Winning the prestigious Spiel des Jahres translates into serious sales for a game publisher. Also winning the Kennerspiel des Jahres (the gamers' game award) means you're about to have a REALLY good year. Well Pegasus Spiele is about to have a REALLY good year, because their games won both awards. 

First, Camel Up, from designer Steffen Bogen, won the family game award. It's a betting and racing game about getting the right camel over the finish line. 

The Kennerspiel des Jahres was introduced in 2011, and gave some of the meatier games a chance to win their own award. The jury was often giving these games honorable mention, but they were just too complex to win the family award. Istanbul, from Rudiger Dorn, has taken the top spot this year. It's a game where you play as a merchant making your way through a bazaar with your assistants. You have to leave the assistants behind to finish up your work at the booth, but if you want to use that assistant again, you'll have to go back to the booth and pick him up. So it's a game of careful planning. 

My (Firestone) very first heavy Euro was Rudiger Dorn's classic game Goa, so I have a soft spot for the designer, and I'm thrilled to see him win. 

Any thoughts on these winners? Speaking of winners, this morning we'll be announcing the first group of winners on our contest. Just subscribe to the blog and you're entered!