Online Nickname(s): amazingrando

Introduction and Platform

I have a lifelong love and passion for TTRPGs, having played them for 20+ years. I run several RPG SRD sites, most notably the Fate SRD and the Blades in the Dark SRD. I would make an excellent judge because I believe in the power of RPGs as art and joy, and I want to help this year’s contenders get the attention they deserve.

Why do you play/run RPGs?

I play and run RPGs because I love stories. Every RPG, even crunchy ones, creates stories. What group doesn’t have “war stories” about what happened when they fought the evil so-and-so? For the last 17 years our gaming group has been keeping notes of all of our games at https://drinkinganddragons.com.

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 the full support of my family for my hobbies. If selected, I would have an overarching plan for accomplishing what needs to be done, broken down week by week. Part of my day job is managing large projects, so I have the skills to keep myself on task.

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?

I am the Creative Director of a medium-sized digital agency with many big name clients. Successful projects are critical, so I have all of these skills in spades.

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 particular system’s, publisher’s, or genre’s “fanboy/fangirl/fanperson”?

I enjoy games where the rules reinforce the story of the game. My favorite system is Fate, followed by Blades in the Dark. I play and run all genres, except for cyberpunk. I have a hard time getting into that.

What games have you played in the past year? List up to 10 RPGs you have played the most. Which ones, if any, have you loved or hated?

In the past year:
Fate (loved)
Night Witches (loved)
Brindlewood Bay (loved)
Bluebeard’s Bride (liked)
Epitaph (liked)
Monster of the Week (liked)
Over the Edge (was okay)
Downfall (liked)
Business Wizards (like liked)

The RPGs that I have played the most:
D&D 3.5
Pathfinder
Fate

Briefly summarize the criteria you will use for judging products in the different categories.

The criteria I would use is:
* The quality of the writing, both technical and entertainment
* The quality of the layout design, e.g. typography, etc.
* The quality of the illustrations
* How easy is it to go from knowing nothing about the game to playing it
* Are digital resources available?
* Can I easily read the RPG on my phone?
* Is there an index? Is it useful?
* Is there a table of contents?
* Are there page numbers?

I’m also sure I would come up with more criteria prior to beginning the review process.

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 seek out experts with those gaming systems and solicit their opinions and weigh that into my criteria.

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

Shipping internationally to judges makes it difficult for some publishers to submit their work for consideration. The ENNIES should cover these shipping costs. I understand that money to do that would have to be raised by the ENNIES somehow.

BONUS: (optional) If you were an RPG, what would it be and would you play it?

If I were an RPG, I would be a Dad Joke RPG, and yes, I would play the hell outta it.