Premio Archimede 2027: Board Game Design Competition

Premio Archimede is one of the best-known competitions for unpublished board game designs, organised by studiogiochi in Venice and dedicated to the great game designer Alex Randolph, its president for the first seven editions. Designers of any age or country submit prototypes, which are played and evaluated by a jury of experienced designers; the finalists are tested by publishers, and the winner receives a total advance of €3,500 on future royalties. The deadline for the 2027 edition is 28 February 2027, and the final ceremony takes place in Venice in mid-September 2027.

More than 60 authors have had their games published through the competition, and its finalists have a high chance of being picked up by publishers.

Who Can Enter Premio Archimede?

Anyone, individually or in a group, with no restriction on residence or age. It is particularly relevant to:

• Board and card game designers with an unpublished prototype
• Product and graphic designers interested in tabletop games
• Video game designers exploring analogue game design
• Students of game design looking for professional feedback

What Can You Enter?

An unpublished board or card game, sent as a working prototype with clear rules. Register through the online form and post your prototype; finalists are asked to send several copies.

How Entries Are Judged

The selection jury, chaired by designer Leo Colovini, reviews prototypes in order of arrival. Every author receives an evaluation sheet with one of three verdicts: not admitted to the finals, admitted to the finals, or "in development", which means the game can be revised and resubmitted, even after the deadline. The criteria, in order of importance, are publishing potential, originality, playability and balance, fun, and the quality of the prototype and rules. The final jury is chaired by Dario De Toffoli.

What Do Winners Receive?

• Main prize: a total advance of €3,500 on future royalties, paid by publishers
• Cartamundi Trophy: best card game, with an extra €500 royalty advance
• QP Trophy: most innovative physical design
• Scienza in Gioco Trophy: best science-themed game
• SAZ Italia Trophy: best Italian author
• Visual Interface Trophy: best visual design of components

Submission Requirements

Complete the registration form and send your prototype by post. Read the official notice of competition, available in English and Italian, for the full rules and any costs.

Why Enter?

Getting a board game published usually means pitching to publishers one by one. Premio Archimede puts your prototype in front of experienced designers and publishers at once, and the evaluation sheet gives useful feedback even if you are not selected. The "in development" verdict is especially valuable: it lets you improve a promising game and try again in the same edition.

About the Competition

studiogiochi is a Venice-based game design studio that has run Premio Archimede for many editions. The competition collaborates with Spielwarenmesse and the Bavarian Games Archive on the Games Inventors Convention in Nuremberg, and runs a parallel competition for Italian high school students.

Things to Consider

• Send early: prototypes are reviewed in order of arrival, leaving time to revise.
• Write clear rules: rule clarity is part of the judging.
• Think about publishers: publishing potential is the first criterion.
• Make a sturdy prototype: it will be played many times.
• Keep copies: finalists need to send several prototypes.

Enter the Competition

Interested in submitting your board game?

Enter Premio Archimede

For the full notice of competition and registration form, visit the official studiogiochi website.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: October 27, 2026