Voting Results Turned over to the Board.

[Treebore]

Definitely a good opinion, Ken. With some very good points and advice. I am sure Morrus and Morris will keep this in mind next time around.

 

[SavageRobby]

But, also, as a community, we individual members can speak up and say, "We think this looks bad, and next time learn from this and try to handle it better." The awards are still young and growing, so I hope my remarks aren't taken as kicking the hornets nest or trolling, but just requesting that those in charge take into consideration that many members of the community disagree with how this was handled, and that those in charge should consider both how to make the policies clearer for entrants as well as how to handle discretions when they occur again. Sometimes a joke is just a joke, and the Ennies can continue on unscathed.

That's just my opinion, and I'm sure many disagree. But, that's what a community is all about.

Agreed. On this very thread one side says there was cheating, the other side says no proof has been offered, and that the charge of cheated was removed instead some mumbo jumbo about "holding the awards in contempt" was offered as a disqual reason. For serious?

If you have proof of cheating, offer it up. If not, well ... well, DQing someone for their comments is pretty lame. Perhaps the name should be changed to the "ENnie Choirboy Awards". IMO, you make the awards worthy of contempt by being so thin-skinned.

 

[Mark]

Greetings all. I would like to announce that I have finished the tabulation of the votes and turned over the results to the judges.

Well done, MM. Congrats on getting through this phase of the ENnies.

 

[Mark]

If it's like the last few years Gaming Report will have someone there reporting as things happen.

They have undergone a great many changes over the last year. EN World should probably make some arrangements to handle this themself on the EN World news page.

 

[WhimsyTheFae]

The rules should probably be codified.

 

[Morrus]

If it's like the last few years Gaming Report will have someone there reporting as things happen.

Yeah... we're actually busy running the event.

 

[fusangite]

Just a short note commending Fear the Boot on bowing out when we brought our concerns to their attention. Just to be clear, no disqualifications took place. I think FtB made some mistakes but that is behind us now. I look forward to seeing them involved in future competition.

And on a positive note, I think all of us were inspired to make sure that our rules and procedures are tighter and more professional next year. I am very proud of everyone involved here -- Fear the Boot, for bowing out of the competition at the mere suggestion that their continuation might make the road a little bumpier for us, the ENnies board and judges for looking seriously at how we can improve our procedures and to everyone involved for putting the celebration of excellence in RPGs ahead of their own personal interests.

This isn't an episode to be sad about. It is a minor bump in the road that gave everybody the chance to rise to the occasion and make this year's awards the most popular and credible yet.

See you all in Indiana!

Stuart Parker
(2007 Judge)

* This message is not an official communication from the ENnies board or judging panel, just the private observations of one judge. Official communications will come from Denise Robinson or Russell Morrissey.

 

[HalWhitewyrm]

You know, I am all for just putting this event in the past and moving on, but this is something that needs public address (emphasis mine):

Just a short note commending Fear the Boot on bowing out when we brought our concerns to their attention. Just to be clear, no disqualifications took place. I think FtB made some mistakes but that is behind us now. I look forward to seeing them involved in future competition.

FTB withdrew because the option given to them was public disqualification and "undue embarassment" (quoting from the email they received, which I have seen in part). Technically no disqualification took place because they decided to avoid a public incident.

I am very proud of everyone involved here -- Fear the Boot, for bowing out of the competition at the mere suggestion that their continuation might make the road a little bumpier for us...

Again, this is not the reason why FTB withdrew. FTB, in fact, offered to help by providing information that would help decide if indeed they had been guilty of "stacking the vote" by running IPs, an offer that was never taken. It should also be noted that FTB was never offered a chance to provide their side of the story, nor to defend themselves from the accusations. The reason why FTB was forced to withdraw has changed so many times that at this point it is unlikely to be known precisely why they were forced into this course of action.

This isn't an episode to be sad about. It is a minor bump in the road that gave everybody the chance to rise to the occasion and make this year's awards the most popular and credible yet.

I, respectfully, beg to differ. This is an episode, perhaps not be sad about, but definitely to be mindful about: an accusation was leveled against a nominee without any chance for them to reply to it, without any chance to offer any kind of proof to the contrary. In future years, I, as a voter, do not want future awards compromised by similar occurences. If a nominee is going to be accused of breaking any of the rules, I want that nominee to have the opportunity to reply to such accusation, as opossed to simply getting a ruling from on high without an option.

Secondly, I do not consider "this year's awards the most popular and credible yet" because at the end of the day, a number of votes (don't know how many, but certainly more than a few) were possibly disqualified because of this event. The shadow of this little episode will loom over this year's award for me and for a number of voters as well, and while I personally will celebrate with all the winners, it will remain in the back of my mind.

* This message is not an official communication from the ENnies board or judging panel, just the private observations of one judge. Official communications will come from Denise Robinson or Russell Morrissey.

Understood, and likewise, my message is simply my own, speaking as a voter and friend of the FTB crew. I still want to believe everyone acted with the best intentions in mind, even if the acts themselves leave something to be desired, which is why, aside from a little annoyance, I really don't hold any kind of ill will towards the ENnies or anyone associated with them.

 

[Festivus]

Yep - I've made no comment anywhere on the matter. Michael Morris (who I believe has posted on your boards?) is the programmer for the awards; I'm someone else entirely.

Don't worry - this is hardly the first time this has happened. People are continually thinking Michael is me and attributing quotes and actions to me months later that I had nothing to do with!

I don't know, has anyone ever seen you both at lunch together at the same time?

Count me for another vote for some sort of broadcast of the awards. Call G4/Tech TV, they eat this stuff up. Having two toddlers around the house means no travel for me for the next several years, and since there is no more GenCon SoCal I have to live vicariously through the internet.

 

[Maggan]

Understood, and likewise, my message is simply my own, speaking as a voter and friend of the FTB crew.

You speaking up for your friends is commendable. But let me suggest that sometimes, things are better left unsaid. Let FTB speak up if they chose to do so, otherwise there is a risk that too much is said, that they themselves wouldn't want to have spoken on official record.

Just friendly advice from an outsider of the whole affair.

Peace and all.

Magnus