Q: I am not a U.S. citizen. Am I eligible?
A: The award is not limited to U.S. citizens.
Q: I’d like to enter a design by me and friends. Is that OK?
A: Yes, as long as on or more designers from underrepresented groups are prominent on your team.
Q: May I enter more than one game idea?
A: Each contestant or team should enter just one game idea and prototype this time. We hope that the contest will run every year to see more of your ideas next time!
Q: I have an idea for a game but have never designed one. Should I enter?
A: Yes.
Q: Do I have to be an expert or professional in history to be competitive?
A: Not at all—passionate interest in your topic should carry you through!
Q: Should I submit my role playing or computer game idea?
A: No. The Zenobia Award is focused on board games..
Q: I have a previous game publication. Am I eligible to apply?
A: Yes.
Q: My prototype has been submitted to a publisher for consideration, can I submit it to the contest?
A: You must have all the rights to the game in order to participate in this competition. It must not yet be committed to any publisher.
Q: During the competition, can I engage with publishers?
A: Yes, our goal is to see games published. We will share concept proposals with appropriate publishers as a part of this process.
Q: Do I maintain the rights to my game for publication?
A: Absolutely.
Q: Do I have to make a video?
A: No, you can submit your concept proposal as a written document. However, a video would help us assess your concept and promote it to publishers and the public.
Q: Do I have to know how to make a prototype in Tabletop Simulator or Vassal?
A: No. You can submit your prototype in physical form. However, we would try to get you help designing in TTS or Vassal, which can make design, revisions, and transmission of your prototype much easier.
Q: How do I submit my prototype?
A: You will receive a link in an email to form that explains the upload process or mailing instructions.
Q: There are a lot of historical wargames, but what are some other historical boardgames?
A: Here are a few sample games about various aspects of history:
- Political history – 1960: The Making of the President (GMT Games)
- Economic history – John Company (Sierra Madre Games)
- Cultural history – Pax Renaissance (Ion Game Design, Sierra Madre Games); Pax Pamir (Wehrlegig)
- Social history – Freedom (Academy Games); The Vote (Hollandspiele)
- Scientific history – Tesla vs. Edison: Duel (Artana); One Small Step (Academy Games)
Q: English is not my first language. Will I be disadvantaged?
A: Judges will seek to take that into account. We need to understand your game design, but we are not asking for a finished product.
Q: I’m no artist. What if my prototype looks too rough?
A: Although engaging art can help us imagine your game as a finished product, we will not be judging on the basis of beauty; our criteria are originality, historicity, and gameplay.
Q: Will anyone be able to see the judges’ critiques of my work?
A: No. Feedback on your contest entries will go directly to you and remain private within the Zenobia Award. That said, we will publicly celebrate the strengths of concept proposals, finalists, and winners.
Q: When will I know when the winners are chosen?
A: We will seek to judge and announce finalists and then winners according to the schedule posted on this site.