The Origins Awards are presented annually by the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design to recognize outstanding achievement in design and production of games and game-related products.

The winners were voted on by attendees at the Origins Game Fair in Columbus, OH in June 2011 from the nominees in each category chosen by retailers at the GAMA Trade Show. The winners were announced and the coveted Calliope statues were presented at the Origins Awards Ceremony on the evening of Saturday June 25^th.

The Academy would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to the jury members, GAMA staff, and everyone who submitted a product to the 37th annual Origins Awards.

Best Roleplaying Game
The Dresden Files RPG: Your Story – Evil Hat Productions

Best Roleplaying Supplement
Our World (The Dresden Files RPG) – Evil Hat Productions

Best Board Game
Castle Ravenloft – Wizards of the Coast

Best Traditional Card Game
Back to the Future: The Card Game – Looney Labs, Inc.

Best Family, Party or Children’s Game
Zombie Dice – Steve Jackson Games

Best Gaming Accessory
Cthulhu Dice Bag – Steve Jackson Games

Best Miniatures Rules
DC HeroClix Blackest Night Starter Game – WizKids/NECA

Best Historical Board Game
Catan Histories – Settlers of America: Trails to Rails – Mayfair Games

Best Game-Related Publication
Shadowrun: Spells and Chrome – Catalyst Game Labs

Best Play-By-Mail
The One Ring (A Legends Module) – Harlequin Games

Congratulations to all of the winners!

The hall has over 350 booths representing more than 200 companies in the industry.

Don’t forget to pre-register for the show before May 31^st and save $10 on your full show badge! This year’s theme is Victoriana with Steampunk. Games that fall into the theme of Victoriana for the 2011 Origins Game Fair will be featured in the Program Guide. We look forward to seeing you at the show!

We want to thank all of the major supporters of the show: Mayfair Games, show co-sponsor, Rio Grande Games, Troll & Toad, Sandstorm Productions, Elfinwerks, Bandai, Adventure Retail, Cryptozoic, Catalyst Game Labs, Looney Labs, Chimera Hobby Shop, Decision Games, Hills Wholesale Gaming, WizKids, Eagle Games, Geek Chic, GPA, Battle Front, Kenzer & Company, Reaper / Hobby Q, Z-Man Games, GameScience, and Free RPG Day.

For an exhibitor list and hall map or to pre-register for the show, visit the Origins website www.originsgamefair.com.

Check out the sold out Exhibit Hall at Origins, June 22-26. Where Gaming Begins!

The Origins Awards are presented annually by the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design to recognize outstanding achievement in design and production of games and game related products.

The nominees were voted on by hobby game retailers at the GAMA Trade Show in March 2011 from a short list in each category determined by a jury of hobby game professionals and knowledgeable enthusiasts. The winner of each category will be determined by the votes of attendees at the Origins Game Fair in Columbus OH, June 22^nd-26^th. The winners will be announced and the coveted Calliope statues presented at the Origins Awards Ceremony on the evening of Saturday June 25^th. Submitted games that were not nominated will be available to play in the Open Gaming Area at the Origins Game Fair.

The Academy would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to the jury members, GAMA staff, and everyone who submitted a product to the 37th annual Origins Awards.

Best Roleplaying Game

DC Adventures – Green Ronin Publishing

Designer: Steve Kenson

Dragon Age, Set 1 – Green Ronin Publishing

Designer: Chris Pramas

The Dresden Files RPG  - Evil Hat Productions

Designers: Leonard Balsera, Jim Butcher, Genevieve Cogman, Robert Donoghue, Fred Hicks, Kenneth Hite, Ryan Macklin, Chad Underkoffler, Clark Valentine

Fiasco – Bully Pulpit Games

Designer: Jason Morningstar

Gamma World RPG – Wizards of the Coast

Designers: Rich Baker, Bruce Cordell

Best Roleplaying Supplement

A Song of Ice and Fire Campaign Guide (A Song of Ice and Fire RPG)  - Green Ronin Publishing

Designers: David Chart, Joshua Frost, Brian Kirby, Jon Leitheusser, Anthony Pryor, Robert J. Schwalb, Owen K.C. Stephens

The Dresden Files: Our World (The Dresden Files RPG) – Evil Hat Productions

Designers: Leonard Balsera, Jim Butcher, Genevieve Cogman, Robert Donoghue, Fred Hicks, Kenneth Hite, Ryan Macklin, Chad Underkoffler, Clark Valentine

Advanced Player’s Guide (Pathfinder RPG) – Paizo Publishing

Designers: Judy Bauer, Jason Bulmahn, Christopher Carey, James Jacobs, Steve Kenson, Hal Maclean, Rob McCreary, Erik Mona, Jason Nelson, Stephen Radney-MacFarland, Sean K. Reynolds, F. Wesley Schneider, Owen K.C. Stephens, Lisa Stevens, James L. Sutter, Russ Taylor, Vic Wertz

Sixth World Almanac (Shadowrun RPG)- Catalyst Game Labs

Designers: Jason Hardy, John Heifers, John Dunn

Sunward: The Inner System (Eclipse Phase RPG) – Posthuman Studios

Designers: Rob Boyle, Brian Cross, Adam Jury

Best Board Game

Castle Ravenloft – Wizards of the Coast

Designer: Bil Slaviciek, Mike Mearls

Defenders of the Realm – Eagle Games

Designer: Richard Launius

Fresco – Queen Games

Designer: Wolfgang Panning, Marco Ruskowski, Marcel Süßelbeck

Lords of Vegas – Mayfair Games

Designer: James Ernest, Mike Selinker

Nuns on the Run – Mayfair Games

Designer: Fréderic Moyersoen

Best Traditional Card Game

Ascension: Chronicle of the Godslayer – Gary Games

Designer: Justin Gary

Back to the Future: The Card Game – Looney Labs, Inc.

Designer: Andrew Looney

Hecho – Glowfly Games

Designers: Brian Knudsen, Brent Knudsen

Hex Hex XL – Smirk & Dagger Games

Designers: Curt Covert, Justin Brunetto

Railways of the World: The Card Game – Eagle Games

Designer: James Eastham, Steve Ellis

Best Family, Party or Children’s Game

Ligretto Dice – Playroom Entertainment

Designers: Inka Brand, Markus Brand

Telestrations – USAopoly, Inc.

Designer: USAopoly

Wits and Wagers Family Edition – North Star Games

Designer: Dominic Crapuchettes

Word on the Street Junior – Out of the Box Publishing

Designer: Jack Degnan

Zombie Dice – Steve Jackson Games

Designer: Steve Jackson

Best Gaming Accessory

Color Primer: Dragon Red  - The Army Painter

Designer: Bo Penstoft, Jonas Faering

Adventurers Tiles  - Battle Bunker Games

Designer: Tony Ironmonger, Daniel Hinkle

Battlefield XP Swamp Tufts – The Army Painter

Designer: Bo Penstoft, Jonas Faering

Cthulhu Dice Bag  - Steve Jackson Games

Designer: Alex Fernandez

BattleTech Hex Pack: Lakes & Rivers – Catalyst Game Labs

Designer: Randall N. Bills

Best Miniatures Rules

Adventures in the Lost Lands – Two Hour Wargames

Designer: Ed Teixeira

BattleTech Technical Readout: 3085 – Catalyst Game Labs

Designer: Joel Bancroft-Conners

DC HeroClix Blackest Knight Starter Game – WizKids/NECA

Designers: Eric Engelhard, Jake Theis, Norman Barth, Drew Nolosco

Hordes: Primal MK2 – Privateer Press

Designer: Matt Wilson

MERCS Games Rule – MERCS Miniatures, LLC

Designer: Brian Shotton

Best Historical Board Game

Warlords of Europe – GameBuilders

Designers: Ken Griffin, Kyle Battle, Russ Rupe

Conflict of Heroes: Price of Honour Poland 1939 – Academy Games

Designer: Uwe Eickect

Catan Histories – Settlers of America: Trails to Rails – Mayfair Games

Designer: Klaus Teuber

Panzer General: Allied Assault – Petroglyph Games, Inc.

Designers: Chuck Kroegel, George Chastain

Best Game-Related Publication

No Quarter Magazine  - Privateer Press

Editors: Matt Wilson, Aeryn Redel, Privateer Press

Hamlet’s Hit Points – Gameplaywright

Author: Robin Laws

Family Games: The 100 Best – Green Ronin Publishing

Editor: James Lowder

Shadowrun: Spells and Chrome – Catalyst Game Labs

Editor: John Helfers

World at War: Revelation – Lock ‘n Load Publishing

Author: Mark H. Walker

Time is running out! To get your Origins full show badge at the Early Bird rate of $55, be sure to submit your online registration by January 15, 2011. After January 15, you can pre-register for the show at $65.

To register, visit http://originsgamefair.com/Registration/tabid/2938/Default.aspx and click the green Online Registration button to access our online registration system or by mailing or FAXing in the form available on the registration page. Mailed in forms must be postmarked by January 15. After January 15, incomplete orders will be removed from the system.

Time for clubs to register

If you are the organizer of a qualified game club, be sure to register as soon as possible so that your club members can purchase the club-rate badge. Please be sure to send your club member list (preferably as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet) to expedite the registration process for all. The membership application can be downloaded from our website at http://originsgamefair.com/GameMasters/tabid/2802/Default.aspx. To submit your application, e-mail award@gama.org.

Event submissions are open

Game masters can submit events now. Download the form at http://originsgamefair.com/GameMasters/tabid/2802/Default.aspx and send your completed forms to registration@gama.org.

Ready to volunteer?

If you would like to volunteer at Origins 2011, please be sure to fill out and submit the online volunteer form. Volunteer information and a link to the online form is available at http://originsgamefair.com/Volunteers/tabid/3166/Default.aspx. Don’t forget to fill out our form even if you have volunteered in the past. This will enable us to offer suitable volunteer opportunities to new and experienced people in a wide variety of areas—from events and programs to security, registration and more.

About Origins

The Origins Game Fair is one of the biggest hobby game conventions in the country. Origins takes place at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, June 22-26, 2011.

Everyone is welcome at Origins. Last year, we welcomed over 10,000 attendees. Everyone is welcome at Origins. Come shop, eat, and play games at the 36th annual Origins Game Fair.

See you at Origins, Where Gaming Begins!

Early-bird registration has been extended to January 15^th.

From now until January 15th, you can register for the Origins Game Fair at the early bird registration rate of $55. After that, you can pre-register for the show at $65.

The Origins Game Fair is one of the biggest hobby game conventions in the country. Last year, we welcomed over 10,000 attendees. Origins is located in the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. Everyone is welcome at Origins. Come shop, eat, and play games at the 36^th annual Origins Game Fair.

To register for Origins, visit http://www.originsgamefair.com and click on the ‘Registration’ link on the left side of the page. See you at Origins! Where Gaming Begins!

Last year, kids had an evening to meet Santa Claus, demo games with their families, enjoy holiday refreshments, and leave with a new game from under Santa’s tree.

This year, the event is expanding to two days on Nov 27th and Nov 28th. COSI is expecting attendance in the two days to be approximately 7,000 attendees!

Mayfair Games is co-sponsoring the event again this year and we are very excited to have them partner with us for this great holiday event.

GAMA, along with Mayfair Games and our awesome volunteers, will be demonstrating games, holding raffles and having tons of fun!

This is a great event to promote gaming for the holidays! If any members still want to be involved or donate games, please contact Angela Ward at 614-255-4500 or email at award@gama.org.

Deadline for game donations is 11/19/10.

Thank you. We truly appreciate your support of a great holiday and social gaming event!

Click here to print or download your $1.00 off coupon.

“Mayfair Games is thrilled to be a co-sponsor of Origins,” said Larry Roznai, President, Mayfair Games. “Mayfair is totally dedicated to making the gaming experience for the entire family the best it can be and being a co-sponsor of Origins will allow us to create that kind of amazing experience.”

Mayfair will increase its presence in the exhibit hall to over 5,000 square feet with additional demo tables, tournament space, and the new Mayfair Family Fun Area.

In addition to the exhibit hall, Mayfair again hosts “The Mayfair Room” with tournaments, a library fully stocked with their games, and even more life-sized giant games than last year. Thursday through Saturday evening, Mayfair will host a Room Party with complimentary soft drinks and snacks. With the purchase of the Mayfair Games Room Ribbon, attendees will have complimentary access to these events and the all-new Preview Play Program.

“Gameplay should be fun. We see it as our mission to fill your Origins hours with enjoyment,” said Robert Carty, VP of Sales/Marketing.

Mayfair Games will continue to sponsor the Kid’s Program and Origins Theme Areas. The Origins Kids Room grew 25% in 2010 and will again offer fun for families and young attendees in 2011. Mayfair will also co-sponsor the Origins Theme Area.  Attendees can join Origins’ industry and pop culture guests for brunch and conversation, and at night adults can enjoy a local micro-brew and play games in the pub’s theme area.

Mayfair will host another North American Catan Championship Qualifier tournament in 2011. The winner will receive a trip to the 2011 North American Catan Championship Tournament at Gen Con Indy 2011 (travel, hotel and convention badge provided). The winner of the NACC Tournament at Gen Con Indy 2011 will travel to the 2012 Worldwide Catan Championship to compete in the tournament as the North American Representative.

“We are excited to have Mayfair as our Origins show co-sponsor for 2011,” Executive Director of GAMA, John Ward said. “Mayfair is an outstanding partner, providing the Mayfair Room, giant games, tournaments, the Theme Area, and Kids Program. We always look to make the experience at Origins more memorable, and I think Mayfair gives people a lot to look forward to at Origins this year.”

Check out more about our co-sponsor Mayfair Games on the Origins website at www.originsgamefair.com or at www.mayfairgames.com . Origins Game Fair June 22-26, 2011, Where Gaming Begins!

“It’s a pleasure to take over where Paul Tevis’ excellent work as Academy Chair leaves off,” says Hal. “I’ve been involved with the Academy on and off for over a decade, and I’m proud to be able to do my part to continue to build the reputation and prominence of the Origins Awards.”

“I am really pleased that Hal has agreed to do this important job,” says Rick Loomis, President of the GAMA Board. “His enthusiasm and expertise gives me great confidence. I look forward to the coming year and I hope you do too!”

GAMA is also pleased to announce Samantha Hapney as the new Secretary of the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design, which assists the Chair in effectively executing the Origins Awards. Samantha is a long-time GAMA volunteer and has assisted GAMA in a variety of capacities.

GAMA would like to thank the previous Chair, Paul Tevis for all of his hard work and dedication to the AAGAD and to the Origins Awards. GAMA would also like to thank Nicole Charbonneau for all of her help as the previous Secretary and wish her the best of luck in Germany.

With the new leadership brings some enhancements in the Academy:

• In the interest of allowing the juries enough time to fully evaluate every product properly, we are modifying the submission deadlines for the 2011 Origins Awards. Products eligible for consideration must be released by November 1st of 2010. Copies of these products must be postmarked by November 15th. Future eligibility cycles will run from November 2, 2010-November 1, 2011, etc.
• We are also accepting submissions for the Origins Awards at ANY TIME throughout the year. If people have a product that they want to submit, they need not wait until the last minute to do so. Full details for submissions, including where to send them, can be found on the Origins Awards page at www.gama.org. The revised and updated Academy Website will be online by mid October.
• Make sure to follow Academy updates on Twitter @AAGAD_GAMA.

“My biggest thrill was seeing the youngsters in the kid’s room and watching them as they enjoyed the activities of the show!” says GAMA Executive Director, John Ward. “I think it is a testament to the hobby as a whole that we are in the business of ‘fun’ and I am excited when I see that next generation joining us all in the games we love and enjoy.”

Thank you again to everyone and we look forward to seeing you at next year’s show!

Best Historical Miniature Figure or Line - Wings of War: Albatross D.III by Nexus Editrice

Best Historical Miniature Game Rules Supplement - Flames of War: North Africa by Battlefront Miniatures, LTD.

Best Historical Miniature Game Rules - Wings of War: WWII, Deluxe Edition by Nexus Editrice, designed by Andrea Angiolino & Pier Glorgio Paglia

Best Historical Board Game – Conflict of Heroes: Storms of Steel! By Academy Games, designed by Uwe Eickert, John Hill & Dana Lombardy

Best Game-Related Book – BattleTech: 25 Years of Art & Fiction by Catalyst Game Labs, written by Randall N. Bills, Jason Schmetzer & Matt Heerdt

Best Game Accessory – Knights of the Dinner Table by Kenzer & Company, designed by Jolly R. Blackburn

Best Miniature Figure or Line – Marvel HeroClix Hammer of Thor Expansion by WizKids, designed by Eric Englehard, Kelly Bonilla, Jake Theis & James Szubski

Best Miniature Game Rules - BattleTech: Strategic Operations by Catalyst Game Labs, designed by Herbert A. Beas II & Randall N. Bills

Best Role Playing Game Supplement - Big Damn Heroes Handbook by Margaret Weis Productions, designed by Cam Banks, Jennifer Brozek, Jim Davenport, Jason Durall, Tony Lee, Nathon Rockwood & Clark Valentine

Best Role Playing Game - Eclipse Phase by Catalyst Game Labs/Posthuman Studios, designed by Rob Boyle & Brian Cross

Best Children’s, Family or Party Game – Are You The Traitor? By Looney Labs, designed by Andrew Looney

Best Traditional Card Game – Poo by Catalyst Game Labs/Labs/WildFire, LLC., designed by Matthew Grau

Best Board Game – Space Hulk by Games Workshop

Congratulations to all of the winners!