The following are the winners of the 8th annual (1981) Origins Award, presented at Origins 1982:
| Category | Winner | Company | Designer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Pre-20th Century Game of 1981 | A House Divided | GDW | |
| Best 20th Century Game of 1981 | Wings | ||
| Best Science Fiction Boardgame of 1981 | Car Wars | Steve Jackson Games | |
| Best Fantasy Boardgame of 1981 | Barbarian Prince | Heritage Models | |
| Best Initial Release of a Boardgame of 1981 | Iron Bottom Sound | ||
| Best Professional Boardgaming Magazine of 1981 | Fire & Movement | Baron Publishing | |
| Best Adventure Game for Home Computer of 1981 | Eastern Front | ||
| Best Amateur Adventure Gaming Magazine of 1981 | Journal of WWII Wargaming | ||
| Adventure Gaming Hall of Fame | Marc Miller |
| Category | Winner | Company | Designer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Historical Figure Series of 1981 | Condotierra | Ral Partha | |
| Best Fantasy or Science Fiction Figure Series of 1981 | Dragonslayers & Travellers | Martian Metals | |
| Best Vehicular Model Series of 1981 | Micro Armor | GHQ | |
| Best Miniatures Rules of 1981 | Harpoon | Adventure Games Inc | |
| Best Roleplaying Rules of 1981 | Call of Cthulhu | Chaosium | |
| Best Roleplaying Adventure of 1981 | Thieves' World | Chaosium | |
| Best Professional Miniatures Magazine of 1981 | The Courier | ||
| Best Professional Roleplaying Magazine of 1981 | Journal of the Travellers Aid Society | GDW | |
| All Time Best Miniatures Rules for 20th Century Land Battles of 1981 | Tacforce | ||
| All Time Best Miniatures Rules for Pre-20th Century Naval Battles of 1981 | Ship o' the Line |