Desert Meeples Middle East Tabletop Award

 Overview & Information Guide

ABOUT THE DESERT GUARDIAN AWARDS

The Desert Meeples Middle East Tabletop Awards recognize excellence in board games, designers, publishers, cafés, retailers, and community leaders across the Middle East.

Presented by Desert Meeples, the awards celebrate outstanding contributions that shape and grow the region’s tabletop gaming culture. The Desert Guardian Award represents the highest recognition in regional tabletop gaming.

Winners are announced annually in December.

PURPOSE

• Celebrate excellence in tabletop gaming
• Support the growth of the Middle East tabletop industry
• Recognize innovation and community impact
• Connect players, businesses, and creators

AWARD CATEGORIES ( not finalized yet)

Game Awards
• Best Board Game Overall
• Best Strategy Game
• Best Family Game
• Best Party Game
• Best Two-Player Game
• Best Cooperative Game
• Best New Release
• Best Artwork / Production

Industry Awards
• Best Board Game Café
• Best Retail Store
• Best Publisher
• Best Distributor
• Best Content Creator
• Best Gaming Community / Club
• Best Arabic Localization
• Best Middle Eastern Designer

Community Awards
• Players’ Choice Game of the Year
• Most Anticipated Game
• Desert Meeples Staff Pick

HOW WINNERS ARE SELECTED

The awards use a transparent two-stage process:

Stage 1 – Public Nominations
The community submits nominations across all categories.

Stage 2 – Final Voting
Winners are determined through a combination of public voting and expert jury evaluation.

Voting Weight:
• Public Vote – 70%
• Jury Evaluation – 30%

The process includes strict conflict-of-interest rules and result verification to ensure fairness and credibility.

THE DESERT GUARDIAN TROPHY

The Desert Guardian Trophy symbolizes leadership, innovation, and excellence in tabletop gaming across the Middle East. Inspired by the iconic meeple form and regional desert identity, the award represents an exceptional contribution to the growth of the tabletop community.

KEY TIMELINE

• Nominations – Dates announced annually
• Final Voting – Dates announced annually
• Awards Ceremony – December 2026

PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Desert Meeples collaborates with cafés, publishers, retailers, and industry partners to support regional tabletop growth. Organizations may participate as voting partners, sponsors, or industry collaborators.

CONTACT & INFORMATION

For partnership opportunities or more information.

Contact Desert Meeples BGC & Magazine through this website contact page or email :

boardgames@desertmeeples.com

or What’s app us on +971557891906