ENnies 2004 - looking ahead

[Morrus]

I'm gonna do a bit of a "Dancey" here. Please don't view this as a definitive blueprint for the ENnies - I'm just throwing out some ideas. Comments are welcome, as are other suggestions.

Proposals for ENnies evolution

1. Rebranding to "Gen Con EN World RPG Awards"

Reasoning: "D20" is no longer an appropriate criteria with the increasing number of OGL-only games; "OGL" is not an appropriate criteria as it arbitrarily prevents some companies from entering.

1a. However, it is important to maintain the "level playing field" which I believe we managed to achieve this year. Companies playing by different rules will not be able to compete with each other in the same categories, unless those rules are irrelevant to that category.

1b. Probably doesn't need to be said, but the ENnies mission statement should make it clear that they are for RPG products only. Origins handles card games, board games, miniatures games etc. Another factor is that Gen Con and Origins have a good relationship, and there is no desire to compete with the Origins awards - each award system has its own place.


2. Re-organisation and clarification of categories

Reasoning: There was some confusion as to what could be entered into what category. Categories need to be very clearly defined, and some limits need to be placed on each.

3. Streamlining of voting procedure

Reasoning: The voting window was very short this year. A voting window of 3-4 weeks seems more appropriate.

4. Promotion of the ENnies

Reasoning: The ENnies need to be promoted more, especially at Gen Con. It has been suggested that Gen Con be approached re. an ENnies booth in a (reasonably) prominent position.

4a. Incentives for publishers beyond the good feeling and nice trophy? Any thoughts welcome.

4b. Promototion of ENnies beyond the D20 community. This year's Non-OGL category was a great start.

4c. Better coverage of the event itself; a good, easily accessed video of the ceremony should be available.

5. The Ceremony

This was a great year, and I have no complaints. However, I do have some ideas for future ceremonies (mainly suggestions from others) -- a) catering, b) "recreation director" to organise post-ENnies social event. Other suggestions welcome.

 

[Michael Morris]

I've done some sketches of a booth for the Ennies/EnWorld/EnPublishing, but I need to know how much space I have to work with. My Dad and my Uncle are willing to build it, the local lumber company will donate the staging area to build it in and I can truck it up to the con since I do have a CDL

 

[Pramas]

4. Promotion of the ENnies

Reasoning: The ENnies need to be promoted more, especially at Gen Con. It has been suggested that Gen Con be approached re. an ENnies booth in a (reasonably) prominent position.

4a. Incentives for publishers beyond the good feeling and nice trophy? Any thoughts welcome.

You might try asking Peter if he'd be willing to grant winning publishers bonus priority points for booth selection the following year. This would not be an immediate benefit, but it would allow award winning publishers better spots in the exhibit hall the following GenCon, hopefully raising the profile of the companies and giving them better sales and marketing.

 

[Michael Morris]

Just as long as he doesn't cash in 1/3 of the exihibit hall to Yu-Gi-Oh! I'll be happy. Anything that big should have it's own room IMO

 

[Teflon Billy]

You might try asking Peter if he'd be willing to grant winning publishers bonus priority points for booth selection the following year. This would not be an immediate benefit, but it would allow award winning publishers better spots in the exhibit hall the following GenCon, hopefully raising the profile of the companies and giving them better sales and marketing.

Now this is brilliant.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Now this is brilliant.

It would certainly make the Ennies very, very competitive.

 

[jmucchiello]

Looking ahead though, I have a concern about the categories themselves. Currently there is a focus on the products, but not on the authors themselves.

But, but, your categories don't include author categories! Shouldn't there be a best supplement and a best writer. The difference being that the first category looks at the whole supplement and second category only looks at the writing. Just like best interior artwork would only look at the interior art.

 

[d20Dwarf]

5. The Ceremony

This was a great year, and I have no complaints. However, I do have some ideas for future ceremonies (mainly suggestions from others) -- a) catering, b) "recreation director" to organise post-ENnies social event. Other suggestions welcome.

I would really like to shorten the actual ceremony a bit. My suggestion would be to limit acceptance speeches to Gold winners. I would also like to see the awards show start a bit earlier, perhaps 8pm.

If these things happen the awards will end early enough for people to go out and enjoy their Friday night no matter what plans they might have.

 

[Nikchick]

I would really like to shorten the actual ceremony a bit. My suggestion would be to limit acceptance speeches to Gold winners.

As someone from a company that took home a bunch of silver ENnies, I'd honestly agree with this. We were all certainly thrilled beyond reason, and blabbed too long considering we were taking home the runner-up award in most cases. If the rule was that speeches were reserved for the Gold, I wouldn't be any less thrilled to win the Silver, but it seems only fair to let the Gold winners have their moment to shine.

Nicole

 

[d20Dwarf]

Disclaimer: My opinion was in no way meant to keep Green Ronin from making many, many, long, long speeches that are both many and long.

(I'm sure people preferred them to my mumbling, mic-waving incomprehensibile gibberish.)