About the Australian Games Association

Tell me about the …

Australian Games Association

The Australian Games Association evolved from a conversation over a ‘drink’ during the Toy Fair in 1998. Why don’t we have an Australian Game Of The Year? … one chosen by the Australian games industry rather than the toy industry. Other countries recognise outstanding games and puzzles with awards. Why not Australia?

For them to have credibility, it was felt the awards should reflect the opinions of the specialist games shops around Australia. The main motivation for creating such awards was to raise the profile of our industry and increase public awareness of the economic and social value of games and puzzles. Furthermore, from a marketing perspective, overseas surveys indicated that a credible award can increase sales of a product up to three fold.

The Australian Games Association was founded in late 1998. Its charter is to:

foster traditional games and puzzles particularly those that are challenging, thought provoking and fun to play.

The Association believes that such games and puzzles merit promotion for their educational and social value to the community.

The Association recognises excellence in the industry through its ‘Game of the Year’ and ‘Puzzle of the Year’ awards. Although membership of the Association is open to all games enthusiasts, voting in the awards is restricted to members representing Australia’s specialist games retailers. Members entitled to vote shall have no personal or financial affiliation with any games inventor, manufacturer or wholesaler.

The award winners receive industry recognition but no direct monetary reward from the Association. With the approval of the Association, inventors, manufacturers and distributors may publicise the awards via press releases and advertising on the products themselves.

Membership of the Association gives you a voice in your industry. As a specialist games retailer, you and other members may vote for the ‘Game’ and ‘Puzzle’ of the Year. Entitlement to vote is on the basis of one vote per legal identity. ie unique ABN number.

Membership of the Australian Games Association is renewable annually for $40 per year and includes access to the AGA Site, advertising, the right to vote for the Awards and a double-sided membership sticker for your store. For more information on joining the AGA, please send an email via our feedback form.