Salim Hakima

Online Nickname: “jangowolf“

Introduction 

Hello, my name is Salim Hakima. I am a filmmaker and video game designer. I enjoy playing and running all sorts of TTRPGs. In my free time I create hand outs, videos, and run games to help players learn to play. I also give advice and help other GMs fill their games.

Why do you play/run RPGs?

For the simple reason that playing RPGs is fun and getting to tell my own story or a collaborative story. Meeting new people is also a big part of my experience. I frequently play online and get to meet all sorts of 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?

I have been a ENNIES judge twice now so I know how to handle the commitment. Combine that with my expertise in film production and video games design. Two things that are all about managing time, files, and being efficient. I have several friends and family who can assist with trying out the games and products as I receive them.

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 a film maker and video game design I have the critical thinking skills from years of having to think on my feet and resolve things quickly, communication skills to stay in contact with other judges, organizational skills, hardware to manage the storing all the submissions.

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 enjoy all sorts of systems. As long as there is a story to tell or a interesting game mechanic I frequently play it when I am not obsessed with trying to play something else I haven’t tried before. I am currently playing Pathfinder 2e Abomination vaults. I look forward to playing Starfinder 2e and creating my own custom subsector to run in it.

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?

Pathfinder 2e, Fallout 2d20, Shadowrun 5e, Wicked Ones, Wh40k Imperium Maledictum. I played Wh40k Imperium Maledictum because I saw a GM needed players, I really wanted to try it as a player, and the GM needed some help running the game. Similarly, a GM was looking for players to try out any TTRPG. Wicked Ones and Fallout 2d20 were fun to play but when offered to try Shadowrun 5e I took the opportunity because I haven’t played it before. Shadowrun 5e is interesting but the rulebook is a hard read. My favorite so far is Pathfinder 2e because it has a solid rule set and with Starfinder 2e coming out soon. Starfinder 2e and Pathfinder 2e are being created so that both systems content are compatible.

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 have been a game master for over 2 years. I ran Wh40k Imperium Maledictum because I saw some people having trouble finding a GM for it. I also ran it to develop the custom setting I was working on. I created the custom setting by using the old Rogue Trader system and planet creation rules.

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

Trying to figure out if something is objectively fun can be difficult. So instead I focus on grading more objective things such as quality, clarity, and utility of the submission. Additionally if it meets the submission guidelines. There is a lot of variety of submissions but typically the best game has rules that are well organized, defined, and encourage creativity.

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

If I am unfamiliar with the ruleset I try to learn the ruleset by asking friends, watching lets plays, and reading the rulebook myself. If I dislike the original ruleset it is possible that a supplement can make it better by adding additionally rules, player options, items, or other requested content that improve upon it.

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

I think the ENNIES is in a good place overall. I frequently see cool and interesting things being submitted and highlighted every year that I otherwise might have missed. One of my favorite thing about the judging process is the judge‘s pick. Being able to select one product to showcase to the world that a judge thinks is cool despite not winning a award is nice