Thanks for all the info so far folks! Makes me wish I had more than one vote.

Quote from: James McMurrayThanks for all the info so far folks! Makes me wish I had more than one vote.

A little off topic, but you sort of do. The judge ballots are in a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_Transferable_Vote format, just like voting for the actual nominated products was done is past years.

Quote from: SettembriniQ:
What´s your opinion on Palladiumbooks products, like Rifts.

Rifts, TMNT, and Palldium Fantasy are all among my favorites. Rifts was the second RPG I played, I like the old school feel and the kitchen sink setting.

Quote from: blakkieA little off topic, but you sort of do. The judge ballots are in a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_Transferable_Vote format, just like voting for the actual nominated products was done is past years.

Thanks! I just read "single transferable vote" and thought it meant that I had one vote but could give it away if I wanted.

Hello, I'm a late entry candidate as well.

I've answered questions on several boards, and been compiling a list of them, so I'll be pasting them over here as well for you all to read.

How do you think price factors when evaluating a product?
Very little, if at all.  Barring a "Best Value" category, the products merits are fairly independent of its price.  It is still something to note however.

Do you have a favorite system, or particular dislike of one? Why? How will this affect your ability to judge products?
I tend to use the D20 system for the most part because I find it flexible, and detailed enough for me.  Generally, I don't like rules light systems because I find the lack of rules tends to get in the way of play more than having to know more rules, which I've never really had a problem with.  That being said, there are merits to any system, and in the hands of a good GM, almost any system can be enjoyable.

How do you feel about PDFs? Inherent advantages and/or disadvantages?
I like PDFs, and wish they came with books.  I find searching them is easier, and they are good for general browsing or looking up rules.  However, hard books are easier to curl up with and read, and you don't need a computer at the gaming table to use them during play.

Mutant or troll?
Mutant

Mechanics or concepts? if you find too many errors in mechanics or in the writing will you fault the submission?
Both.  A good concept can be killed with bad mechanics, and vice versa.  The best ideas are concepts with strong mechanics to back them up.  Errors in mechanics can be overlooked if small, but large noteworthy ones, or clunky mechanics can interfere with the enjoyment and use of a book.

Are you in a long term relationship or a job which requires you to be on call or have little free time? how much time are you willing to spend to see this project to completion? are the outside factors going to effect your commitment? (a non gaming SO, a sick child, an aging parent, a new job, a move, planning a marriage, etc...)
I could potentially be moving this year, and my wife does not game.  However, she understands that gaming is important to me, and has let me make some time in my life for it and has been very understanding.  My job often gives me some down time where reading, writing, or other pursuits can engaged in.

What are you gonna do with your stuff when all is done?
I will likely keep what I like, and offer other stuff as contest give always, offer some to the Ennies Fund Raising auction, or offer it at the auction and donate some of the money to charity.

4e - Now, Soon, Later, or Never?
It's likely in development at some level already. I think it will probably be around in the next five years.

Which is your favorite Beatle?
Paul

Software. What role do you see for software in DnD? Do you use software in DnD (more than Word/PDF etc)? Are minis more important than software?
I don't use much software beyond Microsoft Office and PDFs.  I can see it being useful for some people, but I've not found any software that has suited my fancy as something I'd use in a regular game yet.  Minis can be very useful, but dice on a battlemat work quite well, are cheaper, and don't detract from the game.

Games played in the last year?
D&D
Mutants and Masterminds
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay
Dragonquest
7th Seas

How do you feel about Wizards of the Coast abstaining from entering products?
I think it's probably better for the industry to allow smaller companies to be recognized for their products.

How long have you been gaming? Does that affect the perspective you will be bringing to the judging table?
I've been gaming for most of my life, 23 years.  I think it will help give me some perspective and deeper understanding of products available.

How much game design experience do you have? I don't mean published, I mean in general- 10 years of homebrewing? Have you created your own systems? Do you think this affects your level of qualification as a judge?
As a NASCRAG judge and play tester for many years, I have been a part of a group module design.  I've also done some work for a homebrew system some friends of mine and I put out in PDF, as well as done some homebrew work for several living campaigns.  I think being a part of the game design process allows one to detach fluff from crunch better, and allows for a deeper understanding of rules and mechanics, along with their intent.  Having done large scale public things like the living campaigns and NASCRAG stuff gives me a good overview of what others who game look for in a product, setting, or adventure.

Do you think that the ENnies should have a codified set of rules for how they should be run, including a specific list of points that the judges should use for each category? Or do you think that the ENnies should be like they are currently, and the judges voting on the rules each year? And to either answer, why?
I am unaware that the rules of the ENnies have changed significantly, only that the execution of the rules.  However, I think that because RPG products are already widely varried, having set rules will be more a hindrance to the awards than a benefit.

Do you think that the ENnies being so intimately tied to the World's Largest d20 Fan Site might mean that the basic voting pool for the ENnies might be a bit biased towards d20 products in general?Potentially, but the market seems a bit biased towards D20 products in general as well.  However, Enworld does also have a following of other non-d20 products, and while not as many participate, the discussions are still as spirited as they might be at any broader site.  But, as the ENnies are being separated from the site, I don't see it as a big issue.

Do you think that the ENnies should move everything over to their own, independent website (which they already have), to have all aspects of the ENnies in 1 single central location? Why or why not?
I think that's a fantastic idea, but since the RPG audience is spread out across several different forums, asking them to visit yet another site for all ENnies stuff exclusively is very narrow and likely to limit the awards reach and appeal.  The ENnies are one of the premiere awards in the industry, and you can't limit discussions like that to just one locale.

Do you think moving the ENnies off EN World would cause a drop in the overall number of voters?
Potentially, but increasing exposure to other sites could increase the number tremendously.

Have you done payed game industry work ever?
My friend published a game I helped work on under Shield of Faith Studios, but I never received anything beyond a free PDF for that.  I also helped TheLe in the ENWorld rules forums (A public forum) with ideas for how to implement several ideas, and he sent me some free stuff, but that's about it.  So, not really.

Do you think that a codified set of rules cannot include provisions for making changes and/or updating them as conditions and the market change?
I think that too many set rules will bog down the ENnies.

Do you think it is wrong to have a basic set of rules be codified and put forth to let participant know exactly what points they will be judged on? Do make sure that each judge is judging the entrants on the same points?
I think that having points could lead to "ENnies" products, designed to hit each point and aim to win an award, instead of aiming to simply be a good product.  The ENnies should be organic, and something awarded to a good product, and not an award where people create products aimed at earning one.  There are plenty of awards that don't offer a basic set of rules, and things like the Grammy’s and Oscars are quite popular.

Do you think that products entered in the main categories should be allowed to be included in other main categories by the judges?
If it is appropriate.  This is what the judges are being elected for, to make calls such as this.  I don't see it as something that is likely to happen, but I can see it potentially happening.

Do you think that Categories should have at least a minimal description/standard to determine whether or not a product should be included in that category (i.e. that a book is required to be at least 50% about the setting to be considered for Best Setting)?
As I mentioned before, I think too many rules will bog down the ENnies.

Do you plan on play testing any of the material?
If possible, I will play test as much as I can.

What prompted you to consider being a judge for the ENnies?
I've involved with gaming for 23 years, and thought that it might be an opportunity to give back to the hobby I enjoy so much.

Would statements by those "in the industry" affect your opinions on a product?
If I were looking for a product to buy, reviews by peers as well as those "in the industry" would help guide me.  However, once I have the product, my opinions on its merits are mine.  I rarely close my mind to any product though, as sometimes  its value is not readily apparent at first reading or usage.

Do you prefer Old World of Darkness or New World of Darkness?
I've not dealt much with NWoD, but I have enjoyed the Old World of Darkness.  I'm not particularly attached to the system, but I've always found it worth a read just for the background and fluff.

Do you consider yourself a gamist, narrativist, or simulationist?
Probably a combination of a Simulationist and Narrativist.  I enjoy the story, but I also enjoy some of the mechanical and tactical part of gaming as well.  This is likely why I tend to prefer more detailed RPGs.

Will you be at Gen Con?
This will be my 17th consecutive Gencon.

What about gaming appeals to you?
I enjoy the opportunity to leave myself behind and flow into the fantasy world for a little bit.  I enjoy the rewards, the trials, and the journey of an RPG game.  I enjoy the fun of letting loose with friends and gaming, be it a board, video, or RPG game.  I enjoy putting a smile on someone else's face with a great line, drawing in someone else with a brave action, or making someone nervous as I risk my character's life.  There's something special about departing yourself and becoming someone else.  In many ways, it's like acting, but with rules and imagination instead of a script, director, and special effects.

How do you personally evaluate flavor text?
Flavor text needs to be interesting, comprehensive, inspiring, and also go along with the mechanics and setting.  Great flavor text that is just out of place in the material as presented is almost as bad as poorly done flavor text.  Ideally, flavor text should start your wheels turning, and still give you enough flexibility to adapt it to your purposes.

How do you plan to evaluate writing when applied to game mechanics?
Game mechanics should be fairly comprehensive, clear, ideally concise, and functional.

When evaluating writing, how will you approach products with a very high percentage of mechanics compared to products with a very small percentage of game mechanics?
You look at the product as a whole.  Mechanics are no more or less important that flavor.  The idea is how usable, well done, and inviting the text is to use.

When evaluating writing, how will word count factor in?  How will you compare a 20 page PDF to a 400+ hardcover book?
Writing should be both complete and concise.  A small product is only good if it's complete, and a large product shouldn't have extra unnecessary stuff in it.  

What is your opinion on materials produced for OOP games?
I play several OOP games, and materials for games that are still supported by a fan base, even if the system itself has been dropped from production, can be just as meaningful to a community.  Not every product stays dead.

How would you evaluate material for systems in which you have zero experience?  What if any of those systems are highly complex?  That is, the rulebooks are very dense and there may be many supplements.  This can be the case for games with a long history, as in 15+ years.
As a kid, I used to play Advanced Squad Leader, which was perhaps one of the most complex games of all time.  Understanding a game with 20 acronyms in a line of rules, and multiple rules supplements is quite possible.  It's ideal in situations like this though to attempt to play test it in some fashion, as that can lead to a much greater understanding of the rules.

If you do not like a particular system, how will you evaluate supplements/adventures/whatever submitted for that system?  Do you think there can be a good adventure for a bad system?
Adventures, flavor, and art are separate from the system itself.  First, I would ask myself if there are merits to the system and it's just personal taste reasons I don't care for the system.  Then, I would evaluate the product itself, for how it works with the system, supplements, flows as an adventure, etc.  I can think of many systems which I have considered 'bad' and yet still enjoyed reading the books and supplemental material, and I would have no problems nominating a product of a system I thought was bad but the product in question was good.

What barriers are you anticipating in play testing submissions?  Are you thinking ahead to come up with contingencies?
Schedules to get others to help play test can be a barrier.  However, I am willing and capable of doing a "self play test" of material if need be.

What do you consider your strong point(s) as a judge?  Weak point(s)?
Strong points:
I am very analytical, and good at detaching personal feelings from a product itself.  I am a fast reader, and have experience as an adventure writer, mechanics writer, flavor text writer, campaign setting judge, and editor, which will help me in understanding and appreciating how a product came to be.  I'm also open minded, and willing to listen to the arguments of others before making my mind up.  So persuasive arguments for or against a product from other judges are something I'm willing to listen to, and would encourage.

Weak points:
My spelling is atrocious (I try to run important posts and messages through a spell checker).  I also work off hours, which can cause communication problems.  However, nothing much beyond problems judges from European or Asian countries might have, and I'm not off shift all week, just while I work.

What one characteristic as a judge do you bring to the table that differentiates you from the other potential judges?
Working for an RPG Tournament and on several Living Campaigns, I've basically created and worked on unpaid materials such as settings, mechanical supplements, adventures, as well as I had an active role in scoring and rating entrants into a contest.  While the ENnies are not exactly like that, I think my experience will help me be an asset to the judging team.

What cultural interests do you have outside of gaming  (i.e reading, comics, parenting, scuba diving, anything), that make you a better judge and why?
I've been a step-parent, was heavily involved in paintball for a while, and enjoy video games, occasional TV and movies, and working with computers.  I think being well rounded helps give us perspective into the what we do, and being familiar with non-gaming activities allows us to take a break, clear our heads, and focus more on the gaming activities when we set our minds to it.

How important a factor is artwork (cover, illustrations, cartography) in your overall impression of judging products?
Cartography is a huge bonus in a setting or adventure, as it allows for an extra visual draw to aid in imagining the setting, and I would consider it core content for the most part.  Artwork can add to the visualization process as well, and helps add flavor where text may not quite have everything, but it is a smaller part of a product.  The cover is usually for show, and to help attract people to a product on the shelves.  As long as it's sturdy, I don't think it's very influential in a products overall review or value.

One thing that must be on everyone's mind this year is the possible submission of Ptolus.  Answer either if you have read Ptolus or have seen enough of it to know the relative allotment of content--If Ptolus was entered, for what categories would you consider it eligible for nomination?
I am not too familiar with Ptolus, as I haven't gotten my hands on it yet.  However, by all accounts it's a very detailed setting, and should be treated as such.  However, the ultimate determination will be made once the judges get their hands on it and get a chance to discuss it.

What are your 3 favorite RPGs?
Of all time?
D&D - I grew up with D&D, and D&D 3.5 helped ramp my gaming enthusiasm back up when it was at a low.  I enjoy home brewing with the highly expandable system.

Shadowrun - I loved the systems, despite the flaws in it.  I still am saddened that I haven't had an opportunity to play the 4th Ed.

Fading Suns - One of my favorite games, and probably more because of the setting and GM than the system itself, Fading Suns captivated me and still does, and I long for an opportunity to play again.


What is your favorite genre to play in and/or run? Are there any you genuinely don't like playing in and/or running?
I love fantasy and Sci-fi, and enjoy either when run well.  I've always wanted to play in a post apocalyptic campaign of some kind, but I have yet to be in one that got past the initial creation stages.  I generally dislike games with relatively modern overtones (1950s to barely post modern).  Not sure why, but they’ve never captured my imagination, perhaps because they’re too similar to today.

Are you a person who prefers crunchy bits or fluffy parts? Is there a ratio of crunch to fluff with you?
I tend to focus more on crunch when I'm looking for stuff to use in my home games, because I can adapt fluff to suit my needs.  However, when reading books for enjoyment, I enjoy reading the fluff.  Fluff can also spark ideas.  So, I like both.

Where can I find links to your reviews or publishing credits?
I haven't written many reviews of RPG products of late, and the few I did write are long gone, but I have been compiling and doing reviews of various products (RPG and otherwise) on my website, //www.bront.org.

How broad of an RPG background do you have?
I've played and/or run at least 30 systems, helped write a homebrew system, been involved in several Living Campaigns and a role-playing tournament.

Some RPG books (or mechanics) are better, or at least different, when played rather than just read. Without playing them, is there any way for a judge to reach a judgment about the products utility without actual play experience? If so what are they?You can do a simulated play to see how things work, however, I have only encountered rules that made more sense once played, but I usually find few things surprise me about how they play.

What is it that you are looking for when judging the worthiness of a product?
I'd be looking for how well the product fulfills the criteria we'd have it nominated for, the quality of writing, mechanics, and/or art, the product as a whole, as well as its individual parts, and how complete and concise the product is.

Different doesn't necessarily mean better. Agree or disagree?
Agree.  Different can be better, but it can be worse too.  And yet, sometimes different is just different.

Quote from: SettembriniQ:
What´s your opinion on Palladiumbooks products, like Rifts.

I love the Rifts setting.  It's likely one of my all time favorites, as it has everything, including the post apocolypic stuff.  However, from a mechanics standpoint, the system seems clunky to me, particularly now.  In it's day, it was inovative, unique, and fun, but RPG games have come a long way.  That's not to say the system has it's merrits, but I think it would be more enjoyable as a setting used in a different system.

I have never delt with any non-MDC versions of Palladium though, and MDC is perhaps it's biggest flaw.  It may be much more functional in a pure fantasy setting.

So, basicly, I would have no problem nominating a Palladium product for an award if I felt it fit, and it was submitted.

Which do you prefer, Amber or Nobilis, and why?
I have played Amber, and didn't care for it too much (I like dice).  I have not had a chance to look at Nobilis.

Which do you prefer, nWoD or D&D 3.5, and why?
I love D&D 3.5, but I do have a fondness for WoD.  I haven't had a chance to play nWoD, mostly due to a lack of interest in my current gaming group.

Do sales figures reflect quality, why or why not?
Somewhat.  A product needs some amount of quality to sell well, but a high quality product will not necessarily sell well if it can't reach its audience due to a lack of distribution, marketing, or exposure.  Sales figures are also misleading due to differences in production runs, market share, and target audience.

This may be related to what OHT is asking but I noticed that two of the awards are for "Best Writing" and "Best Rules". First, how would you distinguish these two categories?
Writing is more of the "fluff" and rules are more of the "crunch", but it's not quite so simple.  Well written "crunch" can be good writing, and is not necessarily good "crunch", and poorly written good "crunch" can be nearly as useless as bad "crunch".  For the most part, I would look for the whole writing value of a product for writing, with an emphasis on the fluff, and only the crunch for the rules, though how well the crunch is written would factor in.

Second, what in your opinion is good writing for an RPG? What makes good rules?
Good writing draws you in and sets your imagination ablaze with ideas.  It gets you excited about the world, the genera, or the adventure.  It is detailed enough to give understanding, but sometimes vague enough to let the player and GM run with it.  Good writing can be an asset to a game, potentially even out of the system it was designed for.

Good rules are rules that flow well, and generally internally consistent, balanced, and as seamless as possible with the rest of the game.  Rules help dictate the flavor of a game to a large degree.  A more tactical simulation approach to combat will have rules that will be less transparent during play perhaps, but offer guidance in most situations, and offer a variety of options.  Simpler, more transparent rules need to be robust enough to guide the game, yet simple enough to not get in the way.  Both sets can be good rules, or bad rules.  It truly is relative to the context of the game itself.

How important is innovation in deciding if rules are good?
Different is not necessarily better.  Innovation for the sake of innovation doesn't always help.  If it's against a tried and true convention of a game, it can be more disruptive than the potential gain from the innovation.  On the other hand, if it fits in well, or uses an old rule in a new, more exciting way, then it can be very good.

Which RPG would you recommend to your mother, and why?
My mother is more of a board gamer, but she used to play AD&D (1st Ed) with my father on occasion.  I'd probably recommend either C&C for simplicity, or 7th Seas, as I think she'd like roleplaying in that era more than others.

Free extra online content and customer support; do you feel these should be considered as part of a product for the purposes of evaluation?
Extra stuff is nice, and free is good, but we're not looking for the value of a product.  If a product needs errata, then it's nice if it's given, but at the same time, that speaks to being lax in production values, or to releasing something without testing it thoroughly.  Given that free online content won't be accessible to everyone (Yes, there are people who don't use the internet, or those who wouldn't think to check), I don't think it is something to reward positively.  However, it's not something that I would necessarily rate as being negative either.

1. How do you think price factors when evaluating a product?

I'm just evaluating the product, its up to the individual to decide if it is worth their money, not me.

2. Do you have a favourite system, or particular dislike of one? Why? How will this affect your ability to judge products?

I think I play too many systems to say I have a favorite. I definitely have a "preference", but I know how many systems

bring very many different strengths to a game. So I am the last person who will say any rules sytem is the best of all.

3. How do you feel about PDFs? Inherent advantages and/or disadvantages?
I have a lot of pdf's. I like them but I still have a definite preference for print. I mostly like them for products I

expect to need to print a lot from, like modules. Or "Mother of all Treasure Tables", things like that. However PDF doesn't

keep me from buying a product, as Phil Reed and CMG Mark can attest. Le Games. Fat Dragon Games. Et Al.

4. Mutant or troll?

Definitely a Mutant.

5. mechanics or concepts? if you find too many errors in mechanics or in the writing will you fault the submission?

Yes. I'm here to pick the cream of the crop. Well written mechanics and concepts are going to be key elements to separate

the wheat from the chaffe.


6. are you in a long term relationship or a job which requires you to be on call or have little free time? how much time are

you willing to spend to see this project to completion? are the outside factors going to effect your commitment? (a non

gaming SO, a sick child, an aging parent, a new job, a move, planning a marriage, etc...)

I am essentially retired and self employed (small farm). I have hours every day to spend on this. Health issues with my

wife/kids/family are the only possible issues, but none that are foreseeable.

7. what are you gonna do with your stuff when all is done?

Don't know. Definitely keep what I like and don't already have. The rest I may sell, give away, whatever I finally decide

upon.

9) Which is your favorite Beatle?

The Rhino Beetle

10) Software. What role do you see for software in DnD? Do you use software in DnD (more than Word/PDF etc)? Are minis more

important than software?

I would like to see a lot more done for RPG's in the software world, thats for sure. I hope if I am elected a judge that I

get to see a lot of cool new stuff that gets me excited about the future.


Since most people seem to be dodging the 'favourite system' question I've got one.

Question 12*
What game(s) are you playing in now / have played in in the past year?



*(feel free to ignore question 11)



D20 Star WArs (8 sessions)

Castles and Crusades (30+ sessions)

D&D 3E (9 sessions)

MegaTraveller (4 sessions)

HARP (3 sessions)

EPICrpg (2 sessions)

M&M 2E (3 sessions)

L5R 3E (1 session so far)

Shadowrun 4E (1 session)


All with my wife and 3 kids. It pays to have a gamer family.  

Plus I have been reading the rules to Runequest and Call of Cthulhu 6th edition in preparation to try them out over the

summer. Plus we want to do more L5R, Shadowrun, EPICrpg, well, all of them. During the summer we play 3 or more nights a

week.

Originally Posted by blakkie
13. Question: How do you feel about Wizards of the Coast abstaining from entering products?




Good for the third party d20 publishers, because they don't have the resources, for the most part, to consistantly compete

with WOTC on production quality. Especially product, after product, after product. Plus they put out so much, now including

adventures, they could easily dominate the awards due to a "flood" of products to submit.

So I think its good, even nice, that they abstain from participating in the awards process. They really don't need the extra

feathers in their caps anyways. Their name recognition is "the name" synonomous (sp?) with the biggest RPG in the market.

So I think it was really considerate of them to step aside and allow a level playing field for the up and coming 3rd party

companies to get better recognition in the d20 market.

 14. Why did I decide to throw my hat in for a judge slot?
Let me quote myself from another messageboard:

"...I like the desired goal the ENNIEs board has, and I hope it is succesful in its move in that direction, without losing

credibility with the fans of the RPG industry. Plus gaining credibility with the fans who have yet to learn about the awards

and how it works.

I don't pay attention to the Oscars, Emmy, Grammy's, etc... but I pay attention to this award because it is the closest I

have seen to being truly a "fan" award that has wide industry recognition.

Anyways, I think it is a worthwhile award, otherwise I wouldn't even put my hat in the ring to be a judge, and I think it is

a great pat on the back of publishers able to win any of them because they know it was fans, their customers, saying "You

did a great job with this particular product in this particular way."

I only got to talk to maybe a dozen or so publishers last year at GenCon, but they all said they like the awards because of

who it is telling them their product is great, the fans.

So I support that ideal. This year I would like to be directly involved in the process above and beyond voting and winning

auctions to help fund them."


15. Will I be at GenCon?
I sure plan on being there!

16. Have I ever been a ENNIES judge before?

No.

17. Past ENNIEs Awards I have disagreed with?

Plenty. The products I liked and voted for didn't win. Which is another reason why I would like to be a judge this year, so

I can know every product that is nominated, and see how much I agree with the voting of the fans when it is all done. I want

to see if intimately knowing every product will give me a different perspective on the final votes, and see if I can

determine how much differently I would vote this year compared to past years because I would be familiar with every single

nominated product.

I don't like seeing a product listed as a nominee and have no idea what it is when I cast my votes. There has usually been

one or two in several categories that I had never even heard of, let alone read or played.

Even so, when my fav products didn't win I could see why the other product was chosen as being better by more voters.


18. What is your opinion on materials produced for OOP games?

I'm thinking of OSRIC while answering this. I am very well aware of OSRIC. I have even bought a few of the modules and a

couple of pdf products for it. So in OSRIC's case I would have a very stong familiarity. So for me it would be no different

than if I judge products from other game lines that I am familiar with.

As for those I don't know about, it will be no different for me than in judging totally new products. I'll do what I have to

do to understand the rules system. That is where familiarity with other game mechanics will help judges. It will help them

to see how the various systems work faster, and hopefully with a higher level of comprehension due to similiarities with how

other systems work.

So the fact that so many of the judges, if not all of us, are familiar with so many game systemswill be a big help.

For instance, I have never got into any of White Wolf's World of Darkness books or the system. I am not into Exalted. So a

couple fo the other Judge nominees are knowledgeable in these systems, so they can help me get up to speed fast.

Hopefully I will return the favor on systems like L5R, Shadowrun, Big Eyes, Small Mouth (BESM), EPICrpg, and others.

So that is how I am going to approach judging OOP's, and systems I don't know.


19. How would you evaluate material for systems in which you have zero experience? What if any of those systems are highly

complex? That is, the rulebooks are very dense and there may be many supplements. This can be the case for games with a long

history, as in 15+ years.

Part of my answer to the previous question applies here as well. I am going to rely on my fellow judges to bring me up to

speed. I am familiar, and even own products, from most of the systems that have been around for 15+ years, such as Call of

Cthulhu, RIFTS/Paladium, etc.... With White Wolf, my fellow judges will have to help me understand the rules. Which I

believe I will be able to do quickly, because from what I have heard about the mechanics, it sounds like other systems I

have played.

If you do not like a particular system, how will you evaluate supplements/adventures/whatever submitted for that system? Do

you think there can be a good adventure for a bad system?

I am not aware of systems I do not like. I like systems others "hate", such as Synnibar, RIFTS, Castles and Crusades,

Mega/Traveller, BESM, L5R, etc...

I think a big part of that is because when I look at systems I am looking for what does work. What I think doesn't work I

make work to my satisfaction.

There is no system that I "hate", so that will not be an issue for me.

20. What barriers are you anticipating in play testing submissions? Are you thinking ahead to come up with contingencies?

Time is the barrier. Plus playtesting is not a "requirement" of judging. I just know that as a judge, and other nominee's

have said this as well, I/we will playtest as much as we can. Will we will have time to playtest everything equally and to

our satisfaction? Highly unlikely.

We will just do the best we can, and hope it is good enough.

21. What about Ptolus?

Originally Posted by mcrow
"I don't own it, but have read plenty of reviews of it and have paged through it @ the store.

From that I would say it qualifies for :

Best Campaign/Campaign Supplement
Best d20/OGL Product
Best Writing
Best Production Values
Best Cover Art
Best Interior Art
Best Cartography

I'm just listing ones that it could be entered in, not that I think it could win or be nominated for any of the above.

It most definitely should not be listed in both adventure and campaign, like Shackled City was last year. If that situation

came up again this year, i would do my best to keep i from happening again."




Why repeat when you can just quote and say, "What he said."

Now here are my answers to questions on the Forge.

1. How long have you been roleplaying? Have you ever stopped roleplaying altogether for any significant period of time? If so, why?

I have been playing since May of 1985. The longest break I ever took from gaming was 8 months, due to simple burn out and wanting to focus on other things.

2. What keeps you coming back to the roleplaying hobby?

The fun, the creativity, and that I usually like people who like RPG's more often than people in other "groupings".

3. Using your best guess, what roleplaying game have you played the most? What about that game has kept your interest over the years? Are you still playing that game?

No guess to it. D&D, every edition. Plus now C&C, which I consider to be an "alternate 3E" that I like much better. Why has it kept my interest? My favorite genre in which anything can happen, so the ideas are endless. I still play the C&C version of it.

4. What do you think of White Wolf's decision to reboot the World of Darkness?

I don't know. I only followed White Wolf because of Engel and their affiliation with Arthaus and Necromancer Games.

5. How do you feel about Mongoose Publishing's habit of rewriting and relaunching old games (Paranoia, Rune Quest and so on)?

I feel it is a great thing. Paranoia will always have a special place in the sick and twisted part of my heart. Runequest I am not so hot on. I am excited about Lahkmar and I do like their incarnation of Glorantha. Other than that I am really not into any of the other stuff Mongoose does. I may pick up the Conan and Slaine stuff someday, but I am in no hurry to do so right now.

But I am glad they are doing it, keeping the old stuff updated and in the RPG public eye, even if just a corner of it.

6. Many creator owned (Indy) game designers have a hard time affording anything but a bit of art. Part of your requirement is to judge a games presentation. This seems to limit the ability of many Indy designers to compete on a level scale with large game companies. Do you feel it's fair to judge a game on it's presentation?

Yes. But presentation is more an issue of clear layout that makes for easy reading and finding key rules quickly than art or being full color.

7. Many creator owned game designers have a difficult time being able to afford the cost of giving away free books to enter a competition like the Ennies. They aren't able to use the same markets of scale to justify the cost. Giving away PDF's can potentially bite into the profits of a small creators book sales, if those PDF's aren't guarded with care. If a creator
owned game were supplied to you as a neatly arrayed text only file how would you judge it? Do you think that's not a good question, because someone should feel safe putting their potential profits in your hands, or do you think that eating the costs of free books is part of the game for entering the Ennies?

Speaking from the perspective of a small business owner, if you want to compete with the big guys your going to have to sink money into it. Otherwise you don't grow your market. Then you will crash and burn sooner or later, and no one will notice.

8. What do you think should factor higher when judging a game; randomization (or lack of randomization) mechanics, setting, presentation and art, theme, addressing specific styles of play, or a grabby situation?

I think Mechanics and Presentation are the biggest factors. As for personal use those are the only factors I am concerned about. If it is also a good setting idea, well executed, great. Art is nice. Qin blew me away when I first looked through it at GenCon. Its the first product that I almost bought just because of how awesome the art is. I didn't buy it though. I successfully resisted because I wanted, and want, to wait until I find out how the mechanics are and how well the material is written. If I like what I see and/or hear, I'll buy it.

But if I am a judge I am hoping that the products we are given to review are so awesome that we will have to use such factors to whittle the list down to 5 for each category. However, when I am whittling down my list the Mechanics and Presentation are going to be my key criteria. Only if there are two or more products too close to call will I start to use
other criteria to decide.

Unfortunately, in a competitive environment like this, such decision may have to come down to such criteria. Assuming there is a lot of top notch competition submitted, which I hope will be the case.

Is that fair to small budget Indies? No. As I understand the ENnies, that is how I will have to judge it. If the Mechanics and Presentation are very well done, it will have a good chance to get nominated by me, though. It would definitely have to be exceptional.

Catching up on questions here.

QuoteWhich do you prefer, Amber or Nobilis, and why?

Having never tried Nobilis, I'd have to go with Amber.  This is not to say I think Amber is perfect; I think it requires the right combination of GM and players to work, and if one of those is off, the game is going to be bad.

QuoteWhich do you prefer, nWoD or D&D 3.5, and why?

I'm only familiar with oWoD, and D&D is the favorite game of my group, so that's what I prefer. There's lots of support for it, lots of available players for it, and having my start in AD&D, there is some nostalgia value to it.

QuoteDo sales figures reflect quality, why or why not?

They are a factor, but not the only one.  A great product should also sell a lot. But, if it can't get enough exposure, it won't get the sales.  On the other hand, something might have a good marketing campaign, but be a bad product; I'd be even the worst book WotC puts out still outsells most of its competitors, but this doesn't mean it's better than anything the other companies are putting out.

-Scott

How do you feel about Wizards of the Coast abstaining from entering products?

I think it opens up the competition.  While they don't necessarily have the best products, here are enough D&D-and-D&D-only players that I think they would unbalance the voting.

What is it that you are looking for when judging the worthiness of a product?

Are there errors? How does it look (layout, art)? How is the writing? How are the rules? Does it look fun?

Different doesn't necessarily mean better. Agree or disagree?
Agree.

 

This may be related to what OHT is asking but I noticed that two of the awards are for "Best Writing" and "Best Rules". First, how would you distinguish these two categories? Second, what in your opinion is good writing for an RPG? What makes good rules?

Writing is the overall view of the text- flavor text, short fiction, presentation of rules and examples.  I'll be looking for how well this flows, how clear it all is.

Rules are the actual mechanics.  It might be difficult to read what the author has written, but underneath that the system could be very good. Here I'm looking for something that does what it sets out to do: a kung fu RPG better have good martial arts rules. Also, how complex are the rules? If the complexity is needed to properly model a circumstance, that's fine, but complexity for complexity's sake (or because the author couldn't think of a better way) is going to lower the quality of the rules.

How important is innovation in deciding if rules are good?

Innovation is very important.  I expect rules systems to change and evolve.  But, innovation does not always equal good.  I'd like to see new takes on how to play games, but in some cases I expect to be reminded why we do things a certain way.

Which RPG would you recommend to your mother, and why?
D&D.  She used to help my Dad paint miniatures for his game, and she had three sons playing it to various degrees, so she'd be familiar with it.  At its core (roll D20, add modifiers), it's pretty simple.  I'd probably avoid grappling for the first couple of sessions, though.

Question (3-part): Free extra online content and customer support; do you feel these should be considered as part of a product for the purposes of evaluation? Under some qualifications and conditions? If so which?
If they're available to the general public, I think they should be considered. I do agree with Xath that it isn't exactly fair that something just published has to compete with something that came out 5 months ago and has a few web enhancements, but I also think the playing field isn't level to begin with.  I would say that nothing should be considered that isn't available when the product is submitted.

What´s your opinion on Palladiumbooks products, like Rifts.

Some very good ideas and settings held back by an ancient, bloated, contradictory rule system.  The rules do a very poor job of modeling situations that are depicted in the comics or cartoons.  Rick Hunter in Robotech would fire a few bursts and destroy some enemy pods. PC 1 in Robotech RPG fires a few bursts, and he's taken his enemy's MDC down to half, and now he needs to reload.  Similarly, there's a comic in the Triax source book depicting combat between some gargoyles and some men in power armor. A single blast fells one gargoyle, when in game it would take several shots over many rounds to do that.

I finally gave up on Rifts when I realized one session that I was having fun in spite of the rules. It might have been an innovative system at one point, but I think the industry has passed it by.

-Scott

Howdy all. Voting is open at http://www.enworld.org/judgevoting/


If any of you have in any way been impressed by my responses I ask you to throw a vote my way. Help make a fellow geek's dream come true.

Here are links to the other major Q+A threads for anyone who hasn't made a decision yet:

At ENWorld: http://www.enworld.org/showthread.ph...1&page=1&pp=40

And at TheForge: http://www.indie-rpgs.com/forum/index.php?topic=23250

At StoryGames: http://www.story-games.com/forums/co...ID=2391&page=1

And, finally, at RPG.net: http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=310213

Thanks for taking the time to vote!