debuted in the previous calendar year. We have dubbed these the Meeples Choice Awards. The vote is conducted in two stages. First, everyone selects their ten favorite games from a list of 150 titles. We use this to narrow the selections down to 24 finalists. Then, everyone picks their three favorites from the finalists and the three top vote getters are the MCA winners for the year. 130 people voted in the first round and 195 in the finals."