RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesia's board game industry has reached a major milestone after local publisher Tabletoys Games won the prestigious Spiel des Jahres 2026 award. The achievement highlights the growing international recognition of Indonesian game developers and strengthens the country's creative industry on the global stage.

The award-winning game, JinxO, released in Germany as Dito! and was designed by Indonesian game designer Martin Ang and published by Tabletoys Games. Speaking to Voice of Indonesia recently, Martin Ang said JinxO's journey began at SPIEL Essen 2024, where the game attracted international publishers before being being adapted for the German market.

Beyond Germany, JinxO has also secured publishing partnerships in South Korea, Thailand, Hungary, Spain, and several other international markets. According to Martin, the game's universal appeal allows people of different ages, cultures, and backgrounds to enjoy playing together.

Unlike strategy-heavy board games, JinxO focuses on social interaction through simple rules that encourage players to match answers with one another. Its accessibility made the game appealing to the Spiel des Jahres jury, which recognizes games designed for casual and family audiences.

Martin believes that the international success of Jinx-O has helped raise awareness of Indonesian board games both at home and abroad. He said the award has introduced more people to modern board games, encouraged greater public interest, and created opportunities for Indonesian games to reach more players around the world.

Despite the achievement, Martin acknowledged that Indonesia's board game industry remains relatively young and continues to face challenges in international marketing and business development. Building overseas partnerships, participating in global exhibitions, and understanding different markets remain essential for long-term growth.

In the future, Tabletoys Games plans to continue developing original titles while expanding the presence of Indonesian board games worldwide. Martin hopes the achievement will increase public recognition of modern board games and support the continued growth of Indonesian board games both nationally and internationally.