Jamey Stegmaier is one of the most influential modern board game designers and publishers. As the co-founder of Stonemaier Games, he has built a reputation for creating elegant, emotionally satisfying games that blend strategy, storytelling, and innovation. In this post, we’ll look at the best Jamey Stegmaier games and explore what makes him a standout figure in board game design.
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Why Jamey Stegmaier Stands Out as a Designer
Jamey Stegmaier has a unique design philosophy focused on creating games that:
- Balance strategic depth with accessibility
- Deliver strong emotional payoff and narrative arcs
- Include elegant, low-friction mechanics
- Offer meaningful choices without overwhelming players
He also maintains a deep connection with the gaming community through transparency, open design diaries, and active engagement with players.
For game designers, he is a model of:
- Iterative development with community feedback
- Smooth onboarding for players
- Integrating theme and gameplay into a unified experience
Top Jamey Stegmaier Games You Should Play
1. Scythe
🌏 Best Overall Strategy Game
📦 Buy Scythe here »
Scythe is a gorgeous alternate-history strategy game where players control factions competing for dominance in a post-WWI world filled with mechs and mystery. It blends engine-building, area control, and resource management.
Why it’s great:
- Asymmetrical factions with unique abilities
- Non-combat victory paths
- Stunning art and production quality
2. Viticulture: Essential Edition
🍇 Best Worker Placement Game
📦 Buy Viticulture here »
In Viticulture, you manage a vineyard, harvest grapes, and fulfill wine orders over the seasons. It’s a tight, rewarding worker-placement game with a strong thematic core.
Why it’s great:
- Thematic and relaxing gameplay
- Clear seasonal structure
- Great two-player and solo mode
3. Tapestry
🏛️ Best Civilization Building Game
📦 Buy Tapestry here »
Tapestry is a civilization-building game that plays in under two hours, offering asymmetrical powers, advancement tracks, and strategic combos.
Why it’s great:
- Huge variety and replayability
- Combines multiple strategies (tech, culture, military, exploration)
- Excellent table presence
(Ever thought about making your own board game? Start with a solid prototype)
4. Red Rising
🔮 Best for Fans of Hand Management Games
📦 Buy Red Rising here »
Based on the sci-fi book series, Red Rising is a hand management and combo-building game where players compete for influence in a dystopian society.
Why it’s great:
- Clever hand crafting mechanic
- Strong synergy with the source material
- Accessible yet layered strategy
BONUS GAMES – 2 Great Games Designed by Others and Produced by Jamey Stegmaier
Jamey has also helped bring some amazing games to the world through his publishing skills so I wanted to share two of those as well!
A: Wingspan
🦜 Most Popular and Accessible Game
📦 Buy Wingspan here »
In this peaceful yet competitive engine-builder, you attract birds to your wildlife preserves. While Elizabeth Hargrave is the designer, Stegmaier developed and published the game, making it a key part of his legacy.
Why it’s great:
- Gorgeous components and illustrations
- Smooth gameplay with smart combos
- Highly accessible and family-friendly
B. Between Two Cities
🏙️ Best Collaborative Game
📦 Buy Between Two Cities here »
Co-designed with Matthew O’Malley and Ben Rosset, Between Two Cities is a semi-cooperative city-building game where you work with both neighbors to build the best cities possible.
Why it’s great:
- Innovative partner mechanics
- Quick playtime
- Strategic with a twist of cooperation
(Check out these additional great cooperative games)
What Game Designers Can Learn from Jamey Stegmaier
Jamey’s design style is both approachable and inspirational. Here are key takeaways:
- Build for emotional moments – Whether it’s crafting the perfect wine or pulling off an awesome Scythe combo, emotional payoff is central.
- Clarity matters – His rulebooks and onboarding tools are some of the best in the industry.
- Engage your community – Through design blogs and updates, he involves fans from concept to release.
- Theme as identity – His games feel distinct not just in mechanics but in mood and narrative.
Final Thoughts: Where to Start with Jamey Stegmaier Games
- New to his games? Start with Wingspan or Viticulture.
- Looking for something competitive and deep? Scythe is a masterpiece.
- Want to explore asymmetric civilization building? Try Tapestry.
From wine-making to world conquest, Jamey Stegmaier’s catalog is diverse, beautiful, and deeply engaging.
🎯 Designer Tip: Watch Jamey’s design diaries or read his blog at stonemaiergames.com to learn how transparent, player-focused development can improve your own game design process.
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