Must-See: 2023's Best Tabletop Games Revealed!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Rising Star Publisher Award
3. The Rising Star Designer Award
4. Publisher of the Year
5. Designer of the Year
6. Best Art Award
7. Best Ongoing Card Game
8. Best Roleplaying Game
9. Best Board Game
10. People's Choice Award

Introduction

Welcome to the Tabletop Awards 2023 presented by Misty Mountain Gaming. In this Second year of celebrating the tabletop industry, we aim to recognize the very best that the industry has to offer across board games, tabletop RPGs, card games, and more. We have received hundreds of nominations from amazing games, and our panel of judges has voted on the very best games this year. Join us as we honor the rising stars, publishers, designers, artists, and Creators who have made a significant impact on the tabletop industry. From innovative games pushing the forefront of what games can be to the ambitious blockbusters that offer unforgettable experiences with friends, we aim to celebrate it all.

The Rising Star Publisher Award

The Rising Star Publisher Award recognizes tabletop publishers with two or fewer releases to date. Whether in board games, RPGs, card games, or a combination thereof, this category celebrates emerging talent and achievements. Our finalists this year include Birdwood Games, Crossed Path Press, Hegemonic Project Games, Hot Banana Games, Matis Creative, Prismatic Wasteland, and The Wanderers. The winner of this year's Rising Star Publisher Award is Hot Banana Games. They are an emerging publisher dedicated to creating and publishing Asian-themed games by Asian game designers and illustrators. Their debut game "Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum" is a sumptuous celebration of Chinese cuisine, featuring unique powers for each player Based on the Chinese zodiac. Hot Banana Games is committed to authentic Asian representation in the tabletop industry.

The Rising Star Designer Award

The Rising Star Designer Award recognizes emerging designers who have already made a notable impact. This award showcases the finest talent, creativity, and vision that the tabletop industry has to offer. Our finalists this year include Ash Aziz, Cassie Mowin, D'Angelo Maro, Flor Cino, Flate Dri Lty, Jack Hazel, Seb Pines, Cint Basada, and Vavas Timothy. The winner of this year's Rising Star Designer Award is Cassie Mowin. Cassie is the designer of "Gmless Token-Driven Game Clean Spirit" and "The Sticker Again." Her games explore emotions, relationships, and absurd adventures, providing deep and Meaningful play experiences. Cassie's dedication to player experience and innovative game design has earned her recognition as a rising star in the industry.

Publisher of the Year

The Publisher of the Year award recognizes a publisher with a number of titles already under its belt, continuing to produce excellent work. Our finalists this year include Ninth Level Games, Good Luck Press, Osprey Games, Restoration Games, and Snow Bright Studio. The winner of Publisher of the Year for 2023 is Restoration Games. Founded by Justin Jacobson and Rob Daviau, Restoration Games is dedicated to reviving games from decades past and giving them a modern makeover. Their innovative approach to game design has resulted in acclaimed titles such as "Unmatched," "Return to the Dark Tower," and "Thunder Road: Vendetta." Restoration Games continues to push the boundaries of what board games can be.

Designer of the Year

The Designer of the Year award celebrates outstanding tabletop game designers who have made a significant impact on the industry. Our finalists this year include Bridget Winter, Dave Thompson and Trevor Benjamin, John D. Clave, Vangelis Bakas, and Will Jobs. The winners of the Designer of the Year award for 2023 are David Thompson and Trevor Benjamin. This duo has established themselves as leaders in the field of board war game design. Their games, including "Undaunted: Battle of Britain" and "General Orders: World War II," combine modern mechanics with an understanding of military history to provide entertaining and thoughtful gaming experiences.

Best Art Award

The Best Art Award recognizes the work of illustrators, artists, and graphic designers in elevating gameplay with phenomenal visuals. Our finalists this year include Barkeep on the Borderlands, Flabbergasted Forever Home, Historic Arcanum, Herald of Rain, Queen by Midnight, Salvage Union, and Sephar. The winner of the Best Art Award for 2023 is Sephar. This Tarot-based game showcases the talent and meticulous research of its designers and artists, crafting a distinct aesthetic that delves into the mysteries of the fictitious ancient island of Doria. Each card in the Sephar Tarot deck is a work of art, designed to enhance gameplay and provide a visually immersive experience.

Best Ongoing Card Game

The Best Ongoing Card Game award celebrates individual releases in a continuous game. Whether it's a collectible card game (CCG), living card game (LCG), or expandable card game, this award recognizes outstanding contributions to the ongoing game series. Our finalists this year include Disney Lana: The First Chapter, Flesh and Blood, Bright Lights, Magic: The Gathering, The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth, and Pokémon Trading Card Game: Scarlet and Violet. The winner of the Best Ongoing Card Game for 2023 is Disney Lana: The First Chapter. This TCG combines the iconic characters of Disney with innovative gameplay, providing a fresh and exciting experience for players.

Best Roleplaying Game

The Best Roleplaying Game award celebrates outstanding tabletop RPGs released during the past year. From fantasy adventures to sci-fi epics, these games offer diverse and immersive storytelling experiences. Our finalists this year include Animon Story, Barkeep on the Borderlands, Blade Runner: The Roleplaying Game, Fabula Fox Curio, Floating Bookshop Inc., My Mother's Kitchen, This Discord has Ghosts in it, and Women of Werewolves. The winner of the Best Roleplaying Game for 2023 is Women of Werewolves. This game allows players to step into the shoes of non-binary characters in a family where women transform into werewolves. It explores gendered spaces, family customs, and character-driven narratives in a meaningful and inclusive way.

Best Board Game

The Best Board Game award celebrates outstanding board game experiences released within the past year. From sprawling dungeon crawlers to tight half-hour games, these titles offer diverse and captivating gameplay. Our finalists this year include Hedony, Lead Your Class to Victory, Queen by Midnight, and Sky Team. The winner of the Best Board Game for 2023 is Sky Team. This cooperative board game puts players in the cockpit of a commercial airliner, working together to prepare the plane for landing. With its unique theme and engaging gameplay, Sky Team offers a thrilling and immersive experience for players.

People's Choice Award

The People's Choice Award is voted for by members of the public, recognizing their favorite tabletop game released during the past year. This award represents the voice of the community and celebrates the game that resonated most with players. The winner of the People's Choice Award for 2023 is "Fabula Ultima." This tabletop RPG pays homage to classic video game role-playing games and offers a heartfelt, thoughtful tribute to the genre. With its adaptable gameplay system and focus on character-driven narratives, "Fabula Ultima" has captured the hearts of players and exemplifies the innovation and creativity present in the tabletop industry.

Thank You to everyone who has participated in the Tabletop Awards 2023. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners for their outstanding contributions to the tabletop industry.