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News June 5, 2023

Mole Hunt Wins "Best Family Game" at UK Games Expo

DP

Ding & Pickle Team

5 min read

We're thrilled to announce that Mole Hunt has been awarded "Best Family Game" at this year's UK Games Expo! This prestigious award recognizes games that excel in bringing families together through engaging gameplay and accessible design.

The judges praised Mole Hunt for its "perfect balance of simplicity and strategic depth" and noted that it "creates moments of genuine joy and laughter that the whole family can share."

About the UK Games Expo

The UK Games Expo is the largest hobby games convention in the United Kingdom, attracting thousands of attendees and featuring hundreds of new and exciting games each year. The awards are highly competitive, with games from publishers of all sizes competing for recognition.

Being recognized at such a prestigious event is a tremendous honor for our small team, and we couldn't be more proud of what we've accomplished with Mole Hunt.

The Journey of Mole Hunt

Mole Hunt began as a simple idea sketched on a napkin during a family dinner. Our co-founders, Sarah and David, were discussing how many games were either too simple for adults or too complex for children. They wanted to create something that would genuinely engage everyone at the table, regardless of age.

After 18 months of development, countless playtesting sessions, and several major redesigns, Mole Hunt emerged as our flagship game. The core concept remained the same throughout: players race to find mischievous moles hiding in a garden, using memory, strategy, and a bit of luck.

What Makes Mole Hunt Special

We believe Mole Hunt won this award because it embodies our core design philosophy: games should be accessible enough for anyone to learn quickly but offer enough depth to keep players engaged through multiple sessions.

Some key features that make Mole Hunt stand out:

  • Rules that can be explained in under 2 minutes
  • Gameplay that naturally adapts to different skill levels
  • Strategic decisions that matter but don't overwhelm younger players
  • Charming artwork that appeals to all ages
  • Short play time (15-20 minutes) that keeps energy high
  • Moments of surprise and delight built into the core mechanics

What's Next for Ding & Pickle Games

This award has energized our team and validated our approach to game design. We're already hard at work on our next two games, which will maintain our focus on family-friendly fun while exploring new mechanics and themes.

We're also expanding Mole Hunt with a new expansion pack scheduled for release later this year. "Mole Hunt: Nighttime Mischief" will add new characters, special abilities, and gameplay twists while maintaining the accessibility that made the original game so successful.

Thank You to Our Community

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported us on this journey. From our early Kickstarter backers to the families who share photos of their game nights with us, your enthusiasm and feedback have been invaluable.

If you haven't tried Mole Hunt yet, we hope this award might encourage you to give it a chance at your next family gathering. We're confident it will bring smiles and laughter to your table, just as it has for thousands of families already.

Stay tuned for more updates, and happy gaming from all of us at Ding & Pickle Games!

About the Author

DP

Ding & Pickle Team

The Ding & Pickle Team is a small but passionate group of game designers, artists, and play enthusiasts dedicated to creating memorable tabletop experiences for families and friends. Founded in 2018, we believe that great games bring people together and create lasting memories.

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Comments (3)

Leave a comment

JD

John Doe

June 6, 2023

Congratulations on the award! We've been playing Mole Hunt with our kids (ages 6 and 9) for months now and they absolutely love it. It's one of the few games where we can all play together and genuinely have fun.

AS

Alice Smith

June 5, 2023

Well deserved! I'm a primary school teacher and I've been using Mole Hunt in my classroom. The kids are obsessed with it and don't even realize they're practicing memory skills and strategic thinking while playing.

RJ

Robert Johnson

June 5, 2023

I was at UK Games Expo and got to try Mole Hunt at your booth. Bought it on the spot! Any hints about when the expansion might be available for pre-order? Can't wait to see what new mechanics you're adding.

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