geek
The Hotness
Games|People|Company
Dominion - Stash Promo Card
Runewars
Dominion: Alchemy
Thunderstone
Dominion
Dungeon Lords
Alexander the Great
Agricola
Twilight Struggle
Murder at the Four Deuces
Stronghold
The Republic of Rome
Race for the Galaxy
Small World
Arkham Horror
Founding Fathers
Race for the Galaxy: The Brink of War
Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization
Vapor's Gambit
Battlestar Galactica
Chaos in the Old World
Le Havre
Last Night on Earth: The Zombie Game
Mystery Express
Puerto Rico
Endeavor
Power Grid
Vasco da Gama
Warhammer: Invasion
Descent: Journeys in the Dark
Space Hulk (3rd Edition)
Pandemic
Hansa Teutonica
Carson City
Campaign Manager 2008
War of the Ring
Livingstone
Cosmic Encounter
Stone Age
Le Havre: Le Grand Hameau
Tobago
Cosmic Encounter: Cosmic Incursion Expansion
Twilight Imperium 3rd Edition
Summoner Wars
War of the Ring Collector's Edition
Macao
Carcassonne
Dominion: Prosperity
Neuland
Steam
2007 Designer of the Year
Huzonfirst
United States
Manassas
Virginia
flag msg tools
designer
Avatar
patron05070809
mbmbmbmbmb
Recommend
9
A few weeks ago, I wrote an article for Boardgame News about selecting the designer who I felt had the best body of work for the 2007 calendar year (you can find the whole article here: http://www.boardgamenews.com/index.php/boardgamenews/comment...). What I found was that there were no designers who had what I'd call a great output last year and narrowed the process down to three who each put out two very good games. I opted to go for a three-way tie, a decision that some felt was indecisive. But I really think the accomplishments of all three of them were very even last year.

Anyway, maybe the members of the Geek can help out. I've listed the three nominees below (one of them is two person team), together with their games from last year. I'd like you to vote for the nominee you think is most deserving by giving it a thumb.

Here are some ground rules, or at least the rules I've chosen to impose on myself for the process. The idea is to honor the designer with the greatest body of work last year, not the one who created the single best game. I try to remove my personal feelings about the designs as much as possible; instead, I'm relying more on how I think the gaming world views their creations. Of course, you don't have to be bound by this restriction. I personally know very little about the world of wargames, so I exclude hardcore wargames from my consideration (but, as you will see, more Euro-style games of conflict are eligible). Everything else is included, including Euros, Ameritrash, card games, dexterity games, children's games, RPGs, CCGs--you name it. I used these guidelines to come up with these three nominees. Tell me which ones you think had the best body of work by thumbing the designer entry (not one of the games). Let's see if as a group, we can come to a consensus that I couldn't reach on my own!
Your Tags: Add tags
Popular Tags: [View All]
Posted Fri Feb 8, 2008 4:36 pm
1. Board Game Designer: Stefan Feld
Huzonfirst
United States
Manassas
Virginia
flag msg tools
designer
Avatar
patron05070809
mbmbmbmbmb
Stefan Feld published his first game in 2005, but he has already made his presence felt in the world of gaming. His earlier achievements include the excellent two-player game Roma and the big-box Alea title Rum & Pirates. His two designs from last year give him three Alea games, a rare and enviable achievement.
9
2. Board Game: Notre Dame [Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:69]
[Shop]
Huzonfirst
United States
Manassas
Virginia
flag msg tools
designer
Avatar
patron05070809
mbmbmbmbmb
Many declared that this game showed that "Alea was back". This is a strong middleweight which appeals to a wide variety of gamers and is in the Top 50 in the Geek ratings. It makes great use of the "card passing" mechanic found in some CCG drafts. It finished second in the DSP voting, and got an SdJ recommendation and an IGA nomination.
0 comments
Edited Fri Feb 8, 2008 5:08 am
Subscribe  sub options | Comment
3. Board Game: In the Year of the Dragon [Average Rating:7.53 Overall Rank:66]
[Shop]
Huzonfirst
United States
Manassas
Virginia
flag msg tools
designer
Avatar
patron05070809
mbmbmbmbmb
This brutal design had limited exposure until Rio Grande released the English version about a month ago. Since then, it's been climbing up the charts and should break into the Top 100 in a week or so. Players must choose the actions and personalities that will allow them to best deal with a randomly chosen set of disasters. The game features great replayability and multiple paths to victory.
0 comments
Edited Fri Feb 8, 2008 4:55 am
Subscribe  sub options | Comment
4. Board Game Designer: Thomas Lehmann
Huzonfirst
United States
Manassas
Virginia
flag msg tools
designer
Avatar
patron05070809
mbmbmbmbmb
Tom Lehmann began releasing his own games from his small publishing house of Prism Games back in the early nineties. His games are known for their depth and their many balanced strategies. Beginning with 2002's Pizarro & Co., he has had success in placing his designs with German publishers. Other notable Lehmann games include Fast Food Franchise, 2038, and To Court the King.
11
3 comments [Hide]
Edited Fri Feb 8, 2008 5:00 am
Subscribe  sub options | Comment
Drew
United States
Eau Claire
Wisconsin
flag msg tools
Avatar
patron07
mbmbmbmbmb
Pizarro & Co is, to date, my only exposure to Lehmann's work, and I finally got a chance to play it a couple weeks ago. I like it a lot, and am prepared to place it above Knizia's more well-regarded auction games in my personal rankings.

I should get a chance to try Race for the Galaxy this evening.
Chris Bailey
United States
Broomfield
Colorado
flag msg tools
Avatar
patron05
mbmbmbmbmb
Drew1365 wrote:
Pizarro & Co is, to date, my only exposure to Lehmann's work, and I finally got a chance to play it a couple weeks ago. I like it a lot, and am prepared to place it above Knizia's more well-regarded auction games in my personal rankings.

I should get a chance to try Race for the Galaxy this evening.


I'm a big fan of Pizarro & Co but you need to have 6 players.
Huzonfirst
United States
Manassas
Virginia
flag msg tools
designer
Avatar
patron05070809
mbmbmbmbmb
I don't think you absolutely need six, Chris, but it does play very well with that number, so that's how we frequently play it. But I think it plays fine with from four to six.
5. Board Game: Race for the Galaxy [Average Rating:7.95 Overall Rank:12]
[Shop]
Huzonfirst
United States
Manassas
Virginia
flag msg tools
designer
Avatar
patron05070809
mbmbmbmbmb
This quick playing sci-fi themed card game has taken the gaming world by storm recently and blasted its way into the Geek's Top 20. There are some similarities to San Juan (a game Lehmann worked on), but the scope and depth of play are richer and much more varied. It has developed a fanatical following and some report playing it almost daily. This should be a strong contender for some of the Game of the Year awards later in the year.
2
6. Board Game: Phoenicia [Average Rating:6.83 Overall Rank:443]
[Shop]
Huzonfirst
United States
Manassas
Virginia
flag msg tools
designer
Avatar
patron05070809
mbmbmbmbmb
This game took its inspiration from TimJim's Outpost, but it's a more distilled and much shorter game than that classic design. Players must acquire technologies in auctions to set up both an economic and a VP-producing engine. Play is intense and the strategies are many and varied. Some problems with the rules and production values have hurt the ratings for this one, but a number of well known gamers list it in their Top Ten games of 2007.
7. Board Game Designer: Christian T. Petersen
Huzonfirst
United States
Manassas
Virginia
flag msg tools
designer
Avatar
patron05070809
mbmbmbmbmb
This is an entry for the joint designing team of Christian Petersen and Corey Konieczka. Petersen launched Fantasy Flight Games to produce his designs and has overseen its growth into one of the great game publishers of the day. His designs include A Game of Thrones, World of Warcraft, and all three editions of Twilight Imperium. Konieczka, like Feld, is a newcomer to game design. Prior to last year, he was best known for contributing to the design of FFG's Warrior Knights remake.
2
8. Board Game: StarCraft: The Board Game [Average Rating:7.46 Overall Rank:96]
[Shop]
Huzonfirst
United States
Manassas
Virginia
flag msg tools
designer
Avatar
patron05070809
mbmbmbmbmb
This successful porting of the extremely popular computer game has earned excellent ratings since its release and should soon enter the Geek's Top 50. Players do battle on a number of planets and must take advantage of the available tech tree to impose their will upon their opponents. Up to three races are available, all with different abilities. There is also a hidden order system reminiscent of A Game of Thrones.
1
2 comments [Hide]
Edited Fri Feb 8, 2008 5:24 am
Subscribe  sub options | Comment
Rayito CarterClaytonCarson Gauguin
United States
Tucson
Arizona
flag msg tools
Avatar
patron0607
mbmbmbmbmb
I was under the impression that StarCraft was Corey's baby and that Christian Petersen served more in an advisory capacity.
Huzonfirst
United States
Manassas
Virginia
flag msg tools
designer
Avatar
patron05070809
mbmbmbmbmb
I have no idea, Ray. Petersen's name is listed in the credits, so I've included him. Are there any other Geeks who've heard anything about this?
9. Board Game: Tide of Iron [Average Rating:7.50 Overall Rank:103]
[Shop]
Huzonfirst
United States
Manassas
Virginia
flag msg tools
designer
Avatar
patron05070809
mbmbmbmbmb
This is as close to a wargame as I'm liable to consider for my Designer of the Year competition. It's a tactical level World War II design noted for its accessibility to non-Grognards. Its many design innovations have pushed it solidly into the Geek's Top 50. Petersen and Konieczka co-designed the game with another FFG in-house designer, John Goodenough.
1
1 comment [Hide]
Edited Fri Feb 8, 2008 5:29 am
Subscribe  sub options | Comment
Steve Bernhardt
United States
saratoga springs
Utah
flag msg tools
Avatar
0506070809
mbmbmbmbmb
I playtested this, Goodenough was the primary designer.
10. Board Game: Outside the Scope of BGG [Average Rating:6.72 Overall Rank:1018]
[Shop]
Huzonfirst
United States
Manassas
Virginia
flag msg tools
designer
Avatar
patron05070809
mbmbmbmbmb
Is there another designer who you think is more deserving than one of these three nominees? If so, let me know who you would choose in the comments for this entry. 2007 did produce some terrific games, including Agricola, 1960, Age of Empires, and Brass. But the designers of these games had no other designs to bolster their resumes. Still, you may think that one of these games represents enough of a "body" of work to qualify its creator as Designer of the Year, or maybe you have another choice in mind. You make the call!
11. Board Game Designer: Franz-Benno Delonge
Japan
Tokyo
flag msg tools
designer
Avatar
0607080910
Maybe not completely in accordance with your rules, but I'd like to nominate Delonge nevertheless.

Franz-Benno Delonge's last game Container was published last year. It's possibly one of the best available economic games. Delonge died of cancer in September, a few weeks before the publication of Container.

 
2
0 comments
Edited Fri Feb 8, 2008 4:55 pm
Subscribe  sub options | Comment
12. Board Game Designer: Michael Rieneck
Mik Svellov
Denmark
Copenhagen N
EU
flag msg tools
Avatar
0607080910
mbmbmbmbmb
With three games and two expansions - all of which are very good - Michael Rieneck deserves a spot here as well.

Although he published his first game back in 1999 (Druidenwalzer), he really first became wellknown when he was 'robbed' of the Spiel des Jahres in 2005 for Around the World in 80 Days.

Last year he reached new heights with his second game in Kosmos 'Literature in Games'-series The Pillars of the Earth, which won several prizes, including the Deutscher Spielepreis.
1
13. Board Game: Palastgeflüster [Average Rating:6.83 Overall Rank:692]
[Shop]
Mik Svellov
Denmark
Copenhagen N
EU
flag msg tools
Avatar
0607080910
mbmbmbmbmb
One of the better games from Adlung Spiele, this has been overlooked by many. But it really deserves a wider spread!
0 comments
Edited Fri Feb 8, 2008 5:27 pm
Subscribe  sub options | Comment
14. Board Game: Cuba [Average Rating:7.36 Overall Rank:107]
[Shop]
Mik Svellov
Denmark
Copenhagen N
EU
flag msg tools
Avatar
0607080910
mbmbmbmbmb
Dismissed by some as a 'lighter Puerto Rico' - the game is a beautiful variant of the popular 'merchant game', and it is certainly good enough to stand on its own.
0 comments
Edited Fri Feb 8, 2008 5:30 pm
Subscribe  sub options | Comment
15. Board Game: Nichtlustig [Average Rating:5.14 Overall Rank:5226]
[Shop]
Mik Svellov
Denmark
Copenhagen N
EU
flag msg tools
Avatar
0607080910
mbmbmbmbmb
Fun variant of the Yatzee-style dice games!
0 comments
Edited Fri Feb 8, 2008 5:32 pm
Subscribe  sub options | Comment
16. Board Game: The Pillars of the Earth Expansion Set [Average Rating:7.73 Unranked] [Average Rating:7.73 Unranked]
[Shop]
Mik Svellov
Denmark
Copenhagen N
EU
flag msg tools
Avatar
0607080910
mbmbmbmbmb
Not only does this expansion enable you to play with up to 6 players (with a very clever system to 'slide' two additional players seemless into the game) - but it also improves on the original game for 3-4 players by adding new cards and action spaces.

Thus making it an essential puchase for all fans of the original!
0 comments
Edited Fri Feb 8, 2008 5:36 pm
Subscribe  sub options | Comment
17. Board Game: Pillars of the Earth, The: Expansion Cards [Average Rating:7.68 Unranked] [Average Rating:7.68 Unranked]
[Shop]
Mik Svellov
Denmark
Copenhagen N
EU
flag msg tools
Avatar
0607080910
mbmbmbmbmb
Maybe not essential - but the extra cards brings even more variety into this popular game.
0 comments
Edited Fri Feb 8, 2008 5:36 pm
Subscribe  sub options | Comment
2 comments [Hide]
Karl Deckard
United States
Lake Forest
California
flag msg tools
Avatar
040506070809
mbmbmbmbmb
Voting for the best "body of work" for a single calendar year seems too limited in scope, because most designers don't release many titles in that timeframe. If the scope was larger, my vote would go for Vlaada (Vladimír) Chvátil for his work on Galaxy Trucker and Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization.
Huzonfirst
United States
Manassas
Virginia
flag msg tools
designer
Avatar
patron05070809
mbmbmbmbmb
Most designers don't have multiple releases in a year, Karl, but some usually do. For example, I identified 7 designers in 2006 and 9 in 2005 that released at least three games. This year was unusually lean and I could only find 3. They were Knizia, Kramer, and Teuber--usually a sure-footed trio--but either the quality was absent or there has been insufficient time for the games to be judged. Anyway, that's what the award is about; looking at the body of work for a year, as opposed to the single best game (there's plenty of awards that focus on the latter).
Front Page | Welcome | Contact | Privacy Policy | DMCA | Advertise | Support BGG | Feeds RSS
BoardGameGeek and the BoardGameGeek logo are trademarks of BoardGameGeek, LLC.