RPG Magnifico 2025 Award goes to Oceania 2084 - Surplus Edition
An award for international excellence in TTRPG design
I’m beyond thrilled to share some truly game-changing news: Oceania 2084 – Surplus Edition has just won the RPG Magnifico 2025 Award – a global recognition of excellence in tabletop role-playing game design!
This isn’t just an accolade. It’s a testament to the heart, grit, and wild imagination poured into every page of Oceania 2084. The RPG Magnifico Award is a benchmark for international design brilliance, celebrating games that push boundaries in creativity, mechanics, and immersive storytelling. To have Oceania 2084 stand out among such incredible peers is both humbling and electrifying.
The road to this award was no small feat. Out of an initial selection of over 30 internationally released RPGs (between November 2023 and December 2024), the jury—guided by the principles of consistency, aesthetics, usability, originality, and design soundness—narrowed the field down to just six finalists after rigorous testing and discussion.
These games became the centerpiece of MagnifiCon, a juried gathering of play, analysis, and final deliberation. And when the dust settled, Oceania 2084 – Surplus Edition emerged as the winner.
Jury Motivation
"Innovative and calibrated mechanisms that create an effective story “engine.” Creates, through the rules, the atmospheres of the referenced fiction. Applies the principle of “Show, Don't Tell” to the game. Fragments narrative authority in a very interesting way. Innovatively uses roles in the game avowedly in opposition to each other."
That’s the kind of thoughtful, nuanced feedback every game designer dreams of receiving.
A Shoutout to the Finalists
To be recognized among such an inspiring group of creators makes this moment even more special. Huge respect to the fellow finalists (in alphabetical order):
- Inevitable: A Doomed Arthurian Western RPG by Zachary Cox
- Raven – A Gothic Horror Roleplaying Game by Daniel P. Espinosa
- The Hidden Isle by Daniel Adams & James Patton
- Triangle Agency by Caleb Zane Huett & Sean Ireland
- Xenolanguage by Kathryn Hymes & Hakan Seyalıoğlu
It honestly feels surreal to see Oceania 2084 chosen from this lineup of visionary work. But surreal or not—I'm incredibly grateful.
About the Game
If this is your first time hearing about Oceania 2084 – Surplus Edition, you're not alone! With around 2,000 unique downloads and 160 physical copies in circulation, this indie RPG might not be a household name… yet.
But here’s what it’s all about:
Dive into a dystopian world inspired by George Orwell's prophetic vision. This asymmetrical, adversarial role-playing game combines narrative-first storytelling with rogue-like elements, offering a unique experience for 3–8 players. Each session weaves a tale of defiance against an all-powerful regime, emphasizing the power of human connection and hope in a world designed to crush them.
If this got you interested check out the actual play one-shot by the amazing Wandering Monster.
Want to learn more or grab a copy?
🖥️ Visit the official site: www.jochergames.com
🎲 Explore all my games on itch.io: jochergames.itch.io
📫 Or just drop me a line: jochergames@gmail.com
Whether you're a veteran player, a curious designer, or new to the scene, thank you for supporting this beautiful hobby. Let's keep exploring, creating, and resisting—together.
— Johan Eriksson, creator of Oceania 2084 – Surplus Edition
