Christopher D Gath

Online Nickname: Crothian

Introduction 

Greeting! I am a long time table gamer. I run and play games over three times a week. I volunteer at a local teen club to run RPGS for them about once a month. I’ve been a judge before and now the difficulties it brings. I’m an accountant so I am organized and I meet my deadlines. I work well with others and help compromise with people so that everyone gets heard.

Why do you play/run RPGs?

It is a great creative outlet but these days it is for the community. I’ve made life long friends through gaming and I really enjoy the sense of wonderment and accomplishment it can bring to other players.

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 work mostly from home and that allows me the flexibility to get more done and help with time management. I have been a judge before and my friends and family support and help me with it. They pick up the slack on some of my other responsibilities so that I can have the time needed for the ENNIES.

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?

As an accountant I am constantly faced with problems that have to be solved by critical thinking. I work with a team of people and we all contribute. I do not miss deadlines and I usually beat them so my time management skills are great. I have a library cart and a room dedicated for storage of all the items if needed.

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?

I mostly game in fantasy though over the years I’ve played pretty much everything. I really enjoy the quirky games like Paranoia or the personal horror games like Changeling the Dreaming. These games have great variety and allow for creativity.

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?

I run D&D as that is the game most people still want to play. I get to bring out Shanty Hunters and Flabbergasted for the teens when I can get them away from D&D. I’ve enjoyed some Shadow Dark and also Paranoia. There are many more as I will get on line and just find people to play with.

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?

I run games because it is difficult and hard. Many people want to play not run so I try to run multiple times to let people play and have fun. I enjoy introducing new games to people and that is what I do in the monthly Teen gaming club I have run. I like games that support the players and allow them be the in the spotlight.

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

Best game is the aggregate of every other category almost. It most have an intriguing concept. It needs rules that support that concept and are easy to understand. The layout and art can help inspire the game and needs to fit the theme. The writing needs to be clear and concise and well organized.

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

I will go out and buy a game I don’t have if I need to. I have a vast RPG library of several thousand books as I really enjoy just reading game books and finding inspiration from them. I am familiar with many of the current published games.

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

I’d like to see the ENNIEs do more to help out small indie publishers. There are many great creative writers out there that have a difficult time getting their game seen.