Origins Awards
Promoting innovation & excellence in games since 1975.
Since 1975, the Origins Awards have been celebrating excellence in the tabletop gaming industry. Although we took a brief hiatus, we are ready to continue highlighting the amazing work industry professionals are doing. To align with our expanded membership, we have added a few awards to ensure the amazing work of artists and media professionals are also represented.
ORIGINS AWARDS ENTRY RULES
The Origins Awards’ mission is to annually recognize achievement within the game industry. The awards will be conducted with integrity, impartiality, and with clearly defined categories. The awards’ juries will be composed of knowledgeable professionals, cultivating a celebration of excellence within our industry.
These principles guide all aspects of the Awards and are integrated into all of the concepts laid out in this document.
Eligibility
In order to be considered for an award, a product must meet these requirements:
Release Window
Products available to consumers between Jan 1, 2023 and Dec 31, 2023 are eligible for these awards
Submission Window
Products may be submitted for consideration between June 21, 2023 and December 31, 2023.
Sample Provision
To be eligible for an award, 7 copies of a product must be delivered to the coordinator, 258 E. Campus View Blvd., Columbus, OH 43235 on or before December 31, 2023.
Attn: Origins Awards
Game Manufacturers Association
258 E. Campus View Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43235
USA
+1(614)255-4500
Digital submissions for the Creative category must also be submitted by this date to originsawards@gama.org.
Multiple Submissions
Any individual product may only be submitted for entry in a single category. Elements of a product submitted for another award (eg art, writing) may also be submitted in the Creative category.
New Release Product
For a product to be eligible for nomination, it must be a new release for the year of submission. Reprints of existing games should have significant changes from previous editions to be eligible.
Expansions
Submissions for expansions must be accompanied by an equal number of copies of the base game they belong to. This ensures that all Jurors can evaluate the full play experience.
Entry Fee
Each submission to the Awards attracts a $35 processing fee. GAMA members receive one free entry per category
All submissions are subject to review by the committee of the Origins Awards
CATEGORIES
Game Accessories
Best Board Game-Related Product
Best Card-Related Product
Best Dice Best Dice-Related Product
Best Miniatures-Related Product
Best Game-Related Paint Product
Best Roleplaying Game-Related Product
Best Roleplaying Game Miniature
MINIATURES
Best Historical Miniatures Product
Best Skirmish-Based Miniatures Product
Best Unit-Based Miniatures Product
Best Boxed Miniatures Game
PUZZLES
Best Jigsaw Puzzle
Best Escape Room Puzzle or Game
Best Brain Teaser Puzzle
ROLEPLAYING GAMES
Best Roleplaying Game Core Product
Best Roleplaying Game Supplement
Best Roleplaying Game Adventure
Best Roleplaying Game Starter Product
NOTE: Special recognition awards may be given out on a case by case basis based on recommendations of the juries and implementation by the Origins Awards
BOARD GAMES
Best Cooperative Game
Best Cooperative Game Expansion
Best Gateway Game
Best Heavy Strategy Game
Best Heavy Strategy Game Expansion
Best Light Strategy Game
Best Light Strategy Game Expansion
Best Party/Social Game
Best Party/Social Game Expansion
Best Solo Game
Best Solo Game Expansion
Best Thematic Game
Best Thematic Game Expansion
CHILDREN’S GAMES
Best Children’s Game for Age 5 and under
Best Children’s Game for Ages 6 to 9
Best Children’s Game for Ages 10 to 12
CONSTRUCTABLE GAMES
Best Fixed Constructable Game Product
Best Randomized Constructable Game Product
Best Starter Constructable Game Product
CREATIVE AWARDS
Best 2D Published Game Art
Best 3D Published Game Component
Best Media Production
Best Published Creative Writing
Best Published Technical Writing
Origins Awards
Announced at Origins Game Fair, they reward excellence in game design. Nominees determined by Jury, winners determined by Academy vote.
Rising Star & Vanguard Awards
Recognizes exceptionally innovative people and products. Intended to inspire colleagues and designers to achieve new heights in their creations.
Hall of Fame
Honors people and products who have made critical contributions to gaming. New members are inducted during the Origins Award ceremony.
The Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design (AAGAD) is a peer based network of gaming industry professionals whose mission is to promote innovation and excellence in design and production of games and game related materials.