Ennies Judge Election Closed - Winners Inside

[Cazador]

I have no problem with repeating judges, to be honest I prefer them over new judges.
Even more this year with the WotC issue, as I see it the "old" judges give it a more profesional approach to the ENnies and I'm not sure that a new judge will give that approach.
My concerns with the WotC issue is that at the time of judging the entries the judges could have the issue in mind and vote against a WotC product just so they don't get all the prizes again, I think that new judges could fall in those feellings easily than the old ones.

That's my two cents, I'm sure that WotC will not win many prizes this year since there's some really good books from other companies that will give a good battle. (I'm a Kalamar fan and I hope they win some ENnies this year, I cannot imagine how they could lost in Best Cartography & Best Aid or Accessory if they send the Kalamar Atlas and the DM Shield )

Keep the good work
Cazador

 

[Mark]

A part of the problem with wide open discussions is that some people may be reluctant (as Col_H has said) to express very valid and useful opinions for whatever reason because they cannot do so and remain anonymous. A poll will hopefully open up the information flow and give us all a less restrictive option than simply posting in a thread where there is no poll.

Please sticky the poll/thread so that we can hear from as many people as possible on the issues-

http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=41118

 

[blackshirt5]

Most consistant quality from a 3rd Party Publisher?

Fast Forward Games/Entertainment.

 

[blackshirt5]

BTW, don't take that last comment as though I have anything personal against FFE. I don't. But you have to admit, they are very consistent in their work.

 

[EricNoah]

On the WotC issue - I do support their entering. However, it should also be considered that they sell over 10 times what any D20 publisher can sell, purely due to marketing budget and not to product quality (that's not to say that the product's aren't good, necessarily, of course). Thus people are more likely to vote for WotC products (by a large factor, not just a small margin) simply by virtue of not having heard of the other products nominated.

I do feel that this is an issue - it does happen. What we need to address here are two things: 1) does it matter, and 2) if it does, how can it be resolved?

I like the idea of including a "Don't Know" option in the voting booth - that will certainly go some way toward solving that problem.

The "none of the above" option is a good idea, should help.

Here's another idea: less advertising of the ENnies around voting time. Here's why...

No one on earth is as prepared to vote on the ENnies as a regular member of the EN World community. We read reviews, read threads about the merrits and problems of various products, etc. We're properly educated. I believe, therefore, that when voting time comes around, it should be advertised only on our forums and not in the news, or maybe just less advertising, or maybe less "hype" if you want to call it that. Yes, it's great that the news of the ENies voting brings visitors who might not normally show up at EN World, or people who only stop by occasionally. But I think it also draws in more voters who are potentially less educated on d20 matters. And that might lead to people voting for who they've heard of instead of who's best. Something to think about, anyway.

 

[Umbran]

Wow, go to work for a day, and watch what happens...

Okay, just for the record - I don't feel Mark was at all saying I was "out of line" or the like. I wasn't arguing "for the sake of arguing". I was debating for the sake of getting the thing fully looked at - so that people could make informed choices. And nobody else seemed to be venturing much opinion. But that kind of discussion isn't necessarily fun, and I think Mark wasn't finding it fun. That's cool by me.

As for my own personal opinions...

Well, in a way, I'm oddly similar to Col H. I'm one of those who really stands no chance so long as there are incumbents on the ballot. To voice an opinion of it would probably look like whining.

The problem with incumbents is simple - they tend to "hog the playground" - few others get to play. It seems to me that being a judge is a fairly unique and valuable opportunity in many ways, and the incumbents tend to keep it to themselves. That can be a little frustrating.

However, I like to think that the awards are a little more important than a bit of personal frustration. The community does deserve to have the job done by the ones they feel would do the job best. I guess I favor education over legislation. I'd prefer to see an Ennies FAQ with reminders of what some things might mean to another rule about who can and cannot be a judge.

As for WotC - let them in, and give the voters a "don't know" option. The judges will make sure that no completely undeserving WotC product gets in. And after that, if we voters are collectively shallow enough to give an award to one product simply because we haven't seen the competition, we deserve the results, no?

Mind you, we might see something a little unpleasant. If we choose to vote only if our opinion is reasonably informed (say, by knowing 3 or more contestants in the category), we might see that very few of us know enough products in any given category to make informed choices.

 

[Quickbeam]

I have nothing but respect for the incumbents; voted for several of them yet again this year; and hope they understand that my position is not intended as a personal slight. Nonetheless, I'd love to see other qualified, capable and interested, Community members get a shot at judging the ENnies. As Mark noted earlier, the voting figures suggest that people herein support the idea of having some new blood -- even if none of the incumbents step down. The problem is that 25-30 people are splitting the non-incumbent votes, in battling for what usually amounts to one open spot on the panel.

I agree that legislating term limits and/or a set number of spaces be reserved for new judges, is sorta uncool. But I think allowing the same folks to vote for the ENnies every year is less cool. The reality is that the incumbents generate many of their votes because they are well respected. But, they also generate a fair number of votes simply because they are incumbents. There is no way for CRGreathouse, Henry, JoeGKushner, or others garnering high vote counts to match this incumbent factor. And it would be silly to argue that they are less well thought of within EN World than the incumbents...they just aren't returning ENNies judges.

If nothing changes, then I will continue to ardently support a couple of the current panel members, while simultaneously voting for some new folks each year. I just hope that over time, people will have a legit shot at earning their way onto the ENnies judging panel without incumbents stepping down.

 

[fusangite]

I can't believe people are complaining about incumbency. People who have not been raised in the insane, twisted political culture of the USA don't understand why there should be constitutional limits on people being able to elect who they want to elect. If you want an incumbent out, run a competent campaign against him. If the majority of people want to vote for someone, there is no legitimate reason to restrict whom they are allowed to vote for. Why not be democratic?

 

[ColonelHardisson]

There is no way for CRGreathouse, Henry, JoeGKushner, or others garnering high vote counts to match this incumbent factor

Charles Greathouse is an incumbent. He was a judge last year.

 

[Teflon Billy]

...Then by all means choose the contrary position and make a case for it. It appears to be not only trendy but what what others would like to be reading...especially as soon as you have tired of such a display.

Ok, I didn't understand any of that man.

In my post, I was implying that I was the Devil

I hate when my gags fall flat.