The Spiel des Jahres (German for Game of the Year) is an award for board and card games, created in 1978 with the stated purpose of rewarding excellence in game design, and promoting top-quality games in the German market.[1] It is thought that the existence and popularity of the award is one of the major drivers of the quality of games coming out of Germany. A Spiel des Jahres nomination can increase the typical sales of a game from 500–3000 copies to around 10,000; and the winner can usually expect to sell 300,000 to 500,000 copies.[2]
Award criteria
The award is given by a jury of German-speaking board game critics (from Germany, Austria, Switzerland),[1] who review games released in Germany in the preceding twelve months. The games considered for the award are family-style games. War games, role-playing games, collectible card games, and other complicated, highly competitive, or hobbyist games are outside the scope of the award. Since 1989, there has been a separate award for children's games.
On occasion, the jury has awarded a special prize for more complex games, such as Agricola in 2008 or World Without End in 2010. Prior to 2011, this award was an exceptional award, not necessarily awarded annually. In 2011, however, this practice was formalized when the jury created a new category for more complex games entitled "Kennerspiel des Jahres" (roughly "Connoisseur-Enthusiast Game of the Year"). Along with the nominations, the jury also gives a list of recommended games, and occasionally gives out special prizes for games which will not be considered for the main award.
The criteria on which a game is evaluated are,:[3]
- game concept (originality, playability, game value)
- rule structure (composition, clearness, comprehensibility)
- layout (box, board, rules),
- design (functionality, workmanship)
2016 awards
The nominations for the 2016 awards were announced on May 23, 2016.[4] The winners were announced on Monday July 18, 2016.
Children's Game of the Year
| Game |
Designer |
Publisher |
Award |
|---|
| Stone Age Junior |
Marco Teubner |
Hans im Glück |
Winner |
| Mmm! |
Reiner Knizia |
Pegasus Spiele |
Nominee |
| Leo muss zum Friseur (Leo Goes to the Barber) |
Leo Colovini |
Abacus Spiele |
Nominee |
2015 awards
The nominations for the 2015 awards were announced on May 18, 2015. The Kinderspiel des Jahres winner were announced on Monday, June 8, 2015 while the Sdj and KdJ winners were announced on Monday, July 6, 2015.
Game of the Year
| Game | Designer | Publisher | Award |
| Colt Express | Christophe Raimbault | Ludonaute | Winner |
| Machi Koro | Masao Suganuma | Kosmos | Nominee |
| The Game | Steffen Benndorf | Nürnberger Spielkarten Verlag | Nominee |
Connoisseur-gamer Game of the Year
| Game | Designer | Publisher | Award |
| Broom Service | Andreas Pelikan and Alexander Pfister | Ravensburger | Winner |
| Elysium | Brett J. Gilbert and Matthew Dunstan | Space Cowboys | Nominee |
| Orléans | Reiner Stockhausen | dlp games | Nominee |
Children's Game of the Year
| Game | Designer | Publisher | Award |
| Spinderella | Roberto Fraga | Zoch Verlag | Winner |
| Push a Monster | Wolfgang Dirscherl, Manfred Reindl | Queen Games | Nominee |
| Schatz-Rabatz | Karin Hetling | Noris-Spiele | Nominee |
2014 awards
The nominations for the 2014 awards were announced on May 19, 2014. The Children's Game of the Year was announced on June 23, and the Game of the Year and Connoisseur's Game of the Year were announced on July 14.
Game of the Year
| Game | Designer | Publisher | Award |
| Camel Up | Steffen Bogen | Eggertspiele | Winner |
| Concept | Gaëtan Beaujannot and Alain Rivollet | Repos Production | Nominee |
| Splendor | Marc Andre | Space Cowboys | Nominee |
Children's Game of the Year
| Game | Designer | Publisher | Award |
| Geister, Geister, Schatzsuchmeister! | Brian Yu | Mattel Games | Winner |
| Flizz & Miez | Klemens Franz, Hanno Girke, Dale Yu | Stadlbauer | Nominee |
| Richard Ritterschlag | Johannes Zirm | Haba | Nominee |
2013 awards
The nominations for the 2013 awards were announced on May 21, 2013 and the Spiel and Kennerspiel winners were announced on July 8, 2013. The Kinderspiel (Children's) Game of the Year was announced on June 12, 2013.
Children's Game of the Year
| Game | Designer | Publisher | Award |
| The Enchanted Tower | Inka and Markus Brand | Schmidt Spiele | Winner |
| Gold am Orinoko | Bernhard Weber | Haba | Nominee |
| Mucca Pazza | Iris Rossbach | Zoch Verlag | Nominee |
2012 awards
The nominations for the 2012 awards were announced on May 21, 2012 and the winners on July 9, 2012.
Connoisseur-gamer Game of the Year
| Game | Designer | Publisher | Award |
| Village | Inka Brand and Markus Brand | Pegasus Spiele | Winner |
| K2 | Adam Kaluza | Heidelberger Spieleverlag | Nominee |
| Targi | Andreas Steiger | Kosmos | Nominee |
Children's Game of the Year
| Game | Designer | Publisher | Award |
| Schnappt Hubi! | Steffen Bogen | Ravensburger | Winner |
| Spinnengift und Krötenschleim | Klaus Teuber | Kosmos | Nominee |
| Die kleinen Drachenritter | Marco Teubner | HUCH! & friends | Nominee |
2011 awards
The nominations for the 2011 awards were announced on May 23, 2011 and the winners on June 27, 2011. This was the first year the Connoisseur-gamer Game of the Year award was given, an award for more complex games.
2010 awards
The nominations for the 2010 award were announced on May 31, 2010 and the winner on June 28, 2010.
Game Of The Year
| Game | Designer | Publisher | Award |
| Dixit | Jean-Louis Roubira | Libellud | Winner |
| Identik | William P. Jacobson and Amanda A. Kohout | Asmodee | Nominee |
| A la Carte | Karl-Heinz Schmiel | Moskito/Heidelberger | Nominee |
| Roll Through the Ages: The Bronze Age | Matt Leacock | Pegasus Spiele | Nominee |
| Fresco | Marco Ruskowski and Marcel Süßelbeck | Queen Games | Nominee |
2009 awards
The nominations for the 2009 award were announced on May 24, 2009 and the winner on June 29, 2009.
2008 awards
The nominations for the 2008 award were announced on May 25, 2008 and the winner on June 30, 2008.
2007 awards
The nominations for the 2007 award were announced on May 20, 2007, and the winner on June 25, 2007.
2006 awards
The nominations for the 2006 award were announced on May 28, 2006 and winner on July 17, 2006.
Along with the nominations, the jury also assigned two special prizes for games which it felt were too demanding to count as 'family style' games.[5]
2005 awards
The nominations for the 2005 award were announced on May 8, 2005 and the winner on June 27, 2005.
Previous winners
Game of the year
Connoisseurs' game of the year
| Year |
Winner |
Designer |
Publisher |
| 2016 |
Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King[6] |
Andreas Pelikan and Alexander Pfister |
Mayfair |
| 2015 |
Broom Service |
Andreas Pelikan and Alexander Pfister |
Ravensburger |
| 2014 |
Istanbul |
Rüdiger Dorn |
Pegasus Spiele |
| 2013 |
Legends of Andor |
Michael Menzel |
Fantasy Flight Games |
| 2012 |
Village |
Inka Brand and Markus Brand |
eggertspiele and its partner Pegasus Spiele |
| 2011 |
7 Wonders |
Antoine Bauza |
Repos Production |
Children's game of the year
| Year |
Winner |
Designer |
Publisher |
| 2016 |
My First Stone Age[7] |
Marco Teubner |
ZMAN Games |
| 2015 |
Spinderella |
Roberto Fraga |
Zoch Verlag |
| 2014 |
Geister, Geister, Schatzsuchmeister! |
Brian Yu |
Mattel Games |
| 2013 |
Der verzauberte Turm |
Inka and Markus Brand |
Schmidt/Marke Drei Magier Spiele |
| 2012 |
Schnappt Hubi! |
Steffen Bogen |
Ravensburger |
| 2011 |
Da ist der Wurm drin |
Carmen Kleinert |
Zoch Verlag |
| 2010 |
Diego Drachenzahn |
Manfred Ludwig |
HABA |
| 2009 |
Das magische Labyrinth |
Dirk Baumann |
Drei Magier Spiele |
| 2008 |
Wer war's? |
Reiner Knizia |
Ravensburger |
| 2007 |
Beppo der Bock |
Peter Schackert |
Huch & Friends |
| 2006 |
Der Schwarze Pirat |
Guido Hoffmann |
Habermaaß |
| 2005 |
Das Kleine Gespenst |
Kai Haferkamp |
Kosmos |
| 2004 |
Spooky Stairs
(German title: Geistertreppe) |
Michelle Schanen |
Drei Magier Spiele |
| 2003 |
Viva Topo! |
Manfred Ludwig |
Selecta |
| 2002 |
The Ladybug's Costume Party
(German title: Maskenball der Käfer) |
Peter-Paul Joopen |
Selecta |
| 2001 |
Klondike |
Christian Wolf and Stefanie Rohner |
Habermaaß |
| 2000 |
Arbos |
Armin Müller and Martin Arnold |
M+A Spiel |
| 1999 |
Kayanak |
Peter-Paul Joopen |
Habermaaß |
| 1998 |
Chicken Cha Cha Cha |
Klaus Zoch |
Zoch Verlag |
| 1997 |
Leinen Los! |
Alex Randolph |
Habermaaß |
| 1996 |
Noah's Park
(German title: Vier zu Mir) |
Heike Baum |
Altenburger und Stralsunder |
| 1995 |
Karambolage |
Heinz Meister |
Habermaaß |
| 1994 |
Loopin' Louie |
Carol Wiseley |
Milton Bradley |
| 1993 |
Ringel Rangel |
Geni Wyss |
Habermaaß |
| 1992 |
Galloping Pigs
(German title: Schweinsgalopp) |
Heinz Meister |
Ravensburger |
| 1991 |
Corsaro – Irrfahrt im Piratenmeer |
Wolfgang Kramer |
Herder |
| 1990 |
My Haunted Castle
(German title: Das Geisterschloss) |
Virginia Charves |
F.X. Schmid |
| 1989 |
Gute Freunde |
Alex Randolph |
Selecta |
Special awards
| Year |
Prize |
Winner |
Designer |
Publisher |
| 2010 |
Game Of The Year plus |
World Without End |
Michael Rieneck and Stefan Stadler |
Kosmos |
| 2009 |
Party game |
Gift Trap |
Nick Kellet |
GiftTRAP Enterprises |
| New game worlds |
Space Alert |
Vlaada Chvátil |
Czech Games Edition |
| 2008 |
Complex game |
Agricola |
Uwe Rosenberg |
Lookout Games |
| 2007 |
no special prizes awarded |
| 2006 |
Complex game |
Caylus |
William Attia |
Ẏstari Games |
| Fantasy game |
Shadows Over Camelot |
Serge Laget and Bruno Cathala |
Days of Wonder |
| 2005 |
no special prizes awarded |
| 2004 |
Recommended |
Attika |
Marcel-André Casasola Merkle |
Rio Grande |
|
| 2003 |
no special prizes awarded |
| 2002 |
no special prizes awarded |
| 2001 |
Historical game |
Troia |
Thomas Fackler |
Zeitstein Spiele |
| Literary game |
Lord of the Rings |
Reiner Knizia |
Kosmos |
| 2000 |
no special prizes awarded |
| 1999 |
no special prizes awarded |
| 1998 |
no special prizes awarded |
| 1997 |
Dexterity game |
Husarengolf |
Torsten Marold |
Abacus |
| Beautiful game |
Aztec |
Niek Neuwahl |
Zoch Verlag |
| 1996 |
Dexterity game |
Carabande |
Jean du Poel |
Goldsieber |
| Beautiful game |
Venice Connection |
Alex Randolph |
Drei Magier Spiele |
| 1995 |
Puzzle |
3D Krimi-Puzzle |
no specific designer |
Milton Bradley |
| Beautiful game |
Tri-Ba-Lance |
Michael Sohre |
Theta Promotions |
| 1994 |
Beautiful game |
Doctor Faust |
Reinhold Wittig |
Blatz Spiele |
| 1993 |
Beautiful game |
Kula Kula |
Reinhold Wittig |
Blatz Spiele |
| 1992 |
no special prizes awarded |
| 1991 |
Beautiful game |
Master Labyrinth |
Max Kobbert |
Ravensburger |
| 1990 |
Beautiful game |
Life Style |
no specific designer |
Ravensburger |
| 1989 |
Beautiful game |
Henne Berta |
Geni Wyss |
Habermaaß |
| 1988 |
Cooperative family game |
Sauerbaum |
Johannes Tranelis |
Herder |
| Beautiful game |
Inkognito |
Alex Randolph and Leo Colovini |
Milton Bradley |
| 1987 |
Beautiful game |
Tatort Nachtexpress |
Jeff Smets |
Jumbo |
| 1986 |
Beautiful game |
Müller & Sohn |
Reinhold Wittig |
Kosmos |
| 1985 |
Beautiful game |
Die drei Magier |
Johann Rüttinger |
Drei Magier Spiele |
| 1984 |
Beautiful game |
Uisge |
Roland Siegers |
Hexagames |
| 1983 |
Beautiful game |
Wir füttern die kleinen Nilpferde |
Reinhold Wittig |
Edition Perlhuhn |
| 1982 |
Beautiful game |
Skript |
Henri Sala |
Jumbo |
| 1981 |
Beautiful game |
Ra |
Marco Donadoni |
International Team |
| 1980 |
Solitaire |
Rubik's Cube |
Ernő Rubik |
Arxon |
| Beautiful game |
Spiel |
Reinhold Wittig |
Edition Perlhuhn |
| 1979 |
Beautiful game |
Seti |
no specific designer |
Bütehorn |
See also
References
- 1 2 Dale Yu. "Interview with Tom Werneck, Spiel des Jahres jury member – Part 1 of 3". The Opinionated Gamers. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
- ↑ Scott Tepper cited in Stewart Woods (2012). Eurogames: The Design, Culture and Play of Modern European Board Games. McFarland. p. 221. ISBN 978-0-7864-9065-3.
- ↑ http://www.spiel-des-jahres.com/cms/front_content.php?idcat=123&changelang=4
- ↑ "Die Nominierten 2016 stehen fest | Spiel des Jahres e.V.". www.spiel-des-jahres.com. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
- ↑ "Boardgame News article". Retrieved 2006-05-30.
- ↑ Lundberg, Jonathan. "2016 Spiel Des Jahres Winners Announced | Dice Tower News". www.dicetowernews.com. Retrieved 2016-08-30.
- ↑ "Spiel des Jahres on Twitter". Retrieved 2016-08-30.
External links