Below you’ll find answers to common questions about the American Tabletop Awards, our committee, and our annual selection process. Still have a question? Feel free to contact us.
Jump to Section: About the ATTAs · About the Committee · Selection & Eligibility · For Publishers
About the American Tabletop Awards
How Did This Get Started?
We looked at parallels happening in other countries (such as the Juego del Año, the As d’Or, and the Spiel des Jahres) and noticed there wasn’t an American equivalent. Considering the American market is one of the largest in the industry, has one of the most diverse player bases in the world, and continues to grow rapidly, we wanted to create an award focused on highlighting great games for the American audience via a diverse, experienced committee.
Discussions around the ATTAs began in December 2018, the inaugural committee was formed in May 2019, and the initial awards slate was announced in September 2019. Since then, the awards have been announced annually each spring.
So, the “American” Tabletop Awards?
We considered the US Tabletop Awards, but USTA isn’t as good of an acronym.
When Are Awards Typically Announced?
Our awards are typically announced in early April each year. If you’d like to be added to our press list, please reach out.
About the Committee
Who Is on the American Tabletop Awards Committee?
Please see our Committee Page. Each member of the American Tabletop Awards Committee is an active participant in the modern tabletop scene (through writing, podcasting, video production, or industry work) and brings extensive board game experience and knowledge.
How Do I Join the American Tabletop Awards Committee?
There is no public application process. Prospective members may be nominated for consideration by a current member in good standing, provided they meet our eligibility requirements. The committee then votes on the nomination, and should the vote pass, we reach out to invite the nominee to join.
What Are These Eligibility Requirements?
Generally speaking, we ask that members avoid conflicts of interest and regularly engage with or produce tabletop content, and we strive to avoid adding multiple members from the same media outlet so a wide range of voices is represented.
Is There a Code of Conduct for Members of the Committee?
Yes — you can read our Committee Code of Conduct here.
Selection & Eligibility
How Are Games Selected for an Award?
To be eligible for consideration, games must meet our Eligibility Requirements:
- The game must have rules available in English.
- The game must be physically published, not a print-and-play.
- The game must have been published in the US for the first time (or received a significantly changed new edition) during the previous calendar year. For games with unclear US release dates, the Committee reserves the right to determine which eligibility window applies. (For example, the 2026 American Tabletop Awards honor games released between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025.)
- The game must be available for retail purchase at the time of award selection, or must have been a fulfilled crowdfunded release.
Games that meet our Eligibility Requirements are then put up for consideration by Committee Members following these rules:
- The Committee Member must not have a design, development, or publishing credit on the game.
- The Committee Member must not submit a game for consideration at the request of another Committee Member who has a credit on the game. This is considered a conflict of interest and is treated as a breach of our Code of Conduct.
- The Committee Member must have played the game they are submitting for consideration.
- Each Committee Member may submit up to 5 games per category for initial consideration.
Final nominees, recommended games, and winners are then determined by the committee via Ranked-Choice Voting.
How Is a Game’s Category Decided?
The ATTA Committee uses internal guidelines to place games into our four award categories (Early Gamers, Casual Games, Strategy Games, and Complex Games), though we recognize that complexity and categorization can be subjective. If a game’s placement in a specific category is debated, the committee discusses it and votes to settle on its final category.
For Publishers
Can I Send You My Game?
The American Tabletop Awards Committee has no central physical office. Because our committee members are active tabletop media creators, they play a wide variety of releases throughout the year via their own channels and outlets, which informs the titles they submit for initial consideration. Please do not lobby or solicit individual Committee Members to campaign for an award nomination.
Once the committee’s initial shortlist is formed each winter, we may coordinate with publishers to help ensure committee members have had the opportunity to play shortlisted titles prior to final voting.
How Do We Put the Award Seal on Our Box?
Public promotional logos are available on our Press Page. If you would like to print an official ATTA Winner, Recommended, or Nominated seal directly on your game box, please contact us so we can provide high-resolution vector files and a simple licensing agreement. We charge a flat licensing fee to help cover the ongoing hosting and operating costs of the awards.
