They're here - the Spiel Nominations 2023!
The Spiel de Jahres are kind of like the Oscars of board gaming and it's always fun to see what the committee picked. The 2023 finalist nominations were announced today. Due to the German focus of the awards, there is sometimes a difference in release year between the awards and the typical American audience. There are three categories: Spiel de Jahres (Game of the Year - a general winner), the Kennerspiel (Critic's Pick, typically more complex games), and Kinderspiel de Jahres (Children's Game of the Year). The group which puts on the awards is also known for recommending games and giving out special awards.
In any case, here are the 2023 nominees (from their website):
Nominated for Game of the Year 2023
Village Romance – The Board Game by Michael Palm and Lukas Zach (Dorf Romantik) Pegasus Spiele Illustration: Paul Riebe Idyllic placement game for 1 to 6 people aged 8 and up
Fun facts by Kaspar Lapp Repos Productions Illustration: Repos Productions Enlightening self-assessment for 4 to 8 people aged 8 and up
Next Station London by Matthew Dunstan HCM Kinzel Illustration: Maxime Morin Colorful on the go on London's underground for 1 to 4 people aged 8 and over
Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2023
Challengers! by Johannes Krenner and Markus Slawitscheck 1 More Time Games / Z-Man Games Illustration: Jeff Harvey Turbulent tournament game for 1 to 8 players aged 8+ (jury recommendation: 10+)
Iki by Koota Yamada Giant Roc / Sorry We Are French Illustrations: Dommiy, David Sitbon, Koota Yamada Trade race through historic Tokyo for 2 to 4 people aged 14+
Planet Unknown by Ryan Lambert and Adam Rehberg Strohmann Games / Adam's Apple Games Illustration: Yoma Productive planetary puzzle for 1 to 6 people aged 10+
Recommendation list Kennerspiel
Council of Shadows by Martin Kallenborn and Jochen Scherer (Alea) Mindbug by Marvin Hegen, Christian Kudahl, Skaff Elias and Richard Garfield (Nerdlab)
Nominated for Children's Game of the Year 2023
Carla Caramel by Sara Zarian Loki Illustration: Apolline Etienne A cooperative ice cream parlor for 1 to 6 children aged 4+
Gigamon by Johann Roussel and Karim Aouidad Mirakulus / Studio H Illustration: Marie-Anne Bonneterre Remarkable collection of monsters for 2 to 4 children aged 5 and over
Mysterium Kids by Antonin Boccara and Yves Hirschfeld Libellud / Space Cow Illustration: Olivier Danchin Acoustic association game for 2 to 6 children aged 6 and over
Recommendation list child's play
Douzanimo by Sébastien Decad (Djeco) My First Adventure (Volumes 1 to 7) by Roméo Hennion, Mathilde Malburet, Jean Philippe Sahut and Arnaud Boutle (Board Game Box) Slide and slide! by Joel Escalante and Rafael Escalante (Game Factory)
Special Prize Winners:
Unlock! Game Adventures - Ticket to Ride Mysterium Pandemic by Cyril Demaegd, Mathieu Casnin, Thomas Cauët and Jeremy Koch (Space Cowboys)
Unlock! Kids: Detective Stories - On the Farm · McUnlock's Castle · Chaos in the Park by Cyril Demaegd, Wilfried Fort and Marie Fort (Space Cow)