The past few years have led to drama over the ENnies Awards. This year is no different. This year, the OSR did extremely well, Zak S in particular. Thus, it is time to change the system to ensure this isn't repeated.
The ENnies Awards blog has posted that there will be upcoming changes in how the winners get picked (few details if any) in response to the "gaming" of the vote by Zak S and James Raggi. The same "gaming" of the vote they tell you not to do while telling you exactly how to do it. The same "gaming" of the vote that has been done for years by others, including major publishers, I am sure. The ENnies are not an industry Award, they are a rigged popularity contest. It just that the wrong folks rigged the contest this year.Link to Episode 91 - https://anchor.fm/tavernchat/episodes/Episode-91---Ennies--They-are-a-Changing-no-more-stuffing-e216fa
Link to ENnies blog - www.ennie-awards.com/blog/ennie-awards-time-for-change/
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ReplyDeleteWe know better than to insert politics. Nothing personal.
DeleteThis is why I don’t sweat most awards. That being said I’d be thrilled to win one some day, and if I do, it won’t be gimmickry.
ReplyDeleteNot to start a fight, but besides putting out good books and maintaining an active albeit controversial internet presence, how did Zak and Raggi game the vote?
ReplyDeleteWouldn't this be fallout from zweihander winning?
ReplyDeleteSomething has to change. Awards need to focus back on quality and utility and less on the popularity or infamy of their creator(s). Good piece thanks!
ReplyDeleteI don't understand? Wasn't Zweihander good enough?
ReplyDeleteI spoke with Stacey Muth after our talk on GenCon’s Twitch interview about the ENnies. We had a long talk about its history and opportunities to improve. Rest assured this wasn’t a response to anyones’ wins this year; it’s a response to how the system has functioned for 18 years, and changes as needed to adapt to the growth of the industry.
ReplyDeleteJust listened to the podcast. Wanna have a recorded chat about the ENnies from my perspective (where I agree/disagree with your assessment)? Should be fun, plus we can finally virtually shake hands. Lemme know - daniel@grimandperilous.com
ReplyDeleteI'll ping you later Daniel. And yes, it should be fun :)
DeleteIt’s not really any different from popular KS’ers using backer updates to beg for votes.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a different RPG awards ceremony held at Gen Con every year. I just need to think of a catchy name.. The Tenkies?
ReplyDeleteHow about binding the ENnies more to Gen Con and ONLY allow votes for those who have pre-registered for the con. One registration... One vote. Done.
ReplyDeleteI voted for Zweihander and some OSR titles.. from one IP. Do they have any proof that ballot stuffing even happened?
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