Essen 2023 – All the games that won the Spiel des Jahres 2023 award
From October 5 to 8, 2023, the Essen Game Fair celebrated its 40th edition, showcasing the largest exhibition in the world dedicated to board games, card games, and role-playing games.
With over 60,000 m² of space and nearly 1,000 exhibitors from more than 50 countries, this edition set a record, demonstrating the growing interest and vitality of the board game industry.
Winners of the Spiel des Jahres 2023
- Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year)
- Winner: Dorfromantik: The Board Game, by Lukas Zach and Michael Palm, Pegasus Spiele. A tile-placement game for 1–6 players, ages 8 and up.
- Nominees: Fun Facts, Next Station London.
- Other Recommendations: Akropolis, Hitster, Kuzooka, Mantis, QE, Sea Salt & Paper, That’s Not a Hat.
- Kinderspiel des Jahres (Children’s Game of the Year)
- Winner: Mysterium Kids, by Antonin Boccara and Yves Hirschfeld, Libellud / Space Cow.
- Nominees: Carla Caramel, Gigamon.
- Other Recommendations: Douzanimo, Mein erstes Abenteuer, Rutsch & flutsch!.
- Kennerspiel des Jahres (Expert Game of the Year)
- Winner: Challengers!, by Johannes Krenner and Markus Slawitscheck, 1 More Time Games / Z-Man Games.
- Nominees: Iki, Planet Unknown.
- Other Recommendations: Council of Shadows, Mindbug.
Conclusions
The Spiel des Jahres 2023 highlighted innovative and engaging games, rewarding creations that range from idyllic landscape-building in “Dorfromantik” to auditory adventures in “Mysterium Kids,” and competitive challenges in “Challengers!”. These games, along with their competitors and other notable offerings, demonstrate the vitality and creativity that continue to define the board game industry.
