Golden Geek Awards: A History of Board Gaming Excellence
Since 2006, the Golden Geek Award has served as one of the most prestigious honors in the tabletop world. Hosted annually by BoardGameGeek, these awards celebrate the best new board games of the year. Unlike many industry awards decided by a small panel of judges, the Golden Geek winners are selected through a democratic process: a vote by the site's registered users.
Over the nearly two decades of its existence, the awards have evolved to reflect the changing landscape of game design, expanding from a few basic categories to a comprehensive system that recognizes everything from heavy strategy epics to innovative print-and-play titles.
Key Facts
- Established: 2006.
- Voting Process: Determined by registered BoardGameGeek users.
- Evolution: In 2020, the "Game of the Year" category was split into Light, Medium, and Heavy weights.
- Diversity: Awards cover various genres including Wargames, Family Games, and Innovative designs.
- Multimedia: The awards briefly included RPGs and Video Games between 2014 and 2018.
The Early Years (2006–2009)
In its infancy, the Golden Geek Awards focused on foundational categories. Early winners like Caylus (2006) and Agricola (2008) set the stage for the strategy-heavy preferences of the community. During this era, the awards established a tradition of recognizing specific niches, such as the Best Children's Board Game and Best Party Board Game.
| Year | Game of the Year | Best Strategy Game |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Caylus | Caylus |
| 2010 | Hansa Teutonica | Hansa Teutonica |
| 2014 | Splendor | Five Tribes |
| 2017 | Gloomhaven | Gloomhaven |
| 2019 | Wingspan | Wingspan |
The Golden Era of Expansion (2010–2019)
The second decade of the awards saw a massive surge in popularity and the introduction of more specialized categories. This period highlighted the rise of "Legacy" games—games that change permanently as you play them—with Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 winning Game of the Year in 2015.
This era also saw the emergence of modern classics. Gloomhaven and Root dominated the late 2010s, often sweeping multiple categories including Best Thematic Board Game and Best Innovative Board Game.
RPG and Video Game Integration
Between 2014 and 2017, the awards expanded to include Role-Playing Games (RPGs) and Video Games. This period recognized the impact of Dungeons & Dragons 5e and indie hits like Stardew Valley. However, these categories were phased out by 2018, with the awards returning their primary focus to tabletop gaming.
Modern Refinements (2020–Present)
Starting in 2020, the awards underwent a significant structural change. Recognizing that a light card game and a 100-hour campaign game are fundamentally different experiences, the "Game of the Year" title was replaced by three weight-based categories: Light, Medium, and Heavy.
Recent years have seen the introduction of contemporary categories such as Best Podcast and Best Zoomable Game, reflecting how the community consumes gaming content and plays remotely. Recent heavy-hitters include Ark Nova and SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides the winners of the Golden Geek Awards?
The winners are chosen by the registered users of the BoardGameGeek website through an annual voting process.
How did the Game of the Year category change in 2020?
The single "Game of the Year" category was split into three distinct categories based on game complexity: Game of the Year, Light; Game of the Year, Medium; and Game of the Year, Heavy.
Did the awards ever cover video games?
Yes, RPG and Video Game awards were introduced in 2014 and continued through 2017, with one final category awarded in 2018 before being discontinued.
What is a "Print & Play" board game?
A Print & Play game is a board game designed to be downloaded and printed by the user at home, rather than purchased as a pre-manufactured physical product.
Which games have won multiple categories in a single year?
Several games have achieved this, including Gloomhaven, Root, and Wingspan, which often won across Strategy, Artwork, and Innovative categories simultaneously.