Pearple's Choice Awards 2024-2025: Results

RogerBW · March 21, 2026, 3:16pm

Sorry about the long delay before processing these. I think I was hoping for a few more ballots. If I do this again at the end of this year, please consider voting - it doesn’t take long, and it helps break up ties.

Best Game

Hot Streak, a latecomer but clearly wildly popular. (I’ll have to try it…)

6 ballots

1 Hot Streak
2= Bomb Busters
2= Compile: Main 1
2= The Gang
5= Artengarten / Sanctuary
5= Courtisans
5= Flip 7
5= Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game
5= No Award

Best Cooperative Game

One that I just don’t get, but apparently everyone else does: The Gang.

5 ballots

1 The Gang
2= Bomb Busters
2= Landmarks
2= Take Time
5= Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game
5= Ministry of Lost Things
5= No Award
5= Pandemic: LOTR: The Fate of the Fellowship

Best Heavy Game

Definitely one of my favourites, Imperium: Horizons.

5 ballots

1 Imperium: Horizons
2= Compile: Main 1
2= Dune War for Arrakis
2= Luthier
5= Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread
5= No Award
5= S.T.A.L.K.E.R. The Board Game
5= SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
5= The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era

Best Light Game

The Gang wins again!

6 ballots

1 The Gang
2= Bomb Busters
2= Courtisans
2= Flip 7
2= Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game
6= Landmarks
6= Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game
6= No Award

Best Soloable Game

I don’t think we can declare a winner here, with a 5-way tie for first place. (Though obviously it’s Imperium Horizons. Ahem.)

5 ballots

1= Artengarten / Sanctuary
1= Dorfromantik
1= Imperium: Horizons
1= Ministry of Lost Things
1= Small-Time Heroes: Base Box
6= French Quarter
6= No Award

Best Thematic Game

A clear winner here though, Imperium Horizons again.

5 ballots

1 Imperium: Horizons
2= Bomb Busters
2= No Award
2= Twilight Imperium Thunder’s Edge
5= Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread
5= Dune War for Arrakis
5= Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game

Best Game Artwork

A two-way tie here: Harmonies and The Old King’s Crown.

6 ballots

1= Harmonies
1= The Old King’s Crown
3= KeyForge: Grim Reminders
3= Leviathan Wilds
5= Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread
5= No Award
5= Petiquette
5= Small-Time Heroes: Base Box
5= Vantage

Best Expansion

A surprise for me at least, New Frontiers: The Starry Rift.

5 ballots

1 New Frontiers: Starry Rift
2= Compile: Aux 1
2= Terraforming Mars Automa
2= Twilight Imperium Thunder’s Edge
5= Akropolis: Athena
5= Compile: Main 2
5= No Award
5= Obsession Characters
5= Sea Salt and Paper: Extra Pepper
5= Space Empires 4X All Good Things

Best New Edition/Reprint/Sequel

A classic from 2016 is upated: it’s Inis, 3rd edition.

5 ballots

1 Inis 3rd Edition
2= Deckers
2= Rebel Princess
2= Robo Rally 30th Anniversary
5= Cyclades Legendary
5= Gloomhaven 2nd Edition
5= No Award

Erik Tengblad Award

A four-way tie is too many; no award here.

4 ballots

1= After the Virus
1= Frosthaven
1= No Award
1= Sidereal Confluence Bifurcation
5= Earthborne Rangers
5= Knarr
5= Legacy of Yu
5= Lowlands
5= Red Rising
5= Star Wars Shatterpoint
5= Underwater Cities
5= Warhammer Cursed City

Best Game Review

A five-way tie? More votes please, people!

5 ballots

1= Compile Main 1 - Shut Up & Sit Down
1= Dracula vs Van Helsing - Shut Up & Sit Down
1= No Award
1= The Old King’s Crown - No Pun Included
1= Tokyo Game Market Spring 2025 Haul – 50+ Games! - ThinkerThemese
6= 5 MORE Great Small Games - Shut Up and Sit Down
6= Arydia - No Pun Included
6= Power Vacuum - Shut Up and Sit Down
6= Vantage - The Dice Tower

Minutewalt Award

Another five-way tie. No award though obviously Ashes should win.

5 ballots

1= Ashes: Rise of the Phoenixborn
1= Dungeons & Dragons 5.5E
1= Hadrian’s Wall
1= No Award
1= Revive
6= Codenames
6= Vantage
6= Wavelength

pillbox Award

The anticipated big multiplayer game award goes to Firefly (10th anniversary edition)

5 ballots

1 Firefly: The Game - 10th Anniversary
2= Andromeda’s Edge
2= Guards of Atlantis II (again)
2= The Undercity
5= A War of Whispers
5= Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy
5= Earth Reborn
5= Frostpunk: The Board Game
5= No Award
5= Skull King

Mature Pearple

We’ve rediscovered Beyond the Sun and Pax Pamir 2.

6 ballots

1= Beyond the Sun
1= Pax Pamir 2
3= Project L
3= Res Arcana
5= No Award
5= Sagani
5= The Crew

Most Anticipated Game

And finally, a four-way tie, no award here.

4 ballots

1= Cascadia: Alpine Lakes
1= KeyForge: Draconian Measures
1= No Award
1= Twilight Imperium 5th Edition
5= Android: Netrunner: Vantage Point
5= Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread
5= Brass: Pittsburgh
5= Drawing Dead
5= Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game
5= Speakeasy

That’s all folks! If you want the details of the vote processing, it’s all below. Here be spiders.

full log of votes

Best Game:

6 ballot(s)

Metaround 1
Round 1
Hot Streak: 3
Bomb Busters: 1
Compile: Main 1: 1
The Gang: 1
Artengarten / Sanctuary: 0
Courtisans: 0
Flip 7: 0
Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game: 0
No Award: 0
Total: 6
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Artengarten / Sanctuary, Courtisans, Flip 7, Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game, No Award
Actually eliminating Artengarten / Sanctuary, Courtisans, Flip 7, Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game, No Award
Round 2
Hot Streak: 3
Bomb Busters: 1
Compile: Main 1: 1
The Gang: 1
Total: 6
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Bomb Busters, Compile: Main 1, The Gang
Actually eliminating Bomb Busters, Compile: Main 1, The Gang
Round 3
Hot Streak: 3
Total: 3
Winner: Hot Streak

Metaround 2
Round 1
Bomb Busters: 1
Compile: Main 1: 1
The Gang: 1
Artengarten / Sanctuary: 0
Courtisans: 0
Flip 7: 0
Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game: 0
No Award: 0
Total: 3
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Artengarten / Sanctuary, Courtisans, Flip 7, Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game, No Award
Actually eliminating Artengarten / Sanctuary, Courtisans, Flip 7, Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game, No Award
Round 2
Bomb Busters: 1
Compile: Main 1: 1
The Gang: 1
Total: 3
Winner: Bomb Busters, Compile: Main 1, The Gang

Metaround 3
Round 1
Artengarten / Sanctuary: 0
Courtisans: 0
Flip 7: 0
Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game: 0
No Award: 0
Total: 0
Winners 4 vs No Award 0
Winner: Artengarten / Sanctuary, Courtisans, Flip 7, Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game, No Award

Best Cooperative Game:

5 ballot(s)

Metaround 1
Round 1
The Gang: 2
Bomb Busters: 1
Landmarks: 1
Take Time: 1
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game: 0
Ministry of Lost Things: 0
No Award: 0
Pandemic: LOTR: The Fate of the Fellowship: 0
Total: 5
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game, Ministry of Lost Things, No Award, Pandemic: LOTR: The Fate of the Fellowship
Actually eliminating Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game, Ministry of Lost Things, No Award, Pandemic: LOTR: The Fate of the Fellowship
Round 2
The Gang: 2
Bomb Busters: 1
Landmarks: 1
Take Time: 1
Total: 5
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Bomb Busters, Landmarks, Take Time
Actually eliminating Bomb Busters, Landmarks, Take Time
Round 3
The Gang: 2
Total: 2
Winner: The Gang

Metaround 2
Round 1
Bomb Busters: 1
Landmarks: 1
Take Time: 1
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game: 0
Ministry of Lost Things: 0
No Award: 0
Pandemic: LOTR: The Fate of the Fellowship: 0
Total: 3
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game, Ministry of Lost Things, No Award, Pandemic: LOTR: The Fate of the Fellowship
Actually eliminating Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game, Ministry of Lost Things, No Award, Pandemic: LOTR: The Fate of the Fellowship
Round 2
Bomb Busters: 1
Landmarks: 1
Take Time: 1
Total: 3
Winner: Bomb Busters, Landmarks, Take Time

Metaround 3
Round 1
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game: 0
Ministry of Lost Things: 0
No Award: 0
Pandemic: LOTR: The Fate of the Fellowship: 0
Total: 0
Winners 3 vs No Award 0
Winner: Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game, Ministry of Lost Things, No Award, Pandemic: LOTR: The Fate of the Fellowship

Best Heavy Game:

5 ballot(s)

Metaround 1
Round 1
Imperium: Horizons: 2
Compile: Main 1: 1
Dune War for Arrakis: 1
Luthier: 1
Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread: 0
No Award: 0
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. The Board Game: 0
SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence: 0
The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era: 0
Total: 5
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread, No Award, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. The Board Game, SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era
Actually eliminating Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread, No Award, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. The Board Game, SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era
Round 2
Imperium: Horizons: 2
Compile: Main 1: 1
Dune War for Arrakis: 1
Luthier: 1
Total: 5
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Compile: Main 1, Dune War for Arrakis, Luthier
Actually eliminating Compile: Main 1, Dune War for Arrakis, Luthier
Round 3
Imperium: Horizons: 2
Total: 2
Winner: Imperium: Horizons

Metaround 2
Round 1
Compile: Main 1: 1
Dune War for Arrakis: 1
Luthier: 1
Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread: 0
No Award: 0
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. The Board Game: 0
SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence: 0
The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era: 0
Total: 3
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread, No Award, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. The Board Game, SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era
Actually eliminating Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread, No Award, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. The Board Game, SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era
Round 2
Compile: Main 1: 1
Dune War for Arrakis: 1
Luthier: 1
Total: 3
Winner: Compile: Main 1, Dune War for Arrakis, Luthier

Metaround 3
Round 1
Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread: 0
No Award: 0
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. The Board Game: 0
SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence: 0
The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era: 0
Total: 0
Winners 2 vs No Award 0
Winner: Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread, No Award, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. The Board Game, SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era

Best Light Game:

6 ballot(s)

Metaround 1
Round 1
The Gang: 2
Bomb Busters: 1
Courtisans: 1
Flip 7: 1
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game: 1
Landmarks: 0
Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game: 0
No Award: 0
Total: 6
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Landmarks, Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game, No Award
Actually eliminating Landmarks, Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game, No Award
Round 2
The Gang: 2
Bomb Busters: 1
Courtisans: 1
Flip 7: 1
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game: 1
Total: 6
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Bomb Busters, Courtisans, Flip 7, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game
Actually eliminating Bomb Busters, Courtisans, Flip 7, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game
Round 3
The Gang: 2
Total: 2
Winner: The Gang

Metaround 2
Round 1
Bomb Busters: 1
Courtisans: 1
Flip 7: 1
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game: 1
Landmarks: 0
Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game: 0
No Award: 0
Total: 4
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Landmarks, Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game, No Award
Actually eliminating Landmarks, Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game, No Award
Round 2
Bomb Busters: 1
Courtisans: 1
Flip 7: 1
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game: 1
Total: 4
Winner: Bomb Busters, Courtisans, Flip 7, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game

Metaround 3
Round 1
Landmarks: 0
Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game: 0
No Award: 0
Total: 0
Winners 4 vs No Award 0
Winner: Landmarks, Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game, No Award

Best Soloable Game:

5 ballot(s)

Metaround 1
Round 1
Artengarten / Sanctuary: 1
Dorfromantik: 1
Imperium: Horizons: 1
Ministry of Lost Things: 1
Small-Time Heroes: Base Box: 1
French Quarter: 0
No Award: 0
Total: 5
No clear winner; potentially eliminating French Quarter, No Award
Actually eliminating French Quarter, No Award
Round 2
Artengarten / Sanctuary: 1
Dorfromantik: 1
Imperium: Horizons: 1
Ministry of Lost Things: 1
Small-Time Heroes: Base Box: 1
Total: 5
Winner: Artengarten / Sanctuary, Dorfromantik, Imperium: Horizons, Ministry of Lost Things, Small-Time Heroes: Base Box

Metaround 2
Round 1
French Quarter: 0
No Award: 0
Total: 0
Winners 1 vs No Award 0
Winner: French Quarter, No Award

Best Thematic Game:

5 ballot(s)

Metaround 1
Round 1
Imperium: Horizons: 2
Bomb Busters: 1
No Award: 1
Twilight Imperium Thunder’s Edge: 1
Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread: 0
Dune War for Arrakis: 0
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game: 0
Total: 5
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread, Dune War for Arrakis, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game
Actually eliminating Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread, Dune War for Arrakis, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game
Round 2
Imperium: Horizons: 2
Bomb Busters: 1
No Award: 1
Twilight Imperium Thunder’s Edge: 1
Total: 5
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Bomb Busters, No Award, Twilight Imperium Thunder’s Edge
Actually eliminating Bomb Busters, No Award, Twilight Imperium Thunder’s Edge
Round 3
Imperium: Horizons: 2
Total: 2
Winner: Imperium: Horizons

Metaround 2
Round 1
Bomb Busters: 1
No Award: 1
Twilight Imperium Thunder’s Edge: 1
Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread: 0
Dune War for Arrakis: 0
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game: 0
Total: 3
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread, Dune War for Arrakis, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game
Actually eliminating Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread, Dune War for Arrakis, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game
Round 2
Bomb Busters: 1
No Award: 1
Twilight Imperium Thunder’s Edge: 1
Total: 3
Winners 3 vs No Award 1
Winner: Bomb Busters, No Award, Twilight Imperium Thunder’s Edge

Metaround 3
Round 1
Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread: 0
Dune War for Arrakis: 0
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game: 0
Total: 0
Winner: Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread, Dune War for Arrakis, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game

Best Game Artwork:

6 ballot(s)

Metaround 1
Round 1
Harmonies: 2
The Old King’s Crown: 2
KeyForge: Grim Reminders: 1
Leviathan Wilds: 1
Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread: 0
No Award: 0
Petiquette: 0
Small-Time Heroes: Base Box: 0
Vantage: 0
Total: 6
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread, No Award, Petiquette, Small-Time Heroes: Base Box, Vantage
Actually eliminating Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread, No Award, Petiquette, Small-Time Heroes: Base Box, Vantage
Round 2
Harmonies: 2
The Old King’s Crown: 2
KeyForge: Grim Reminders: 1
Leviathan Wilds: 1
Total: 6
No clear winner; potentially eliminating KeyForge: Grim Reminders, Leviathan Wilds
Actually eliminating KeyForge: Grim Reminders, Leviathan Wilds
Round 3
Harmonies: 2
The Old King’s Crown: 2
Total: 4
Winner: Harmonies, The Old King’s Crown

Metaround 2
Round 1
KeyForge: Grim Reminders: 1
Leviathan Wilds: 1
Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread: 0
No Award: 0
Petiquette: 0
Small-Time Heroes: Base Box: 0
Vantage: 0
Total: 2
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread, No Award, Petiquette, Small-Time Heroes: Base Box, Vantage
Actually eliminating Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread, No Award, Petiquette, Small-Time Heroes: Base Box, Vantage
Round 2
KeyForge: Grim Reminders: 1
Leviathan Wilds: 1
Total: 2
Winner: KeyForge: Grim Reminders, Leviathan Wilds

Metaround 3
Round 1
Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread: 0
No Award: 0
Petiquette: 0
Small-Time Heroes: Base Box: 0
Vantage: 0
Total: 0
Winners 2 vs No Award 0
Winner: Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread, No Award, Petiquette, Small-Time Heroes: Base Box, Vantage

Best Expansion:

5 ballot(s)

Metaround 1
Round 1
New Frontiers: Starry Rift: 2
Compile: Aux 1: 1
Terraforming Mars Automa: 1
Twilight Imperium Thunder’s Edge: 1
Akropolis: Athena: 0
Compile: Main 2: 0
No Award: 0
Obsession Characters: 0
Sea Salt and Paper: Extra Pepper: 0
Space Empires 4X All Good Things: 0
Total: 5
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Akropolis: Athena, Compile: Main 2, No Award, Obsession Characters, Sea Salt and Paper: Extra Pepper, Space Empires 4X All Good Things
Actually eliminating Akropolis: Athena, Compile: Main 2, No Award, Obsession Characters, Sea Salt and Paper: Extra Pepper, Space Empires 4X All Good Things
Round 2
New Frontiers: Starry Rift: 2
Compile: Aux 1: 1
Terraforming Mars Automa: 1
Twilight Imperium Thunder’s Edge: 1
Total: 5
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Compile: Aux 1, Terraforming Mars Automa, Twilight Imperium Thunder’s Edge
Actually eliminating Compile: Aux 1, Terraforming Mars Automa, Twilight Imperium Thunder’s Edge
Round 3
New Frontiers: Starry Rift: 2
Total: 2
Winner: New Frontiers: Starry Rift

Metaround 2
Round 1
Compile: Aux 1: 1
Terraforming Mars Automa: 1
Twilight Imperium Thunder’s Edge: 1
Akropolis: Athena: 0
Compile: Main 2: 0
No Award: 0
Obsession Characters: 0
Sea Salt and Paper: Extra Pepper: 0
Space Empires 4X All Good Things: 0
Total: 3
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Akropolis: Athena, Compile: Main 2, No Award, Obsession Characters, Sea Salt and Paper: Extra Pepper, Space Empires 4X All Good Things
Actually eliminating Akropolis: Athena, Compile: Main 2, No Award, Obsession Characters, Sea Salt and Paper: Extra Pepper, Space Empires 4X All Good Things
Round 2
Compile: Aux 1: 1
Terraforming Mars Automa: 1
Twilight Imperium Thunder’s Edge: 1
Total: 3
Winner: Compile: Aux 1, Terraforming Mars Automa, Twilight Imperium Thunder’s Edge

Metaround 3
Round 1
Akropolis: Athena: 0
Compile: Main 2: 0
No Award: 0
Obsession Characters: 0
Sea Salt and Paper: Extra Pepper: 0
Space Empires 4X All Good Things: 0
Total: 0
Winners 4 vs No Award 0
Winner: Akropolis: Athena, Compile: Main 2, No Award, Obsession Characters, Sea Salt and Paper: Extra Pepper, Space Empires 4X All Good Things

Best New Edition/Reprint/Sequel:

5 ballot(s)

Metaround 1
Round 1
Inis 3rd Edition: 2
Deckers: 1
Rebel Princess: 1
Robo Rally 30th Anniversary: 1
Cyclades Legendary: 0
Gloomhaven 2nd Edition: 0
No Award: 0
Total: 5
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Cyclades Legendary, Gloomhaven 2nd Edition, No Award
Actually eliminating Cyclades Legendary, Gloomhaven 2nd Edition, No Award
Round 2
Inis 3rd Edition: 2
Deckers: 1
Rebel Princess: 1
Robo Rally 30th Anniversary: 1
Total: 5
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Deckers, Rebel Princess, Robo Rally 30th Anniversary
Actually eliminating Deckers, Rebel Princess, Robo Rally 30th Anniversary
Round 3
Inis 3rd Edition: 2
Total: 2
Winner: Inis 3rd Edition

Metaround 2
Round 1
Deckers: 1
Rebel Princess: 1
Robo Rally 30th Anniversary: 1
Cyclades Legendary: 0
Gloomhaven 2nd Edition: 0
No Award: 0
Total: 3
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Cyclades Legendary, Gloomhaven 2nd Edition, No Award
Actually eliminating Cyclades Legendary, Gloomhaven 2nd Edition, No Award
Round 2
Deckers: 1
Rebel Princess: 1
Robo Rally 30th Anniversary: 1
Total: 3
Winner: Deckers, Rebel Princess, Robo Rally 30th Anniversary

Metaround 3
Round 1
Cyclades Legendary: 0
Gloomhaven 2nd Edition: 0
No Award: 0
Total: 0
Winners 3 vs No Award 0
Winner: Cyclades Legendary, Gloomhaven 2nd Edition, No Award

Erik Tengblad Award:

4 ballot(s)

Metaround 1
Round 1
After the Virus: 1
Frosthaven: 1
No Award: 1
Sidereal Confluence Bifurcation: 1
Earthborne Rangers: 0
Knarr: 0
Legacy of Yu: 0
Lowlands: 0
Red Rising: 0
Star Wars Shatterpoint: 0
Underwater Cities: 0
Warhammer Cursed City: 0
Total: 4
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Earthborne Rangers, Knarr, Legacy of Yu, Lowlands, Red Rising, Star Wars Shatterpoint, Underwater Cities, Warhammer Cursed City
Actually eliminating Earthborne Rangers, Knarr, Legacy of Yu, Lowlands, Red Rising, Star Wars Shatterpoint, Underwater Cities, Warhammer Cursed City
Round 2
After the Virus: 1
Frosthaven: 1
No Award: 1
Sidereal Confluence Bifurcation: 1
Total: 4
Winners 3 vs No Award 1
Winner: After the Virus, Frosthaven, No Award, Sidereal Confluence Bifurcation

Metaround 2
Round 1
Earthborne Rangers: 0
Knarr: 0
Legacy of Yu: 0
Lowlands: 0
Red Rising: 0
Star Wars Shatterpoint: 0
Underwater Cities: 0
Warhammer Cursed City: 0
Total: 0
Winner: Earthborne Rangers, Knarr, Legacy of Yu, Lowlands, Red Rising, Star Wars Shatterpoint, Underwater Cities, Warhammer Cursed City

Best Game Review:

5 ballot(s)

Metaround 1
Round 1
Compile Main 1 - Shut Up & Sit Down: 1
Dracula vs Van Helsing - Shut Up & Sit Down: 1
No Award: 1
The Old King’s Crown - No Pun Included: 1
Tokyo Game Market Spring 2025 Haul – 50+ Games! - ThinkerThemese: 1
5 MORE Great Small Games - Shut Up and Sit Down: 0
Arydia - No Pun Included: 0
Power Vacuum - Shut Up and Sit Down: 0
Vantage - The Dice Tower: 0
Total: 5
No clear winner; potentially eliminating 5 MORE Great Small Games - Shut Up and Sit Down, Arydia - No Pun Included, Power Vacuum - Shut Up and Sit Down, Vantage - The Dice Tower
Actually eliminating 5 MORE Great Small Games - Shut Up and Sit Down, Arydia - No Pun Included, Power Vacuum - Shut Up and Sit Down, Vantage - The Dice Tower
Round 2
Compile Main 1 - Shut Up & Sit Down: 1
Dracula vs Van Helsing - Shut Up & Sit Down: 1
No Award: 1
The Old King’s Crown - No Pun Included: 1
Tokyo Game Market Spring 2025 Haul – 50+ Games! - ThinkerThemese: 1
Total: 5
Winners 4 vs No Award 1
Winner: Compile Main 1 - Shut Up & Sit Down, Dracula vs Van Helsing - Shut Up & Sit Down, No Award, The Old King’s Crown - No Pun Included, Tokyo Game Market Spring 2025 Haul – 50+ Games! - ThinkerThemese

Metaround 2
Round 1
5 MORE Great Small Games - Shut Up and Sit Down: 0
Arydia - No Pun Included: 0
Power Vacuum - Shut Up and Sit Down: 0
Vantage - The Dice Tower: 0
Total: 0
Winner: 5 MORE Great Small Games - Shut Up and Sit Down, Arydia - No Pun Included, Power Vacuum - Shut Up and Sit Down, Vantage - The Dice Tower

Minutewalt Award:

5 ballot(s)

Metaround 1
Round 1
Ashes: Rise of the Phoenixborn: 1
Dungeons & Dragons 5.5E: 1
Hadrian’s Wall: 1
No Award: 1
Revive: 1
Codenames: 0
Vantage: 0
Wavelength: 0
Total: 5
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Codenames, Vantage, Wavelength
Actually eliminating Codenames, Vantage, Wavelength
Round 2
Ashes: Rise of the Phoenixborn: 1
Dungeons & Dragons 5.5E: 1
Hadrian’s Wall: 1
No Award: 1
Revive: 1
Total: 5
Winners 4 vs No Award 1
Winner: Ashes: Rise of the Phoenixborn, Dungeons & Dragons 5.5E, Hadrian’s Wall, No Award, Revive

Metaround 2
Round 1
Codenames: 0
Vantage: 0
Wavelength: 0
Total: 0
Winner: Codenames, Vantage, Wavelength

pillbox Award:

5 ballot(s)

Metaround 1
Round 1
Firefly: The Game - 10th Anniversary: 2
Andromeda’s Edge: 1
Guards of Atlantis II (again): 1
The Undercity: 1
A War of Whispers: 0
Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy: 0
Earth Reborn: 0
Frostpunk: The Board Game: 0
No Award: 0
Skull King: 0
Total: 5
No clear winner; potentially eliminating A War of Whispers, Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy, Earth Reborn, Frostpunk: The Board Game, No Award, Skull King
Actually eliminating A War of Whispers, Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy, Earth Reborn, Frostpunk: The Board Game, No Award, Skull King
Round 2
Firefly: The Game - 10th Anniversary: 2
Andromeda’s Edge: 1
Guards of Atlantis II (again): 1
The Undercity: 1
Total: 5
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Andromeda’s Edge, Guards of Atlantis II (again), The Undercity
Actually eliminating Andromeda’s Edge, Guards of Atlantis II (again), The Undercity
Round 3
Firefly: The Game - 10th Anniversary: 2
Total: 2
Winner: Firefly: The Game - 10th Anniversary

Metaround 2
Round 1
Andromeda’s Edge: 1
Guards of Atlantis II (again): 1
The Undercity: 1
A War of Whispers: 0
Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy: 0
Earth Reborn: 0
Frostpunk: The Board Game: 0
No Award: 0
Skull King: 0
Total: 3
No clear winner; potentially eliminating A War of Whispers, Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy, Earth Reborn, Frostpunk: The Board Game, No Award, Skull King
Actually eliminating A War of Whispers, Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy, Earth Reborn, Frostpunk: The Board Game, No Award, Skull King
Round 2
Andromeda’s Edge: 1
Guards of Atlantis II (again): 1
The Undercity: 1
Total: 3
Winner: Andromeda’s Edge, Guards of Atlantis II (again), The Undercity

Metaround 3
Round 1
A War of Whispers: 0
Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy: 0
Earth Reborn: 0
Frostpunk: The Board Game: 0
No Award: 0
Skull King: 0
Total: 0
Winners 3 vs No Award 0
Winner: A War of Whispers, Dune: A Game of Conquest and Diplomacy, Earth Reborn, Frostpunk: The Board Game, No Award, Skull King

Mature Pearple:

6 ballot(s)

Metaround 1
Round 1
Beyond the Sun: 2
Pax Pamir 2: 2
Project L: 1
Res Arcana: 1
No Award: 0
Sagani: 0
The Crew: 0
Total: 6
No clear winner; potentially eliminating No Award, Sagani, The Crew
Actually eliminating No Award, Sagani, The Crew
Round 2
Beyond the Sun: 2
Pax Pamir 2: 2
Project L: 1
Res Arcana: 1
Total: 6
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Project L, Res Arcana
Actually eliminating Project L, Res Arcana
Round 3
Beyond the Sun: 2
Pax Pamir 2: 2
Total: 4
Winner: Beyond the Sun, Pax Pamir 2

Metaround 2
Round 1
Project L: 1
Res Arcana: 1
No Award: 0
Sagani: 0
The Crew: 0
Total: 2
No clear winner; potentially eliminating No Award, Sagani, The Crew
Actually eliminating No Award, Sagani, The Crew
Round 2
Project L: 1
Res Arcana: 1
Total: 2
Winner: Project L, Res Arcana

Metaround 3
Round 1
No Award: 0
Sagani: 0
The Crew: 0
Total: 0
Winners 4 vs No Award 0
Winner: No Award, Sagani, The Crew

Most Anticipated Game:

4 ballot(s)

Metaround 1
Round 1
Cascadia: Alpine Lakes: 1
KeyForge: Draconian Measures: 1
No Award: 1
Twilight Imperium 5th Edition: 1
Android: Netrunner: Vantage Point: 0
Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread: 0
Brass: Pittsburgh: 0
Drawing Dead: 0
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game: 0
Speakeasy: 0
Total: 4
No clear winner; potentially eliminating Android: Netrunner: Vantage Point, Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread, Brass: Pittsburgh, Drawing Dead, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game, Speakeasy
Actually eliminating Android: Netrunner: Vantage Point, Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread, Brass: Pittsburgh, Drawing Dead, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game, Speakeasy
Round 2
Cascadia: Alpine Lakes: 1
KeyForge: Draconian Measures: 1
No Award: 1
Twilight Imperium 5th Edition: 1
Total: 4
Winners 3 vs No Award 1
Winner: Cascadia: Alpine Lakes, KeyForge: Draconian Measures, No Award, Twilight Imperium 5th Edition

Metaround 2
Round 1
Android: Netrunner: Vantage Point: 0
Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread: 0
Brass: Pittsburgh: 0
Drawing Dead: 0
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game: 0
Speakeasy: 0
Total: 0
Winner: Android: Netrunner: Vantage Point, Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread, Brass: Pittsburgh, Drawing Dead, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Trick Taking Game, Speakeasy

Boronian · March 21, 2026, 11:21pm

Oh, Inis got a new edition? I still have the first edition unopened in my shelf. Is it just new looks or also new (or improved?) rules?

SteveB_uk · March 21, 2026, 11:52pm

I was going to be outraged that Old King’s Crown only drew the Art award, but okay Harmonies actually looks amazing.

Whistle_Pig · March 22, 2026, 6:29am

The new edition of Inis is the “legendary edition” - the art is different and it includes the Seasons and Nemed expansions. As far as I know, the rules are the same. They have not fixed the wonky spears issue from the first edition

felix · March 22, 2026, 9:37am

Cool to see lots of options for solo that people enjoyed!

Phil · March 22, 2026, 11:49am

I didn’t participate this year, and I rarely vote in more than 1-2 categories at all, as I invariably haven’t played enough of the nominated games to have the foggiest idea how they should be ranked.

There are occasions when I’ve played 2 games in a category though (maybe even 3), and I’d be willing to rank just those if I didn’t think my vote would be taken as an opinion about the games I know nothing about.

E.g. if I’ve played only A & B and I think A is better than B, and you’ve played only A & C and you think C is better than A, then there’s some data suggesting C > A > B, even though neither of us has played all three.

As it is, I’m never comfortable voting for placings (1st, 2nd, 3rd) because I usually have absolutely no idea which game should go where. All I know is that I think A should appear before B within that ranking.

I have no understanding of the maths for this, but it feels like something there should be existing algorithms for processing the data this way.

RogerBW · March 22, 2026, 12:14pm

That’s a thing the system allows. So I’ve explained it badly. Please help!

Tale a look at Pearple's Choice 2023-4 voting which allows you to drag things into the order you want. Every category has two special entries:

(a) “No preference below this point”, which is just that. If you have A, B, no preference, C, D, you’re saying that A is your favourite, B is your second favourite, then anything below that you don’t care and you aren’t voting for them. Anything above that line, you’re saying you think it’s at least a bit more deserving of a win than something else.

(b) “No award”, which says “I would rather the award not be given at all than that it go to anything below here”. Generally you’d put it just above “no preference”, and leave the things you hate below that point.

Phil · March 22, 2026, 1:13pm

Ok, good to know! That wasn’t the impression I’d had.

The voting instructions do say “if you get to a point where you don’t have a preference between what’s left, just stop voting there.” but my interpretation of that was: “I’ll be indicating that what’s left is not as good as the things I’ve voted for” rather than “I think each of what’s left could be better or worse than the things I’ve voted for (or indeed anywhere in the middle), but I cannot comment on them in any way”.

I was also thrown by the text “All the first-place votes are counted first. If there isn’t a clear majority …”, as that sounds to me as if the top vote from each person is being treated as their vote for “first-place in the category” rather than “first amongst only the sub-set that I’ve voted for”.

For example, if 10 voters placed game A first with no preference for game B, and another 5 voters had played both A and B and all of those latter people put B ahead of A, then B would seem to be the better game and deserve the top spot in the results, despite A having a clear majority of first-place votes.

If it more or less works that way already, then I think the description can definitely be clearer, and ought to state that a “no preference” vote for a game is an indication that you don’t have any opinion about the game, and in particular is not an indication that you don’t think it’s as good as the games you’ve voted for.

Maybe the “no preference” line should be labelled “have not played / have no opinion”

RogerBW · March 22, 2026, 1:23pm

Yeah, the instructions are for making your own list. If you don’t want to vote for a thing there, you don’t list it. On the form I have to have all the things so that you can drag them around, but nothing below “no preference” gets reported as part of your vote.

In your example, yes, A would win because it has more first-place votes. That would happen whether the ten voters put B second or didn’t list it at all, and similarly with the 5 votes and A. (There is no system for indicating a voting order that doesn’t produce perverse results in some cases. This is less bad than many.)

yashima · March 22, 2026, 1:28pm

Thanks for doing the work @RogerBW and thanks for including pictures (I am not sure we had those in previous years ?) somehow it makes the games come alive this year in particular.

I have already played 13 new-to-me games this year, and I usually learn lots of new games every year by going to SPIEL. Even so there are categories I have a hard time with depending on the year. But I do rank the games I know.

Last year I had not watched any reviews at all so I couldn’t really nominate anything in that category. I think I didn’t even watch SUSD or NPI.

I am also happy to report that I have played Firefly twice this year! (Once yesterday with 3 players–number 4 was sick sadly and had to miss out)

It is not just beautiful it is also a very nice and cozy game and a big fave of mine Highly recommend if you like the satisfaction of building combo-y landscapes.

Phil · March 22, 2026, 1:48pm

Unfortunately I think that puts me back to square one where I don’t want to vote at all, so that I’m not inadvertently contributing to that kind of outcome.

There is no system for indicating a voting order that doesn’t produce perverse results in some cases. This is less bad than many.

I can believe it, and I certainly can’t point to anything better. I wish there was something, though.

yashima · March 22, 2026, 2:19pm

I wonder how @lalunaverde’s game club determines their GOTY?

lalunaverde · March 22, 2026, 2:28pm

Annually we do Top 10 new-to-me - then the points goes 10, 9, 8, etc. Not as good as Roger’s