2003 Winners

GENERAL STRATEGY - MULTI-PLAYER CATEGORY

AGE OF STEAM

Simply an outstanding game. British designer Martin Wallace has merged elements of various train games -- including his own Lancashire Rails -- into a game rich with tough choices and tight finances. Superior play is required as the system is rather unforgiving, but for a gamer who desires a challenging, thought-provoking experience, he need look no further. This is The game is released by Warfrog and Winsome Games and is the first IGA for Wallace.

GENERAL STRATEGY - 2-PLAYER CATEGORY

LORD OF THE RINGS: THE CONFRONTATION

Some have called this a Stratego variant, but there are numerous clever twists in this gem from prolific game designer Reiner Knizia. Set in J.R.R. Tolkein's world of Middle Earth, the fellowship is charged with the task of destroying the one Ring, while the evil forces of Sauron are aligned against them. Each piece has a special power and so the interaction of characters creates tricky puzzles for the players to work through. The opposing sides also have different cards and objectives which add variety to this game of outguessing your opponent. The game is released in the United States by Fantasy Flight Games and is their first IGA recipient. In Europe, the game is released by Kosmos and 999 Games.

In order for a game to be eligible for the General Strategy category, a game must have been released from July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003

GENERAL STRATEGY - MULTI-PLAYER CATEGORY

In 2003, a new "eligibility period" for games in the General Strategy category was instituted. In order for a game to be eligible for the General Strategy category, a game must have been released on or after July 1st of the previous year and no later than June 30th of the current year. This was done so that finalists and recipients can be announced closer to the more common release dates by game publishers.

However, so as not to overlook the games that were released during the period of January 1st - June 30th of 2002, the committee awarded a special IGA for that time period. The winner for that time period is:

PUERTO RICO

Designed by Andreas Seyfarth and released by Alea and Rio Grande Games. Founding a new land has never been so engaging. Players must balance numerous factors as they try to operate the most prosperous colony in Puerto Rico. Which role will you play in this new world: Prospector? Governor? Settler? Trader? The ultimate goal is to achieve the greatest prosperity and highest reputation. Grow and harvest crops, sell and ship goods, construct buildings, populate the island -- how will you best manage the various paths to prosperity and victory? Puerto Rico is a game deep with excitement and strategy -- a rich gaming experience.