The GAME in Essen Not only is the German Games Prize awarded, but games are also honored for particularly innovative gaming experiences. The awarding of the “innoSPIEL” also followed at the SPIEL19 as part of the press conference. The winner was the children's game “Off through the Wall” by Jürgen Adams. Surprising, because the title from Zoch prevailed against strong competitors.
Strong competition: In the end, the ghosts win
At the international game days, not only the audience award “German Game Award” is awarded (the winners of 2019 can be found here), but also a jury award with the innovation award.
“Ab durch die Mauer” by Jürgen Adams, published by Verlag Zoch, “Detective” by Ignacy Trzewiczek, published by Portal Games and “Ab durch die Mauer” are on the shortlist Pegasus Spiele and “Keyforge” by Richard Garfield, published by Asmodee Germany, done.
Detective from Portal Games and Pegasus Spieler is aimed at crime fans who want to investigate and solve crimes as part of a story-driven gaming experience. Keyforge by Asmodee Germany is a card game with recognizable influences by Richard Garfield. The highlight: Keyforge is a so-called unique game, i.e. a game whose material composition is unique for each player. Although every deck of cards bought is different from the others, anyone can go into the game against anyone: the ability to use cards skillfully is essential to success and not a “better deck”.
In the end, Jürgen Adams' children's game, in which ghosts want to disguise themselves and collect accessories, prevailed. The highlight: the ghosts actually wander through walls - at least the game material is so cleverly designed that this impression is created. "Off through the wall" creates the perfect illusion through the use of magnets and a rotating game board.
Two to four players, ages seven and up, go on a ghost costume hunt in this board game. A game lasts around 20 minutes. The idea works: In fact, the material is so well thought-out and linked to the game mechanics that players - especially children - are drawn into the action. "Off through the wall" is still not a pure "material battle" and convinces with playful tricks. The fact that this game was able to prevail against the strong competitors is less surprising than it initially seems.
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Yes, Detective and Keyforge are also creative in their own special way, but the focus of the originality of Jürgen Adams' children's game lies in the origins of board games. It didn't need technical accessories or a uniqueness - also understood as a marketing trick - to be innovative. The new literally arose out of itself.
In any case, completely different target groups are addressed, so that the award ceremony as a whole is the typical “apples and pears” comparison - reduced to material, mechanics and basic idea, the award of “Ab durch die Mauer” is a comprehensible jury decision. In the end, all three titles are good and recommendable.
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