So you want to be an ENnies judge...

reveal

Adventurer
It's that time of the year again. The siren's call of the ENnies has been sounded and the question goes out; who will answer? Do you think you have what it takes to be an ENnies judge? Do you have the fortitude to stand up against the barrage of RPG products, the reflexes to navigate the plethora of text and toys, and the will to emerge with the finest goods produced during the year? If so, then this is a great opportunity for you!

Starting on July 1, 2010, people will be able to throw their hats in the ring and nominate themselves. The last day for nominating will be July 11, so you'll have plenty of time to make your decision. Voting for the judges will take place alongside voting for products and the winners will be announced at the ENnie Awards ceremony on August 6, 2010. Keep any eye out for my next post with a link to the form.

Edit: Here's the link: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dGhVWVR3YWY4Z19nN0lXMEo2MWlkeFE6MA..

If you want more information about the current judges, please visit the judges page on the ENnie Awards site: The ENnie Awards -- Judges. Also, all current judges will be following this post, so feel free to ask questions of them.

If you are thinking about running, here's a list of criteria you'll need to remember. All judges must:
  • be at least 18 years of age as of August 6th, 2010 and able to enter into a legal contract;
  • not have any professional relationship with any RPG publisher during the period from January 1st, 2009 to August 1st, 2011. Such relationships include unpaid work and work on free products;
  • declare any relationship with any publisher (including EN Publishing, except for the Ceramic DM line) in which they receive money, product, or special consideration in exchange for their services;
  • be able to read English and communicate clearly therein.

If you have a relationship with a publisher, even as a playtester, it is important that you notify the ENnies board of this so that they may determine whether you are eligible to seek a judge position. In cases of rule violation, conflict of interest, misrepresentation, or other factor(s) detrimental to the awards, the Board of Directors retains the right to alter the composition of the judging panel at any time.

Physical location is irrelevant - so long as you can accept packages year-round.

When you apply, you will be expected to fill out a questionnaire to help people best gauge how well they think you'll work as a judge. Here a couple of sample questions:

  • What styles and genres of RPGs do you enjoy most? Are there any styles or genres that you do not enjoy? Which games best exemplify what you like? Do you consider yourself a particular system’s, publisher’s or genre’s “fanboy/girl”?
  • How would you like to see the ENnies change (categories, policies, etc)? What should remain inviolate?
If you want to run, here is what is expected of you. All judges shall:

  • access the ENnie Awards boards/e-mailing lists (for the purposes of corresponding with judges and interacting with directors and staff);
    • weekly on the designated ENnies forums and sharing an accurate list of what products they have received;
    • daily on the designated ENnies forums during judge deliberations (expected dates for 2011: June 1 - July 1);
  • act in a professional and impartial manner;
  • sign a non-disclosure agreement;
  • in the event that they are removed from office, bear the expense of returning and/or forwarding the products received for review;
  • pay any customs duties charged for submissions;
  • if they attend Gen Con – Indy, work a minimum of two hours at the ENnies booth;
  • if they attend Gen Con – Indy, attend the awards ceremony smartly attired;
  • report to the Submissions Coordinator and Business Manager.

And, besides being able to say "I'm an ENnies Judge!" what else do you get? Judges:

  • upon completion of reviewing, retain for personal use or otherwise dispose of products reviewed;
  • receive a free Gen Con Indy 4-day pass.
Tony Law
ENnies Assistant Business Manager
tony@ennieawards.com
 
Last edited:

log in or register to remove this ad



C.W.Richeson

Explorer
CW's going to run again. ;)

You should run again this year, Chris. I'd love to have the opportunity to judge with you (not that this year's judges haven't been super fantastic - they have)!
 


Crothian

First Post
CW's going to run again. ;)

You should run again this year, Chris. I'd love to have the opportunity to judge with you (not that this year's judges haven't been super fantastic - they have)!

6 years of it was enough for me. It's too much like work. The free books are nice but after the last time I did it and just gave away 80% of the stuff I realized it just wasn't for me anymore. :D
 

Skeld

First Post
Any of the current judges going to try and do it again?

As Tony mentioned, I'm planning to run again for next year. I've enjoyed being part of the process so far and I think i have another year in me if the gaming community sees fit.

-Mark, aka Skeld
 

Mexal

First Post
Likewise, my hat will be in the ring again... even though I haven't quite got over the shock of having been elected last year!

It is time-consuming, but not in a bad way. Given the amount of reviewing I do, anyway it has been more a change of focus, with the ENnies submissions being prioritised over anything else in the RPG Resource 'review pile', rather than a change of activity.

As I've mentioned on the ENnies blog it has led to new ways of looking at product: JUDGING is a different beast from REVIEWING - it has been a fascinating process. But it's not about ME, it is all about the gaming community and trying to look at the submissions in the light of what is really, really good... sometimes the little gems that might be overlooked, sometimes confirmation and celebration of something that we have all embraced over the past year.

Certainly if you are prepared to put the time in and sustain that effort over a year, and are ready to look at a vast range of material, some of which may not be to your personal taste but all of which deserves proper objective consideration, do run. You're the sort of person we want for ENnies judge!

(But talk to your family or whoever you share your residence with. You need them onside, prepared to put up with deliveries, piles of books EVERYWHERE and your nose in said books when they might be expecting conversation or dinner...)
 


Mark

CreativeMountainGames.com
I did it the first year when there was relatively little to read compared to years since. It is a job for the self-motivated willing to give up the cumulative equivalent of a couple of weeks' time or more over the course of the year as well as some serious time in the home stretch. Some folks have devoted their vacation for the year to the final process. Whether you wind up going to Gencon or not, though, I think most people who have done the job would agree it is well worth the effort.
 

Remove ads

Top