Challengers adds to string of awards by taking home Italian Game of the Year prize

Challengers, a deck-management board game designed to replicate the feel of a digital auto-battler, has continued its powerful run of award wins by being named Italian Game of the Year.

The game, designed by Johannes Krenner and Markus Slawitscheck, beat strong competition from Heat: Pedal to the Metal to win the prize, with other shortlisted nominees including Akropolis, Hens and Tranquility.

Gioco Dell’Anno’s seven-strong jury said they picked Challengers for the win because of its originality and its ability to entertain players of all ages and gaming experience levels.

Challengers’ latest success comes four months after it picked up top prize in the Kennerspiel des Jahres, an extension of the renowned Spiel des Jahres board game prize which recognises more complex games.

The game has also won the 2023 As d’Or – Jeu de l’Année Initié prize, and was nominated for Golden Geek Awards in the light game and party game categories last year.

The original title was created by publishing houses 1 More Time Games and Z-Man Games, and is distributed in Italian by Asmodee Italia.