2007 Judge Selection

[Mark Causey]

I am trying to catch up here. It looks like questions stopped being numbered at some point. I will answer the first 18 and leave it there for new questions.
Questions 1-18

1. How do you think price factors when evaluating a product?
2. Do you have a favourite system, or particular dislike of one? Why? How will this affect your ability to judge products?
3. How do you feel about PDFs? Inherent advantages and/or disadvantages?
4. Mutant or troll?
5. mechanics or concepts? if you find too many errors in mechanics or in the writing will you fault the submission?
6. 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...)
7. what are you gonna do with your stuff when all is done?
8. 4e - Now, Soon, Later, or Never?
9. Which is your favorite Beatle?
10. 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?
11. Are any of you offering cash incentives, beer, and/or incriminating photographs of Morrus in return for my vote?
12. What game(s) are you playing in now / have played in in the past year?
13. How long have you been gaming? Does that affect the perspective you will be bringing to the judging table?
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?
15. 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?
16. 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?
17. Do you think that the ENnies should move everything over to their own, independant website (which they already have), to have all aspects of the ENnies in 1 single central location? Why or why not?
18. Do you think moving the ENnies off EN World would cause a drop in the overall number of voters?

1. Price factors in when I buy a product. Free market forces and price points have little to do with the decisions I feel I would be making.
2. I have many favorite systems, based on the kind of gaming and fun they provide, but they all have high levels of quality. They help guide me in that they remind me what is good and what is crap.
3. PDFs are hard to take with me, and don't always make me feel like I'll have the resource when I need it. However, they do end up going to work with me sometimes and by paper when I go to the table.
4. ... heh. Okay, I'd have to say mutant.
5. Errors lower quality no matter what they relate to. I consider proofreading a definite level of quality that I deserve from a product.
6. I am in a stable job, with a wife who is aware of this responsibility and approved it. She is in a stable job. I feel that I am adequately prepared to make the time needed to do this job.
7. I will ask advice from those who have gone on before me (especially Cthulhu's Librarian, as he was the one I suggested I do this in the first place).
8. I hope that Wizards releases an awesome product with 4e that revolutionizes the game industry. I hope that they take the time to do that.
9. Scarab.
10. I have never had many good experiences with software for D&D (I blame my high expectations falling short for the disk included in my 3.0 Player's Handbook). I like Dundjinni and love well made battle maps. I don't collect minis and rarely have a use for them in that I can use any counter and feel happy about the tactics and gaming.
11. No, I only offer pictures of Rel from those wild pre-Gameday parties.
12. That would be a very long list. I am currently in a D&D game, a Shadow of Yesterday Game, a Cinematic Unisystem game, and am planning my next Gameday game.
13. I have been roleplaying with others since I arrived at my last high school in my Junior year in 1995. The foundation for this started since I could daydream, most of my 29 years. I think everything in my life leads to who I am, so yes, it will influence my decisions.
14. I love messing around with systems and seeing what changes do to them. I've been doing this since I played in a homebrew LARP on my college campus. I think that anytime a group puts together an effort to create a unpublished setting is doing the same thing, at least at a basic level. I think that being cognizant of how things work and the ramifications to tweaking or deleting rules is a requirement for being able to guess how they work without actually playing them.
15. I think a codified set of rules comes out each year based on what that group is like. I can't imagine making rules that would survive year to year when they're only used once in that year and by different people each time.
16. Yes. I applaud Denise's efforts, I doubt I would have followed through with this without seeing her threads in the Forge and Story Games as I consider myself a straddler. I don't have any illusions that if the voting base comes primarily from one demographic that it will affect the voting outcomes. But, I'm hoping to be the voice for people like me, who go to ENWorld, the Forge and other sites because they value more than one opinion or point of view.
17. It's already happened. Do I agree with it? Sure, it helps to not have to point people to a thread but to an actual website. It presents a level of organization, and with that. another iota of respect.
18. Gosh, I'm not the best at guessing what ENWorld would do if they had to go to another place to vote. I'm hoping that we're all web-friendly enough to go where the links lead us.

 

[Drew]

Hey, I'm late to the party.

1. How do you think price factors when evaluating a product?

Price can occasionally tip things in one direction or another. It might cause me to give slightly lower ratings to a product if its overpriced compared to similar products. On the other hand, I might be willing to overlook some flaws if a particular product is really affordable. Its probably the least important factor.

2. Do you have a favourite system, or particular dislike of one? Why? How will this affect your ability to judge products?

Not really. Like a lot of gamers, I'm most familiar with d20. I've been running 3E D&D since it came out. However, I really like reading and reviewing unique systems as well, especially obscure and small publisher stuff. I also have a thing for clever d20 variants. And I like old-school D&D (1E) and nostalgic D&D (C&C). So, uh, I guess not.

3. How do you feel about PDFs? Inherent advantages and/or disadvantages?

I review a lot of PDFs, and I actually bought a laptop specifically so I could bring them to the table. Its nice to be able to quickly search for what you need. And, in a lot of cases, I only print out the section relevant to the adventure or encounter.

On the other hand, there's something special to holding a real, solid book. And some products, especially really impressive looking books or boxed sets with lots of extras, the book is just more usefull.

4. Mutant or troll?

The troll is my favorite D&D monster. Actually, the troll in plate armor with a greatsword is my favorite D&D monster.

5. mechanics or concepts? if you find too many errors in mechanics or in the writing will you fault the submission?

Absolutely. To be perfectly frank, though, the rules errors have to be fairly blatant to really make me dock a product's standing. Errors like incorrect skill modifiers in monster stat blocks have less impact than major rules gaffs. Also, a really neat concept can sometime outshine rules errors. If a book is filled with inspirational ideas, I'd be less critical of rules shortcomings.

That said, I think that ENnies should only be awarded to really stellar products. That includes concepts and mechanics.

6. 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...)

My wife is very, very supportive. I spend my free time reading and reviewing RPG books. Being an ENnie judge won't be that much of a lifestyle change for me. If anything, it will make me feel more productive.

7. what are you gonna do with your stuff when all is done?

Um...as bribes incentives for the voters? I'm sure I'll keep my favorites and give a bunch to interested gamers in and out of my circle of friends. My wife and I have been talking about donating some of our spare rulebooks to active military, so I think it would be cool to do that with some of the product.

8. 4e - Now, Soon, Later, or Never?

Ask me in ten years. Seriously, its out of my control, so I'll just roll with it when it comes. I'd hate to see the OGL market go away. Whatever your feelings regarding its impact on the market, some real gems have come out of OGL and d20.

9. Which is your favorite Beatle?

I was a classic rock radio program director for 7 years. My answer would require way too much detail. The short version: Pink Floyd.

10. 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?

Minis are more important as long as they continue to make money for WotC. The more minis they sell, the more cool D&D books we all get.

In my own campaign, I use a little E-Tools, Campaign Cartographer, NPC Generator, and TableSmith. I like software, especially since I use my laptop at the table. The game certainly works fine without it, but anything to make the DM's life easier is a good thing in my book.

11. Are any of you offering cash incentives, beer, and/or incriminating photographs of Morrus in return for my vote?

If you vote for me, I'll grant you a permanent +2 bonus to any stat of your choice.

12. What game(s) are you playing in now / have played in in the past year?

Everyone seems to have moved away, so my regular D&D campaign (which dates back to 1999 or so) is only semi-active. Other than that, I've played M&M, C&C, Eberron, and a little Shadowrun in the last year. I've also run playtests of a whole lot of games.

13. How long have you been gaming? Does that affect the perspective you will be bringing to the judging table?

Since I was seven...so, uh, 20 years. My experience certainly has an affect on my perspective, but only in the way that experience affects everyone. There are people that have been gaming way longer than me, and some that are relatively new. I try to look at product for what it is when I review it. Just because I'm not a big sci-fi fan, for example, doesn't mean that I can't recognize a well written sci-fi book.

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'm constantly tweaking rules and supplements. My homebrew D&D world has been a big collaborative effort between me and the various players that have adventured there...its about eight years old and growing. At any given time, I'm always working on something. When I'm at work, I occupy my time with house rules, system tweaks, campaign ideas...its really bordering on obsession.

Does my endless dissection of rules help me as a potential judge? Maybe my efficiency. There is a lot more to a gaming book than mechanics, however, and I appreciate the need to really delve into and try out a product. But yeah, I do feel like I've been practicing for this gig the last ten years or so.

15. 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 think that it's hard to codify something like a gaming product into a set of points. Games are collections of rules, but they are also works of creativity. A list of evaluation rules are a good start for separating the good from the bad, but beyond that, how one decides the difference between a good product and a great product can often be fairly abstract. If two adventures are technically sound, have great art, and contain interesting plots, how do you choose which is better?

The answer probably comes down to which you simply like more, for whatever reason. By giving Judges the freedom to set their own standards, we allow them the flexibility to give a more accurate assessment of a given product's value to the average gamer.

16. 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?

Perhaps. I think that its fair to point out the vast majority of gamers are d20 gamers, so any large cross section of our hobby is likely to have a d20 bias. That said, I think most long time players have dabbled in a lot of different games. I cut my teeth on Top Secret and AD&D 2E. For years after that, I played a heck of a lot of Rolemaster and Middle Earth Roleplaying. Do I like d20? Sure, when its good.

Do I have an unfair d20 bias? Only from the perspective that I might not feel comfortable assessing a product for a game system I've never played.

17. Do you think that the ENnies should move everything over to their own, independant website (which they already have), to have all aspects of the ENnies in 1 single central location? Why or why not?

Yes. As the ENnies grow and evolve, its important that they gain their own identity. Its also convenient to have everything located in one spot.

18. Do you think moving the ENnies off EN World would cause a drop in the overall number of voters?

I think that completely divorcing the ENnies from EN World would be a poor move, yes. EN World sees a lot of traffic, and it would be foolish to stop using that resource. That said, I'd like to see the ENnies branch out to include gamers from all over the online community and beyond. I hope that, as time goes on, the awards continue to grow in scope and status.

 

[Keeper of Secrets]

1. How do you think price factors when evaluating a product?

Price is something I would reference, certainly. However, one of the problems with evaluating price (other than 'is it worth it') is, well, a good product is a good product. Price is important but hardly factors in when evaluating a product on its merits.


2. Do you have a favourite system, or particular dislike of one? Why? How will this affect your ability to judge products?

I have systems I prefer but it has more to do with settings. I believe that any product can be used depending on the tastes of the group.


3. How do you feel about PDFs? Inherent advantages and/or disadvantages?

PDFs are great! It is the democritization of the gaming industry. Anyone's voice can be heard with pdfs!

4. Mutant or troll?

Mutant, of course!

5. mechanics or concepts? if you find too many errors in mechanics or in the writing will you fault the submission?

No. It would take numerous erros for me to fault something. Typos vs misunderstands on the part of the writer have to be considered, too.


6. 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...)

No. My job is extremely flexible with my gaming. I work with a lot of gamers.

7. what are you gonna do with your stuff when all is done?

Honestly, I had not thought about it much. Probably give it away. Or keep something if I can use it.

8. 4e - Now, Soon, Later, or Never?

Later.

9. Which is your favorite Beatle?

Ringo.

10. 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?

Minis are more important because anyone can use a mini. Not everyone can understand or use software.

11. Are any of you offering cash incentives, beer, and/or incriminating photographs of Morrus in return for my vote?

If you promise to keep it a secret I can offer incriminating photos of me!

12. What game(s) are you playing in now / have played in in the past year?

Call of Cthulhu, D&D, Mutants & Masterminds, Warhammer Fantasy, X-Crawl, d20 Modern

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 about '82 or so. It brings a perspective in the sense that I have seen a lot, know what can work and what cannot and have been around enough gaming groups to tell the difference between mass appeal and limited appeal.

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 never put together my own system - but tweaked a few that resulted in streamlining processes. I have written a published adventure and written several 'freebie' adventures so I can appreciate the work that goes into design.

15. 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?

Either, if enforced, would work. But this is an industry that revolves around personal tastes. The judging should reflect that and be the personal tastes of those judging.

16. 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?

No. I know enough people around here who love d20 but are hardly biased towards it. Though, basic familiarity with a broad variety of products is, in my opinion, preferred.

17. Do you think that the ENnies should move everything over to their own, independant website (which they already have), to have all aspects of the ENnies in 1 single central location? Why or why not?

Sounds good to me. It creates an air of independance.

18. Do you think moving the ENnies off EN World would cause a drop in the overall number of voters?

Most likely. Keeping it here makes for a nice pool of voters.

 

[Drew]

More

How do you personally evaluate flavor text?

I subject all flavor text to a test. I imagine reading it to a table full of gamers. If I see their imaginary eyes gloss over, the text fails the test.

That means it must be evocative without being cheesy, descriptive without being wordy, and grammatically sound without being too hard to read. I'm interested in stuff that inspires me to game, not to purchase the author's latest fan fiction.

How do you plan to evaluate writing when applied to game mechanics?

Clarity is the most important factor in writing when it comes to game mechanics.

When evaluating writing, how will you approach products with a very high percentage of mechanics compared to products with a very small percentage of game mechanics?

Products will be evaluated on their own merits, based on the intended goals of the designers and how well those goals are met.

When evaluating writing, how will word count factor in? How will you compare a 20 page PDF to a 400+ hardcover book?

Fortunately, the kind of books that can be really well done in 20 pages are seldom the kind of books that require 400. If weighing two books of vastly different lengths against one another, I'd assess each on how well it stands on its own merits.

What is your opinion on materials produced for OOP games?

I own a handful of such products. Some of these materials seem to be real labors of love, and I think that its great to see grass roots support done not for profit but for love of the game.

How would you evaluate material for systems in which you have zero experience? What if any of those systems are highly complex? That is, the rulebooks are very dense and there may be many supplements. This can be the case for games with a long history, as in 15+ years.

I'd first focus on the system neutral aspects of the book in question. Things like setting, flavor text, art, layout, and originality are easy to assess regardless of the system. I'm a pretty quick study when it comes to new games, so next I'd try to learn at least the basic mechanics of the system and test the rules myself. Finally, no judge should exist in a vacuum. If a book was completely outside the scope of my knowledge and experience, I'd find out the opinions of the game system's diehard fans. My final decision would be my own, but I'd be foolish not to listen to the thoughts and ideas of people who had devoted years to a game or system.

If you do not like a particular system, how will you evaluate supplements/adventures/whatever submitted for that system?

I think that its entirely possible to factor in one's personal bias when evaluating a product. I don't particularly care for West End Game's Star Wars system, for example. That doesn't mean I can't see the appeal of that system to gamers trying to achieve a certain type of gaming experience. Just because something doesn't appeal to my exact tastes doesn't mean it isn't well designed.

Do you think there can be a good adventure for a bad system?

Of course. Just as there can be a bad adventure for a good system. An adventure, or any other book, can rise above its system by excelling in writing, innovation, and other areas. Its a truly great product that can build awesome ideas upon a flawed base.

What barriers are you anticipating in play testing submissions? Are you thinking ahead to come up with contingencies?

I don't know that one can reasonably expect to playtest hundreds and hundreds of gaming products. A good judge knows when and what to playtest, and how to best manage their time and resources. I think that my experience as a reviewer has taught me how to do this fairly efficienctly.

What do you consider your strong point(s) as a judge? Weak point(s)?

I'm a strong writer with good public speaking skills and a lot of passion for gaming. I really believe in the ENnies and all that they represent. I've been watching from the sidelines for a long time, and I'm eager to throw my hat in the ring and devote my time and effort to doing the job right.

My organization skills are lacking, however, which is my biggest weakness. I've never undertaken something so big, and I know its going to be a challenge sorting through all this product. However, this is a challenge I'm looking forward to facing. If selected, the ENnies will be a real labor of love for me.

What one characteristic as a judge do you bring to the table that differentiates you from the other potential judges?

I'm a chubby white guy with a beard...wait. This is a pretty tough question. While there are certainly differences, a lot of the judges come from similar backgrounds. I've been a part of EN World since its inception, but I lack the strong ties of a Crothian or PirateCat. I don't bring a new gender perspective like the women bravely stepping up to take a shot. Heck, I'm not even Canadian.

What I am is a talented writer and gaming enthusiast with a real desire to become an ENnie Judge. I watched the first ENnies from the back row of GenCon. I remember thinking to myself, “I could really be a part of all of this.” If selected, I'll give the job every once of energy and devotion I have.

What cultural interests do you have outside of gaming (i.e reading, comics, parenting, scuba diving, anything), that make you a better judge and why?

Does a brown belt in Okinawan karate intimidate anyone into voting for me?

How important a factor is artwork (cover, illustrations, cartography) in your overall impression of judging products?

Art, like any other individual aspect of a book, is a piece of the whole. An ENnie winning product should have good art in addition to good writing, sound mechanics, etc. When art is good, it helps convey a book's overall feeling.

I would like to know if any of the candidates have done paid games industry work, ever.

I wrote a single monster that appeared in Strange Lands: Lost Tribes of the Scarred Lands.

What prompted you to consider being a judge for the ENnies?

As I said above, I was in the audience for the very first ENnies at GenCon. I remember that the trophies weren't even finished. The whole thing had a nice, almost family atmosphere to it. Sitting there in the back row, I felt really proud. Over the years, I've been something of a quite observer as the awards have grown and evolved. That first ENnies really sparked something in me. I very much want to be a part of what I see as one of the best things in gaming. I feel that I'd make a good judge, and I want to do my part to help support the hobby I love.

Would statements by those "in the industry" affect your opinions on a product?

Not any more so than the statements of other knowledgeable gamers affect my opinions.

 

[Treebore]

Now here are my answers to questions on the Forge.

1. How long have you been roleplaying? Have you ever stopped roleplaying altogether for any significant period of time? If so, why?

I have been playing since May of 1985. The longest break I ever took from gaming was 8 months, due to simple burn out and wanting to focus on other things.

2. What keeps you coming back to the roleplaying hobby?

The fun, the creativity, and that I usually like people who like RPG's more often than people in other "groupings".

3. Using your best guess, what roleplaying game have you played the most? What about that game has kept your interest over the years? Are you still playing that game?

No guess to it. D&D, every edition. Plus now C&C, which I consider to be an "alternate 3E" that I like much better. Why has it kept my interest? My favorite genre in which anything can happen, so the ideas are endless. I still play the C&C version of it.

4. What do you think of White Wolf's decision to reboot the World of Darkness?

I don't know. I only followed White Wolf because of Engel and their affiliation with Arthaus and Necromancer Games.

5. How do you feel about Mongoose Publishing's habit of rewriting and relaunching old games (Paranoia, Rune Quest and so on)?

I feel it is a great thing. Paranoia will always have a special place in the sick and twisted part of my heart. Runequest I am not so hot on. I am excited about Lahkmar and I do like their incarnation of Glorantha. Other than that I am really not into any of the other stuff Mongoose does. I may pick up the Conan and Slaine stuff someday, but I am in no hurry to do so right now.

But I am glad they are doing it, keeping the old stuff updated and in the RPG public eye, even if just a corner of it.

6. Many creator owned (Indy) game designers have a hard time affording anything but a bit of art. Part of your requirement is to judge a games presentation. This seems to limit the ability of many Indy designers to compete on a level scale with large game companies. Do you feel it's fair to judge a game on it's presentation?

Yes. But presentation is more an issue of clear layout that makes for easy reading and finding key rules quickly than art or being full color.

7. Many creator owned game designers have a difficult time being able to afford the cost of giving away free books to enter a competition like the Ennies. They aren't able to use the same markets of scale to justify the cost. Giving away PDF's can potentially bite into the profits of a small creators book sales, if those PDF's aren't guarded with care. If a creator
owned game were supplied to you as a neatly arrayed text only file how would you judge it? Do you think that's not a good question, because someone should feel safe putting their potential profits in your hands, or do you think that eating the costs of free books is part of the game for entering the Ennies?

Speaking from the perspective of a small business owner, if you want to compete with the big guys your going to have to sink money into it. Otherwise you don't grow your market. Then you will crash and burn sooner or later, and no one will notice.

8. What do you think should factor higher when judging a game; randomization (or lack of randomization) mechanics, setting, presentation and art, theme, addressing specific styles of play, or a grabby situation?

I think Mechanics and Presentation are the biggest factors. As for personal use those are the only factors I am concerned about. If it is also a good setting idea, well executed, great. Art is nice. Qin blew me away when I first looked through it at GenCon. Its the first product that I almost bought just because of how awesome the art is. I didn't buy it though. I successfully resisted because I wanted, and want, to wait until I find out how the mechanics are and how well the material is written. If I like what I see and/or hear, I'll buy it.

But if I am a judge I am hoping that the products we are given to review are so awesome that we will have to use such factors to whittle the list down to 5 for each category. However, when I am whittling down my list the Mechanics and Presentation are going to be my key criteria. Only if there are two or more products too close to call will I start to use
other criteria to decide.

Unfortunately, in a competitive environment like this, such decision may have to come down to such criteria. Assuming there is a lot of top notch competition submitted, which I hope will be the case.

Is that fair to small budget Indies? No. As I understand the ENnies, that is how I will have to judge it. If the Mechanics and Presentation are very well done, it will have a good chance to get nominated by me, though. It would definitely have to be exceptional.

 

[Beckett]

Catching up on some questions here:

How do you personally evaluate flavor text?

Is it entertaining? Is it accessible (if it's loaded with too much jargon and setting specific terms, it's not going to be readable). Does it give a good picture of the setting? Can the game mechanics be used to replicate what happens in the text?

How do you plan to evalute writing when applied to game mechanics?
How clear is it? Are there errors? How many and how severe? How much work do they require (difference betwen roll a die and add this and something requiring multiple math steps and consulting charts)? Is it unnecessarily complex? Are there examples?

When evaluating writing, how will you approach products with a very high percentage of mechanics compared to products with a very small percentage of game mechanics?
The product should be evaluated based on what it sets out to do. If I'm looking at a setting book, I'm not going to ding it because it doesn't have much in the way of mechanics; I'm going to judge it on how well it covers that setting.

When evaluating writing, how will word count factor in? How will you compare a 20 page PDF to a 400+ hardcover book?

Again, I'll be evaluating on how well the book does what it's trying to do. If 20 pages is enough to cover the author's topic, then it would seem 20 pages is long enough. If the 400 page book is mostly filler and big fonts, then it's going to lose points for not making good use of space.

 

[Keeper of Secrets]

1. How long have you been roleplaying? Have you ever stopped roleplaying altogether for any significant period of time? If so, why?

I would say the only time I stopped role playing regularly was when I was in graduate school. That was a two year period where I did not really get out much because of school. However, as fate would have it, I was living in Milwaukee (about 10 blocks from the MECCA Center and attended GenCon three years in a row).

2. What keeps you coming back to the roleplaying hobby?

I like the entertainment, the interaction and the quality time spent with friends.

3. Using your best guess, what roleplaying game have you played the most? What about that game has kept your interest over the years? Are you still playing that game?

Pure numbers is probably D&D. However, I have been playing in a supers campaign weekly since the early 90's (except for the graduate school period). 17 years of the same campaign world is pretty good, I'd say. Though we would switch systems a lot.

4. What do you think of White Wolf's decision to reboot the World of Darkness?

Honestly, I think it is pretty clever. There comes a time when the status quo becomes stale. I think the World of Darkness was getting unwieldy and needed a reboot to clean up some of the continuity errors.

5. How do you feel about Mongoose Publishing's habit of rewriting and relaunching old games (Paranoia, Rune Quest and so on)?

Its wonderful. Mongoose seems to capture the spirit of the original intent of the authors. I did a review for Paranoia when it was relaunched and I got the honor of interviewing all the original writers from the 80's. They really felt that Mongoose had done the product right and were very pleased with the results.

6. Many creator owned (Indy) game designers have a hard time affording anything but a bit of art. Part of your requirement is to judge a games presentation. This seems to limit the ability of many Indy designers to compete on a level scale with large game companies. Do you feel it's fair to judge a game on it's presentation?

In a way. There is a difference between art that was done 'affordably' and art that is just plain bad and not matching the theme.

7. Many creator owned game designers have a difficult time being able to afford the cost of giving away free books to enter a competition like the Ennies. They aren't able to use the same markets of scale to justify the cost. Giving away PDF's can potentially bite into the profits of a small creators book sales, if those PDF's aren't guarded with care. If a creator
owned game were supplied to you as a neatly arrayed text only file how would you judge it? Do you think that's not a good question, because someone should feel safe putting their potential profits in your hands, or do you think that eating the costs of free books is part of the game for entering the Ennies?

Good question. I think that in all fairness those who wish to be considered for an award have a certain amount of obligation to supply the committee with a product to review. If the company feels it cannot afford to give one away for judicial review then they have a few options - they could send photocopies of the product (thus greatly reducing the risk of illegal pdfs), or rely on the nondisclosure agreements judges sign, or simply not participate.

8. What do you think should factor higher when judging a game; randomization (or lack of randomization) mechanics, setting, presentation and art, theme, addressing specific styles of play, or a grabby situation?

Mechanics is certainly important. If the system or product is 'broken' then its usefulness is reduced. But flavor plays a major role in the product, as well. For instance, a product that that has numerous errors could likely be gleaned over if the theme of the product was dead on to what the writers wanted to do.

Truthfully, I do not think someone can judge a product on just one aspect. Its not fair. I think the 'totality of the circumstances' is the best way to look at a product.

 

[C.W.Richeson]

For those who are interested (especially judge nominees) I wanted to point out that another Q+A thread has popped up over at Story Games.

Take a look: http://www.story-games.com/forums/comments.php?DiscussionID=2391&page=1

 

[Beckett]

And some more questions in this thread:

What is your opinion on materials produced for OOP games?

It's game material. Whether or not anything is being produced for the game is not relevant to the quality of the product. And it can be nice to see support for old favorites.

How would you evaluate material for systems in which you have zero experience? What if any of those systems are highly complex? That is, the rulebooks are very dense and there may be many supplements. This can be the case for games with a long history, as in 15+ years.

I'd see how well I could evaluate the item on its own strengths and then I'd ask for help. I'd look online for people who can summarize the system enough so that I can make sense of the item, whether on message boards or the other judges.

If you do not like a particular system, how will you evaluate supplements/adventures/whatever submitted for that system? Do you think there can be a good adventure for a bad system?

I'll try not to let my own bias get in the way. I'll keep in mind that just as there are bad supplements for games I like, there can be good supplements for game I don't care for.

Adventures I think will be easier to deal with. I don't recall a single adventure that is solidly tied to a single system. It's easier to cut away the mechanics there and see if the adventure works on its own.

What barriers are you anticipating in play testing submissions? Are you thinking ahead to come up with contingencies?

I don't think it will be possible to play test everything. I will probably draft my group into helping on our regular game night, and other times I'll grab my wife and anyone available. Anything I can't playtest, I'll work through with on my own, creating characters, running examples, and playing with the mechanics.

What do you consider your strong point(s) as a judge? Weak point(s)?

I'm organized and very passionate about gaming. I'm a fast and critical leader. I have a very supportive wife who should help me keep my head on straight.

Weak points? I suppose a lack of a reviewer background might hurt; I can look at something and decide why I do or don't like it, but I've never had to formally lay out my reasoning.

What one characteristic as a judge do you bring to the table that differentiates you from the other potential judges?

I'm a white, male, geek. Oh, wait... It seems that those of us who want to be judges have an awful lot in common. What differentiates me from the pack is my dedication and ability to commit myself to time-consuming projects without having the other parts of my life fall apart. An example would be in college, where I'd regularly spend 30+ hours working on a show, while working and maintaining a spot on the Dean's List.

What cultural interests do you have outside of gaming (i.e reading, comics, parenting, scuba diving, anything), that make you a better judge and why?

I read a great deal, fantasy and historical books. I have a fondness for board games, and play several video games. I've recently gotten back into miniature painting. All of these broden my perspective, and give me places to escape to when I need a break from reviewing.

How important a factor is artwork (cover, illustrations, cartography) in your overall impression of judging products?

You can't judge a book by its cover, but it does make a first impression. Besides the categories devoted to artwork, its not going to be the main thing I look at. But, it is a part of the product for overall impression. Good artwork can help draw the reader in and enhance the item; bad artwork can do the opposite.

 

[fusangite]

What is your opinion on materials produced for OOP games?
Given that some of my favourite games fall into this category, I am, if anything especially friendly to such materials. I think for us soon-to-be middle-aged gamers, nostalgia is a big part of the gaming experience.

How would you evaluate material for systems in which you have zero experience?
As I mentioned in some of my earlier answers, imagination, in very practical terms, is the most important attribute a judge can have. Fortunately, if the panel looks anything like last year’s we will have a collegial group of judges who will comprise a huge collective knowledge pool. I would probably turn first to my very experienced group of fellow gamers in Vancouver and Toronto to speak with someone who is used to the system (and hopefully borrow their core rules books) in question to help me get the hang of it.

But let me be blunt: here is what I will not do: (a) make uninformed guesses (b) make additional purchases.

What if any of those systems are highly complex?
Well, then I will have to work a bit harder.

That is, the rulebooks are very dense and there may be many supplements. This can be the case for games with a long history, as in 15+ years.
Games with a long history are usually successful because they have a solid, relatively stable core of concepts and mechanics. I think immediately of Call of Cthulhu.

If you do not like a particular system, how will you evaluate supplements/adventures/whatever submitted for that system?
It would depend on why I did not like the system. If a system was simply not to my tastes (e.g. had a lot of mechanics whereby players interacted with story unmediated by their characters), I would put aside my own personal gaming tastes and evaluate how well the product served the needs, preferences and priorities of people who have these different tastes. However, if a system was just a fundamentally broken or bad system, I would evaluate the product based, in part, on whether it was able to rise above the poor system or, better still, incorporate some local fixed for the problems of the system.

Do you think there can be a good adventure for a bad system?
Yes. I have played them. Let’s face it: AD&D, the first game for many of us, is not, by present-day criteria, a good system. It was baroque, inconsistent and almost never fully adhered-to by its DMs and yet, most of my memories of great experiences with published adventures are of that game.

What barriers are you anticipating in play testing submissions? Are you thinking ahead to come up with contingencies?
I think you are underestimating just how many submissions judges receive. It is impossible to systematically play test the products submitted. Now, that’s not to say I will not play test some of them but I think any judge candidate who claims he or she is going to have a chance to play test everything probably has not had the experience of either being or, as in my case, being the roommate of, an ENnies judge. I hope to play test the candidates for “best rules” and “best game” but outside of those categories, the vast majority of products will be untested.

What do you consider your strong point(s) as a judge?
I would say my top four strong points as a judge are as follows:
(a) Comparatively, I do not have much in the way of ties to the gaming industry as either a designer or as a consumer. I do a lot of gaming but it has been a long time since I was a big buyer of setting books, adventures, etc. I think that it is important to have at least one judge who can bring a fresh eye to the bewildering world of today’s gaming market and ask some of the questions that occur to people when they take a fresh look at something. Also, I think this means that I will not be bringing any preconceptions about designers either from personal interactions or from
(b) Over the past 20 years since my favourite system went out of print, I have worked with a few fellow GMs to create home brewed game systems and other materials that I think stand up well to many of the products in the marketplace today. As a result, I think I have a pretty good handle on the process of designing systems; also, because I play test these new systems with my gaming group, I have a lot of experience thinking through and foreseeing possible flaws in a system and correcting them quickly. I think this also gives me a unique and useful perspective in knowing what elements of game systems and documentation are essential and which are flashy things put into a product to attract consumers at first glance.
(c) Probably more so than any other judge candidate, I have extensive experience serving on the boards of non-profit organizations. Most recently, I have served on the board of a major non-profit advocacy group tasked with evaluating a series of voting systems to assist a government commission studying them. So I have recent and germane experience of how to work with a panel of people with differing opinions to evaluate collectively a set of real-world game systems. My experience as a chairperson, minute-taker and facilitator at dozens of meetings both in person and online in a variety of organizations I think uniquely situates me to continue the process I have been working on as an ENnies volunteer for the past two years: that of making the awards process more transparent, professional, open and systematic.
(d) Imagination… not really much to say here: as I have said in some earlier answers, I think imagination is the most important attribute in a judge. I consider myself to be a pretty imaginative guy, enabling me to put myself in the shoes of players and GMs who have different priorities, tastes and play styles than my own.

Weak point(s)?
Obviously, a number of my strengths cut both ways. Not having too many ties to the industry may give me a fresh perspective but it will also mean that I will be spending more time than many other judges getting caught up on developments and standards that have developed in the industry. Similarly, my tendency to create small compact systems for home use may hurt me when it comes to big crunchy new systems because obviously, my own thinking about design has diverged from these designers’ thought and it will take some extra effort to get into that head space.

What one characteristic as a judge do you bring to the table that differentiates you from the other potential judges?
I think that my unique perspectives on what system means and the idiosyncratic ways that I have theorized about game design (and been able, as a result, to create some unique and enjoyable experiences for my players) are just that. For instance, having helped to develop a unique school of gaming, metatextual gaming (which I use for about 1/3 of the games I run), which I explain in this thread: http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=68315, I think that I do bring sophisticated, unique and original ideas and ways of thinking to the table.

What cultural interests do you have outside of gaming (i.e reading, comics, parenting, scuba diving, anything), that make you a better judge and why?
A few things come to mind:
(a) As I said above, my non-profit experience and governance advocacy work make me a strong candidate for a judge spot.
(b) I also think that my professional work as a marker of undergraduate essays means that I already have a disciplined, systematic and thorough routine of checking and evaluating written material.
(c) I’m also a really good party host. Actually that doesn’t relate to the ENnies at all except that I pledge, if elected, to host my own hospitality suite for Gen Con this year.

How important a factor is artwork (cover, illustrations, cartography) in your overall impression of judging products?
I will have to work hard to remind myself that this is an important part of the product on which I am required to render an opinion. Frankly, I tend not to notice visual things much, either in real life or in gaming.