'Codenames' is German Game of Year

The German award "Spiel des Jahres" (Game of the Year) was given to the game "Codenames," created by the prolific Czech game author Vlaada Chavatil.

In the game, two secret agents try to communicate with their team members, who are the agents belonging to their own organization. They have to avoid naming their code names directly by using related terms instead before getting killed.

"People who like to play with words will love Codenames," said the president of the association Spiel des Jahres, Tom Felber.

The game is recommended for players aged 10 and up and it takes 15 minutes to play. It has simple rules but is filled with suspense. An English version is also on the market.

Building communities, from simple to complex

This recognition has been awarded to an exceptional analog board game every year since 1979.

The association has also added two more categories of awards, the "Kinderspiel des Jahres" (Children's Game of the Year, created in 2001) and another one for more advanced games, the "Kennerspiel des Jahres," since 2011.

This year's winning children's game is "Stone Age Junior," where players have to collect materials to build their village. It is recommended for children aged five and up.

In "Isle of Skye," the connoisseur's game of the year, players are vying chiefs trying to become the King of the Isle of Skye by gaining territory and building villages and businesses.

"Just like in real life, players need economic knowledge to cleverly invest and manage their money," the jury said.

Although the award is not endowed with prize money, the accolade always boosts sales of the winning games. The independent jury is made up of different games critics.

For more classic strategy games, click through the gallery below.

eg/kbm (dpa, Spiel des Jahres e.V.)