Widely regarded as “the Nobel Prize of gaming“, the Diana Jones Award has celebrated and acknowledged excellence in gaming ever since its inception in the year 2000. Rather than following the model of mainstream tabletop game awards, its jury consists of a closed, mostly anonymous committee of over 50 tabletop game industry professionals. The committee is represented by game designers, publishers, creatives, and consultants. Its anonymous nature ensures that corruption and outside influence is virtually impossible and that the awards’ integrity remains intact.
This year’s Diana Jones Award finalists list is extremely diverse, consisting of a Dungeons & Dragons sourcebook, two roleplaying games, a game designer, and a tabletop journalist. The five finalists now await the committee’s decision on who will get the honor and prestige of receiving the honorary “Nobel Prize of gaming” – sadly, the physical trophy is still missing. Let’s take a closer look at our finalists.
Coyote & Crow by Connor Alexander
This science fiction and fantasy tabletop RPG is set in an alternate future timeline in the Americas. The twist is that the continent’s colonization never occurred, and the Native American peoples have built huge cities and epic technologies that combine spirituality and science. Coyote & Crow uses a role-playing system reminiscent of Dungeons and Dragons, built around the exclusive use of D12 dice. Players will definitely need some pen and paper, as they will have to fill in detailed character sheets that will definitely provide an immersive in-game experience. There is a myriad of archetypes, paths, gifts, and burdens, so players have a lot to look forward to in Coyote & Crow. And for those of you worried about cultural appropriation – the game is created and led by a team of Native Americans representing more than a dozen tribes!
Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel – A Dungeons & Dragons Sourcebook
Wizards of the Coast have definitely hit the mark with this anthology series, as the sourcebook is filled with amazing, rich, and deep stories never before seen in the Dungeons & Dragons franchise. Created by a team of over 50 people with diverse backgrounds, Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel truly shows that they put their hearts, minds, and experiences into this project, making it a must-read for dungeoneers and fantasy book lovers alike!
Rosenstrasse by Moyra Turkington & Jessica Hammer
Set in the trying times of the Second World War, Rosenstrasse is a tabletop freeform scenario set in Nazi Germany, where players take on the role of desperate lovers trying to survive the Final Solution. Players will get to feel the choking grip of the Nazis and experience the Holocaust in a way like no other – on the tabletop. Be warned, Rosenstrasse is an extremely heavy game, but the story arcs are just as rewarding. Without spoiling too much – players will get to experience firsthand how love conquers all, even the hatred and horrors of the Nazis.
Cole Wehrle – Game Designer
The esteemed committee of the Diana Jones Award has been extremely impressed with Cole Wehrle, noting the pristine delivery of John Company, Second Edition. Apart from game design, Wehrle is also the Creative Director at Leder Games, having worked extensively on Root and its many expansions. Over the years, he has shown true dedication and flexibility in creating excellent games in a variety of genres, spanning from history to high fantasy.
Linda Codega – Tabletop Games Journalist
A ruthless io9 investigative journalist that is not afraid of pressuring tabletop game giants the likes of Wizards of the Coast, Linda Codega’s talents include game design and creative writing. Her love of the tabletop genre is vast, so much so that she has dedicated her life and work to the hobby. Her dedication, ruthlessness, and love for tabletop gaming have earned them a spot among the Diana Jones Award finalists.