The Ennies Nominees Are Announced

Seanchai · July 17, 2007, 12:18:13 PM

Quote from: fusangiteSo would I. I would also contend that the majority of role players haven't heard of most of the games in the awards, and that, even after WOTC enters, most gamers will not hear of the awards.

So when you say that the ENnies affect sales, we're not really talking about a lot...

Seanchai

Teflon Billy · July 17, 2007, 02:27:53 PM

Quote from: SeanchaiSo when you say that the ENnies affect sales, we're not really talking about a lot...

Seanchai

Well, we don't have numbers if that's what you are asking, but enough actual publishers have happily told us of noticeably increased sales after the awards that we feel comfortable describing the effects as "positive"

I mean, ddid winning an ENnie award make an RPG beat out video gaming in the culture's consciousness as a pastime? No It didn't.

But when sales increase enough that Publishers think it's worth it based on that as well as the other benefits of winning an ENnie, that's good enough for me.

Nicephorus · July 17, 2007, 02:58:40 PM

Quote from: SeanchaiSo when you say that the ENnies affect sales, we're not really talking about a lot...

Put it this way: it matters enough that several companies have complained about the process and tried to alter it to their favor. Why would they care so much if they won if it didn't help them in some way?

fusangite · July 17, 2007, 03:27:09 PM

Quote from: SeanchaiSo when you say that the ENnies affect sales, we're not really talking about a lot...

Depends on the company's existing sales base. The effects of an ENnies win or nomination on a WOTC product would be fairly small. The effects of a win or nomination on a smaller press could be considerable. Depends entirely on the size of your current print run and customer base. When Expeditious Retreat Press won an award in its early days, it made a gigantic difference because they were quite small at the time.

Part of the richness and complexity of the ENnies is the widely disparate press sizes competing. And that's a good thing, in my view.

Seanchai · July 17, 2007, 06:40:36 PM

Quote from: NicephorusPut it this way: it matters enough that several companies have complained about the process and tried to alter it to their favor. Why would they care so much if they won if it didn't help them in some way?

Because most RPG companies are run by gamers, not businessmen or marketeers.

Seanchai

Seanchai · July 17, 2007, 06:43:34 PM

Quote from: fusangiteThe effects of a win or nomination on a smaller press could be considerable. Depends entirely on the size of your current print run and customer base.

In other words, sales might increase from 20 to 35 units.

Seanchai

fusangite · July 22, 2007, 01:16:06 AM

Quote from: SeanchaiIn other words, sales might increase from 20 to 35 units.

It could be that small, I suppose. No market research has been done; accounts from Shadowrun 4E's producers and Expeditious Retreat Press's owners would suggest that your estimate is excessively low but I lack any hard statistics of orders to reinforce this. So I suppose Green Ronin, Paizo and the various other companies that sell thousands of units could just be wrong in their assessments of our market influence.

Fortunately, the ENnies appear to deliver non-monetary values as well to publishers, fans, artists and writers by celebrating excellence in the hobby and honouring people who deserve some credit. Mainly I'm posting to this thread because, after 5 days of voting, we have surpassed 4500 votes from fans.

flyingmice · July 23, 2007, 12:49:34 PM

For those who asked earlier:

In Master of the Game's blog - http://enniejudge.blogspot.com/ - he mentions that In Harm's Way made his short list of 9 for best electronic book, but was dropped in the final cut, for what seems to me extremely valid reasons:

"In Harm's Way is a fascinating game based on naval warfare in the Napoleonic era. It's fantastically written, and contains tome great evocative text from a period source, which I loved. It actually made my list as an alternate, but it dropped off because its narrow scope aimed at (and squarely hit) a single, very specific type of roleplayer. If it's your type of game I whole-heartily recommend it, but I just couldn't find room for it in the top 5."

Made me feel really good anyway.

-clash

Kaladhan · July 23, 2007, 02:09:25 PM

Quote from: fusangiteAlso, I think that local Con-organizing and activity made a big difference and came very very close to pushing one of the organizers of Montreal's Royal Con over the top.This is now strong incumbents are made .Obviously this will be an important issue in the up coming campaign. I look forward to more election promises of this ilk as things move forward.

So how close was I?

For the record, I do not intend to propose myself for next year. I'm starting a new job and it's going to be very demanding.

Zachary The First · July 24, 2007, 09:08:17 AM

You know, say what you will, but the ENnies are the way I initially met one of my now-favorite companies--Expeditious Retreat Press.

fusangite · July 24, 2007, 12:25:05 PM

Quote from: KaladhanSo how close was I?

For the record, I do not intend to propose myself for next year. I'm starting a new job and it's going to be very demanding.

I think you came in 7th.

Roger Calver · July 26, 2007, 06:07:15 PM

Clash,

I know that I playtested IHW and so my view of it may be considered biased.

It was a pleasure to play, it maybe seen as narrow in its field of playing but cannot be bettered for what it provides a gamer for playing in that time period.
Consise but easy to use rules and a very unique character generation system made for exciting characters and interesting playing.

I for one would rate it very highly.

You have made a gamer out of me for this.

That reminds me I will have to buy a copy

, ive been so buy I havent had time to get one.

Oops that make me really bad, sorry.

Rog.

flyingmice · July 26, 2007, 06:17:21 PM

Quote from: vestiniousClash,

I know that I playtested IHW and so my view of it may be considered biased.

It was a pleasure to play, it maybe seen as narrow in its field of playing but cannot be bettered for what it provides a gamer for playing in that time period.
Consise but easy to use rules and a very unique character generation system made for exciting characters and interesting playing.

I for one would rate it very highly.

You have made a gamer out of me for this.

That reminds me I will have to buy a copy , ive been so buy I havent had time to get one.

Oops that make me really bad, sorry.

Rog.

Hi Rog!

Haven't seen you in ages! You have been busy!

Thanks for your kind thoughts! Just remember - as a playtester, a lot of what is good about it is due to you.

-clash

Roger Calver · July 26, 2007, 06:23:20 PM

Your welcome

Snowed under seems to fit the bill, playtesting can be busy but designing well you know how busy that keeps you.

I've been getting things sorted for Gencon UK and making sure that we are ready for the demo's.

Rog.

Thanatos02 · July 26, 2007, 07:16:04 PM

I know I love Planewalker.com. It's an amazing fan site and resource, and has seriously made me want to run a 3.5 Planescape D&D game.

It would be awesome.