10th Anniversary Design Contest Winner Announcement

Hello contest participants and fans! After 4 months of testing, we are thrilled to announce the winner of the 10th anniversary design contest. The winner is … 🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁

Winner

Walking in Hikone by Daniel Lee

We truly appreciate the comprehensive design of Walking in Hikone. Daniel's artistry in crafting the main action selection system is truly elegant, contributing to a game flow that is exceptionally streamlined and smooth. Each turn players are presented with breezy yet meaningful choices. Furthermore, thanks to Daniel's prototype, we gained a glimpse of how Walking in Hikone could leave a lasting impression with its stunning visual portrayal of Hikone city. The scene is complete with temples, boats, samurai houses, and a towering castle—a truly fantastic sight.

A heartfelt thank you to Daniel for the outstanding work on Walking in Hikone. To our eagerly awaiting fans, your patience is valued, and we are just as excited as you are to bring it to the market.

Notable Runner Ups

Geisha’s Quarter by Pedro Ometto

At first, we were surprised at how simple the rules of Geisha's Quarter are—it's like a fancier tic-tac-toe. But don't let the simplicity fool you—Geisha's Quarter is sneakily deep. It makes you think a step or two (or even more!) ahead, and you've got to adapt to what's happening, which we really like. We think it could totally become a hit with its easy rules and unexpected depth. Props to Pedro! By the way, we happened to meet Pedro himself at the Essen this year!

馭利投機者 by 冰雨

This game's mechanics are undeniably one of the most original we've come across in this contest. At its core, it's an auction game where players bid higher than the last person to own a building. But what sets it apart is how 冰雨 cleverly mixes in a bag-drafting mechanic that seriously impacts market prices. The way 冰雨 combines these two systems is truly brilliant and brings a fresh perspective to the game. Additionally, the two sea-saw-like end-game conditions add an interesting dynamic and tension. (We're also extra proud that at least one local designer made it to the runner-ups! Good work 冰雨!)

In the end, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every contestant for their outstanding contributions to the contest. Your brilliant ideas, meticulous submissions, and hard work have truly made this competition remarkable. It has been a privilege to witness such creativity and dedication. Thank you for making this contest such a success. We hope we could bring good news about Walking in Hikone soon back to you. Until then, keep designing, keep playtesting. We look forward into your new ideas in the future. 😉