Wolfgang Kramer

Wolfgang Kramer (born June 29, 1942 in Stuttgart) is a German board game designer.

Kramer formerly worked as an operations manager and computer scientist, but since 1989 he has worked full-time on game design. He has designed over 100 games, many which have been nominated for or have won the Spiel des Jahres. He frequently collaborates with other designers, notably Michael Kiesling and Richard Ulrich.

A common feature of German-style board games, where players' scores are recorded on a track around the edge of the board, is known in Germany as the "Kramerleiste" in honour of Wolfgang Kramer. Kramer himself first used this method of score-tracking in his 1984 game, "Heimlich & Co".

Kramer is also an author of mystery novels. His works include "Der Palast der Rätsel" ("The Palace of Mysteries") and "Die Rätsel der Pyramide" ("The Mysteries of the Pyramid").

Notable games

* 2005 "Hacienda"
* 2005 "Verflixxt!" (with Michael Kiesling) - nominated, Spiel des Jahres
* 2004 "Maharaja" - nominated, Spiel des Jahres
* 2000 "Java" (with Michael Kiesling)
* 2000 "Torres" (with Michael Kiesling) - winner, Spiel des Jahres; 2nd place, Deutscher Spiele Preis
* 2000 "Princes of Florence" (with Richard Ulrich) - 3rd place, Deutscher Spiele Preis
* 2000 "Pete the Pirate" - winner, Deutscher Spiele Preis children's game
* 1999 "Tikal" (together with Michael Kiesling) - winner, Spiel des Jahres and Deutscher Spiele Preis
* 1996 "El Grande" (with Richard Ulrich) - winner, Spiel des Jahres and Deutscher Spiele Preis
* 1994 "6 Nimmt!" - winner, Deutscher Spiele Preis
* 1991 "Corsaro" - winner, Spiel des Jahres children's game
* 1987 "Auf Achse" - winner, Spiel des Jahres
* 1984 "Heimlich & Co." - winner, Spiel des Jahres

External links

* [http://www.kramer-spiele.de/ Kramer's games website] de icon
*
* [http://www.thegamesjournal.com/articles/SpecialK2.shtml "Special K: Wolfgang Kramer"] , a discussion of Kramer's career