the Jester said:
13. How long have you been gaming? Does that affect the perspective you will be bringing to the judging table?
I have been gaming since the mid-late 90s. So, not long at all, but - then - I'm young (23).
And, sure, that affects the perspective that I'll bring to the judging table... but everyone's individual experiences affect every individual's perspective. My gaming experiences have been different that all of the judges and, while some of us have gamed for a long, long time, others have only gamed for a handful of years (I think Xath/Gertie and I picked up our first dice at around the same time).
It is possible that, because I have not been gaming for decades, I have a fresher outlook or fewer tendencies to favor certain systems... but I don't know that that is true. In the end, the important thing is what you've experienced in the time you've gamed, not the quantifiable number of years that you have been gaming.
14. How much game design experience do you have? I don't mean published, I mean in general- 10 years of homebrewing? Have you created your own systems? Do you think this affects your level of qualification as a judge?
I have designed an alternate history that spans the mid 1800s to the end 1950s. It includes aliens, psions, and Hitler. Personally, I think it's fascinating and creative and super fun to play in. If you wanna know more, feel free to email me at d20blond at gmail dot com.
I've not created my own systems.
As for judging - the ability to create a system or world doesn't not imply one's ability to recognize a good system or a good world.