I figured with ENnies judge voting less than a week away now, it might be a good idea to start a thread to answer any additional prospective voters have about the candidates.  I'll be very happy to answer whatever questions folks may have in regards to my positions on gaming or my candidacy in general.  I'm sure the other judges would also love to answer your questions, so fellas (and ladies), pile on in!  

Here's the link to the judge nominee website , and the direct pdf link to my answers .  The other nominee answers can be linked direct from the nominee website, if you weren't aware.

First off, for my part, let me just reiterate a few things about me:  Most of you guys here already know me--Zachary Houghton, and hopefully I haven't pissed any of you off too badly. :haw:  But I'd like to get a head start on this and try to get as much diverse support as I can--i'm definitely sort of the "new blood" of the competition, which also means I'm really sort of an unknown factor at ENWorld.  But if I win, I promise that I will only have quality as my agenda, and will make my evaluation process as open, honest, and direct as possible.  And I have diverse, eclectic enough tastes in gaming I really believe I can represent a pretty healthy cross-section of gamers out there.

Anyhow, the floor's open--ask away (you may want to check my pdf first), and I'll answer questions as I'm able (as I imagine the other nominees will as well).  Hopefully, you'll like what you read, and decide I'm worth the vote (and if not me, well, then, thanks for taking the time to look)!

Voting'll start August 6th, so get those questions in, and I'll answer them as I can!!!  Thanks again!

Figured I'd post my current answers, for ease of reading. Additional questions or clarifications, I'm happy to answer either :

Zachary Houghton
I've been gaming since 1993, although the games I played early on tended to be those from the 80s. I started out with Palladium Fantasy, and soon branched out to many different titles, playing in memorable sessions of TMNT, Rules Cyclopedia D&D, Classic Traveller, Ghostbusters, Rifts, Marvel FASERIP, and more. Since then, favorites of mine have included d20 (various incarnations), Truth & Justice, Rolemaster, HARP, In Harm's Way, Roma Imperious, Iron Gauntlets, Burning Wheel, GURPS 3e, Delta Green, Artesia, and many more. To me, the true mark of success for a RPG product is not how pretty it may look, or how many shelves it sits on, but rather, how many tables it is played at, and how much inspiration and enjoyment it brings to gaming tables.

If elected to a judgeship, I will be honored by the responsibility you've entrusted me with. I will make my evaluation and selection process as open, public, and visible as possible, explaining the whys and wherefore of the process as much as I can. I hold no agenda other than that of quality, and I do not care who made a product, so long as it is a great product that encourages and/or assists in a fun session or campaign of top-notch gaming. A judge owes those who elected him and those whose products he is evaluating the full, conscientious, and thorough discharge of his duties, and I will work as hard as I can to give every product the best look regardless of company, system, or genre.

2008 ENnies Judge Questionnaire
1. When did you join the RPG hobby and what inspired you to become involved and stay with it?

I began playing RPGs in 1993 (a meteorite fell on my character in the first 5 minutes; you have to love those junior high games!), and even with a rough first few sessions, I fell in love with gaming immediately. The only inspiration I needed to stick with it through the years were the feelings I had when I gamed—those of worlds of endless possibility, excitement, and adventure. That, and hanging out with good friends (and new ones)—what could be better?

2. Since you joined the hobby, what roles have you played (e.g. vending, professional writing and publishing, reviewing, convention organizing, homebrewing, playing, GMing, etc.)?

I think most gamers try at some point to write for themselves, their group, or the hobby; my contribution on that level has been as a Rifter contributor and supplier of various homebrew works. I also cover Gen Con Indy as "press" yearly and love every minute of it! In addition, I review RPG products for a variety of websites, but that would all be moot if it weren't for the dual roles I have and love as heavy-duty player and GM.

3. The ENnies require a major commitment of time and mental energy. What resources do you bring that will help you discharge these responsibilities? Will your gaming group or other individuals be assisting you?

I have started a new position at work, one that leaves me with free time in which to review and evaluate plenty of gaming material. When fitting, I have a fantastic gaming group to assist me, one that has plenty of diverse gaming experience, an eagerness to try out new material, and a rather unique collective sense of humor to boot. Above all, I have the desire to make the judging process as open, direct, and public as I am allowed and able.

4. What interests, experience and skills do you bring from outside the hobby that you think will make you a more effective judge?

My other hobbies include art, writing, reading, and history. All of these areas can be pretty directly (and indirectly) useful in judging gaming products.

I'm also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, a vocation that saw me placed around the world in situations requiring integrity, flexibility, dedication, understanding, and an appreciation both of beautiful simplicity and useful innovation. Further, I'm also a History/Art History major, which might as well prove useful for this, as it has thus far failed to prove useful in the job market.

5. What styles and genres of RPGs do you enjoy most? Are there any styles or genres that you do not enjoy? Which games best exemplify what you like?

I really have no one RPG style or genre I value highly above any others (I really am all over the map as far as what I play!), but I do admire various features in many diverse RPGs. I love the carefully-considered mechanics of Burning Wheel. I love the build and widespread appeal/availability of d20/D&D 3.5. I love the sheer, unabashed enthusiasm of Rifts. I love the awesome attitude and surprising range of Risus. I love those Rolemaster crit tables. I love the mutant creation tables in TMNT. I love of the freaky-cool vibe of Lacuna. I love what Traveller simply is and can be. I love the maps from MERP. I love the troupe play and writing from In Harm's Way. I love the intrigue and careful, clever maneuvering Amber encourages.  I love Delta Green, period. I love the pure fact people would take time to create a game in the first place and put so much investment and enthusiasm into it.
Seriously, what an amazing hobby!

The only games I really dislike are a) those that do not inspire, and b) those that are flat-out unplayable. I also dislike any game that attempts to denigrate another form of roleplaying, or takes a holier-than-thou attitude.

6. What system do you think is best designed? Is it the one you play most?

There are a couple of RPGs that would make this list for me. For a medium-to-heavy rules RPG, I would submit Burning Wheel. BW has managed to combine innovation with a robust, completely-realized set of core mechanics that really just make it an astoundingly "whole" game. I also really admire how the lifepaths fit into and enhance the overall game.

As far as "rules-lite" games go, I admire Risus, and have made it my beverage-and-pretzels game of choice. I also find the core concept and cliché rules can handle multi-session gaming as well. The game handles just a diverse array of genres with minimal difficulty through a very simple concept, and I think that's great.

Both of these games see regular play in my gaming rotation.

7. What games have you played in the past year? List up to 10 RPGs you have played the most.

In the past year, I've played In Harm's Way, Delta Green, Rules Cyclopedia D&D, HARP, Burning Wheel, Risus, Rifts, Ramlar, Roma Imperious, (using True 20), Palladium Fantasy, Iron Gauntlets, Classic Traveller, Epic RPG, Coyote Trail, D&D 3.5, GURPS 4e, and a sort of freeform craziness at Gen Con Indy that I don't think had a name, but sure was a lot of fun.

The 10 games that I've likely played the most would likely be (in no particular order) Rolemaster, D&D 3.5, Risus, Rifts, Palladium Fantasy, Rules Cyclopedia D&D, Roma Imperious, Burning Wheel, Classic Traveller, and HARP.

8. Briefly summarize the criteria you will use for judging products in the different categories. How will you deal with comparing products of vastly disparate lengths, medium (PDF vs. print), or mechanics to prose ratios? Will innovation and originality play a major role?

First, I would like to reiterate my campaign pledge of making this judging and evaluation as open as possible, if you do me the honor of electing me to this awesome responsibility.

The length or size of a book or product does not necessarily denote quality or value. Each product, regardless of length, will be evaluated on organization, focus, overall substance and style, and if it inspires/enhances the roleplaying experience. Aesthetics do play a role (obviously much more in certain categories than others), but are not always the final determination of a product's quality. Obviously, when they affect a product's usability, that factors in much more.

Regarding pdf vs. print, the book should be easy to read and follow, regardless of medium. Aside from that, both pdf and print products should be judged on actual content and quality, not preferred medium.

Mechanics-to-prose is a case-by-case basis. If a book achieves its intended goal through whatever mechanics/prose ratio it may have, that's far more important to me than any abstract number or formula.

Innovation and originality are fantastic, valuable aspects to any product, so long as they improve that product. Being different just to be different without enhancing the quality of product carries little weight with me.

What goes into evaluating any game product is a long, involved, considerate list, but you might boil it down to "does it bring the awesome?"

9. How will you judge supplements or adventures for game systems whose core rules you are unfamiliar with or you believe are badly designed? What
about for systems that are out of print?

First, let me say I have been very blessed to be able to play a wide range of systems, so I am very much hoping this maximizes the number of products I am able to evaluate with immediate or quick familiarity system-wise. Aside from that, I pledge to familiarize myself with as many different systems as I can for this competition. And for those times I may not know the system or not personally care for it, I think I have to really step back and look at the overall product for what it is and what it offers. Descriptions, usability, flow of text and prose—a judge needs to be willing to ask for help when need be and work like crazy to make sure each submitted product gets the best possible look. These individuals and publishers entrusted us with a copy of their work for full evaluation—we need to honor that trust.

10. How would you like to see the ENnies change (categories, policies, etc)?  What should remain inviolate?

I really only have two changes I would encourage, and they are as follows:
A) Attempt more of an outreach to brick-and-mortar store gamers. Make this award as big a deal in "meatspace" as possible!
B) Ban Green Ronin from choosing music at the ENnies award ceremony. Hearing the Black-Eyed Peas' "Pump It" each time for all of their 146 victories in 2006 nearly drove me over the edge.

Seriously, aside from that, just continue the outreach to other game forums and message boards as much as possible. We're all one big hobby, after all!

BONUS: (optional) If you were an RPG, what would it be, and would you play it?

I believe I would be someone's old homebrew system. A couple of really good ideas surrounded by a lot of baggage and tacked-on bits from years past. Would I play it? Heck, yeah--I'm always up for a game!!!

When does the voting process start?

It's got to be soon. They're announcing the judging panel at GenCon.

-clash

Quote from: SettembriniWhen does the voting process start?

August 6th, and it'll run one week...noms are already closed.  The idea is to spread out the judging workload of more of a year's timeframe, instead of just a few months.

Wow, then we gotta get moving!

Zach, a question of utmost importance before I give you my vote:

RoboTech or Battletech?

Quote from: SettembriniWow, then we gotta get moving!

Zach, a question of utmost importance before I give you my vote:

RoboTech or Battletech?

Ah!  It begins!

Sett, I started in the hobby with Palladium.  Robotech all the way.

Now, what´s the deal with craptacular Minmay-Idols defeating Aliens?
I never wrapped my head around that. How can you cope with that?

Zachary,

TMNT - my favorite game... particularly After the Bomb.

Road Pigs, The Yucatan, or Down Under?

Keith

Quote from: KeithZachary,

TMNT - my favorite game... particularly After the Bomb.

Road Pigs, The Yucatan, or Down Under?

Keith

Keith,

Make no bones, TMNT is one of the best RPGs of all time, from where I'm sitting.  Bio-E, anyone?

Probably Yucatan, if for the Ants, if nothing else.  And I believe that was the first supplement I ever purchased with my own money.

EDIT:  I should mention that you could ask me again tomorrow, and I might say Road Hogs.  Pushing sentimentality to the side, Road Hogs probably has it by a snout.  I enjoyed almost all of the TMNT/AtB supplements.

Quote from: SettembriniNow, what´s the deal with craptacular Minmay-Idols defeating Aliens?
I never wrapped my head around that. How can you cope with that?

Sett,

When you play Palladium games, sometimes you learn its just best to be able to ignore things that are, in the words of Douglas Adams, a SEP (Someone Else's Problem).

I have to get to work to pull one more shift, but keep the questions coming, and I'll answer just as soon as I'm able!

Quote from: KeithZachary,

TMNT - my favorite game... particularly After the Bomb.

Road Pigs, The Yucatan, or Down Under?

Keith

Ooooh! Now that's a choice!

Excellent question, Keith!

-clash

Keep those questions coming, gang!  Ask away--I'll tackle it all.  Here's your chance to get to know & love (or possibly despise, I guess) one of TRPGS's own, and to see if  I'd be your sort of ENnies judge.

What do you think of the current nominee-status of Ptolus?
Do you think it has been handled correctly?

Quote from: SettembriniWhat do you think of the current nominee-status of Ptolus?
Do you think it has been handled correctly?

Sett, I'd personally have liked to have seen Ptolus get a nom for best d20/OGL, but that's not how it panned out.  Still, 4 nominations is nothing to sniff at.  Is that what you were after, or did I miss something in your question?