The Spiel des Jahres may be the game award that generates the most interest every year, and for good reason. When a game wins the SdJ, its sales almost always increase significantly in Germany (home of the SdJ), and it certainly doesn't hurt in other countries.

The methodology of naming the winner of the SdJ also helps generate discussion -- a list of 10 nominees is released, followed in fairly short order by a list of three finalists. Several weeks after the finalists are named, the winner is chosen. So gamers have plenty of time to talk about what mistakes the SdJ jury has made -- or why they're right on.

This year's winner, Carcassonne (compare prices), came as no surprise.

Many had it tabbed as the eventual Game of the Year from the time the 10 nominees were announced -- a tribute to its widespread popularity and its ability to please both serious and casual gamers.

Designed for 2 to 5 players, ages 10 and up, Carcassonne is a tile-laying game by K.J. Wrede. Ostensibly set in the southern French city of Carcassonne, players take turns placing land tiles and little wooden people. The goal is to place your people so that they control large areas of roads, fields, cities, and cloisters.

The three finalists for this year's SdJ also included Das Amulett and Zapp Zerapp.

The other nominees were Babel, Capitol, Cartagena (compare prices), Dragon Delta, Ebb & Flow, Hexen Rennen, Land Unter!, Royal Turf, San Marco (compare prices), and Traders of Genoa (compare prices).

The SdJ jury also awarded three other awards: Klondike won as Children's Game of the Year, while Lord of the Rings (compare prices) won a special "literature in games" award and Troia won a special "history in games" award.

If all of these games are new to you, chance are you're unaware of the vast array of Designer Games (also known as German-Style Games) available. This article serves as a primer on the subject.