UK Games Expo Awards
The UK Games Expo Awards were developed and introduced at UK Games Expo in 2007 to recognise the achievement of manufacturers and publishers in a variety of game genres.
The 2022 UK Games Expo Awards short list has now been released.
The public can vote on the short listed games at the show.
You can find out who has won at 3pm on Sunday 5th June.
A special logo will be available for use by the winners in each category. Many exhibitors display these proudly on their games or their stands in future years.
There are many categories in our awards and in each category there will be a Judges Award which is determined by panels chose for their knowledge of games and a Peoples Choice Award where you the visitor can vote on the best games using the website.
The short listed games will appear in the programme and on the website in 2022, so why not get involved and help us choose our winners for 2022?




These are the categories for the awards for 2022. Games for evaluation will be sent to a panel of judges who will short list them as well as selecting the overall Judges Awards winner. On the weekend of UK Games Expo visitors will vote on short listed games to determine the People's choice award winner.
Good luck to all our entrants.
Best Abstract Game
An abstract game is a game that minimizes luck and does not rely on a theme. It typically focuses on strategy where skill and careful planning is the key.
Best Accessory
The category covers items and products which are used in or with games often to enhance or improve or add to game play. Examples would include game storage solutions, character sheet folio, dice trays, dice bags etc.
Best Boardgame (American-Style)
Generally feature a prominent theme, encourage direct conflict between players and have a significant degree of luck. American-style games often have longer playtimes and have mechanics designed to suit the theme. Sometimes referred to as Ameritrash. (Games with a target ages of 12+ and specifically not for young children.)
Best Boardgame (Euro-Style)
Generally these games will have less direct player interaction, limited elements of luck and less conflict. Sometimes called a Eurogame or German-style board game. (Game with a target ages of 12+ and specifically not for young children.)
Best Boardgame (Strategic)
These are games which involve tactical and strategic game play, involve direct player interaction, often involve elements of competition, conflict and sometimes military themes. Miniatures may be involved or tokens representing characters or units(Game with a target ages of 12+ and specifically not for young children.)
Best Card Game (General)
Generally these games will not involve a board, but cards will be the predominant feature. This category includes lighter and more family orinetated games.
Best Card Game (Strategic)
Generally these games will not involve a board, but cards will be the predominant feature. This category features a high degree of tactical or strategic play. Examples may include Collectible Card Games. (Game with a target ages of 12+ and specifically not for young children.)
Best Children's Game
A game which is specifically designed for younger children (10 years or below) to play with or without adult supervision but not a game adults would play on their own.
Best Dice Game
Generally these games will not involve a board, but dice will be the predominant feature.
Best Digital Hybrid Game
A digital hybrid game combines physical and digital elements to introduce a new kind of game experience in a single product. (Note this must involve a physical game alongside an app or other digital element. Entirely computerised forms of games will not be considered).
Best Expansion
Add-ons and expansions to existing games which introduce new components or new mechanics but require the base game to play.
Best Family Game
A game which is ideal for children (perhaps older children) and adults to play together and all enjoy equally. Something for parents and kids to have fun together with.
Best Gaming Novelty
The category covers items and products which are not directly used in or with games but are themed or related to the world of gaming. Examples would include clothing, food and drink, books and journals, jewellery etc
Best Miniatures Range
A miniatures range for use in wargames or roleplaying games.
Best Miniatures Rules
A rules system where the core part of the game is using miniature figures to fight out battles. This may include variants and expansion of Minitaures Rules such as additional campaigns etc.
Best Party Game
A game which is usually light and easy to play, with simple rules and designed for larger groups or a party
Best Role-playing Game
The main rules set for a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting and where the main thrust is players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a story generally run by a games master.
Best Role-playing Game Adventure
An adventure, scenario or campaign or campaign setting for roleplaying games.
Best Role-playing Game Expansion
An expansion or supplement for roleplaying games which expands or adds to an existing game system.
Best Variant
The category includes stand alone games based on existing game systems or designs but which introduce new features such as new boards and maps, rules and themes.
2021 UK Games Expo Award Winners:
Best New Abstract Games
- Judges Award: Distrix - Distrix Games
- People’s Choice: Flash 8 – Scorpion Masque
Best New Children’s Game
- Judges Award: Micons – Gigamic
- People’s Choice:Dragomino - Blue Orange
Best New Family Game
- Judges Award: Daring Dustbunnies – Hopwood Games
- People’s Choice: Zombie Teenz Evolution – Scorpion Masque
Best New Gaming Novelty (New for 2021)
- Judges Award: Finding the Dragon – Game Flow
- People’s Choice: Legend of the Five Rings: Poison River – Aconyte Books
Best New Miniatures Range
- Judges Award: Stargrave: Science Fiction Wargames in the Ravaged Galaxy - Osprey Games
- People’s Choice: Stargrave: Science Fiction Wargames in the Ravaged Galaxy - Osprey Games
Best New Miniature Rules
- Judges Award: Stargrave: Science Fiction Wargames in the Ravaged Galaxy - Osprey Games
- People’s Choice: Stargrave: Science Fiction Wargames in the Ravaged Galaxy - Osprey Games
Best New Accessory
- Judges Award: 5E Condition Chips - Dungeon Bones Ltd
- People’s Choice: Box of Adventure - Valley of Peril – Loke BattleMats
Best Board Games American Style
- Judges Award: Kitara - Iello
- People’s Choice: Kitara – Iello
Best New Board Game European Style
- Judges Award: Excavation Earth - Mighty Boards
- People’s Choice: Excavation Earth - Mighty Boards
Best New Board Game (Strategic Style)
- Judges Award: Prisma Arena - Hub Games
- People’s Choice: Undaunted: North Africa – Osprey Games
Best New Card Games (Strategic)
- Judges Award: Schotten Totten 2 - Iello
- People’s Choice: Imperium: Classics – Osprey Games
Best New Card Games (General)
- Judges Award: Village Green: A Game of Pretty Gardens and Petty Grudges - Osprey Games
- People’s Choice:Village Green: A Game of Pretty Gardens and Petty Grudges - Osprey Games
Best New Dice Game
- Judges Award: Escape the Dark Sector - Themeborne
- People’s Choice: Escape the Dark Sector – Themeborne
Best New Party Game
- Judges Award: Inkling - Osprey games
- People’s Choice: 50 Clues: Part 1 - The Pendulum of the Dead – 50 Clues
Best Role-playing Adventure
- Judges Award: ALIEN RPG Destroyer of Worlds - Free League Publishing
- People’s Choice: ALIEN RPG Destroyer of Worlds - Free League Publishing
Best Role-playing Expansion
- Judges Award: The Compendium of Equestria - River Horse Games
- People’s Choice:Land of the Rising Sun – Brittannia Game Designs Ltd
Best Role-playing Game
- Judges Award: The Dee Sanction - All Rolled Up
- People’s Choice: Vaesen - Nordic Horror Roleplaying – Free League Publishing
Best Variant or Expansion (New category for 2021)
- Judges Award: Dice Hospital: Community Care - Alley Cat
- People’s Choice: Stuffed Fables: Oh, Brother! Expansion – Fantasy Flight Games