Reiner Knizia

Reiner Knizia (German pronunciation: [ˈʁaɪnɐ ˈknɪtsi̯a]; born 16 November 1957) is a German-style board game designer. He was born in West Germany and earned a doctorate in mathematics from the University of Ulm before designing games full-time. He is frequently included on lists of the greatest game designers of all time. Many of his hundreds of designs are considered modern classics, and many have won or been nominated for significant gaming awards, including the Spiel des Jahres and the Deutscher Spiele Preis. His notable designs include Amun-Re, Blue Moon City, Ingenious, Keltis, Lord of the Rings, Medici, Modern Art, Ra, Taj Mahal, Tigris and Euphrates, and Through the Desert. Many of his designs incorporate mathematical principles, such as his repeated use of auction mechanics.