The Origins Awards, run by GAMA, had 300 submissions for the 2019-2020 awards. That’s an increase of 370%, the year before there were only 81 submissions.
The event has restructured with more categories in response to the extra numbers, to help juries review the games. The new categories are;
- Board Game – Family
- Board Game – General
- Board Game – Historical
- Board Game – Party/Light
- Board Game – Strategy/Heavy
- Card Game
- Collectible Game
- Digital Adaptation of a Physical Game
- Miniatures Game
- Miniatures Game – Historical
- Role-Playing Game – Family/General Audience
- Role-Playing Game – Fantasy
- Role-Playing Game – Science Fiction
- Game Accessory
We’re told that the board and roleplaying game categories quadrupled in size and I guess that’s why Origins has subdivided these.
I just don’t get the subdivisions.
In board games; “Family” and “General” are different. I guess that means board games aren’t family orientated by default? I think, especially in the United States, “family” is often used to indicate non-controversial or mature.
Is Monopoly a Family game? It’s about mortgage arrears.
However, in roleplaying games “Family/General Audience” are put together; apparently, they’re effectively synonyms now.
Is D&D a Family game? Your corrupted patron of a demon encourages you to the mass murder of the goblin tribe just because they moved too close to the human village. Are horror games welcome?
Well, no doubt this will become clear in due time.
Submissions for the 2020-2021 Origins Awards are now open.
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