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{{About||the multi-sport event|EuroGames|other uses|Eurogames (disambiguation){{!}}Eurogames}} | {{About||the multi-sport event|EuroGames|other uses|Eurogames (disambiguation){{!}}Eurogames}} | ||
{{More citations needed|date=March 2022}} | {{More citations needed|date=March 2022}} | ||
[[File:Terra Mystica - detail.jpg|thumb|Pieces on the board during ''[[Terra Mystica]]'' gameplay]] | |||
[[ | A '''Eurogame''', also called a '''German-style board game''', '''German game''', or '''Euro-style game''' (generally only referred to as ''[[Board game|board games]]'' in Europe), is a class of [[tabletop game]]s which generally feature indirect player interaction and lack of player elimination, while providing multiple ways to score points and win.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://boardgamegeek.com/wiki/page/Eurogame |title=Eurogame|website= boardgamegeek.com |access-date= 4 May 2023 }}</ref> Euro-style games are sometimes contrasted with [[American-style board game]]s, which generally involve more [[luck]], conflict, and drama.<ref name=Economist08>{{cite news|url=http://www.economist.com/world/europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12009728|title=German recreation: An affinity for rules?|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|date=28 August 2008|access-date=9 December 2019}}</ref> They are less [[abstract strategy game|abstract]] than games like [[chess]] or [[Go (game)|Go]] and more focused on economic competition than [[Board wargame|wargames]]. At the same time, they generally require more thought and planning than [[party game]]s like ''[[Pictionary]]'' and ''[[Trivial Pursuit]]''. | ||
== History == | |||
[[Image:Acquire game.JPG|thumb|The 1999 [[Hasbro]] version of ''[[Acquire]]'']] | |||
Due in part to postwar aversion to products glorifying conflict, the [[3M bookshelf game series|3M series]] of strategy and economic games, including ''[[Acquire]]'', became popular in [[Germany]]. They offered a style of gameplay without direct conflict or warfare and led the way for designs that focused on resource management and competitive strategy through more peaceful means.<ref name="Eurogames">{{cite book | title= Eurogames: The Design, Culture and Play of Modern European Board Games | last= Woods | first= Stewart | year= 2009 | publisher= [[McFarland & Company|McFarland]] | isbn= 978-0786467976}}</ref><ref name="It's All a Game">{{cite book | title= It's All a Game: The History of Board Games from Monopoly to Settlers of Catan | last= Donovan | first= Tristan | year= 2017 | publisher= [[Thomas Dunne Books]] | isbn= 978-1250082725}}</ref> | |||
Due in part to postwar aversion to products | |||
=== German family board games === | === German family board games === | ||
The genre developed as a more concentrated design movement in the late 1970s and early 1980s in | The genre developed as a more concentrated design movement in the late 1970s and early 1980s in Germany. The genre spread to other European countries including [[France]], [[Netherlands|the Netherlands]], and [[Sweden]].{{citation needed|date= July 2012}} During that time, board games in Europe often featured shorter play times than their American counterparts, along with rules that reduced the risk of early elimination, thereby encouraging all players to remain engaged until the end of the game. | ||
=== ''Settlers of Catan'' === | === ''Settlers of Catan'' === | ||
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=== Growth in the 21st century === | === Growth in the 21st century === | ||
[[File:Agricola board game.jpg|thumb|A game of ''[[Agricola (board game)|Agricola]]'' being set up ]]As the market expanded, some designers began creating deeper, more complex games often referred to as “gamer’s games” or “expert games.” Titles such as ''[[Agricola (board game)|Agricola]]'' (2007) by Uwe Rosenberg and ''[[Terra Mystica]]'' (2012) by Helge Ostertag and Jens Drögemüller introduced more detailed resource management, longer playing times, and heightened decision depth. These games often came with multiple paths to victory, ensuring [[replay value]] and a variety of strategies for enthusiasts. Residents of Germany purchased more board games per capita than any other country {{As of | 2009 | lc = on}}.<ref name="wired">{{cite web |url= http://archive.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/magazine/17-04/mf_settlers?currentPage=all |title= Monopoly Killer: Perfect German Board Game Redefines Genre |last1= Curry |first1= Andrew |date= 23 March 2009 |website= archive.wired.com |access-date= 27 May 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150510075137/http://archive.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/magazine/17-04/mf_settlers?currentPage=all |archive-date= 10 May 2015 |url-status= dead }}</ref> While many Eurogames are published and played in [[Anglophone]] markets such as the United States and the United Kingdom, they occupy a niche status there.<ref name="wired" /> Other games in the genre to achieve widespread popularity include ''[[Carcassonne (board game)|Carcassonne]]'', ''[[Puerto Rico (board game)|Puerto Rico]]'', [[TransAmerica (board game)|''TransAmerica'']], ''[[Ticket to Ride (board game)|Ticket to Ride]]'', ''[[Alhambra (board game)|Alhambra]]'', ''[[Brass (board game)|Brass]],'' [[Terraforming Mars (board game)|''Terraforming Mars'']], Concordia and [[Ark Nova | [[File:Agricola board game.jpg|thumb|A game of ''[[Agricola (board game)|Agricola]]'' being set up ]]As the market expanded, some designers began creating deeper, more complex games often referred to as “gamer’s games” or “expert games.” Titles such as ''[[Agricola (board game)|Agricola]]'' (2007) by Uwe Rosenberg and ''[[Terra Mystica]]'' (2012) by Helge Ostertag and Jens Drögemüller introduced more detailed resource management, longer playing times, and heightened decision depth. These games often came with multiple paths to victory, ensuring [[replay value]] and a variety of strategies for enthusiasts. Residents of Germany purchased more board games per capita than any other country {{As of | 2009 | lc = on}}.<ref name="wired">{{cite web |url= http://archive.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/magazine/17-04/mf_settlers?currentPage=all |title= Monopoly Killer: Perfect German Board Game Redefines Genre |last1= Curry |first1= Andrew |date= 23 March 2009 |website= archive.wired.com |access-date= 27 May 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150510075137/http://archive.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/magazine/17-04/mf_settlers?currentPage=all |archive-date= 10 May 2015 |url-status= dead }}</ref> While many Eurogames are published and played in [[Anglophone]] markets such as the United States and the United Kingdom, they occupy a niche status there.<ref name="wired" /> Other games in the genre to achieve widespread popularity include ''[[Carcassonne (board game)|Carcassonne]]'', ''[[Puerto Rico (board game)|Puerto Rico]]'', [[TransAmerica (board game)|''TransAmerica'']], ''[[Ticket to Ride (board game)|Ticket to Ride]]'', ''[[Alhambra (board game)|Alhambra]]'', ''[[Brass (board game)|Brass]],'' [[Terraforming Mars (board game)|''Terraforming Mars'']], Concordia, and ''[[Ark Nova]]''. Today, Eurogames remain an important segment of the board gaming industry, appreciated for their emphasis on strategy, thoughtful interaction, and lack of player elimination that allows all participants to remain engaged. While Germany still leads in per capita board game purchases, the popularity of Eurogames has spread worldwide, and many titles now receive international distribution and acclaim. Conventions in Germany gather thousands of fans annually, and 204,000 attended ''[[Spiel|Essen Spiel]]'' in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Didymus-True |first=Mike|title=Spiel Essen sells out for first time as 204,000 attendees set post-Covid record |url=https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/10/08/spiel-essen-sells-out-for-first-time-as-204000-attendees-set-post-covid-record/|access-date=2025-06-09 |website=BoardGameGeek|date=8 October 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
== Characteristics == | == Characteristics == | ||
Eurogames tend to be focused on presenting a complex challenge to players. They feature individual economic competition and resource management rather than direct conflict,<ref name="Your Move">{{cite book | title=Your Move | last=Moriarty | first=Joan | year=2019 | publisher=Sutherland House | isbn=9781999439545}}</ref> and have a limited amount of luck.<ref name="The Civilized Guide to Tabletop Gaming">{{cite book | title=The Civilized Guide to Tabletop Gaming | last=Litorco | first=Teri | year=2016 | publisher=[[Adams Media]] | isbn=978-1440597961}}</ref> They also differ from abstract strategy games like chess by using themes tied to specific locales.<ref name="Eurogames"/> Eurogames also emphasize the mechanical challenges of their systems over having the systems match the theme of the game. They are generally simpler than the [[wargaming|wargames]] | Eurogames tend to be focused on presenting a complex challenge to players. They feature individual economic competition and resource management rather than direct conflict,<ref name="Your Move">{{cite book | title=Your Move | last=Moriarty | first=Joan | year=2019 | publisher=Sutherland House | isbn=9781999439545}}</ref> and have a limited amount of luck.<ref name="The Civilized Guide to Tabletop Gaming">{{cite book | title=The Civilized Guide to Tabletop Gaming | last=Litorco | first=Teri | year=2016 | publisher=[[Adams Media]] | isbn=978-1440597961}}</ref> They also differ from abstract strategy games like chess by using themes tied to specific locales.<ref name="Eurogames"/> Eurogames also emphasize the mechanical challenges of their systems over having the systems match the theme of the game. They are generally simpler than the [[wargaming|wargames]] which flourished in the 1970s and 1980s from publishers such as [[Simulations Publications|SPI]] and [[Avalon Hill]], but still often have a considerable depth of play. | ||
One consequence of the increasing popularity of this genre has been an | One consequence of the increasing popularity of this genre has been an increase in complexity. Games such as ''[[Puerto Rico (board game)|Puerto Rico]]'' that were considered quite complex when Eurogames proliferated in the U.S. after the turn of the millennium are now the norm, with newer high-end titles like ''[[Terra Mystica]]'' and ''[[Tzolkin (board game)|Tzolkin]]'' being significantly more complex.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}} | ||
=== Incentive for social play === | === Incentive for social play === | ||
[[File:Ticket to Ride Rails & Sails.jpg|thumb|A four-player game of ''[[Ticket to Ride (board game)|Ticket to Ride]]'' near the end of the game]] | [[File:Ticket to Ride Rails & Sails.jpg|thumb|A four-player game of ''[[Ticket to Ride (board game)|Ticket to Ride]]'' near the end of the game]] | ||
Eurogames tend to be well-suited to social play. In contrast to games such as ''[[Risk (game)|Risk]]'' or ''Monopoly'', in which a close game can extend indefinitely, Eurogames usually have mechanics to limit the playing time. Common mechanisms include a predetermined winning score, a set number of game turns, or depletion of limited game resources. Playing time varies from a half-hour to a few hours, with one to two hours being typical. Generally, Eurogames do not have a fixed number of players like chess or bridge. Although there is a | Eurogames tend to be well-suited to social play. In contrast to games such as ''[[Risk (game)|Risk]]'' or ''[[Monopoly (game)|Monopoly]]'', in which a close game can extend indefinitely, Eurogames usually have mechanics to limit the playing time. Common mechanisms include a predetermined winning score, a set number of game turns, or depletion of limited game resources. Playing time varies from a half-hour to a few hours, with one to two hours being typical. Generally, Eurogames do not have a fixed number of players like chess or bridge. Although there is a sizable body of Eurogames that are designed for exactly two players, most games can accommodate between two to six players (with varying degrees of suitability). Six-player games are somewhat rare; examples include ''[[Power Grid]]'' and ''[[Caverna (board game)|Caverna]]'' (the latter supporting seven-player games). Some require expansions, such as ''The Settlers of Catan'' or ''Carcassonne''. Players usually play for themselves, rather than in a partnership or team. | ||
[[File:Terraforming Mars vid slutet av en spelomgång.jpg|thumb|''[[Terraforming Mars (board game)|Terraforming Mars]]'', a basic three-player game (shows the board, the player boards, and the players' cards at the end of a game round)]] | |||
A growing number of Eurogames support solo play with modified rulesets.<ref>{{cite web|last=C.|first=Jess|date=5 July 2021|title=The rise of solo play games|url=https://play.nobleknight.com/the-rise-of-solo-games/|access-date=4 May 2022}}</ref> To win, the player either has to achieve specific [[Single-player video game|single-player]] campaign goals or beat the score of a simulated opponent that takes actions according to special rules outlined in the scenario. Recent Eurogames suitable for solo play include ''[[Wingspan (board game)|Wingspan]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zimmerman |first=Aaron |date=2019-03-16 |title=Wingspan review: A gorgeous birding board game takes flight |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/03/wingspan-review-a-gorgeous-birding-board-game-takes-flight/ |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}</ref> ''[[Terraforming_Mars_(board_game)|Terraforming Mars]]'', and ''[[Spirit Island (board game)|Spirit Island]]''.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}} | A growing number of Eurogames support solo play with modified rulesets.<ref>{{cite web|last=C.|first=Jess|date=5 July 2021|title=The rise of solo play games|url=https://play.nobleknight.com/the-rise-of-solo-games/|access-date=4 May 2022}}</ref> To win, the player either has to achieve specific [[Single-player video game|single-player]] campaign goals or beat the score of a simulated opponent that takes actions according to special rules outlined in the scenario. Recent Eurogames suitable for solo play include ''[[Wingspan (board game)|Wingspan]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zimmerman |first=Aaron |date=2019-03-16 |title=Wingspan review: A gorgeous birding board game takes flight |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/03/wingspan-review-a-gorgeous-birding-board-game-takes-flight/ |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}</ref> ''[[Terraforming_Mars_(board_game)|Terraforming Mars]]'', and ''[[Spirit Island (board game)|Spirit Island]]''.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}} | ||
=== No player elimination === | === No player elimination === | ||
Another prominent characteristic of these games is the lack of player elimination.<ref>{{Cite news| last = Faber| first = Tom| title = The transformative power of games| work = Financial Times| location = London| accessdate = 2022-01-19| date = 2021-12-17| url = https://www.ft.com/content/c2f8b5b6-1f30-48cc-a098-71484ded9a00}}</ref> Eliminating players before the end of the game is seen as contrary to the social aspect of such games. | Another prominent characteristic of these games is the lack of player elimination.<ref>{{Cite news| last = Faber| first = Tom| title = The transformative power of games| work = Financial Times| location = London| accessdate = 2022-01-19| date = 2021-12-17| url = https://www.ft.com/content/c2f8b5b6-1f30-48cc-a098-71484ded9a00}}</ref> Eliminating players before the end of the game is seen as contrary to the social aspect of such games. Most of the games are designed to keep all players in the game as long as possible, so it is rare to be certain of victory or defeat until relatively late in the game. Related to no-player-elimination, Eurogame scoring systems are often designed so that hidden scoring or end-of-game bonuses can catapult a player who appears to be in a lagging position at end of play into the lead. A second-order consequence is that Eurogames tend to have multiple paths to victory (dependent on aiming at different end-of-game bonuses) and it is often not obvious to other players which strategic path a player is pursuing. Balancing mechanisms are often integrated into the rules, giving slight advantages to lagging players and slight hindrances to the leaders. That helps to keep the game competitive to the very end, an example of which is Power Grid, where the turn order is determined by number of cities (and biggest power plant as the tie-breaker), such that players further ahead are handicapped in their option of plays. | ||
=== Game mechanics === | === Game mechanics === | ||
[[File:Samurai board game.jpg|thumb|''[[Samurai (board game)|Samurai]]'' is a game of tile placement, set collection, and area control.]] | [[File:Samurai board game.jpg|thumb|''[[Samurai (board game)|Samurai]]'' is a game of tile placement, set collection, and area control.]] | ||
A wide variety of often innovative | A wide variety of often innovative [[game mechanics|mechanics]] are used, and familiar mechanics such as rolling dice and moving, capture, or [[Trick-taking game|trick-taking]] are avoided. If a game has a board, the board is usually irregular rather than uniform or symmetric (such as ''Risk'' rather than chess or ''[[Scrabble]]''). The board is often random (as in ''The Settlers of Catan'') or has random elements (such as [[Tikal (board game)|''Tikal'']]). Some boards are merely mnemonic or organizational and contribute only to ease of play, like a [[cribbage]] board; examples include ''Puerto Rico'' and ''[[Princes of Florence]]''. Random elements are often present but do not usually dominate the game. While rules are light to moderate, they allow depth of play, usually requiring thought, planning, and a shift of tactics through the game. | ||
Stewart Woods' ''Eurogames'' cites six examples of mechanics common to eurogames:<ref name="Eurogames"/> | Stewart Woods' ''Eurogames'' cites six examples of mechanics common to eurogames:<ref name="Eurogames"/> | ||
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=== Themes === | === Themes === | ||
[[File:Cartagena Jeu.jpg|thumb|[[Cartagena (board game)|''Cartagena'']]'s theme is the real 1672 [[Piracy|pirate]]-led [[jailbreak]] from the fortress of | [[File:Cartagena Jeu.jpg|thumb|[[Cartagena (board game)|''Cartagena'']]'s theme is the real 1672 [[Piracy|pirate]]-led [[jailbreak]] from the fortress of Cartagena]] | ||
Examples of themes are: | Examples of themes are: | ||
* ''[[Carcassonne (board game)|Carcassonne]]'' – build a medieval landscape complete with walled cities, monasteries, roads, and fields. | * ''[[Carcassonne (board game)|Carcassonne]]'' – build a medieval landscape complete with walled cities, monasteries, roads, and fields. | ||
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=== Game designer as author === | === Game designer as author === | ||
Although not relevant to actual play, the name of the game's designer is often prominently mentioned on the box, or at least in the rule book. Top designers enjoy considerable following among enthusiasts of Eurogames. For | Although not relevant to actual play, the name of the game's designer is often prominently mentioned on the box, or at least in the rule book. Top designers enjoy considerable following among enthusiasts of Eurogames. For that reason, the name "designer games" is often offered as a description of the genre. Recently, there has also been a wave of games designed as spin-offs of popular novels, such as the games taking their style from the German bestsellers ''[[The Swarm (Schätzing novel)|Der Schwarm]]'' and ''[[Inkheart series|Tintenherz]]''. | ||
== Industry == | == Industry == | ||
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[[File:Kniziabrunnhofer.jpg|thumb|Reiner Knizia and Bernd Brunnhofer at the [[Deutscher Spiele Preis|Deutscher Spielepreis]] awards at [[Spiel]] 2003 in [[Essen, Germany]]]] | [[File:Kniziabrunnhofer.jpg|thumb|Reiner Knizia and Bernd Brunnhofer at the [[Deutscher Spiele Preis|Deutscher Spielepreis]] awards at [[Spiel]] 2003 in [[Essen, Germany]]]] | ||
Designers of Eurogames include: | Designers of Eurogames include: | ||
* [[Antoine Bauza]] | * [[Antoine Bauza]] is a prolific French designer, creator of ''[[7 Wonders (board game)|7 Wonders]]'', ''Tokaido'', and ''[[Takenoko (board game)|Takenoko]]''.<ref name="Law18">{{cite web|last=Law|first=Keith|author-link=Keith Law (baseball writer)|date=13 August 2018|title=The Best Games at Gen Con 2018|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/08/gen-con-2018-the-51st.html|url-status=dead|access-date=30 November 2018|website=[[Paste Magazine]]|archive-date=30 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930132649/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/08/gen-con-2018-the-51st.html}}</ref> | ||
*Bruno Cathala | *Bruno Cathala is a French-born game designer, creator of ''[[Kingdomino]]''<ref>{{cite web|last=Cocagne|first=Jean-Baptiste|date=February 22, 2018|title=Bruno Cathala, auteur de jeux de société en Haute-Savoie|url=https://rcf.fr/actualite/bruno-cathala-auteur-de-jeux-de-societe-en-haute-savoie|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124054957/https://rcf.fr/actualite/bruno-cathala-auteur-de-jeux-de-societe-en-haute-savoie|archive-date=24 November 2018|access-date=23 November 2018|website=RCF Radio}}</ref> and ''Five Tribes''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jolin|first=Dan|date=11 October 2018|title=The 30 Best Board Games To Play Right Now|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-board-games/|access-date=29 June 2019|website=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]}}</ref> | ||
* [[Vladimír Chvátil|Vlaada Chvátil]] | * [[Vladimír Chvátil|Vlaada Chvátil]] is a Czech designer of board games and video games, whose games include ''[[Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization]]'', ''[[Galaxy Trucker]]'', ''[[Space Alert]]'', and ''[[Codenames (board game)|Codenames]]''. His rule books are often divided into several "learning scenarios" that gradually introduce players to the rules as they progress through the scenarios. | ||
* [[Leo Colovini]] | * [[Leo Colovini]] is a designer of ''[[Cartagena (board game)|Cartagena]]'' and ''[[Carcassonne (board game)#Spin-offs|Carcassonne: The Discovery]]''. | ||
* [[Rüdiger Dorn]] | * [[Rüdiger Dorn]] is a German designer who created ''Istanbul'', ''[[Karuba (board game)|Karuba]]'', ''Las Vegas'', ''Luxor'', and others.<ref name=Law18/> | ||
*[[Bruno Faidutti]] | *[[Bruno Faidutti]] is a French designer of ''[[Citadels (card game)|Citadels]]''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Law|first=Keith|author-link=Keith Law (baseball writer)|date=26 January 2017|title=Citadels Is Still One of the Best Games to Play in Groups of Four or More|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/01/citadels-review.html|url-status=dead|access-date=17 December 2019|website=[[Paste Magazine]]|archive-date=17 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217180036/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/01/citadels-review.html}}</ref> | ||
* [[Stefan Feld]] | * [[Stefan Feld]] is a designer particularly of games that make use of dice,<ref name="boingboing">{{cite web|last1=Casey|first1=Matt|date=2 October 2014|title=Making better use of dice in games|url=http://boingboing.net/2014/10/02/making-better-use-of-dice-in-g.html|access-date=26 January 2016|website=[[Boing Boing]]}}</ref> which allows players to score points in a variety of ways.<ref name="ars technica">{{cite web|last1=Law|first1=Keith|author-link=Keith Law (baseball writer)|date=13 April 2019|title=Review: Beloved board game Castles of Burgundy is now an app|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/04/review-beloved-board-game-castles-of-burgundy-is-now-an-app/|access-date=27 June 2019|website=[[Ars Technica]]}}</ref> He designed games such as ''[[The Castles of Burgundy|Castles of Burgundy]],''<ref name="ars technica"/> ''[[Trajan (board game)|Trajan]]'', ''Strasbourg'', ''Bruges'', and ''Carpe Diem''. | ||
* [[Friedemann Friese]] | * [[Friedemann Friese]] is a German designer, creator of ''Power Grid''<ref name="the Atlantic">{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2018/01/german-board-games-catan/550826/ |title=The Invasion of the German Board Games|last1=Kay |first1=Jonathan |date=21 January 2018 |access-date=19 December 2019|website=[[The Atlantic]]}}</ref> and others. | ||
* [[Mac Gerdts]] | * [[Mac Gerdts]] is a German designer of games such as ''Antike'', ''[[Imperial (board game)|Imperial]]'', ''Navegador'', and ''Concordia''.<ref>{{cite web|date=19 January 2018|title=Concordia, de retour, distribué par Atalia!|url=https://www.trictrac.net/actus/concordia-retour-distribue-par-atalia|url-status=|access-date=25 September 2019|website=TricTrac}}{{deadlink|date=September 2023}}</ref> | ||
* [[Reiner Knizia]] | * [[Reiner Knizia]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Law|first=Keith|author-link=Keith Law (baseball writer)|date=28 September 2018|title=Reiner Knizia's Blue Lagoon Is a Great Addition to Your Board Game Collection|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/09/reiner-knizias-blue-lagoon-is-a-great-addition-to.html|url-status=dead|access-date=23 November 2018|website=[[Paste Magazine]]|archive-date=24 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124055123/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/09/reiner-knizias-blue-lagoon-is-a-great-addition-to.html}}</ref> is a German designer who has designed over 600 published games. Recurring mechanisms in his games include auctions (''[[Ra (board game)|Ra]]'' and ''[[Modern Art (game)|Modern Art]]''), tile placement (''[[Tigris and Euphrates]]''<ref>{{cite web|last=Law|first=Keith|author-link=Keith Law (baseball writer)|date=24 June 2015|title=Tigris and Euphrates Boardgame Review|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/06/tigris-and-euphrates-boardgame-review.html|access-date=11 December 2019|website=[[Paste Magazine]]}}</ref> and ''[[Ingenious (board game)|Ingenious]]''), and intricate scoring rules (''[[Samurai (board game)|Samurai]]''). He also designed card games such as ''[[Lost Cities]]'',<ref>{{cite web|author=Zimmerman|first1=Aaron|last2=Anderson|first2=Nate|date=16 April 2016|title=Table for two: Our favorite two-player board games|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/04/table-for-two-our-favorite-two-player-board-games-2/|access-date=30 December 2019|website=[[Ars Technica]]}}</ref> ''[[Schotten-Totten]]'', and ''[[Blue Moon (game)|Blue Moon]]'', and the [[cooperative board game]] ''[[Lord of the Rings (board game)|The Lord of the Rings]]''. | ||
* [[Wolfgang Kramer]] | * [[Wolfgang Kramer]] often works with other game designers. His titles include ''[[El Grande]]'', ''[[Tikal (board game)|Tikal]]'', ''[[Princes of Florence]]'', and ''[[Torres (board game)|Torres]]''. His games often include an action point system and a geometric element. | ||
* [[Alan R. Moon]] | * [[Alan R. Moon]] is a British-born designer whose games often have a railway theme, including the Spiel des Jahres-winning ''[[Ticket to Ride (board game)|Ticket to Ride]]''<ref>{{cite web|author=Duffy|first=Owen|date=27 October 2014|title=All aboard – how Ticket To Ride helped save table-top gaming|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2014/oct/27/all-aboard-how-ticket-to-ride-helped-save-table-top-gaming|access-date=2 October 2019|website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> and ''[[Elfenland]]''. | ||
* [[Alex Randolph]] | * [[Alex Randolph]] created over 125 games. | ||
* [[Uwe Rosenberg]] | * [[Uwe Rosenberg]] is a designer of games such as ''[[Agricola (board game)|Agricola]]'', ''[[Le Havre (board game)|Le Havre]]'', ''Patchwork'', and several others.<ref name="the Atlantic"/> | ||
* [[Sid Sackson]] was a prolific American game designer whose games, particularly ''[[Acquire]]'', prefigured and strongly influenced the Eurogame genre.<ref name="Eurogames"/> | * [[Sid Sackson]] was a prolific American game designer whose games, particularly ''[[Acquire]]'', prefigured and strongly influenced the Eurogame genre.<ref name="Eurogames"/> | ||
* [[Michael Schacht]] | * [[Michael Schacht]] is a German designer of ''[[Coloretto]]'', ''Zooloretto'', ''Aquaretto'', ''[[Valdora]]'', ''Africana'', ''Web of Power'', ''China'', ''Han'', ''Hansa'', ''Mondo'', ''Mondo Sapiens'', ''Spirits of the Forest'', and ''Coney Island''. | ||
* [[Andreas Seyfarth]] | * [[Andreas Seyfarth]] designed the games ''[[Puerto Rico (board game)|Puerto Rico]]'',<ref name=Economist08/> ''[[Manhattan (game)|Manhattan]]'', and, with Karen Seyfarth, ''[[Thurn and Taxis (board game)|Thurn and Taxis]]''. | ||
* [[Klaus Teuber]] | * [[Klaus Teuber]] designed ''[[Catan]]''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Mcnary|first=Dave|date=19 February 2015|title='Settlers of Catan' Movie, TV Project in the Works|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/settlers-of-catan-movie-tv-project-gail-katz-1201437121/|access-date=2 October 2019|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> | ||
* [[Klaus-Jürgen Wrede]] | * [[Klaus-Jürgen Wrede]] is the German game designer of the ''Carcassonne'' board game series.<ref>{{cite web|author=Davis|first=Carl|date=29 March 2013|title=10 Strategy Board Games You Should Be Playing|url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/reviews/g1112/you-win-or-you-die-10-alternative-board-games/|access-date=2 January 2019|website=[[Popular Mechanics]]}}</ref> | ||
=== Events === | === Events === | ||
[[File:Deskohraní 08-10-05 048.jpg|thumb|At {{ill|Deskohraní|cs}} 2008, players trade currencies and place tiles to build an [[Andalusia|Andalusian]] palace in ''[[Alhambra (board game)|Alhambra]]''.]] | [[File:Deskohraní 08-10-05 048.jpg|thumb|At {{ill|Deskohraní|cs}} 2008, players trade currencies and place tiles to build an [[Andalusia|Andalusian]] palace in ''[[Alhambra (board game)|Alhambra]]''.]] | ||
The [[Spiel|Internationale Spieltage]], also known as Essen Spiel, or the Essen Games Fair, is the largest non-digital game convention in the world,<ref name="Eurogames"/><ref name="Daily Maverick">{{cite web|author=Peerutin|first=Seemy|date=21 August 2017|title=Board games are quietly, nerdily, becoming big business|url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2017-08-21-board-games-are-quietly-nerdily-becoming-big-business/#.WbXZV7pFy1s|access-date=15 August 2021|website=[[Daily Maverick]]}}</ref> and the place where the largest number of Eurogames are released each year. Founded in 1983 and held annually in Essen, Germany | The [[Spiel|Internationale Spieltage]], also known as Essen Spiel, or the Essen Games Fair, is the largest non-digital game convention in the world,<ref name="Eurogames"/><ref name="Daily Maverick">{{cite web|author=Peerutin|first=Seemy|date=21 August 2017|title=Board games are quietly, nerdily, becoming big business|url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2017-08-21-board-games-are-quietly-nerdily-becoming-big-business/#.WbXZV7pFy1s|access-date=15 August 2021|website=[[Daily Maverick]]}}</ref> and the place where the largest number of Eurogames are released each year. Founded in 1983 and held annually in [[Essen|Essen, Germany]] the fair was founded with the objective of providing a venue for people to meet and play board games, and show gaming as an integral part of German culture. | ||
The "World Boardgaming Championship" is held annually in July in [[Pennsylvania]]. It is nine days long and includes tournament tracks of over a hundred games; while traditional wargames are played there, the most popular tournaments are Eurogames and it is generally perceived as a Eurogame-centered event. Attendance is international, though players from the U.S. and Canada predominate. | |||
=== Awards === | === Awards === | ||
The most prestigious German board game award is the [[Spiel des Jahres]] ("Game of the Year").<ref name="Eurogames" /><ref name="The Game Inventor's Guidebook">{{cite book | title=The Game Inventor's Guidebook: How to Invent and Sell Board Games, Card Games, Role-Playing Games, & Everything in Between! | last=Tinsman | first=Brian | year=2008 | publisher=[[Morgan James Publishing]] | isbn=978-1600374470}}</ref> The award is very family-oriented, with shorter, more approachable games such as ''Ticket to Ride'' and ''[[Elfenland]]'' usually preferred by the award committee. | The most prestigious German board game award is the [[Spiel des Jahres]] ("Game of the Year").<ref name="Eurogames" /><ref name="The Game Inventor's Guidebook">{{cite book | title=The Game Inventor's Guidebook: How to Invent and Sell Board Games, Card Games, Role-Playing Games, & Everything in Between! | last=Tinsman | first=Brian | year=2008 | publisher=[[Morgan James Publishing]] | isbn=978-1600374470}}</ref> The award is very family-oriented, with shorter, more approachable games such as ''Ticket to Ride'' and ''[[Elfenland]]'' usually preferred by the award committee. In 2011, the jury responsible for the [[Spiel des Jahres]] created the [[Kennerspiel des Jahres]], or connoisseur's game of the year, for more complex games.<ref name="Eurogames" /> | ||
In 2011, the jury responsible for the [[Spiel des Jahres]] created the [[Kennerspiel des Jahres]], or connoisseur's game of the year, for more complex games.<ref name="Eurogames" /> | |||
The [[Deutscher Spielepreis]] ("German game prize") is also awarded to games that are more complex and strategic, such as ''Puerto Rico''. A few games have had broad enough appeal to win both awards: ''The Settlers of Catan'' (published 1995), ''Carcassonne'' (published 2000), and ''Dominion'' (published 2008). | The [[Deutscher Spielepreis]] ("German game prize") is also awarded to games that are more complex and strategic, such as ''Puerto Rico''. A few games have had broad enough appeal to win both awards: ''The Settlers of Catan'' (published 1995), ''Carcassonne'' (published 2000), and ''Dominion'' (published 2008). | ||
== Influence == | == Influence == | ||
[[Xbox Live Arcade]] has included popular games from the genre, with ''Catan'' being released to strong sales<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nelson|first=Major|date=5 May 2007|title=Xbox Live Activity for week of 4/30|url=http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2007/05/05/xbox-live-activity-for-week-of-4-30.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070508043043/http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2007/05/05/xbox-live-activity-for-week-of-4-30.aspx|archive-date=8 May 2007|access-date=15 August 2021|website=Xbox Live's Major Nelson}}</ref> on May 13, 2007, ''[[Carcassonne (video game)|Carcassonne]]'' being released on June 27, 2007.<ref name="gamerscore">{{cite web|last=Porcaro|first=John|date=25 June 2007|title=Build a Medieval Empire on Xbox LIVE Arcade with the Popular German Board Game Carcassonne|url=http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archive/2007/06/25/551618.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701165045/http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archive/2007/06/25/551618.aspx|archive-date=1 July 2007|access-date=15 August 2021|website=Gamer Score Blog}}</ref> ''[[Lost Cities]]'' and ''[[Ticket to Ride (video game)|Ticket to Ride]]'' soon | [[Xbox Live Arcade]] has included popular games from the genre, with ''Catan'' being released to strong sales<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nelson|first=Major|date=5 May 2007|title=Xbox Live Activity for week of 4/30|url=http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2007/05/05/xbox-live-activity-for-week-of-4-30.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070508043043/http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2007/05/05/xbox-live-activity-for-week-of-4-30.aspx|archive-date=8 May 2007|access-date=15 August 2021|website=Xbox Live's Major Nelson}}</ref> on May 13, 2007, ''[[Carcassonne (video game)|Carcassonne]]'' being released on June 27, 2007.<ref name="gamerscore">{{cite web|last=Porcaro|first=John|date=25 June 2007|title=Build a Medieval Empire on Xbox LIVE Arcade with the Popular German Board Game Carcassonne|url=http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archive/2007/06/25/551618.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701165045/http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archive/2007/06/25/551618.aspx|archive-date=1 July 2007|access-date=15 August 2021|website=Gamer Score Blog}}</ref> ''[[Lost Cities]]'' and ''[[Ticket to Ride (video game)|Ticket to Ride]]'' soon came out. ''[[Alhambra (video game)|Alhambra]]'' was due to follow later in 2007 until being canceled.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tomacco |date=2008-01-29 |title=XBLArcade.com's board game roundup |url=http://www.xblarcade.com/node/1657 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303064309/http://www.xblarcade.com/node/1657 |archive-date=2008-03-03 |access-date=2008-03-05 |website=XBLArcade}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090217213937/http://xbox360.ign.com/objects/850/850006.html IGN: Alhambra] - [[IGN]]</ref> | ||
The iPhone received versions of The Settlers of Catan and ''[[Zooloretto]]'' in 2009. Carcassonne was added to the iPhone App Store in June 2010. Later, Ticket to Ride was developed for | The iPhone received versions of The Settlers of Catan and ''[[Zooloretto]]'' in 2009. Carcassonne was added to the iPhone App Store in June 2010. Later, Ticket to Ride was developed for the iPhone and the iPad, significantly boosting sales of the board game.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kuchera|first=Ben|date=22 February 2012|title=Days of Wonder CEO explains how iPad Ticket to Ride boosted sales of the real thing|url=https://www.penny-arcade.com/report/article/days-of-wonder-ceo-explains-how-ipad-ticket-to-ride-boosted-sales-of-the-re|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327040144/https://www.penny-arcade.com/report/article/days-of-wonder-ceo-explains-how-ipad-ticket-to-ride-boosted-sales-of-the-re|archive-date=27 March 2013|access-date=15 August 2021|website=[[Penny Arcade]]}}</ref> | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
| Line 132: | Line 129: | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
* [http://www.brettboard.dk/ Brett and Board] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729223445/http://brettboard.dk/ |date=2020-07-29 }} with information on German-style games (has not been updated in some time) | * [http://www.brettboard.dk/ Brett and Board] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729223445/http://brettboard.dk/ |date=2020-07-29 }} with information on German-style games (it has not been updated in some time) | ||
* [http://www.luding.org/ Luding.org] – board game database with over 15,000 English and German reviewed games | * [http://www.luding.org/ Luding.org] – board game database with over 15,000 English and German reviewed games | ||
* [http://www.boardgamegeek.com/ BoardGameGeek] – internet database of over 100,000 tabletop games, with online fan community. | * [http://www.boardgamegeek.com/ BoardGameGeek] – an internet database of over 100,000 tabletop games, with online fan community. | ||
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120729010243/http://gamerate.net/board-card/ Gamerate.net] – internet database of board, card and electronic games. | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20120729010243/http://gamerate.net/board-card/ Gamerate.net] – an internet database of board, card, and electronic games. | ||
{{Tabletop games by type}} | {{Tabletop games by type}} | ||
[[Category:Board games]] | [[Category:Board games]] | ||
[[Category:Culture of Germany]] | [[Category:Culture of Germany]] | ||
[[Category:Board game terminology]] | [[Category:Board game terminology]] | ||