Board Game Design Competition - Return Revolution

Board Game Design Competition 2026 – Return Revolution

Cape Town

South Africa

2026

BOARD
GAME

Design Competition

Competition Runs From

15 May – 15 July

Open Call for Designers

An Adventure Begins on a Blank Piece of Paper.

An adventurously crafted board game has the potential to engage players in a glorious and fun journey into strategic thinking, unexpected turns and moments of pure delight. It starts with an idea — your idea — and ends with something real in the hands of players around a table.

Return Revolution invites you to dream it, design it, and bring it to life. This is South Africa's board game design competition — built by local designers, for local designers.

Build Community Connecting local and aspiring board game designers with a passionate, growing audience.

Inspire Play & Creation We want more people around more tables, creating and playing more together.

Showcase Local Talent Shining a spotlight on the best undiscovered board game designers in South Africa.

Get Games Published Our aim is to gain momentum for local designers to have their games reach real players.

"We dare you to dream big, to design boldly and to develop joyfully — as we build a thriving, fun-filled community around the adventure of a new board game era in South Africa."

— Return Revolution

How It Works

Every entry is built around a combination of themes, mechanics and components — your creative constraints.

🎯

Step 01

Pick Your Theme

Choose one of the themes included to categorise your game. Your game's world, narrative and setting must be rooted in your chosen theme — but how you interpret it is entirely up to you.

AdventureSpace Exploration+ More

⚙️

Step 02

Choose Your Mechanics

Select from a defined list of game mechanics. These are the rules and systems that drive how players interact with your game. Great mechanics make great games.

Deck BuildingArea Control Worker Placement+ More TBA

🎲

Step 03

Select Your Components

Your game design must incorporate specific components from the provided list. Cards, dice, tokens, boards — choose wisely. The best games use components with elegance and purpose.

CardsDice TokensBoard+ More TBA

Full brief included in your starter kit

The complete list of themes, mechanics and components will be revealed when you receive your R550 starter kit. This keeps the playing field even and the ideas fresh.

Timelines

15 May

Competition Opens

15 May – 15 Jul

Design Period

This is your time. Design, prototype, playtest and refine your board game. Community support available throughout.

15 July

Submissions Close

Submit your completed game design, prototype documentation and required materials before midnight.

TBA

Winners Announced

Judging takes place, winners are announced and prizes are awarded. Winning designs considered for publication.

Prizes to Win

🏆

Grand Prize

R3000 Cash Prize & Printed Copies of Your Game!

A cash prize and printed copies of your game will be awarded to the overall winner of the competition. Because great design deserves real reward.

Amount: R3000

🎲

Runner Up

R1000

& a curated selection of board games from Return Revolution and Skycastle Studios.

📦

Spot Prizes

Board Games

A curated selection of board games from Return Revolution and Skycastle Studios.

★ All prizes are designed / curated by a local.

Meet the Judges

A panel of 5 judges — each bringing a unique perspective. Judges to be announced soon.

Piet

Founder & Owner
Return Revolution

Judge TBA

To be announced

Coming Soon

Judge TBA

To be announced

Coming Soon

Judge TBA

To be announced

Coming Soon

The Rules

Simple, fair, and designed to let creativity take centre stage.

Original Work Only

All submissions must be original designs created by the entrant during the competition period. Existing games or rehashes of published titles will not be considered.

Use the Brief

Your design must incorporate the themes, mechanics and components specified in the starter kit brief. Judges will assess how creatively and effectively the brief has been used.

One Entry Per starter kit

Each R550 entry fee covers one game design submission. Multiple submissions welcome.

Submit Before Deadline

All entries must be submitted in full before 15 July. Late submissions will not be accepted. The starter kit contains full submission requirements and format guidelines.

You Keep Your IP

You retain full ownership of your game and design. By entering, you grant Return Revolution a non-exclusive right to feature your game on social media.

Judging is Final

The panel's decisions are final and not subject to appeal. All judges are bound by a conflict-of-interest declaration prior to the judging process.

Full Rules & Ts&Cs
The complete competition rules, judging criteria, submission requirements and terms & conditions are included in your starter kit. By purchasing a starter kit you agree to be bound by these rules.

R550

Ready to play?

Enter the Competition

R550

Entry Fee — once off

Starter Kit

Full Design Brief

Competition Guidelines

Theme, Mechanics & Components Brief

Access to Community & Support

Buy Starter Kit →

Competition opens 15 May 2026 • www.returnrevolution.co.za

Let's get your board game idea developed, produced and onto a table for quality time with friends and family.

Design Competition

An Adventure Begins on a Blank Piece of Paper.

How It Works

Timelines

Prizes to Win

Meet the Judges

The Rules

Enter the Competition

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