The 2004 Origins Awards were announced at Origins Game Expo in Columbus, Ohio last weekend, and although there were still plenty of wins by larger companies, there were also a lot of wins by companies at the smaller end of the spectrum.  Perhaps most notable in that regard, in a year that saw numerous well-financed introductions, the largest game category in dollars (Best CCG) was won by Z-Man Games for Seven Masters vs. the Underworld.

 

The Origins Awards represent a marketing opportunity by providing a list of games that come highly recommended by the creators' peers; and with this year's mix of winners, they provide the opportunity to expose consumers to a whole new range of manufacturers and products. 

 

Best Board Game

Days of Wonder

Ticket to Ride

 

Best Miniatures Game

Ad Astra Games

Attack Vector:  Tactical

 

Best Miniature Line

Dark Sword Miniatures, Inc. 

Elmore Dragons

 

Best Collectible Card Game

Z-Man Games, Inc. 

Seven Masters vs. the Underworld

 

Best Traditional Card Game

Atlas Games

Cthulhu 500

 

Best Role Playing Game

Atlas Games

Ars Magica:  5th Edition

 

Best Role Playing Game Supplement

Wizards of the Coast

Eberron Campaign Setting

 

Best Play-By-Mail Game

Enlightened Age Entertainment

Fall of Rome

 

Best Historical Board Game
GMT Games LLC

Sword of Rome

 

Best Historical Miniatures Line

Brigade Games

WWI:  Western Front 28 mm

 

Best Historical Miniatures Game

Clash of Arms Games

Dawn of the Rising Sun:

The Russo Japanese War 1904-1905

 

Best Fiction Publication

Guardians of Order

Path of the Bold

 

Best Non-Fiction Publication

Steve Jackson Games

Pyramid Magazine

 

Best Game Accessory

Steve Jackson Games

Cardboard Heroes Castles

 

Vanguard Award

All Wound Up

Twilight Creations, Inc.

 

Flames of War

Battlefront

 

Fire as She Bears! 2.1

Starboard Tack Press

 

Pirates of the Spanish Main

WizKids, Inc

 

Gamers' Choice Award

Legends

Harlequin Games

 

Desert Rats - British in the Desert

Battlefront

 

Axis and Allies D-Day

Avalon Hill

 

A Call to Arms (Babylon 5)

Mongoose Publishing

 

VS System

Marvel Origins and X-Men VS The Brotherhood

The Upper Deck Entertainment

 

Cthulhu 500

Atlas Games

 

World of Darkness Storytelling System Rulebook

White Wolf

 

Betrayal at House on the Hill

Avalon Hill