Inevitable, really.

Can some kind soul compute the votes? Coz I don't even know how to use a spreadsheet, much less how to do statistical things with numbers, and stuff.

But first, our votes.

Mine are based on historical impact and/or a record of consistently good games... in other words, I'm boring. But other people will vote for unsung heroes, I'm sure.

TIP: DON'T LOOK AT OTHER PEOPLE'S VOTES BEFORE CASTING YOUR OWN.

I made that mistake with the Top Ten Games poll.

Look at the Rpg.net gaming index.

***

1. E. Gary*
2. Dave Arneson*
3. Greg Stafford
4. Jonathan Tweet
5. Sandy Petersen
6. Robin Laws
7. Marc Miller (I know I know, but Marc belongs here)
8. Mike Pondsmith (rated low because I've had very little exposure to his games)
9. Philippe Boulle
10. John Wick (so I like 7th Sea, what's it to you?)

Honorable mention: Frank Chadwick



*This is assuming that, at the end of the day, EGG was the driving force behind D&D, and DA an indispensable idea generator. That's my impression, but I may be wrong.

1. Robin Laws
2. Jonathan Tweet
3. Greg Stolze
4. John Tynes
5. Clash Bowley
6. Andrew Leker
7. Sandy Peterson
8. Mike Pondsmith
9. Phillip R. Boulle
10. Dave "Zeb" Cook

Regards,
David R

1 Tom Wham
2 David Johansen
3 Clash Bowley
4 Sean Punch
5 Coleman Charlton
6 Rick Priestly
7 Steve Jackson
8 Pete Fenlon
9 Tim Dugger
10 Steve Perrin

A few assumptions here, first off, nobody's as good as Tom Wham not even Tom Wham.  Second, cleaning up GURPS was a greater feat than designing it in the first place.

Quote from: David Johansen9 Tim Dugger

I thought he's killing Rolemaster as we speak?

hmmm...no, actually he and I are seeing a little more eye to eye these days.  Besides he's killing RMSS not Rolemaster in general.  Honestly ever since he said the magical words "Weapon Specific Critical Charts" I've been pinning for a new edition

What can I say?  I'm weak!

1. Greg Stafford
2. Ron Edwards
3. Vincent Baker
4. Paul Czege
5. Steve Perrin
6. Ray Turney
7. Greg Costikyan
8. Sandy Petersen
9. Marc Miller
10. Jared Sorenson

I'm only listing designers whose games I've actually played.

Greg Stafford - Pendragon alone would be enough, but there's also Prince Valiant; as well as his role in creating BRP and the world of Glorantha. I think he also co-designed the Ghostbusters game.
Ron Edwards - for a parcel of excellent and seminal games (Sorcerer, Trollbabe, Elfs, It Was a Mutual Decision). Also for kickstarting the indie/Forge games movement.
Vincent Baker - for Dogs in the Vineyard and a bunch of unreleased free gems.
Paul Czege - because My Life with Master is that good, as well as being a real innovation. I also like Bacchanal and the rest of his free games.
Steve Perrin and Ray Turney - for creating RQ, a highly influential game and one that kept me going for fifteen years (not neglecting Warren James and Steve Henderson, but the first two get the cover credit).
Greg Costikyan - for Paranoia, Toon and Star Wars (none of which I currently play, but all of which are milestones in RP history).
Sandy Petersen - for his early work on RQ as well as Call of Cthulhu.
Marc Miller - for Traveller (Miller will have to be a placeholder; because I don't know exactly how much the Traveller system was his baby and how much it was Chadwick's, Wiseman's or Banner's).
Jared Sorenson - for evil genius rivalled only by Greg Costikyan.


Honourable mentions - Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, for starting it all. Well, maybe.

1 Jonathan Tweet
2 Gary Gygax
3 Dave Arneson
4 Greg Porter
5 Greg Stolze
6 Christian Aldridge
7 George MacDonald
8 Greg Costykan
9 Steve Perrin
10 Fred Hicks

Sean Punch.
Dave Pulver.
Gregg Porter.
Barry Nakazano.
Sandy Petersen.
Mike Pondsmith.
Andy Chambers.
Marc Miller.

Perhaps there should be a forum for just polls and wild speculations.

Gary Gygax: Not only a driving force for D&D but the designer of the best D&D *and* the best Gamma World modules I've ever read.
Aaron Allston: Champions Guru, my favorite Hero designer. Author of Justice Inc and Superagents, as well as some good 2nd edition D&D books. Editor of the D&D Rules Cyclopedia.
Monte Cook: 3e designer, d20 and PDF pioneer
Scott Bennie: author of D&D, Hero and d20 supplements, including one of my favorites, Testament.
Steve Jackson: Maybe the best non-d20 game designer ever, author of Ogre, Fantasy Trip, Car Wars and GURPs
Steve Kenson: author of the two best d20 books yet to be written, M&M and True 20.

Quote from: NazgulPerhaps there should be a forum for just polls and wild speculations.

Its just a phase.  I don't think I've ever been to a webboard where these phases don't happen from time to time.  When we see a rash of "What xxx are you?" polls, then maybe there will be cause for concern...

Quote from: MoriartyWhen we see a rash of "What xxx are you?" polls, then maybe there will be cause for concern...

Hmm. You know, I don't think I've ever seen a "Which Game Designer Are You?" quiz. There might be something in that.

Quote from: GrimGentHmm. You know, I don't think I've ever seen a "Which Game Designer Are You?" quiz. There might be something in that.

In complete and utter disregard of what I had just typed, that quiz would indeed rule hard.

1) Aaron Allston
2) Monte Cook
3) Mike Mearls
4) Robin Laws
5) Steve Kenson (I'll forgive him Blue Rose)
6) Rober Schwalb
7-10) Reserved until I slap myself in the head later and say "oh yeah... I should have put XXX"

Top Ten, huh?

Wow. You know, I really don't know ten names off the top of my head, and I'm certain to humiliate myself by naming a fluff writer or art director or something because I happen to know his name. I just play, GM, and tinker with the things.