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There are many boardgames awards around the world. Here's an overview of some that you might have seen. | Award Name | Spiel des Jahres | | Country of Origin | Germany | | Description | The Spiel des Jahres is the world's most prestigious prize for boardgames. The prize is awarded to the best family game published in the last year and available in Germany. There is another prize for the best children's game. Nominees and commended games receive a lower level of the award. There are "one-off" awards if the judges like a particular game but feel it may be unsuited for family play because it is too long or complex. Recent winners are Thurn and Taxis, Niagara, and Ticket to Ride. | | Award Name | GAMES magazine Game of the Year | | Country of Origin | USA | | Description | GAMES magazine publishes an annual list of the 100 favourite games of the editors, as well as awarding a Game of the Year. It makes additional awards in many categories such as Best New Abstract Strategy Game, Best New Family Game, Best New Family Card Game, Best New Family Strategy Game, Best New Party Game. Recent winners of Game of the Year are Vegas Showdown, BuyWord, and New England. | | Award Name | Deutscher Spiele Preis | | Country of Origin | Germany | | Description | The Deutscher Spiele Preis is awarded at the International Game Fair in Essen, where more than 150 000 people come to mingle, see the latest releases and play games over 4 days. The award has multiple categories, but the main prize is awarded to a somewhat complex game better suited to families with older children or adults. Recent winners are Caylus, Louis XIV, and St Petersburg. | | Award Name | Parents' Choice Award | | Country of Origin | USA | | Description | The Parents' Choice Foundation awards prizes to books, toys and games that entertain and teach with flair, stimulate the imagination and inspire creativity. There is no single 'Game of the Year' but the highest levels awarded are Classic and Gold. Recent winners are: Froggy Boogie, Qwirkle, and Blokus Trigon. | | Award Name | International Gamers Awards | | Country of Origin | International | | Description | The International Gamers Awards were created to recognize outstanding games from around the world. Committee members represent countries throughout the world. Awards are made to the best General Strategy Game and to the best 2-Player Game. The selected games are somewhat complex and best suited to adults and older children. Recent winners are Caylus, Ticket to Ride: Europe, and St Petersburg. | | Award Name | Australian Games Association Game of the Year | | Country of Origin | Australia | | Description | The Australian Games Association members are independent game retailers in Australia. Each year they select a Game of the Year and announce it at the Australian Toy, Hobby and Nursery Show. Recent winners are Smart Ass, Spy Alley, 20 Questions. | | Award Name | Mensa Select | | Country of Origin | USA | | Description | Awarded by Mensa, the society for people with high IQ. Five games each year receive the Mensa Select award. The games are evaluated over the three day Mensa Mind Games competition. Recent winners are Gemlok, Gheos, Hit or Miss, Qwirkle, and Skullduggery. | | Award Name | Dice Tower Gaming Awards | | Country of Origin | International | | Description | Awarded by presenters of several pod cast programs related to board games. Prizes are presented in several categories including: Best Game of the Year; Most Innovative Game for a board game that has a fresh, interesting mechanic driving the game; and Best Family Game which is not necessarily the most strategic, but is a game that is fun for the entire family. |
You can read a perspective here detailing some of the differences between these awards and explaining some of the terms used when people talk about games and awards - such as game weight.
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