The Spiel des Jahres jury has chosen the idyllic board game “Dorfromantik: Das Brettspiel” (Dorfromantik: The Board Game) by Michael Palm and Lukas Zach as Spiel des Jahres 2023.
“Dorfromantik” takes the pressure out of everyday life, said jury chairman Harald Schrapers, explaining the choice. “The cooperative feel-good game sets new, exciting goals from game to game, but you can never lose.”
Spiel des Jahres 2023: Dorfromantik by Michael Palm (left) and Lukas Zach (right)
It beat out “Fun Facts” by Kasper Lapp, published by Repos Productions, and “Next Station London” by Matthew Dunstan, published by HCM Kinzel, which were also nominated for Spiel des Jahres.
„Mysterium Kids“ wins Kinderspiel des Jahres
The jury also selected the acoustic association game “Mysterium Kids” by Antonin Boccara and Yves Hirschfeld as Kinderspiel des Jahres (Children’s Game of the Year).
The jury’s statement on Kinderspiel des Jahres says: “The tambourine immediately fascinates the children. Combined with the challenge of making appropriate sounds and listening closely, a unique atmosphere is created.”
Kinderspiel des Jahres: Mysterium Kids by Yves Hirschfeld (left) and Antonin Boccara (right). Inbetween: Mathieu Aubert (Libellud) and Benoît Forget (Space Cow)
It beat out “Gigamon” (“Gigamons”) by Johann Roussel and Karim Aoudidad, published by Mirakulus and Studio H, and “Carla Caramel” by Sara Zarian, published by Loki.
„Challengers!“ wins Kennerspiel des Jahres
The Spiel des Jahres jury also announced the Kennerspiel des Jahres (Connoisseurs Game of the Year) at the festive awards ceremony: The turbulent tournament game “Challengers!” by Johannes Krenner and Markus Slawitschek.
The justification states, “Large groups in particular enjoy the charged tournament atmosphere created by the ever-changing individual feuds. The variety of possible combinations make the Challenge a pleasure of high replay appeal.”
Kennerspiel des Jahres 2023: Challengers! by Johannes Krenner (left) and Markus Slawitschek (right)
Also nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres were “Iki” by Koota Yamada, published by Giant Roc and Sorry We Are French, and “Planet Unkown” by Ryan Lambert and Adam Rehberg, published by Strohmann Games and Adam’s Apple Games.
All winners of 2023 (f.l.t.r.): Yves Hirschfeld and Antonin Boccara (Mysterium Kids), Michael Palm and Lukas Zach (Dorfromantik), Markus Slawitschek and Johannes Krenner (Challengers!)
Both juries together also awarded a special prize this year. This goes to the games “Unlock! Game Adventures” (Cyril Demaegd at Space Cowboys) and “Unlock Kids: Detective Stories” (Cyril Demaegd, Marie and Wilfried Fort at Space Cow).