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The Games Awards
Each
year, Boardgames Australia awards three awards: Best International
Game , Best Australian Game and Best
Children's Game.
For a game to be eligible for consideration for any of these awards, it must:
- be available from shops in at least two australian capital cities or by mail order / online from an australian retailer
- have been available in English from Australian retailers for the first time in the specified timeframe
- be a stand-alone game that does not require purchase of another (base) game to play.
Additional eligibility criteria for the Best Australian Game and Best Children's Game awards are outlined below.
The Awards are judged by Boardgames Australia's expert panel.
Best International Game
Awarded to the best new game available on the australian market that is suitable for families.
In selecting a winner, the judges will look for a game that:
- provides tension, drama and excitement
- allows players to feel they have done clever or imaginative things during the game
- has rules that are clear and not overly complex
- provides a challenge in the form of interesting decisions
- can be replayed many times with enjoyment
- focuses on interaction with the other players rather than just with the game system
- is different from other games
- has sturdy and attractive components
- rewards skill but has sufficient luck to allow any family member a chance of winning
- has an engaging theme, and creates a narrative that seizes the imagination
- has a manageable playing time (ideally under 90 minutes)
- can be played by different numbers of players
- represents good value for money.
Best Australian Game
Best Australian Game is awarded to the best new game with Australian creative content.
Eligibility for the Best Australian Game award:
Games are eligible to be considered for the Best Australian Game award if they meet the general eligibility criteria, and have creative content from designers, developers or illustrators generated by an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
In selecting a winner, the judges will look for a game that:
- provides tension, drama and excitement
- allows players to feel they have done clever or imaginative things during the game
- has rules that are clear and not overly complex
- provides a challenge in the form of interesting decisions
- can be replayed many times with enjoyment
- focuses on interaction with the other players rather than just with the game system
- is different from other games
- has sturdy and attractive components
- rewards skill but has sufficient luck to allow any family member a chance of winning
- has an engaging theme, and creates a narrative that seizes the imagination
- has a manageable playing time (ideally under 90 minutes)
- can be played by different numbers of players
- represents good value for money.
Best Children's Game
Best Children's Game is awarded to the best new game that is designed to be enjoyed by children under the age of 8 (and their families).
In selecting a winner, the judges will look for a game that:
- provides drama and excitement
- allows players to feel they have done clever or imaginative things during the game
- has rules that are clear and simple
- can be replayed many times with enjoyment
- encourages interaction, especially co-operation, with the other players
- is different from other games
- has sturdy and attractive components
- has an engaging theme
- is designed so that players of all ages can enjoy spending time together
- has a manageable playing time that is appropriate to the age of the players
- can be played by different numbers of players
- represents good value for money.