So today, if you’re so inclined…
Raise a glass
Roll a die
Flip a tile
Or turn a card
But most important of all…
Spiel on!
Posts by Stephen Conway - The Spiel Foundation
As we get our new home ready (The DeKoven Center for Play), I’m more passionate and energized than ever to see how we can continue our mission….
To show how play can be a positive force in the world.
The more ways we find for people to play together, the better life can be for us all.
Happy Spielaversary!
The Spiel Foundation turns 20 today!
Crazy how a little podcast could grow into such an amazing dream.
Thousands of folks have given so much support & love over these two decades.
I am eternally grateful to everyone who has joined me for a walk along this playful path.
It's opening day for Season 21 of The Spiel.
First, Doug Richardson returns as co-host for the show!
Then we introduce three new segments:
Game Lab with Lucio Rodriguez
Spielunking the Game Cave with @runningboardgamer.bsky.social
The Playground with James Engelhardt
thespiel.net/node/1400
We need as many partners as we can to help make the world a more playful place! Feel free to message me or if you’re interested in connecting.
We’ll be opening the DeKoven Center for Play in Indianapolis this year as a community center and hub for our game bundle program which ships tens of thousands of games to organizations in need around the world.
Looking forward to being at GAMA Expo in Louisville next week with a small team from The Spiel Foundation!
We’re a non profit organization celebrating twenty years promoting play as a positive and powerful force in the world.
We will be punching games at Casa de Spiel this Saturday from 11-6. If you have a few hours, come join the fun!
There’s a decent chance we’ll be moving games into our new home next month. We’ll need an army for that monumental task. Keep your fingers crossed.
thespielfoundation.com?tribe_events...
Season 20 of The Spiel finishes with a flourish and a coronation.
Two incredible games have been selected as Meeple Crown winners: Fromage and Hot Streak!
Congrats to Ben Rosset, Matthew O'Malley & R2i Games (Fromage) and Jon Perry & CMYK Games (Hot Streak)!
thespiel.net/node/1399
The latest winner of the Major Fun Award is... Barbecubes!
Flip a card, then find a way to fit the food shown on the world’s tiniest grill.. using the world’s tiniest tongs.
Congrats to designers Rob Sparks & Brett J Gilbert and publisher Alley Cat Games!
thespiel.net/node/1398
#boardgames
The latest winner of The Spiel of Approval Award is... Sand Art!
From a common workbench, take actions to fill your bottle with lovely patterns to create a one of a kind piece of art.
Congratulations to designer Kory Jordan and publisher @25thcentury.games
thespiel.net/node/1397
The latest winner of the Major Fun Award is... Duck & Cover!
Move duck cards from a grid into stacks. The Captain calls out a duck number. Everyone uses this duck to cover a neighbor OR it swims to a new space
Congrats to Oussama Khelifati & @captaingames.bsky.social
thespiel.net/node/1396
The latest winner of The Spiel of Approval Award is... Chai Garam!
Tea is not just a beverage in India. It’s a way of life - an emotion. Only the best brewers will stand out and succeed.
Congratulations to designer Sidhant Chand and publisher Mozaic Games!
thespiel.net/node/1395
#boardgames
The latest winner of the Major Fun Award is... Oya One More!
Match dice you roll to the pattern on a card. Here’s the catch! You can only match a single die or ALL the dice to a card.
Congratulations to designer KC Ogbuagu and publisher Nibcard Games!
thespiel.net/node/1394
The latest winner of The Spiel of Approval is... Love Conquers All!
Place tiles representing challenges we face when building relationships so they fit within the framework of the board.
Congratulations to designer Jeff Siadek & Gorilla Games!
thespiel.net/node/1393
#boardgames #spielofapproval
The latest winner of The Spiel of Approval Award is... Tofu Shifu!
Develop recipes to serve your customer’s tastes and become a master of this culinary art.
Congratulations to designers Ayi & Hypercross R&D and publisher Ayi Games
thespiel.net/node/1392
#boardgames #spielofapproval
The latest winner of the Major Fun Award is... Whirly Derby!
Secretly choose how many of your marbles to risk on each race, then load everyone’s marbles into the launcher and let them fly!
Congrats to Tedman Getschman & Big Potato
thespiel.net/node/1391
#boardgames #majorfun
The latest winner of The Spiel of Approval Award is... Boom Patrol!
Blow up tanks, gather gold, or gain glory to collect the most medals over a few brutally short and crazy rounds.
Congratulations to designers Anthony & Nicole Amato & @smirkanddagger.bsky.social
thespiel.net/node/1390
The latest winner of The Spiel of Approval Award is... Rock Hard 1977!
Find a road to fame and fortune by rocking out. How you spend your time will shape the course of your career.
Congratulations to designer @jackiefox.bsky.social @devirgames.bsky.social
thespiel.net/node/1389
#boardgames
The latest winner of The Spiel of Approval Award is... Don Quixote: The Ingenious Hidalgo!
Guide Don Quixote through a series of adventures over two chapters, hoping to shape his character and the outcome of the story to match your goals.
thespiel.net/node/1388
#spielofapproval #boardgames
10 games are selected each year for each award.
As 2025 comes to a close, we have many winners left to celebrate.
As you read the announcement for each award winner, I hope you'll discover what we love about each of these wonderful games. Every one opens a door to new worlds of fun.
My work at The Spiel Foundation includes overseeing two game award programs with decades of history.
The Major Fun Award celebrates games with a playful soul - games great for kids, families or parties
The Spiel of Approval Award celebrates games that encourage thoughtful or strategic play
My friend Fagner is a brilliant game designer from Brazil.
He has a new roll-and-write game called Christmas Union about elves organizing for fair working conditions at the North Pole.
Still a few days left to support his work and get a copy.
gamefound.com/en/projects/...?
It’s Giving Tuesday and The Spiel Foundation could use your help.
We are in the process of renovating an old church to become The DeKoven Center for Play! We’re making great progress but still have miles to go and many bills to pay before we can open in 2026.
www.gofundme.com/f/support-th...
The wind was face rippingly refreshing! Even so it was a fantastic sight to see.
A new episode of The Spiel is now available!
Episode 464 - A Tale of Two Essens (with a side of haggis)
Rick Hammerle and Katherine Rosland join the show to chat about our experiences at the world’s largest game fair, plus a side quest to Scotland
Https://thespiel.net/node/1387
Six pies made for the big meal today: 2 apple 2 pumpkin 1 mincemeat and 1 cherry/raspberry mix.
The making is as enjoyable as the eating.
Now that the dust has settled, here's a wrap up of our Essen Spiel 2025 adventures!
thespielfoundation.com?p=19948
#playmatters #spielfoundation #boardgames
My friends in Enugu, Nigeria are hoping to host the second annual SebCon.
They need to raise a modest sum ($2,000) to grow the event.
Watch the intro video and you'll see the whole SebCon team's passion for play is a positive force in the world.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/seb...
Come play Owo Ni Koko from designer Olusanya Oluwafemi at the Nigeria table in Hall 4 C-100 at The Spiel Foundation booth!