The nominees for the "Game of the Year 2019" are here
22.5.2019
Translation: machine translated
The "Game of the Year" is the Oscar for board games. Classics such as "Settlers of Catan" and "Carcassonne" have already won the award. The 2019 nominees have now been announced.
Image source: Flügelschlag, Stonemaier GamesThe "Spiel des Jahres" association nominates the best new board games in three categories. The jury will announce the winners in Berlin on 22 July. No matter which game wins, you can get your hands on any of the nominees. The main category "Game of the Year" is particularly important. That's why I've added a statement from the jury in each case.
Game of the Year
The main prize. These games are easy to understand. You can play them with people aged eight and over. What is striking about the nominees is that they merely develop familiar game principles. They don't reinvent the wheel, but they do make it more entertaining.
Just One: A communicative guessing game in a group.
What the jury says:
Just One is particularly ingenious due to its simplicity. It stands out because it develops a tremendous pull: Anyone who plays it in public will quickly attract onlookers who want to play right away. And they often do, because the barrier to entry is so low that anyone can easily overcome it. A flash of communicative playfulness that strikes a chord in every round and leaves a lasting impression.
L.A.M.A.: A card game and acronym for "Lay All Minuses Off".
This is what the jury says:
This fast-paced card game always elicits emotions from players of all target groups and simply gives them a good time. With these characteristics, L.a.m.a. has the potential to become a classic.
Words: A word game with secret roles
This is what the jury says:
The well-known werewolf game principle with secret character roles has fascinated players for many years. In Werewords, author Ted Alspach has now congenially combined it with a guessing game. The fact that some players seem to have to unsuspectingly ask for the solution that they have long known in order to conceal their identity sounds absurd at first glance, but turns out to be a marvellous trick. It's phenomenal how much fun can be had in five minutes.
Children's and connoisseur game of the year
Fabulantica is nominated as "Children's Game of the Year" and is set in a fairytale world. In short, it is an extended memory game. In Go Gecko Go, children and adults try to push their little animals along a river to the finish line. This requires luck of the dice, tactics and team play. Skill is required in Viking Valley. Here you knock over barrels in the centre of the playing field and collect coins. The game combines skill with tactical thinking on a beautifully designed game board.
For game freaks, this is the "Connoisseur Game of the Year". In Carpe Diem, you develop a neighbourhood in ancient Rome on an abstract game board. Detective is a board game thriller with five cases to solve and promises maximum suspense. Finally, Flügelschlag combines ornithology with a board game: We try to lure birds into their habitats.
In addition to the nominees, there are also recommendation lists for each category. These are games that just didn't make it into the nominations. The winners of the coveted prizes will be decided on 22 July in Berlin.
Simon Balissat
Teamleader Editorial
Simon.Balissat@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I flew the family nest over 15 years ago, I suddenly had to cook for myself. But it wasn’t long until this necessity became a virtue. Today, rattling those pots and pans is a fundamental part of my life. I’m a true foodie and devour everything from junk food to star-awarded cuisine. Literally. I eat way too fast.
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