Branstorming for ENnies 2003 -- improvements, changes, etc

[Khan the Warlord]

I doubt Russ'll be accepting money for any of this, but hey there's a year to toss around ideas, no idea at this point is too "out there."

Yeah, and I seriously doubt that Peter needs assistance from us on purchasing future ENnie statues.

Eric: What happened to the "Best Editor" category from last year?

 

[Ghostwind]

I like the long/short idea but we don't want to break some of the categories up too much, we barely have enough entrants in some as it is.

I don't think it is absolutely necessary to divide the categories based upon the length of the product but I think there is validity behind a designatin of pdf vs. print. Furthermore, besides bringing back the Best Editing award, you could look at some things that best reflect the use and or spirit of the OGL such as Best Open Content Product or Best Use of the OGL. I think something that sets things apart from the standard fare might have some validity...

 

[Khan the Warlord]

I would like to see a "Best Artist" and "Best Games Designer" award -- multiple works from the same author/artist accepted of course, as it shows consistency.

 

[EricNoah]

Eric: What happened to the "Best Editor" category from last year?

The judges from last year basically unanimously said that one was too hard to judge. We had no clue how to do it. I will be seeking any input on what other organizations (not just game publisher awards) use as criteria for a category like this. I sure feel like it's a legit category.

 

[Crothian]

The judges from last year basically unanimously said that one was too hard to judge. We had no clue how to do it. I will be seeking any input on what other organizations (not just game publisher awards) use as criteria for a category like this. I sure feel like it's a legit category.

The problem I think is that the best edited products are the one you don't notice. It's obvious when a product is badly edited. But when there are no mistakes, I don't sit and say "Wow, what a great editing job they did."

 

[DPGDarrin]

First off, its not that I'm biased against WotC (I do work for them, so I truly have the company's best interests at heart), but I am disappointed with this year's results. To make average D20 companies, White Wolf, and WotC play on a level playing field, in my opinion, just isn't fair. Its like those Quiznos commercials and their unfair matchups.

That said, congrats to all at Green Ronin, Malhavoc Press, and Ambient for making the cut.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Re: Legitimacy

That said, I think the Ennies should represent small companies too.

Just one writer's opinion

They do. That's why the nominations are emphasized as being important.

 

[EricNoah]

To make average D20 companies, White Wolf, and WotC play on a level playing field, in my opinion, just isn't fair.

Depends on who you think the beneficiaries are of the whole awards process. Yes, companies win awards. But this is also for the fans. Russ and I heard pretty loud and clear that fans wanted to see a contest between all of the publishers who were willing to participate, and that's what they got. Now that they've seen the results maybe over the next several months we'll hear otherwise.

If we do hear otherwise, then that's a whole different thing to deal with. How do you exclude one company? Especially when that company is why the fansite exists in the first place?

As I've mentioned earlier I think there's a way we can "all win" in a sense but I'd like to hold off until we get some more overall input. We haven't heard, for instance, from the publishers who were actually nominated this year -- maybe they liked being lumped in with WotC.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Hollowfaust seems a non-descript standard fantasy cover to me

I could not disagree more. It was the cover that blew me away when I saw it, and helped define the feel of Hollowfaust. It even let us know how the Necromancers dress (the guy in the hat at the top).

 

[ColonelHardisson]

First off, its not that I'm biased against WotC (I do work for them, so I truly have the company's best interests at heart), but I am disappointed with this year's results. To make average D20 companies, White Wolf, and WotC play on a level playing field, in my opinion, just isn't fair. Its like those Quiznos commercials and their unfair matchups.

As Eric said, what do we do? Exclude companies? How fair is that? That seems terribly arbitrary. I do understand your disappointment, but again - this is why the nominations are emphasized in importance.