The Charles S. Roberts Awards (or CSR Awards) is an annual award for excellence in manual, tabletop games, with a focus on "conflict simulations", which includes simulations of non-military as well as military conflicts, as well as simulations of related historical topics. From its founding in 1975 through 2021, the award was almost exclusively focused on historical wargaming, changing to a broader "conflict simulations" in award year 2022 (calendar year 2023). It is named in honor of Charles S. Roberts the "Father of Wargaming" who founded Avalon Hill. The award is informally called a "Charlie" and officially called a "Charles S. Roberts Award". The Wargamer magazine called it "very prestigious". The Award is managed by the Charles S. Roberts Award Committee which has no commercial sponsorship, made up of designers, writers and hobbyists. It is a "people's award" with winners chosen through votes submitted by fans.

History

Created at the first Origins Game Convention in 1975, the awards were the brainchild of Canadian game store owner John Mansfield. Originally the awards were titled the "Origins Awards" but were informally known as the Charles Roberts Awards and it was only in 1988 that Charles Roberts officially agreed to let his name be used. The split from the Origins Awards occurred in 1987, after Fortress America by Milton Bradley Company won an award. Fortress America was not considered a traditional historical wargame by members of the wargaming community, with mechanics and a target audience more akin to Risk; and there was concern that because of the large print run of a Milton Bradley product, many of the voters came from outside the traditional wargaming hobby flooding out smaller run titles. Prior to 2000, the awards were given at the Origins Game Fair. From 2000–2012, the awards were presented at the World Boardgaming Championships (formerly "AvalonCon"). The awards were not given from 2013–2018.

Current award

In 2020, a group of gamers and industry figures restarted the award under auspices of Chairman Rodger B. MacGowan and directed and operated by Tim Tow. Like the original, it is a non-profit and not associated with commercial interests. There are an increased number of categories including art, print and play (called "amateur wargames"), and computer wargame categories. The Awards also included the Charles Roberts Awards Hall of Fame which recognized game designers and producers that have made a significant and long lasting contribution to the contemporary board wargaming hobby.

Recent award winners

2003

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2004

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2005

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2006

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2007

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2008

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2009

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2010

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2011

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2012

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2019

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2020

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2021

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2022

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Previous award winners

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1974 to 1975 – Best Professional Game

1974 to 1975, 1978 – Best Amateur Game

1976 to 1977 – Best Tactical Game

1976 to 1977 – Best Strategic Game

1978 to 1986 – Best Pre-20th century Game

1978 to 1986 – Best 20th century Game

1987 to 2008 – Best Pre–World War Two Game

2009 to 2012 – Best Ancient to Napoleonic Era Board Wargame

2009 to 2012 – Best Post-Napoleonic to Pre–World War II Era Board Wargame

1987 to 2012 – Best World War Two Game

1987 to 2012 – Best Post–World War Two or Modern Game

1999 to 2012 – Best DTP Game (or Print and Play, from 2009)

1999 to 2012 – Best Magazine Game

2009 to 2012 – Best Expansion or Supplement for an Existing Game

1974 to 2012 – Best Professional Wargaming Magazine

1974 to 2012 – Best Amateur Wargaming Magazine

1987 to 2012 – Best Historical or Scenario Magazine Article

1987 to 2012 – Best Game Review or Game Analysis

1976 to 2012 – Best Wargame Graphics

1979 to 1981 – Best Initial Release Wargame

1977 to 1986 and 2010 to 2012 – Best Fantasy or Science Fiction Wargame

1989 to 2012 – James F. Dunnigan Award for Playability and Design

To a Game Designer, Developer, Graphic Artist or Game for outstanding achievement in that year

Leading CSR award winners for wargames (1974 to 2011)

These totals include awards for games, magazine games, game graphics and (for designers) the James F. Dunnigan award. Not included are awards for magazines, computer media and articles.

by game company

47 – GMT Games LLC 16 – Multi-Man Publishing 13 – The Gamers Incorporated 12 – The Avalon Hill Game Company 12 – Victory Games 10 – Decision Games 9 – XTR Corporation 6 – Simulation Publications Incorporated 6 – Against the Odds Magazine 5 – Game Designers' Workshop 4 – World Wide Wargames 4 – West End Games 3 – Clash of Arms 3 – Khyber Pass Games

by game designer or graphic artist

16 – Dean Essig 13 – Rodger MacGowan 9 – Richard Berg 8 – Ted Raicer 6 – Joe Miranda 6 – Mark Herman 5 – Volko Ruhnke 5 – Mark Simonitch 4 – John Prados 4 – Ted Koller 4 – Nicolas Eskubi 3 – Frank Chadwick 3 – Joseph Balkoski 3 – Greg Costikyan 3 – Dan Verssen 3 – Charles Kibler