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What is the Pion d'Or?
Created by the Union des Éditeurs de Jeux de société (UEJ), the Pion d'Or© (Golden Pawn) is the first official certification framework for board games based on worldwide sales.
Comparable to the music industry's gold records, the label rewards games based on the volume of copies sold worldwide, establishing an independent and transparent indicator of economic performance in the board game industry.
Our mission
- Raise awareness of the commercial impact of the board game industry among the public and the media
- Establish certified standards and transparent benchmarks for recognizing best-selling games
- Recognize publishers' achievements by offering official acknowledgment of their commercial success
- Guide players by helping them easily identify games enjoyed by millions of players worldwide
The 10 certification levels
The Pion d'Or features 10 progressive levels, each corresponding to a worldwide sales threshold:
| Level | Copies sold |
|---|---|
| Silver Pawn | 100,000 |
| Double Silver Pawn | 200,000 |
| Gold Pawn | 500,000 |
| Double Gold Pawn | 750,000 |
| Triple Gold Pawn | 1,000,000 |
| Platinum Pawn | 2,000,000 |
| Double Platinum Pawn | 3,000,000 |
| Diamond Pawn | 5,000,000 |
| Double Diamond Pawn | 7,000,000 |
| Triple Diamond Pawn | 9,000,000 |
The label evolves with the commercial life of each game: when a new threshold is reached, the certification is automatically updated.
How does it work?
- Sales declaration — The publisher submits the number of copies sold worldwide, certified by an auditor.
- Independent verification — The data is reviewed by an independent body appointed by the UEJ.
- Label award — Once a threshold is reached, the game automatically receives the corresponding certification level.
- Continuous updates — The level evolves as sales grow, with no time limit.
Who is the UEJ?
The Union des Éditeurs de Jeux (UEJ) is the professional organization that brings together board game publishers in France. Its mission is to promote the board game industry, defend the interests of its members, and showcase gaming heritage. The UEJ created and administers the Pion d'Or label.
Frequently asked questions
Is the label only for French games?
No. The Pion d'Or is open to all board games, regardless of their country of origin. Only worldwide sales are taken into account.
How can a publisher get a game certified?
The publisher must contact the UEJ and provide a sales certificate verified by an auditor. The procedure is detailed on the Get the label page.
Can the label be revoked?
No. Once awarded, the Pion d'Or is permanent. The level can only increase as sales grow.
Do expansions and special editions count?
Only base game sales are taken into account. Expansions, collector's editions, and digital versions are not included in the threshold calculation.