2006 ENnies discussion

[Dextra]

I'm not exactly clear on this. I have a character sheet that I contributed to Cajun Arcana (comes out next month). Does this make me ineligible?

That's right. Sorry, Frukathka. As per rule #5:

5. Judges may not have a professional relationship with any RPG publisher during the period of 2005-May 31 2006.

• This includes being involved in the publication of a product whether the product was a free one, a charitable one, or whether they were paid for it or not.

Joe Kushner was eliminated last year because he had contributed some work to a charity PDF, so Cajun Arcana counts as well. I don't want to punish people for their good works, but I want to thwart any accusations of impropriety as well.

 

[der_kluge]

Looks like some quality nominees. I'd love to do this, but I have sense enough not to. At least not until my Master's degree is completed. I just don't have time to devote to it. I wish I did.

 

[Rasyr]

Okay, a couple of things here.

First off, I have noticed that some of folks who have nominated themselves have listed what systems that they play or are familiar with. I think that it would be a great help if the other nominees do the same (they can just edit their posts to do so). This tells me more about the potential judge and will allow for selection based more on skills than personalities. As the ENnies expand out to include more than just d20 related games, I think that this is important, that judges come from more than just here.

Secondly, it might be a good idea to post an announcement about the ENnie judge selection on other forums as well, so that a wider range of folks may elect to nominate themselves. Just a thought. (When are you guys going to get your own website?)

Third, a couple of folks have mentioned to potential judges that they may need to hunt down products so that they have a better idea of what they are judging. I perfectly understand this, and this was the reason that last year ICE included the core rulebook in what we sent to judges, to make sure that they could understand the HARP system, and more properly judge the HARP products that had been submitted. For those of you who get elected as judges this year, ICE will again supply the core HARP rulebook for those who need it (yes, I am expecting that some of the folks who were judges last year will end up being judges again this year ) so you do not have to try and "hunt it down".

Finally, Dextra, may I have your permission to repost your initial post from the nominees thread on the ICE forums so that if anybody over there is interested, they may come along and nominate themselves?

 

[RangerWickett]

Denise, as was pointed out in some other threads, I don't think publishers giving products to next year's judges at GenCon is a valid idea. I don't know if Mr. Adkison would be willing to provide rooms to another 5 people, and we can't be certain folks would all go to the con.

And to the poster who wondered if early shipping was a bad idea, I heard that a few publishers were unable to send products that had sold out. This way we encourage them to send along copies before they run out in the first place.

 

[Desdichado]

I'm gratified to see that of the self-nominees so far, only Teflon Billy, Cthulhu's Librarian and Crothian (and maybe JoeGKushner? I can't remember) are returning judges. Deservedly so, but it's also nice to see an opening for some fresh blood in the ranks too.

I also know my buddy Quickbeam is going to make a go for a judge's slot again. He's been gunning for a slot for several years now, and actually came fairly close two years ago. I don't want to steal his thunder from his own upcoming announcement or anything, but it's exciting to see someone local make a go at it, and hopefully have a good chance too.

 

[Jaws]

I also know my buddy Quickbeam is going to make a go for a judge's slot again. He's been gunning for a slot for several years now, and actually came fairly close two years ago. I don't want to steal his thunder from his own upcoming announcement or anything, but it's exciting to see someone local make a go at it, and hopefully have a good chance too.

I voted for Quickbeam since I met y'all at a Chicago gameday a year ago.


Peace and smiles

j.

 

[JoeGKushner]

I voted for Quickbeam since I met y'all at a Chicago gameday a year ago.


Peace and smiles

j.

Ah, the good old Chicago gameday! Hopefully I'll be able to make it this time. Hated missing last time around.

 

[MavrickWeirdo]

Denise, as was pointed out in some other threads, I don't think publishers giving products to next year's judges at GenCon is a valid idea. I don't know if Mr. Adkison would be willing to provide rooms to another 5 people, and we can't be certain folks would all go to the con.

However, if the "Submissions Coordinator" for the next year was a GenCon, then they would have some really heavy suitcases to bring home.

And to the poster who wondered if early shipping was a bad idea, I heard that a few publishers were unable to send products that had sold out. This way we encourage them to send along copies before they run out in the first place.

I believe that when this topic came up, that the publisher said they would rather sell out their limited print run (and make money) and send a PDF to the ENnies judges. (Personally I don't blame them a bit.)

 

[Dextra]

Hiya Tim, and thanks for your comments!

Good suggestion re. the judges listing their systems.

I know judges in past years have been appreciative of you sending out the core rules. It goes a long way for someone who may not be conversant with your system, and I thank you for that.

I posted the notification on The Forge and RPGNet. You (and anyone else) are welcome to spread the word elsewhere

Okay, a couple of things here.

First off, I have noticed that some of folks who have nominated themselves have listed what systems that they play or are familiar with. I think that it would be a great help if the other nominees do the same (they can just edit their posts to do so). This tells me more about the potential judge and will allow for selection based more on skills than personalities. As the ENnies expand out to include more than just d20 related games, I think that this is important, that judges come from more than just here.

Secondly, it might be a good idea to post an announcement about the ENnie judge selection on other forums as well, so that a wider range of folks may elect to nominate themselves. Just a thought. (When are you guys going to get your own website?)

Third, a couple of folks have mentioned to potential judges that they may need to hunt down products so that they have a better idea of what they are judging. I perfectly understand this, and this was the reason that last year ICE included the core rulebook in what we sent to judges, to make sure that they could understand the HARP system, and more properly judge the HARP products that had been submitted. For those of you who get elected as judges this year, ICE will again supply the core HARP rulebook for those who need it (yes, I am expecting that some of the folks who were judges last year will end up being judges again this year ) so you do not have to try and "hunt it down".

Finally, Dextra, may I have your permission to repost your initial post from the nominees thread on the ICE forums so that if anybody over there is interested, they may come along and nominate themselves?

 

[Dextra]

Having the Judge and/or Submissions Coordinator positions filled by Gen Con Indy is still something we're ironing out. It just seems a shame to me to have all those judges and all those publishers in the same place and not exchange some product. Especially since we seem to get a lot of returning judges from year to year.

However, if the "Submissions Coordinator" for the next year was a GenCon, then they would have some really heavy suitcases to bring home.

I believe that when this topic came up, that the publisher said they would rather sell out their limited print run (and make money) and send a PDF to the ENnies judges. (Personally I don't blame them a bit.)

I wouldn't blame a publisher for the wanting-to-make-money argument, but ENnies policy is that product must be judged in the format in which it was available to the public. If Paizo sold out of the Shackled City hardcover, unless they sold it also as a PDF, they wouldn't be able to enter it in PDF format. Or if Guardians of Order wanted the deluxe edition of Game of Thrones judged (especially for the production values category), they would have to provide six copies of said book. Otherwise, the ENnies would judge based upon the regular edition received.

Basically, in the grand scheme of things, unless you're talking an incredibly-limited print run, six copies shouldn't be too much to ask, especially considering the benefits derived from a nomination or win!