eurogames

Eurogames, or European-style board games, are a category of tabletop games that emphasize strategic planning, resource management, and indirect competition. They originated in Europe, particularly Germany, and gained prominence in the 1990s with designers and publishers seeking streamlined, accessible designs. The term is often contrasted with Ameritrash, though the boundary between styles is not fixed.

Design features commonly include modular boards, variable player powers, and a focus on victory-point scoring rather than direct combat. Mechanisms frequently used are tile placement, engine-building, set collection, and economic resource management. Games typically favor player agency and planning over luck, and play sessions tend to run from about 30 to 90 minutes. Player interaction is usually indirect, arising from competition for resources or positions on the board.

The eurogames movement was propelled by late 20th-century German publishers and designers such as Klaus Teuber (Catan), Reiner Knizia, and Uwe Rosenberg, among others. The success of titles like Die Siedler von Catan, Carcassonne, and Puerto Rico helped establish the genre's international popularity and influenced game design worldwide.

Notable modern examples include Catan, Carcassonne, Puerto Rico, Agricola, Power Grid, and Ticket to Ride. The genre continues to evolve with new themes and mechanics, though discussions persist about accessibility, cultural stereotypes, and how broadly the term should apply.