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

PS: Posted to the "The Ennies Nominees Are Announced" thread, but I reposted it in a new thread because the old thread seems to have gotten rather poisonous...

-clash

I really don't find that to be a valid reason. It's either a good game or it's not. Scope should not be a factor since it is a historical game.

"Very specific type or roleplayer . . .  . "

Hmmm, I don't know what to make of that. I think most games attract a very specific type of roleplayer. That's why you buy the game in the first place, because it's specific to your tastes.

I think IHM was dropped because it wasn't one of the usual suspects. If IHM was on everybody's hype list things would have been different.

Although, as you say Clash, a tip of the hat beats a kick in the pants.

Actually, if I were in his place I'd probably do the same - in weighing subtle advantages between several closely competitive products for a general prize, where you have to eliminate something on some basis, then I think broadness of applicability is a valid point for discrimination.

-clash

Burning Empires also appeals only to a very specific type of gamer, so I don't see what the difference is here...

RPGPundit

Quote from: RPGPunditBurning Empires also appeals only to a very specific type of gamer, so I don't see what the difference is here...

RPGPundit

Yes and no. In Harm's Way is a historical game which has always been a niche market, but it has a traditional game system. Conversely Burning Empires is Sci-Fi, a staple genre, but with a somewhat non-traditional mechanical system. So yes, it is also a niche game, but I think the genre wins out over any forge influences it might have (and it's a real pretty book from what I hear, so I'm sure the judges were taken in by that--all that glitters and all that).

Well, it sounds like he had quite a few faves, and IHW was one of those.  Personally, IHW would have got my nod, but its nice he took the time to explain his rationale (agree with it or no) and praise the game anyhow.

Quote from: Zachary The FirstWell, it sounds like he had quite a few faves, and IHW was one of those.  Personally, IHW would have got my nod, but its nice he took the time to explain his rationale (agree with it or no) and praise the game anyhow.

I agree! MotG has been true to his campaign promise of making the judging process as open as possible, in several different ways.

Thanks, guys! I think maybe you all had a better opinion of IHW than I did. I mean I knew when I was writing it that it was the best thing I'd done yet, but judging one's own work against other games is difficult at best.

-clash

Quote from: flyingmiceI agree! MotG has been true to his campaign promise of making the judging process as open as possible, in several different ways.

Thanks, guys! I think maybe you all had a better opinion of IHW than I did. I mean I knew when I was writing it that it was the best thing I'd done yet, but judging one's own work against other games is difficult at best.

-clash

I reall ythink being open with the entire process is the only way to go about it.  I'm weighing a judge run myself for next year, and I think that would have to be a cornerstone of how I'd do things.  Kudos to him.

Clash, I'm not sure what you have up ahead, but I can say in all honesty IHW is one of those rare games that you know you'll never get rid of in your collection.  I was also hoping that you might agree to run a session at GC for us.

Quote from: Zachary The FirstClash, I'm not sure what you have up ahead, but I can say in all honesty IHW is one of those rare games that you know you'll never get rid of in your collection.  I was also hoping that you might agree to run a session at GC for us.

I'd be delighted.

-clash

Quote from: Zachary The FirstClash, I'm not sure what you have up ahead, but I can say in all honesty IHW is one of those rare games that you know you'll never get rid of in your collection.  I was also hoping that you might agree to run a session at GC for us.

The only problem I see, is that now I have to get everything labelled IHW. A problem because I hear IHW:FATAL is coming up soon :eek:

Regards,
David R

Quote from: David RThe only problem I see, is that now I have to get everything labelled IHW. A problem because I hear IHW:FATAL is coming up soon :eek:

Regards,
David R

Haha! Very funny, David! It's actually called "In Arm's Way: The Grappling"

-clash

Quote from: flyingmiceHaha! Very funny, David! It's actually called "In Arm's Way: The Grappling"

The Horror...the horror...

Regards,
David R