The German Game Award started in 1990 and is based on popular vote.
Ballots are sent to gamers, readers of the spielbox and Fairplay
magazines, dealers, game clubs, etc. throughout Germany, Austria and
Switzerland, but anyone can vote on the official site. Anonymous votes
are not accepted, in order to avoid duplicated votes. Voting occurs
until end of July, and only games that appeared in the two previous main
German game fairs (Essen and Nuremberg) are eligible. Each person ranks
up to five adult/family games and votes for one children's game. A game
gets 5 points each time it is ranked first, 4 points if it gets ranked
2nd, etc. The organisation of the award sums the points and publishes
the list of the 10 games with the most points, the award going to the
first placed. Given the source of votes, the family/adult award tends to
go to "gamer’s games". The award for best children's game goes simply to
the most voted game.
There is also a special award for outstanding contributions by individuals or organisations and a best rules award. The latter has its own name (Essener Feder - the quill of Essen) and it actually pre-dates the German Game Award. From 1981 to 1988, it was given by the Spiel des Jahres jury. It was not awarded in 1989, and since 1990 it is part of the German Game Award. The winner is selected by a 5 person jury.
The results are announced every year in October, just before Europe's biggest game fair, in Essen, Germany. For more information, see:
- the official site (in German);
- the English Wikipedia articles about the main and best rule awards;
- a commented list of the past winners.