[ENnies] Categories

[Morrus]

The judges have been wrangling over a few decisions regarding the ENnies categories this year. Nothing is set in stone quite yet (but it's close) but here's where they're heading towards:

1) There will be no PDF-only category.

2) WotC will be allowed to enter.

3) Some heavy discussion about OGL only products, and where the line should be drawn. Opinions here would be extremely useful.

4) Most importantly - the judges have suggested reducing some of the "marketting budget" advantage held by some companies by creating a "Judges' Choice" award. This could take one of two forms - 1) a single overall award for what they consider the best product overall or 2) a Judges' Choice for each category. I have strongly advised them to solicit opinions before deciding on this last issue, as I can see it being fairly sensitive.

To my mind, this last option has the same benefits as the 2nd/3rd place options suggested by Nikchick previously, but at the risk of possibly reducing the potency of the original fan-award in each category. Any thoughts?

 

[Leopold]

nix the judges choice per category. It's the voice of the people that count and that's what this award is for.

there can be only ONE winner and that's like giving a consultation prize to the runner up. I can't stand that.

This is like the academy awards for gaming. keep it like that.

 

[MEG Hal]

nix the judges choice per category. It's the voice of the people that count and that's what this award is for.

there can be only ONE winner and that's like giving a consultation prize to the runner up. I can't stand that.

This is like the academy awards for gaming. keep it like that.

one difference: Oscars are given by peers who will/should know more about your stuff, The People's Choice is what you are referring to as being fan based.

I would have no problem with a judge's choice in each catagory, or even a publisher's pick in each catagory--ask 20 publshers to vote on which they like and have that for each catagory.

I also do not need a judge's pick.

Other comments: OGL book catagory is good--you can do so much more with an OGL book and I think they should be credited with doing it, WoTC entering--awesome

 

[Morrus]

I would have no problem with a judge's choice in each catagory, or even a publisher's pick in each catagory--ask 20 publshers to vote on which they like and have that for each catagory.

Hmmm... that's an interesting idea. I think I quite like it. Anyone else got any thoughts on this?

 

[Assenpfeffer]

Hmmm... that's an interesting idea. I think I quite like it. Anyone else got any thoughts on this?

So long as no publisher is permitted to vote for their own products, I think it's a good idea.

I do prefer the notion of just two "Judges' Choice" and "Publisher's Choice" awards, rather than one from every caetegory.

 

[Blacksad]

3)Accept all the OGL product that are sent by their producers, as long as the judges consider their value for d20 players when choosing to put them in a category or not (so, if the mechanics side of the Tribe8 player book is too weak, it might be out of many categories).

4) No judges choice award

 

[philreed]

I'd be willing to vote . . .

I don't know if I rate as a publisher but if I do I'd love to be a part of things.

 

[HellHound]

- like the OGL category, exclusively for products that are OGL but are NOT d20 STL (which is a very small list this year, mind you... Mutants & Masterminds and Everquest are the two that pop to mind instantly - or is Engel also?)

- like either a judge's choice or publisher's choice award... but make sure these are secondary awards, the TROPHY'd award and the ENnie winner really being the People's Choice award. While Leopold claims this is like the Academy Awards, having a publisher's choice award would be a LOT more like the Academy Awards, since popular vote has nothing to do with them.

- glad to see WotC is still in

- think there should be a PDF award, but NOT as the ENnies. Someone else with a vested interest in PDF sales and marketing, but who doesn't have products out should set this up - I'm looking at YOU James / RPGnow!

 

[MEG Hal]

So long as no publisher is permitted to vote for their own products, I think it's a good idea.

I do prefer the notion of just two "Judges' Choice" and "Publisher's Choice" awards, rather than one from every caetegory.

It was just an idea--like the Oscars-peers voting for peers stuff, but picking one item of 30 and so varied would be tough... how would an adventure at 32-64 pages wn against a Slaine RPG as an example(all color and hardbound)--I do not know the answer, just asking.

I am happy anyway they come about, we really had a good time at the ENnies last year.

 

[Mark CMG]

Why not have a separate voting booth that will allow each publisher (one rep from each pub only) that has at least one product entered into the ENnies make a selection in each category from the five nominated products. If the Publishers' Choice happens to also coincide with the People's Choice, then that entrant gets an added boost (two awards). If the Publishers' Choice happens to be different than the People's Choice, then so be it and two companies/products can share the glory in that category.