Ryan Garringer
Online Nickname(s): ThemboNRG
Introduction
I’m Ryan Garringer. I’m a neurodivergent, queer aspiring game designer but long time RPG player and supporter. I played my first session of Dungeons & Dragons when I was 11 years old and have been hooked since. It’s gone on to be a major part of my life and a huge special interest. I’ve read over 200 RPGs since then, have run games in many different systems, and have introduced dozens of people to tabletop gaming. I feel like play and play that has safe boundaries lets us explore things that might be uncomfortable in an environment that allows for that exploration to be done safely.
Why do you play/run RPGs?
I run/play RPGs for several different reasons. One, game design is a special interest of mine and I love to see different creators’ visions at work. I also think that RPGs play a role socially that allows us to explore things about ourselves or the world in a safe environment. Lastly, I’ve been playing TTRPGs for 28 years and I’ve made a lot of incredible friendships and connections that I will always treasure through these games and feel like they’re a great way to meet new people.
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?
My partner is incredibly supportive and I have several groups of people that I play various games with, including a group that meets to regularly play one-shots of systems we’ve never played before. The group includes published game designers or game designers in the middle of designing products.
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?
One, I have a depth and breadth of experience with other TTRPGs and other analog games as I’ve been playing games since I was very young. I also managed a board game store for almost 10 years so I have an understanding of not only what makes a good game but what makes a good product. Additionally, I currently work in IT doing remote support for medical records software, which requires me to navigate tight deadlines, provide thorough and clear documentation, communication and the ability to work with teams and individuals that might have different needs and priorities than my own, and the ability to self-organize and manage a schedule so I can stay up
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 tend to enjoy light, narrative games like PbtA or Belonging Outside Belonging games or crunchy build focused games like post-AD&D Dungeons & Eragons, Pathfinder, and Lancer. I wouldn’t say that there are any styles of play or genres that I dislike, but I don’t really play generic systems often. I also tend to like horror-based games or campaigns, but that can very a lot in tone or game style.
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?
Coyote & Crow
Dungeons & Dragons
VOID 1680 AM
Once More Into the Void
Monster of the Week
I enjoyed Coyote and Crow for its anti-colonial setting and the way that despite being a more mechanically heavy game, it still bakes some flavor into the mechanics by having the mechanics function in Base 12. I also really enjoyed VOID 1680 AM and the way recording the session by yourself makes you feel like a lonely late night disk jockey. I don’t know if I understand in general why people like solo roleplaying but it did show me that the genre can provide a fun experience.
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?
Yes, I’ve been running Monster of the Week because my partner wanted to play something that I ran. I’m also starting playtesting of the RPG that I’m working on, which is obviously to learn how my game plays once you get it to the table and if people actually think that what I’ve made is fun in play or not.
Summarize the criteria you would use to determine if a game deserves to be nominated for Best Game.
I think a game nominated for best game would need to not only really nail its design goals, but do it in a way that’s fun for everyone at the table to engage in, really ties those goals into the game’s setting and/or mechanics, and does so while providing a clean layout that guides all parties through the gameplay experience.
How will you judge supplements or adventures for game systems whose core rules you are unfamiliar with or you believe are badly designed?
I would first learn the system that the book is material for, and then I would try to get at least some of the material I would be judging into play. Then, I would collect my thoughts on the material as a stand alone experience, without regard for my thoughts about the system it’s written for. I wholly believe that you could
How would you like to see the ENNIEs change? What should remain inviolate?
I think the guidelines that products should be created by actual people should never be changed, and if anything should be made more strict to disallow products using AI entirely. I think that all media is art and that art should be created by people for people. I also wish that there were categories in place that allowed for the awards to spotlight indie creators without them having to compete against industry powerhouses.