The Cannes International Games Festival unveiled on February 27, 2025 the long-awaited winners of the As d’Or, rewarding the best board games of the year. Here are the four award-winning games that marked this edition:
As d’Or – Game of the Year “General Public”: Odin
“Odin”, published by Helvetiq, is a family card game designed by Yohan Goh, Gary Kim and Hope S. Hwang, with illustrations by Crocotame. Accessible from 7 years old, it offers fast and dynamic games where players embody Vikings trying to get rid of their cards by forming combinations based on color or number. The first to reach 15 points ends the game, and the player with the lowest score wins.
As d’Or – Game of the Year “Children”: Operation Hazelnuts
“Operation Hazelnuts”, created by Jérôme and Émilie Soleil and illustrated by Marko Renko, is published by Auzou. This cooperative game is aimed at children from 3 years old. Players embody squirrels trying to recover their hazelnuts without waking the weasel sleeping at the foot of the tree. This game of skill develops the fine motor skills and coordination of toddlers.
As d’Or – Game of the Year “Initiate”: Behind
“Behind”, imagined by Cédric Millet and published by KYF Édition, is a deduction and puzzle game intended for players from 10 years old. Participants must assemble tiles to reconstruct pictures, each piece hiding a story to discover. This original game combines logic and creativity, offering a unique immersive experience.
As d’Or – Game of the Year “Expert”: Kutná Hora: The City of Silver
“Kutná Hora: The City of Silver”, designed by Ondřej Bystroň, Pavel Jarosch and Petr Caslava, is published by Czech Games Edition and distributed by Iello. This complex management game immerses players in the heart of medieval Bohemia, where they must develop silver mines and build the city of Kutná Hora. The game is distinguished by its dynamic economic system, reflecting supply and demand based on the players’ choices.
