Awards and nominees in the game and toy categories were announced at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair, which since the merger is now a joint event of People of Play and the Toy Association (see “People of Play Merges with the Toy Association“). The event now serves as the showcase of the Toy and Game Innovation Excellence (TAGIE) Awards, and the announcement of nominees for Toy of the Year Awards, for which the winners are announced at New York Toy Fair.
TAGIE wins of interest to ICv2 readers included:
- Adult/Family Game Innovator of the Year: Nick Hayes and Mattel Games Team
- Kidult Toy Innovator of the Year: POP MART
- Most Innovative Retailer Award: POP MART
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Phil Organes, game designer, author, and founding partner of Winning Moves Games
TAGIE winners are chosen by a public vote by consumers and the industry.
Nominees in key categories for Toy of the Year included:
Game of the Year
- Connect 4 Frenzy by Hasbro, Inc.
- Cows in Space by Relatable
- Dumpster Dice by Big Discoveries
- Exploding Kittens: The Board Game by Exploding Kittens, Inc.
- Pokémon Trainer Expert by Ultra PRO
- Simon Jump Game Mat by Just Play LLC
- Tetris Tumble XL by Buffalo Games, Inc.
Collectible of the Year
- Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game – Fabled Set by Ravensburger North America, Inc.
- Hot Wheels Premium Formula 1 Die-Cast Vehicles by Mattel, Inc.
- LEGO F1 Collectible Race Cars by LEGO Systems, Inc.
- Magic: The Gathering Marvel Spider-Man Bundle by Hasbro, Inc.
- Pokémon Trading Card Game: Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box by The Pokémon Company International, Inc.
- Sticki Rolls Series 2 by Sky Castle Toys
- Wigglitz by ZB Designs
Action Figure of the Year
- Avatar Interactive Shoulder Banshee by Disney Consumer Products
- Doom: The Dark Ages Doom Slayer McFarlane Elite Edition #1 Action Figure by McFarlane Toys
- How to Train Your Dragon Interactive Tame & Train Toothless by Spin Master Ltd.
- Jurassic World Rebirth Dolores Aquilops Interactive Shoulder Pal by Universal Products & Experiences
- Ninjombie Action Figures by MGA Entertainment
- Primal Hatch by Spin Master Ltd.
- Super Mario Big Bad Bowser by JAKKS Pacific
In the nominees, we note especially the Exploding Kittens and Ultra Pro nominees for Game of the Year; the three TCG titles nominated for Collectible of the Year, and the high end McFarlane Toys figure nominated for Action Figure of the Year.
For last year’s TAGIE winners and TOTY nominees, see “Game Awards from the Toy Side.”
Source: ICv2
