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Spiel des Jahres - beyond the Red Pawn (Topic Discussion)
Description
For many people, Spiel des Jahres is something they encounter only once a year. A list of nominees appears, winners are announced, and the familiar Red Pawn finds its way onto board game boxes that in turn appear on shop shelves. Yet, the award itself is only the most visible part of the organisation's work. Behind the annual announcements sits an association that funds projects, supports research, encourages new designers, and promotes the social value of play. In this third article in the series, I want to look at those activities that reveal a side of Spiel des Jahres that is often overlooked, particularly outside German-speaking countries, where the organisation is frequently seen only as a prestigious board game award.
Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2026/06/23/spiel-des-jahres-beyond-the-red-pawn-topic-discussion/
Useful Links
- Spiel des Jahres (German): https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/
- Spiel des Jahres funding programme (German): https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/foerderung/
- University of Konstanz: https://www.uni-konstanz.de/en/
- Museen der Stadt Nürnberg (German): https://museen.nuernberg.de/startseite
- Spielend für Toleranz (German): https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/spielend-fuer-toleranz/
- My Spielend für Toleranz statement: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/spielend-fur-toleranz/
- Deutsches Nachwuchs-Spieleautor*innen-Stipendium (German): https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/stipendium/
Music
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/)
Music: Relaxing Lofi – Tricosa
Produced by Sascha Ende
Link: https://ende.app/en/song/13607-relaxing-lofi-tricosa
Music: Relaxing Lofi – Icosa
Produced by Sascha Ende
Link: https://ende.app/en/song/13604-relaxing-lofi-icosa
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