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UK Games Expo Awards Rules

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The 2025 UK Games Expo Awards Submissions are now open.

There are the rules and criteria for the UK Games Expo Awards.

Eligibility for entry

  1. The product or game’s UK release date must fall between 1st March 2024 and 1st June 2025.
  2. The product or game must be on show at and available for sale at UK Games Expo 31st May to 1st June 2025 and be represented by an exhibitor present at the show.
  3. Games that are exclusively on Kickstarter or other crowdfunding platforms and are not published or available for purchase by Sunday, June 1st, are ineligible. However, they may be entered in the following year.
  4. The exhibitor attending the show must be the one who submits the entry.
  5. Manufacturers and publishers may suggest a category for their products, but the final decision rests with the Expo judges. Only one category per product is allowed.
  6. A game can only be submitted for awards in one year. If a category is not used in a given year, we will place the game in the nearest category.
  7. All games must be original designs, not mere reprints or updates with new artwork unless there are substantial changes in design or gameplay between editions.
  8. To enter the awards, you MUST submit a copy/mock-up or sample by 28th February 2025. IF YOU MISS THIS DEADLINE, YOUR GAME WILL NOT BE ENTERED - NO EXCEPTIONS.
    For Legacy Games or Escape Room style games, you must provide 3 copies to allow different judges to experience it. If you are submitting an expansion of an original game, you must also include the original. Additionally, you MUST complete an application form online. Visit your exhibitor portal, and select 'Awards' to locate the form. This link is only valid if you have booked a stand at the show and linked your account. See this FAQ.
  9. Post your game or games to:
    Paul Laming
    UK Games Expo Ltd
    Third Floor, Suite 12 Elgar House Green Street Business Centre
    Green Street, access via Dixon Street.
    Kidderminster
    DY10 1JF
    For phone inquiries, please use 0044 (0)1562 69391. We advise against using DPD due to delivery issues.
  10. If a production copy of the game is not available by February 28, 2025, a mock-up is acceptable. Alternatively, you may submit the game for the 2026 award year, provided it is published after February 28, 2025.
  11. Submitted games will not be returned; they will be added to our game library, occasionally gifted to game clubs, auctioned or sold for charity, or given as prizes.
  12. Please upload a high-resolution, front-facing image of the game box to your awards entry in the portal. This image will be used in the program if your game makes the shortlist, so we request a uniform style for all box covers.

Categories and nominations for 2025

These are the provisional categories for the awards for 2025. Games for evaluation are being sent to a panel of judges, whose vote will be part of the final result. To this will be added the results of the public vote on the weekend. Good luck to all our nominees.

  • Best Abstract Game: An abstract game minimizes luck and is theme-independent, focusing primarily on strategy, skill, and careful planning.
  • Best Accessory: Any gaming-related items not included in other categories, such as game storage solutions and dice bags.
  • Best Boardgame: (American-style) These games typically emphasise a strong theme, promote direct player conflict, and incorporate a considerable element of luck. These games often have longer playtimes and mechanics tailored to the theme, and they are sometimes called Ameritrash. They are intended for ages 12 and upwards and are not suitable for young children.
  • Best Boardgame: (Euro-Style) Generally these games will have less direct player interaction, limited elements of luck and less conflict. Sometimes called a Euro game or German-style board game. (Game with a target age of 12+ and specifically not for young children.)
  • Best Boardgame: (Strategic) These games typically involve tactical and strategic gameplay, involve direct player interaction, and often involve elements of competition, conflict and sometimes military themes. Miniatures may be involved or tokens representing characters or units (Game with a target ages of 12+ and specifically not for young children.)
  • Best Card Game: (General) These games do not involve a board, but cards will be the predominant feature. This category includes lighter and more family-orientated games.
  • Best Card Game: (Strategic) Generally these games do not involve a board, but cards will be the predominant feature. This category features a high degree of tactical or strategic play. Examples may include Collectible Card Games (Games with a target age of 12+ and specifically not for young children.)
  • 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 choose to play on their own.
  • Best Dice Game: Generally, these games will not involve a board, but dice will be the predominant feature.
  • Best Expansion: A game which introduces new components or new mechanics. Typically, the base game is required to play.
  • Best Family Game: A game which is ideal for both children (perhaps older children) and adults to engage in collectively, something for both parents and children to enjoy together.
  • Best Gaming Novelty: This category covers items and products which are not directly used in or with games but are themed or related to the world of gaming. Examples would include clothing, food and drink, books and journals, jewellery etc
  • Best Miniatures Range: A miniatures range for use in wargames or role-playing games.
  • Best Miniatures Rules: A rule-based system where the core part of the game is using miniature figures to fight out battles.
  • Best Party Game: A game which is usually light and easy to play, with simple rules and designed for larger groups or a party. May include escape room and murder mystery style games.
  • Best Role-playing Game Adventure: An adventure, scenario or campaign setting for role-playing games.
  • Best Role-playing Game Expansion: An expansion or supplement for role-playing games which expands or adds to an existing game system.
  • Best Role-playing Game: The main rules set for 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, generally run by a Games Master.
  • Best Variant: The category covers variants such as new boards and maps or new themes applied to an existing game system or design. Typically, the base or original game is not required for play.

Judging

The winner of each category will be determined by the public vote combined with the opinions of the Panel of Judges.

Firstly, all games are rated by a panel of judges chosen by UK Games Expo. This process will produce short lists of the top games in each category where there are more than 3 entries. The shortlists will be selected according to the judges' ratings and published on Tuesday 6th May 2025.

Judges may use various criteria to judge the entries.

They are at liberty to use their judgement, but may include giving a degree of consideration to:

  1. The originality of the theme or idea.
  2. How well the entries play or function and how broad or niche the product is.
  3. Value for money. Gamers have a limited budget, so Judges do look at the price tag.
  4. Quality of the art, design or components.
  5. Is it fun to play or use?

One of these 3 games will be chosen as the Judges' Award winner and this will be announced on Tuesday 13th May 2025.

The People's Choice Awards

The Judges Award winners will be entered into a public vote at UK Games Expo to choose the People's Choice Award winner in 4 categories.

  • The UK Games Expo People's Choice Strategy Award: An award recognising the best in the field of Strategic games and related products.
  • The UK Games Expo People's Choice Famiy Award: An award recognising the best in the field of Family games and related products.
  • The UK Games Expo People's Choice Roleplaying Award: An award recognising the best in the field of Roleplaying games and related products.
  • The UK Games Expo People's Choice General Award: An award recognising the best in the field of General games and related products.

The People's Choice Awards will be announced on Sunday 1st June 2025