The finalists for the 2003 International Gamers Awards have been announced for the General Strategy category, both multi-player and 2-player divisions.

The eligibility period for games in the General Strategy category is July 1, 2002 - June 30, 2003, which was just changed this year from the previouswcalendar year method, in order to better coincide with the major release dates of most European game companies. Earlier this year a special award was given for the outstanding game released between January 1st - June 30th, 2002 (Puerto Rico).

This complete list of this year's nominees includes:

GENERAL STRATEGY GAMES - Multi Player category
Abenteuer Menschheit (Settlers of the Stone Age) Designer: Klaus Teuber Kosmos & Mayfair Games
Ad Acta Designer: Andrea Meyer Bewitched Games
Age of Steam Designer: Martin Wallace Warfrog
Alhambra Designer: Dirk Henn Queen Games
Amun-Re Designer: Reiner Knizia Hans im Glück & Rio Grande Games
Coloretto Designer: Michael Schacht Abacus Spiele
Domaine Designer: Klaus Teuber Kosmos & Mayfair Games
Edel, Stein & Reich Designer: Reinhard Staupe Alea
Eiszeit (Mammoth Hunters) Designers: Alan Moon & Aaron Weissblum Alea & Rio Grande Games
Magna Grecia Designers: Leo Colovini & Michael Schacht Clementoni
Mare Nostrum Designer: Serge Laget Euro Games
New England Designers: Alan Moon & Aaron Weissblum Gold Sieber & Uber Play Games
Paris Paris Designer: Michael Schacht Abacus Spiele & Rio Grande Games

GENERAL STRATEGY GAMES - 2 Player category
Avalon Designer: Leo Colovini Kosmos & Rio Grande Games
Balloon Cup Designer: Stephen Glenn Kosmos & Rio Grande Games
Hive Designer: John Yianni Gen Four Two Games
Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation Designer: Reiner Knizia Fantasy Flight Games
Odin's Ravens Designer: Thorsten Gimmler Kosmos & Rio Grande Games
Street Soccer Designer: Corne van Moorsel Cwali

For a detailed look at the nominated games, as well as the committee members and their qualifications, please visit the International Gamers Awards website internationalgamersawards.net