Online Nickname: @ChadERoberts, Hsart/Trashorama (Discord/Twitch)

Introduction 

My name is Chad, and I have had a passion for RPG’s since 1983. More recently, I currently maintain the RPGGeek Twitter presence, am the primary admin for the BoardGameGeek Discord, where I advocate for RPG games, and formerly did the RPGGeek interviews during GenCon for BGG’s streaming schedule.

My passion for gaming runs deep, and I want to advocate great games for all. I think the Ennies capture that very well, and would love to be part of the process.

Why do you play/run RPGs?

I love playing/GM’ing games as a great unifier of individuals with like minded passions, It educates of ideals, aesthetics, and writing styles from not just our local cultures, but of the world. The idea of all that under the much needed concept of play for humans is fantastic and irresistible.

The ENNIES requires a major commitment of time and energy. What resources do you have that will help you discharge these responsibilities? Will your gaming group or other individuals be assisting you? Does your family support you?

I have a great local play group to test systems, adventures, and products related to the hobby that may be judged.

I love to read and evaluate new games on the market and have a lot of local resources to procure them already.

My spouse is also a avid gamer and loves games as much as I.

Judging requires a great deal of critical thinking skills, communication with other judges, deadline management, organization, and storage space for the product received. What interests, experience, and skills do you bring that will make you a more effective judge?

In terms of logistics, I maintain a library of 3-5000 board, card, and RPG titles. I have plenty of space already.

Since I already advocate on new games, and help organize social media platforms for discussions of them, and years of historic knowledge of games and the games industry, I think I bring a unique value to the table.

What styles and genres of RPGs do you enjoy most? Are there any styles or genres that you do not enjoy? Which games best exemplify what you like? Do you consider yourself a fan of a particular system, publisher, or genre?

Since the Pandemic, I have been playing and paying a lot of attention to solo RPG’s. Games like Thosand Year Old Vampire, modified The Quiet Year, In Too Deep are prime examples.

However, I think Fantasy and horror based themes appeal to me most.

Right now, I’m am engaged with Vaesen, Root, Mausritter, D&D, Old Gods of Appalachia (since I was raised on the edge of the Smokey Mountains), Mork Borg, Cairn, Into the Odd, and Mothership.

List (up to 5) games you’ve played in the last 2 years. What drew you to playing them? Which did you like best and why?

D&D – Passion since Youth.
Mork Borg – So simple, and the theme!
In Too Deep – I can’t stop playing it! Solo RPG about being the last Dwarf in Moria? Yes please!
Root RPG – Because everyone needs to release their inner Raccoon once in a while.
The Quiet Year – I always come back to this, as it’s a easy game to teach, GMless, and expands the boundaries of what a game can be.

Have you been a game master in the past 2 years? If yes, what games have you run? What made you decide to run those games?

Root RPG – Simple system to pick up and play, and has range from being slapstick fun to political drama.
Mork Borg- Simple, versatile system, dripping with theme.
D&D – Sometimes, a game is in your DNA. D&D is just that.

Summarize the criteria you would use to determine if a game deserves to be nominated for Best Game.

Best Game for me should really be reserved for a game that has it all. Great design, aesthetics, editing, production quality, availability.
In essence – The “IT” game of the year.

How will you judge supplements or adventures for game systems whose core rules you are unfamiliar with or you believe are badly designed?

A book or adventure can stand on it’s own in terms of quality.
So many independent/system agnostic books are proving this to be true year over year.
You just have to read the books for quality and turn over every stone. Gems are out there.

How would you like to see the ENNIEs change? What should remain inviolate?

I would like to see something geared toward Indie publishers/self published books. There are a lot of folks doing great work out there who deserve awards, yet sometimes get outshined by a larger publishing budget.
Something I would like see remain is the streaming of the actual awards. I think a lot of people are interested, and would like to watch from home.