Play Creators Festival expands in 2019 with launch of Play Creators Awards

Next year’s Play Creators Festival is expanding thanks to the addition of a brand new event: the Play Creators Awards.

Taking place on the evening of Monday, September 2nd 2019 in London, the Play Creators Awards will celebrate those in the toy and game design community that have excelled over the last 12 months.

Whether it’s an R&D team responsible for a smash-hit line, a design agency that’s taken a brief and soared or an individual responsible for the next industry-shaping product, the PCAs are all about shining a spotlight on the industry’s top architects of play.

“We’ve already outlined a commitment to celebrating the achievements of the toy and game design community with our annual Mojo Nation 100 publication, but we’re taking this to the next level with the Play Creators Awards,” said Mojo Nation co-founder Billy Langsworthy.

“As the only event of its kind in the UK, we’re looking forward to recognising some supremely talented individuals and teams in a relaxed, fun and informal setting, in what is shaping up to be a highlight of next year’s Festival.”

The categories available to nominate are:

Toy Designer of the Year
Whether bringing innovation to an iconic toy brand, or responsible for the industry’s latest big hit, this award celebrates a figure that has done outstanding work in toy design over the last 12 months.

Game Designer of the Year (Kids Games)
This award is for designers behind the best and brightest in the world of kids’ games. Fun, silly, educational, or all of the above, we’re looking to celebrate the brains behind the games.

Game Designer of the Year (Tabletop)
With the tabletop space booming, it’s only right that we also celebrate those creating the next big thing in board games. Whether it’s the next big gateway game, a Spiel-de-Jahres contender or a title responsible for pushing through an exciting new mechanic, this award is for those doing something special in the tabletop space.

R&D Team of the Year
In-house at a toy titan, or leading design at a thriving SME, this award celebrates teams working in Research & Development that have achieved extraordinary things over the last year.

Invention Studio/Design Agency of the Year
The secret weapon for many toy firms, design agencies and invention studios are the unsung heroes of our industry. This category celebrates a firm that deserves recognition for exceptional work over the last 12 months.

Toy Designer of the Year (Licensed Product)
The first of two awards recognising excellence in licensed product, Toy Designer of the Year (Licensed Product) celebrates creators that have brought much loved characters and IP to life through great toys.

Game Designer of the Year (Licensed Product)
This award is for a designer that has given an IP the tabletop treatment in impressive style via a great licensed game this year.

Play Innovator of the Year
Whether it’s via AI, robotics, VR, AR or voice tech, the Play Innovation of the Year award celebrates designers driving innovation in the toy and game space through the integration of the latest and greatest tech.

Rising Star Award
Who are the design legends of the future? Perhaps someone leading one of the industry’s many exciting start-ups, or a young star within your team? If so, nominate them in the Rising Star category.

Design Icon Award
This award celebrate an iconic figure that have helped shape the industry, truly leaving their footprint and a lasting legacy in the world of toy and game design.

The finalists for each category will be announced in May 2019, before a panel of experts select winners over a series of roundtable judging sessions.

To nominate, or for information on tickets, head to the Play Creators Awards site here.

For sponsorship opportunities or information on the wider Play Creators Festival, click here.

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