Berlin, June 11, 2024: Today's announcement of the recommendation lists and nominees by the "Spiel des Jahres" jury was a great cause for celebration at Schmidt Spiele. In all three categories, the Berlin-based publisher was able to secure the coveted and rare places on the longlist and shortlist with its games published in fall 2023 and spring 2024. The publisher is represented with a total of five titles - three in the children's game category, one in the family game category and one in the connoisseur game category - out of a total of 22 titles that made it onto the longlists. The cooperative game "e-Mission" has been nominated for "Connoisseur Game of the Year 2024", while the children's estimation game "Big Little Gems" has been nominated for "Children's Game of the Year 2024". The two prizes will be awarded on July 21, 2024 in Berlin.
Schmidt Spiele for the "Children's Game of the Year 2024"
A total of six games were recommended by the jury in the children's game category, three of which were made by Schmidt Spiele. The action children's game "Lecker Lava" by Drei Magier® and the children's card game "Die Nadel im Heuhaufen" by Schmidt Spiele are on the current list of recommendations. The noble treasure hunt, which two to four
four people aged five and up embark on in "Big Little Gems" made it into the three nominees for "Children's Game of the Year 2024". The children's guessing game, written by Wolfgang Warsch, requires a good sense of proportion: a great gem hunt has broken out in the kingdom of the goblins, as some of the precious gems are missing from the legendary royal crown. The little helpers try to spot the exact missing jewels in the extensive supply of gems and secure fame and honor and thus victory. But beware, each stone is absolutely unique in shape and size. The jury's reasoning for the nomination: "Discovering shapes and assigning sizes is a venerable form of childlike activity. Wolfgang Warsch brings it to perfection. From front to back, from the wealth of shapes to the reward system, 'Big Little Gems' is well thought out. Children will throw themselves into this gem of a game with great enthusiasm and concentration. It calms, sharpens the eye and develops an enormous pull. This is how real craftsmanship works."
Big Little Gems | Type: Children's guessing game | Brand: Schmidt Spiele® | Number of players: 2-4 | Age: 5+ | Time: approx. 15 minutes | Price: €21.49 (RRP)
"e-Mission" among the three nominees for the "Connoisseur Game of the Year 2024" The cooperative connoisseur game "e-Mission" by authors Matt Leacock and Matteo Menapace also impressed the jury. The mission of this game is as simple as it is challenging: to reduce global emissions to zero and thus stop climate change. In the realistic game "e-Mission", players take on the role of major nations and groups of countries in order to
groups of countries to get the climate crisis under control together. The task is tricky and requires strategic action from each party as well as global thinking and close cooperation. After all, it can only be achieved if the consequences of one's own actions are properly assessed and everyone works together towards the goal.
be achieved. The cooperative game for one to four people was produced in Germany using 100% wood and paper, without any plastic parts. For the jury, "e-Mission" shows that "playing is a cultural asset because of the theme", said Harald Schrapers, chairman of the Spiel des Jahres association, when announcing the nominations. The jury's further justification for the nomination: "'e-Mission' is brilliantly devised,
exciting and educational - and shows the value of cooperation: If everyone pulls together, we can still overcome this global crisis. The author duo also manage to package the highly charged, topical subject of the climate crisis in such a way that it comes across without pointing a finger. The fact that the projects and research ideas on the cards are based on real research and projects invites discussion and further education even after the game is over."
e-Mission | Type: cooperative connoisseur game | Brand: Schmidt Spiele® | Number of players: 1-4 people | Age: from 10 years | Time: approx. 120 minutes | Price: 77.99 euros (RRP)
The card game "Passt nicht!", which according to the jury "creates an insane atmosphere at the table" and thus made it onto the "Game of the Year 2024" recommendation list, was also particularly highlighted.
Image link (© Schmidt Spiele): PM_Spiel des Jahres 2024_Nominations and recommendations_Schmidt Spiele
About Schmidt Spiele
The publisher Schmidt Spiele is one of the best-known German game manufacturers. It comprises the brands Schmidt Spiele® for puzzles, plush, children's, family and adult games, Drei Magier®, which stands for sophisticated children's games, and Selecta® in the wooden toy segment. The foundation stone for the Schmidt Spiele® brand and the traditional company was laid in 1907 by Josef Friedrich Schmidt with the invention of the board game Mensch ärgere Dich nicht®. Other classics are Kniffel® and Ligretto®, and the portfolio also includes numerous award-winning children's, family and connoisseur games. In 1997, Schmidt Spiele® was taken over by Good Time Holding GmbH, headquartered in Berlin. Further information: www.schmidtspiele.de