Last night I sat down with the mysterious Cabal of Oldschool Gaming - henceforth referred to as COGs, and we discussed the idea of a series of Old School Gaming awards.
True, we have the Three Castles Award, but that is a design award and in the end only applies to one release in the 12 month period.
Then there are the ENnies, which prices out most old school products simply based on the expense of mailing physical products worldwide to judges. We are largely comprised of self publishers who aren't making much scratch on their releases in the first place.
Oh, and the Diana Jones Award, which doesn't even seem to follow it's own rules for nominating. But they have a secret cabal, so they're kinda cool.
Discussions covered everything from the name of the award, how to nominate products, selection of judges, prizes, timing and a whole bunch more. It was a very productive use of our time.
It's more than a planning stage and less then set in stone. It will happen. When the rest of the COGs reveal themselves, you will see that we are on solid footing.
Yes, yesterday's post was said in jest (sadly I may need to use a disclaimer in the future) but more so for the unbalanced method that ENnies are chosen than the choices folks have made. It's important to us that the awards are open to all that consider themselves part of the old school gaming movement and they aren't priced out of the process by physical review copies. PDFs for the judges are going to be the main distribution route we aim to take.
The COGs are open to input from The Tavern's Community and beyond. Categories, nomination process, type of awards (we're toying with a few), whatever you think may be of import. They will read your comments as will I.
Recognizing what our community produces is important, not just to the COGs but the community itself. Great products often slip off the radar. The community will be a huge part of the process, as well they should be.
Picturing Solo History
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There are many gamers who will tell you that it was *Vampire the Masquerade*
that got them into roleplaying. That was in the 1990s. There are many
gamers ...
1 hour ago
This sounds great. But will the COGs need to define what is considered Old School?
ReplyDeleteOld School Gaming is like porn, we know it when we see it ;)
DeleteO ho ho ho! :D
DeleteHa ha that's so true!
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DeleteYou should present the awards at GaryCon...the Mecca of Old School Gaming!
ReplyDeleteThe Geekpreacher
That's a great idea ... I was hoping yesterdays post was made in jest ... :-)
ReplyDelete(sometimes irony is hard to catch in writing)
I do like that you'd let everyone that define themselves as Old School ... sometimes it's not about mechanics or retroclone as much as intention and feelings ...
Btw James Spahn on Lulu both of your Heroe's Journey books are listed as HC but one is priced at $30 and the other at $40 ... what's the difference here?
I'm going to guess the quality of the paper...
DeleteI'd think so as well but I can't seem to find any information... and the weight is the same...
DeleteThe cheaper product is black and white interior.
DeleteThat's a great idea ... I was hoping yesterdays post was made in jest ... :-)
ReplyDelete(sometimes irony is hard to catch in writing)
I do like that you'd let everyone that define themselves as Old School ... sometimes it's not about mechanics or retroclone as much as intention and feelings ...
Btw James Spahn on Lulu both of your Heroe's Journey books are listed as HC but one is priced at $30 and the other at $40 ... what's the difference here?
I suggest that OSR and traditional RPGS be used to both differentiate and inude those on the fringe. Gary Con would be a great choice for holding the awards ceremony. Game Hole Con would be my 2nd choice.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a great idea. People should be honored for their work (when appropriate) and more advertising/getting people talking the better.
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to look at things like just nominating RPGs, and then when it comes time to vote, you vote for your choice or choices while simultaneously classifying them as "OSRPG" or "NSRPG". Could then say "best game in category (total votes)," "best OSRPG in category," "best NSRPG in category."
ReplyDeleteWould be interesting with no definitions used of "old school" and "new school" if after a few years you could use that data to see what the voting crowd considers old-school sensibilities or not.
I like the idea in general of a small-press award though.
We are Grognards, so it will be Old School (notice I have not labeled it OSR)
DeleteWould there be a way to capture whether a voter also owns the product they are proclaiming to be the best? Perhaps the first question is "check all products you own"?
ReplyDeleteI think we have to rely a bit on the goodwill of the hobby. Still, we'll see what solutions we have when we get there
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ReplyDeleteI think this is a great idea. I loved my time at Gen Con, but outside of Troll Lords, Tagging and Black Blade there was no old school to be found here.
ReplyDeleteNot "Tagging" but "Raggi".
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