I'm a little late to the party, but here's my Q&A. I'll cross post it too.
How do you think price factors when evaluating a product?
Very little, if at all. Barring a "Best Value" category, the products merits are fairly independent of its price. It is still something to note however.
Do you have a favorite system, or particular dislike of one? Why? How will this affect your ability to judge products?
I tend to use the D20 system for the most part because I find it flexible, and detailed enough for me. Generally, I don't like rules light systems because I find the lack of rules tends to get in the way of play more than having to know more rules, which I've never really had a problem with. That being said, there are merits to any system, and in the hands of a good GM, almost any system can be enjoyable.
How do you feel about PDFs? Inherent advantages and/or disadvantages?
I like PDFs, and wish they came with books. I find searching them is easier, and they are good for general browsing or looking up rules. However, hard books are easier to curl up with and read, and you don't need a computer at the gaming table to use them during play.
Mutant or troll?
Mutant
Mechanics or concepts? if you find too many errors in mechanics or in the writing will you fault the submission?
Both. A good concept can be killed with bad mechanics, and vice versa. The best ideas are concepts with strong mechanics to back them up. Errors in mechanics can be overlooked if small, but large noteworthy ones, or clunky mechanics can interfere with the enjoyment and use of a book.
Are you in a long term relationship or a job which requires you to be on call or have little free time? how much time are you willing to spend to see this project to completion? are the outside factors going to effect your commitment? (a non gaming SO, a sick child, an aging parent, a new job, a move, planning a marriage, etc...)
I could potentially be moving this year, and my wife does not game. However, she understands that gaming is important to me, and has let me make some time in my life for it and has been very understanding. My job often gives me some down time where reading, writing, or other pursuits can engaged in.
What are you gonna do with your stuff when all is done?
I will likely keep what I like, and offer other stuff as contest give always, offer some to the Ennies Fund Raising auction, or offer it at the auction and donate some of the money to charity.
4e - Now, Soon, Later, or Never?
It's likely in development at some level already. I think it will probably be around in the next five years.
Which is your favorite Beatle?
Paul
Software. What role do you see for software in DnD? Do you use software in DnD (more than Word/PDF etc)? Are minis more important than software?
I don't use much software beyond Microsoft Office and PDFs. I can see it being useful for some people, but I've not found any software that has suited my fancy as something I'd use in a regular game yet. Minis can be very useful, but dice on a battlemat work quite well, are cheaper, and don't detract from the game.
Games played in the last year?
D&D
Mutants and Masterminds
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay
Dragonquest
7th Seas
How do you feel about Wizards of the Coast abstaining from entering products?
I think it's probably better for the industry to allow smaller companies to be recognized for their products.
How long have you been gaming? Does that affect the perspective you will be bringing to the judging table?
I've been gaming for most of my life, 23 years. I think it will help give me some perspective and deeper understanding of products available.
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?
As a NASCRAG judge and play tester for many years, I have been a part of a group module design. I've also done some work for a homebrew system some friends of mine and I put out in PDF, as well as done some homebrew work for several living campaigns. I think being a part of the game design process allows one to detach fluff from crunch better, and allows for a deeper understanding of rules and mechanics, along with their intent. Having done large scale public things like the living campaigns and NASCRAG stuff gives me a good overview of what others who game look for in a product, setting, or adventure.
Do you think that the ENnies should have a codified set of rules for how they should be run, including a specific list of points that the judges should use for each category? Or do you think that the ENnies should be like they are currently, and the judges voting on the rules each year? And to either answer, why?
I am unaware that the rules of the ENnies have changed significantly, only that the execution of the rules. However, I think that because RPG products are already widely varried, having set rules will be more a hindrance to the awards than a benefit.
Do you think that the ENnies being so intimately tied to the World's Largest d20 Fan Site might mean that the basic voting pool for the ENnies might be a bit biased towards d20 products in general?Potentially, but the market seems a bit biased towards D20 products in general as well. However, Enworld does also have a following of other non-d20 products, and while not as many participate, the discussions are still as spirited as they might be at any broader site. But, as the ENnies are being separated from the site, I don't see it as a big issue.
Do you think that the ENnies should move everything over to their own, independent website (which they already have), to have all aspects of the ENnies in 1 single central location? Why or why not?
I think that's a fantastic idea, but since the RPG audience is spread out across several different forums, asking them to visit yet another site for all ENnies stuff exclusively is very narrow and likely to limit the awards reach and appeal. The ENnies are one of the premiere awards in the industry, and you can't limit discussions like that to just one locale.
Do you think moving the ENnies off EN World would cause a drop in the overall number of voters?
Potentially, but increasing exposure to other sites could increase the number tremendously.
Have you done payed game industry work ever?
My friend published a game I helped work on under Shield of Faith Studios, but I never received anything beyond a free PDF for that. I also helped TheLe in the ENWorld rules forums (A public forum) with ideas for how to implement several ideas, and he sent me some free stuff, but that's about it. So, not really.
Do you think that a codified set of rules cannot include provisions for making changes and/or updating them as conditions and the market change?
I think that too many set rules will bog down the ENnies.
Do you think it is wrong to have a basic set of rules be codified and put forth to let participant know exactly what points they will be judged on? Do make sure that each judge is judging the entrants on the same points?
I think that having points could lead to "ENnies" products, designed to hit each point and aim to win an award, instead of aiming to simply be a good product. The ENnies should be organic, and something awarded to a good product, and not an award where people create products aimed at earning one. There are plenty of awards that don't offer a basic set of rules, and things like the Grammy’s and Oscars are quite popular.
Do you think that products entered in the main categories should be allowed to be included in other main categories by the judges?
If it is appropriate. This is what the judges are being elected for, to make calls such as this. I don't see it as something that is likely to happen, but I can see it potentially happening.
Do you think that Categories should have at least a minimal description/standard to determine whether or not a product should be included in that category (i.e. that a book is required to be at least 50% about the setting to be considered for Best Setting)?
As I mentioned before, I think too many rules will bog down the ENnies.
Do you plan on play testing any of the material?
If possible, I will play test as much as I can.
What prompted you to consider being a judge for the ENnies?
I've involved with gaming for 23 years, and thought that it might be an opportunity to give back to the hobby I enjoy so much.
Would statements by those "in the industry" affect your opinions on a product?
If I were looking for a product to buy, reviews by peers as well as those "in the industry" would help guide me. However, once I have the product, my opinions on its merits are mine. I rarely close my mind to any product though, as sometimes its value is not readily apparent at first reading or usage.
Do you prefer Old World of Darkness or New World of Darkness?
I've not dealt much with NWoD, but I have enjoyed the Old World of Darkness. I'm not particularly attached to the system, but I've always found it worth a read just for the background and fluff.
Do you consider yourself a gamist, narrativist, or simulationist?
Probably a combination of a Simulationist and Narrativist. I enjoy the story, but I also enjoy some of the mechanical and tactical part of gaming as well. This is likely why I tend to prefer more detailed RPGs.
Will you be at Gen Con?
This will be my 17th consecutive Gencon.
What about gaming appeals to you?
I enjoy the opportunity to leave myself behind and flow into the fantasy world for a little bit. I enjoy the rewards, the trials, and the journey of an RPG game. I enjoy the fun of letting loose with friends and gaming, be it a board, video, or RPG game. I enjoy putting a smile on someone else's face with a great line, drawing in someone else with a brave action, or making someone nervous as I risk my character's life. There's something special about departing yourself and becoming someone else. In many ways, it's like acting, but with rules and imagination instead of a script, director, and special effects.
