The Ennies are about finding the best RPG stuff out there. The Best Free RPG Product category does not contain the best free products released this year. It contains those free products that were submitted. Therefore, the Ennies are going to fail to award the best free product. All the items are free but they are far from being the best free products this year.[/quote]Well then, these creative folks should have submitted their works of genius. [I]Or[/I], someone else should have prompted them to do so, or even (asked and) done so on their behalf. :) But that's certainly one way of putting a damper on the awards you've got going there, even be it unintentionally.
[quote]It should be no surprise that the world of Free RPGs is vastly different from the world of commercial ones, so should not be dealt with in the same way.[/quote]You did mention something about disagreement being likely? :D Yeah, I disagree. Not about the first part, but the second, yes - they should indeed be dealt with in exactly the same way: based on their merits.
[quote]They are not doing this for money but for the love of game ---snip---[/quote]Ah, the motive shared by perhaps *most* (or at least, [I]many[/I]) gamers involved in the production of RPGs. Money? Hah! You must be kidding. With only (maybe) two or three exceptions that come to mind, there are just so many better ways of making sure you're earning actual, real money. Y'know, in significant amounts. :)
[quote]You would like the games too, the best of the bunch are well written, laid out and have concepts you won't see in commercial games because risk is not a factor.[/quote]Again, disagree. And again, not with the first bit there. But many 'commercial games' (haha) have taken plenty of risks, and then again, making large amounts of money was perhaps never considered likely in the first place, in some cases. So, 'risks'? Pfft.
[quote]If it is still the case that the marketing material is in the nomination list then I can't complain but I don't think the current nomination process for right for free RPG products.[/quote]By 'can't complain' it sure sounds like you also mean 'but will anyway' :p. And, one last time, I disagree. :uhoh: The current nomination process is just fine. It's quite visible at several (perhaps even all?) major RPG forums, and even a few other popular sites for good measure. It's stated clearly, all over the place, how to get your stuff into the ENnies, what you need to do, other details, etc.
No, I've got nothing to do with the whole thing, and have never had a product (free or otherwise) in the race, but I do believe you had some facts wrong there, and some opinions that, well, I felt compelled to take issue with.
Hm, wonder if I can disagree some more. . . maybe if I sift through it again. . .
;)