Catch Up Games on the Spiel des Jahres stage : what’s their secret recipe?
Boom. With Faraway and Flip 7 nominated for two of the most coveted awards in the board game industry _Kennerspiel des Jahres and Spiel des Jahres respectively_ Catch Up Games is closer than ever to the holy grail of international recognition. As we await the final results on July 13th 2025 in Berlin, co-founders Sébastien and Clément share their reactions, reflections, and insights into their creative journey.
A Double Nomination That Feels Surreal
Sébastien : It’s pretty wild. It’s exciting, but hard to wrap my head around—it feels unreal.
Clément : For me, it’s nostalgia mixed with pride. I remember spotting the Spiel logo on games I bought years ago like Karuba. When we launched Catch Up Games a decade ago, being nominated for the Spiel wasn’t even a goal. The idea that we can now stamp ‘Spiel Nominee’ on a box ? It makes no sense and it’s incredible.
When the spiel jury announced the news…
With their eyes on the calendar, the team gathered to watch the official reveal.
Clément : I’m not big on awards, to be honest. They’re great when they come, but they don’t define a game’s worth. It’s all about context, taste, and human relationships.
Sébastien : Seeing Faraway and Flip 7 announced felt unreal. The Spiel is the ultimate recognition. Having two games in the final stretch ? That’s crazy !
Faraway’s Path to Kennerspiel
After the As d’Or win in 2024, did they expect Faraway to go even further ?
Sébastien : This felt like the one shot to get a Spiel nomination. With the games we had and strong distribution in Germany, I thought: maybe. But hoping and actually landing a spot are very different.
Clément : When Faraway launched, I knew we’d nailed it: good alignment on gameplay, audience, and price. But juries are juries. It’s subjective and depends a lot on who you play the game with.
Is Kennerspiel the right fit?
Clément : Faraway isn’t as accessible as Flip 7 or Château Combo. It’s a complex game that doesn’t suit beginners. In France, we position it for ‘initiated’ players and that fits the Kennerspiel category well in Europe.
Flip 7 and the joy of simple games
Did they foresee its nomination too ?
Clément : Given how Flip 7 started in shops and across Europe, yes, it’s a game that resonates. But every market’s different, and even when demand exceeds expectations, that doesn’t guarantee a Spiel nod especially in this category, where simplicity reigns.
Facing criticism with Grace
Some reactions from the board game community weren’t all positive…
Clément : Critics have a right to speak up. Ten years ago, I’d have agreed ! I was into complex games. Now I match games to my audience—even Skyjo, which I used to dismiss, I now play with my kids and love it. Flip 7 gives people emotions—and that’s our guiding principle.
Sébastien: Our goal with Flip 7 was to reach players who find most games too complicated. Not liking it doesn’t make anyone wrong—it just means it wasn’t made for them.
Château Combo : a bittersweet rejection ?
Though Château Combo made the long list, it didn’t reach the final trio.
Sébastien: We’re not complaining. It’s amazing to even be recommended. The game’s doing well, and players love it. But yes, we’re a bit disappointed for the creators—Grégory Grard and Mathieu Roussel—and the illustrator Stéphane Escapa. They truly deserve recognition.
Clément : Sébastien won’t say it, but he poured his heart into this project. From scouting authors to selecting materials—it was all him. I wish he got that moment of spotlight.
So what’s the recipe ?
With Faraway, Flip 7, Courtisan, and Château Combo under their belt, how do Catch Up Games consistently unearth gems ?
Sébastien : We love the games we publish.
Clément : A good game makes you feel something and makes you want to play again. We don’t rely on testing with 200 people or sales projections—it’s about instinct.
Sébastien: Over time, we’ve developed editorial filters. We ask ourselves: Does this game align with our audience? Is it too complex or expensive?”
Clément : Successes are great—but we learn from missteps too. The Guardians of Havresack didn’t sell well, even though it was excellent. I led that project, and we made editorial errors. The key is reflection whether a game flies or flops.
From heartfelt storytelling to strategic insights, Catch Up Games reveals what it means to stay grounded while reaching for greatness. Their recipe ? Emotion, instinct, and unapologetic passion.
