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Message: <blockquote data-quote="zacharythefirst" data-source="post: 4394796" data-attributes="member: 30941">Over on RPGnet, some of the judges have started listing their Q&A answers.  I'd like to do that here as well.  I've strove to be as open and as communicative as a judge can in the past year through my online threads and my blog, and hope you will honor me with the chance to do the same for one more year:Introduction:I've been gaming since 1993, although the games I played early on tended to be those from the 80s. I started out with Palladium Fantasy (1e), and soon branched out to many different titles, playing in memorable sessions of TMNT, Rules Cyclopedia D&D, Traveller, Ghostbusters, Rifts, FASERIP, and more. Since then, favorites of mine have included d20 (various incarnations), Truth & Justice, Rolemaster, Two-Fisted Tales, Roma Imperious, Iron Gauntlets, Burning Wheel, Don’t Rest Your Head, Delta Green, and many more. To me, the true mark of success for a RPG product is not how pretty it may look, or how many shelves it sits on, but rather how much inspiration and enjoyment it brings to gaming tables.If elected to a 2nd judgeship, I will be honored by the responsibility with which you've entrusted me. Again as I did all this year, I will make my evaluation and selection process as open, public, and visible as possible, explaining the whys and wherefore of the process as much as I can. I hold no agenda other than that of quality, and do not care who made a product, so long as it is a great product that encourages and/or assists in a fun session or campaign of top-notch gaming. A judge owes those who elected him and those whose products he is evaluating the full and thorough discharge of his duties, and I’ll work as hard as I can to give every product the best look regardless of company, system, or genre.1. When did you join the RPG hobby and what inspired you to become involved and stay with it?I began playing RPGs in 1993 (a meteorite fell on my character in the first 5 minutes; you have to love those junior high games!), and even with a rough first few sessions, I fell in love with gaming immediately. The only inspiration I needed to stick with it through the years were the feelings I had when I gamed—those of worlds of endless possibility, excitement, and adventure. That, and hanging out with good friends (and new ones)—what could be better?2. Since you joined the hobby, what roles have you played (e.g. vending, professional writing and publishing, freelancing, reviewing, convention organizing, homebrewing, playing, GMing, etc.)?I think most gamers try at some point to write for themselves, their group, or the hobby; my contribution on that level has been as a Rifter contributor and supplier of various homebrew works. I also cover Gen Con Indy as “press” yearly and love every minute of it! In addition, I review RPG products for a variety of websites, but that would all be moot if it weren’t for the dual roles I have and love as heavy-duty player and GM.I was also a judge for the ENnies this past year—this will be my 2nd and final run for the job.3. The ENnies require a major commitment of time and mental energy. What resources do you bring that will help you discharge these responsibilities? Will your gaming group or other individuals be assisting you? Does your family support you?I am a night owl, and that gives me free time in which to review and evaluate plenty of gaming material. When fitting, I have a pair of fantastic gaming groups to assist me, one that has plenty of diverse gaming experience, an eagerness to try out new material, and a rather unique collective sense of humor to boot. Above all, I have the desire to make the judging process as open, direct, and public as I am allowed and able.My family does support me—I like to think they keep me sane.4. Judging requires a great deal of critical thinking skills, communication with other judges, deadline management, organization, and storage space for the product received. What interests, experience and skills do you bring that will make you a more effective judge?My other hobbies include art, writing, reading, and history. All of these areas can be pretty directly (and indirectly) useful in judging gaming products.I’m also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, a vocation that saw me placed around the world in situations requiring integrity, flexibility, dedication, understanding, and an appreciation both of beautiful simplicity and useful innovation. I also (as some of my fellow judge colleagues can attest to) love discussing games, and am very task-oriented and organized when it comes to projects.5. 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”?I really have no one RPG style or genre I value highly above any others (I really am all over the map as far as what I play!), but I do admire various features in many diverse RPGs. I love the carefully-considered mechanics of Burning Wheel. I love the build and widespread appeal/availability of d20/D&D 3.5/Pathfinder. I love the sheer, unabashed enthusiasm of Rifts. I love the red-eyed, caffeine-fueled harsh neon buzz of Don’t Rest Your Head. I love the awesome attitude and surprising range of Risus. I love those Rolemaster crit tables. I love the mutant creation tables in TMNT. I love of the freaky-cool vibe of Lacuna. I love what Traveller simply is and can be. I love the maps from MERP. I love the troupe play and writing from In Harm’s Way. I love the intrigue and careful, clever maneuvering Amber encourages. I love Delta Green, period. I love the pure fact people would take time to create a game in the first place and put so much investment and enthusiasm into it. Seriously, what an amazing hobby!The only games I really dislike are a) those that do not inspire, and b) those that are flat-out unplayable. I also dislike any game that attempts to denigrate another form of roleplaying, or takes a holier-than-thou attitude.I love too many different RPGs to be the fan of just one company exclusively. Consider me a “fanboy-at-large”.6. What system do you think is best designed? Is it the one you play most?I’m still a tremendous fan of Burning Wheel’s subsystems, which is actually several very distinct systems combining to make a tremendous game. For rules-light, beer n’ pretzels gaming, I think the flexibility and attitude of Risus make it a sublime choice. I’m also a big fan of Atomic Sock Monkey’s PDQ system, which has a universal quality and structure that makes it so robust there’s not a lot I can’t think of using it for. All those systems do get face time at my gaming table.7. What games have you played in the past year? List up to 10 RPGs you have played the most.As an ENnies judge, I have played dozens upon dozens of different games this past year. The 10 games that I’ve likely played the most would likely be (in no particular order) Rolemaster (heavily houseruled), D&D 3.5/Pathfinder, Risus, Truth & Justice, Palladium Fantasy, Rules Cyclopedia D&D, True 20 (Freeport & Roma Imperious), Burning Wheel, Classic Traveller, and Lacuna. Other games I’ve recently played include (but aren’t limited to) Two-Fisted Tales, Don’t Rest Your Head, A+ Fantasy, Breaking The Ice, D&D 4e (demo), Epic RPG, Changeling, Thousand Suns, T20 Traveller, Aces & Eights, The Princes’ Kingdom, and Rifts.8. Briefly summarize the criteria you will use for judging products in the different categories. How will you deal with comparing products of vastly disparate lengths, medium (PDF vs. print), or mechanics to prose ratios? Will innovation and originality play a major role?First, I would like to reiterate my rolling campaign pledge of making this judging and evaluation as open as possible, if you do me the honor of electing me to this awesome responsibility.The length or size of a book or product does not necessarily denote quality or value. Each product, regardless of length, will be evaluated on organization, focus, overall substance and style, and if it inspires/enhances the roleplaying experience.Aesthetics do play a role (obviously much more in certain categories than others), but are not always the final determination of a product’s quality. Obviously, when they affect a product’s usability, that factors in much more.Regarding pdf vs. print, the book should be easy to read and follow, regardless of medium. Aside from that, both pdf and print products should be judged on actual content and quality, not preferred medium.Mechanics-to-prose is a case-by-case basis. If a book achieves its intended goal through whatever mechanics/prose ratio it may have, that’s far more important to me than any abstract number or formula. Innovation and originality are fantastic, valuable aspects to any product, so long as they improve that product. Being different just to be different without enhancing the quality of product carries little weight with me.What goes into evaluating any game product is a long, involved, considerate list, but you might boil it down to “does it bring the awesome?”9. How will you judge supplements or adventures for game systems whose core rules you are unfamiliar with or you believe are badly designed? What about for systems that are out of print?First, let me say I have been very blessed to be able to play a wide range of systems over the past few years, so I am very much hoping this maximizes the number of products I am able to evaluate with immediate or quick familiarity system-wise.Aside from that, I pledge to familiarize myself with as many different systems as I can for this competition. And for those times I may not know the system or not personally care for it, I think I have to really step back and look at the overall product for what it is and what it offers. Descriptions, usability, flow of text and prose—a judge needs to be willing to ask for help when need be and work like crazy to make sure each submitted product gets the best possible look. These individuals and publishers entrusted us with a copy of their work for full evaluation—we need to honor that trust.10. How would you like to see the ENnies change (categories, policies, etc)? What should remain inviolate?I have three main changes: First, I would look at a more formalizing of the Lifetime Achievment award that Gary Gygax and Erick Wujcik have received. We have so many truly deserving, legendary folks in this hobby—it is right & proper to honor them as we can for the joy they’ve brought us.Second, I think the awards needs to continue to looking at the submissions process, ensuring it is as fair and accessible to all publishers/entrants as possible.That said, I think my biggest push is for a culture of honesty, transparency, and communication on the awards—both to publishers and fans. I think the awards have made steps towards that, but need judges who are willing to discuss, garner interest/buzz, and generally drive up interest in the awards in general.BONUS: (optional) If you were an RPG, what would it be, and would you play it?I believe I would be someone's old homebrew system. A couple of really good ideas surrounded by a lot of baggage and tacked-on bits from years past. Would I play it? Heck, yeah--I'm always up for a game!!!</blockquote>

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