The call has now gone out from the UK Games Expo for those seeking to be included as part of the Awards for 2017 at the show running between June 2nd & 4th 2017.

Those looking to be accepted for the awards must follow a few guidelines in order to be considered...

• It should have been on sale in the year 2016 up to 2017 or released at the expo. Some reprints will be considered.
• It must be on sale at UK Games Expo 2017
• Publishers can ask to be entered into a category (one per product) but the final verdict lies with the judges
• Only open to companies who are present at the Expo
• The game must be an original design and not just a reprint with no significant changes to the game
• You MUST send a prototype/copy of the game to the UK Games Expo before 20th April 2017 or you will not be considered
• You MUST also send a hi-res image of the box art to them ahead of time.

...and more detailed rules can be found over on the link at the top of the page and HERE.

You can find the full run-down of exactly how it works over on the link above but this is always good fun and it's neat seeing what games come to the fore at the event.

The categories for this year are as follows to give you a guideline as to what they are looking for...

• Best New Boardgame (American-Style ) Generally feature a prominent theme, encourage direct conflict between players and have a significant degree of luck. American-style games often have longer playtimes and have mechanics designed to suit the theme. Sometimes referred to as Ameritrash. (Games with a target ages of 12+ and specifically not for young children.)
• Best New Boardgame (Euro-Style ) Generally these games will have less direct player interaction, limited elements of luck and less conflict. Sometimes called a Eurogame or German-style board game. (Game with a target ages of 12+ and specifically not for young children.)
• Best Role-playing Game (A game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting and where the main thrust is players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a story general run by a games master. In any given year we may decide to split this category into Roleplay Games and Roleplaying Game supplement.)
• Best Miniatures Range (A wargame system and/ or miniatures range where the core part of the game is using miniature figures to fight out battles. Might include figures aimed at use in RPG games. In any given year we might break this category in to rules systems and figures.
• Best Party Game (A game which is usually light and easy to play, with simple rules and designed for larger groups or a party)
• Best Children's Game (A game which is specifically designed for younger children (10 years or below) to play with or without adult supervision but not a game adults would play on their own.
• Best Family Game (A game which is ideal for children (perhaps older children) and adults to play together and all enjoy equally. Something for parents and kids to have fun together with.)
• Best Abstract Game (An abstract game is a game that minimizes luck and does not rely on a theme. It typically focuses on strategy where skill and careful planning is the key. May feature various components)
• Best New Expansion (This covers expansions to existing games, new versions which are essentially the same game but might have a different set of pieces e.g. an army pack.
• Best New Accessory (Anything gaming related not covered in the other areas e.g. game storage solutions, dice bags etc.)

The voting and awards themselves will happen across the weekend ending on Sunday 4th June 2017 at 3pm. Here are last years winners...

Hopefully, both companies and gamers alike will be able to get stuck into the Awards next year and explore what is on offer. It really is good fun!

Will you be checking this out when you're there or maybe even entering your game?