Wasn't sure where to put this, so this'll have to do!  (Conventions?  But it's more than just a Gen Con thang... Publishers?  But publishers aren't eligible to run for judgehood, although they can vote...)
New this year, I've opened up the judge selection to non-EN Worlders.  This means that you don't have to be a member of EN World to be a judge, nor to vote.  Even if Forge peeps don't/can't run for judge, I'd like to encourage 'em all to cast their votes for the judges for whom they feel represent best their interests.
More details at the new ENnies site at www.ennieawards.com

Thanks!

Thanks for the heads-up, Denise.  What prompted the change?

Jason wrote:
Thanks for the heads-up, Denise.  What prompted the change?

I am in awe. Denise, that is a momentous decision which took a lot of guts.

Best, Ron

Denise, this is awesome.  I have a few questions.

Judges cannot have ANY professional relationship with ANY entity that published a roleplaying game in 2006, even if that entity's products were not submitted for an ENnie?  If so, that excludes most indie games designers that I can think of, but we could nominate, like, Andy Kitkowski or Adam Dray or Lisa Provost (not that they would necessarily have the time) or someone else who has no relationship to any game published in 2006.

Is there a sense of how many products a single judge will review?  Is the answer "all of them that get submitted"?  If so, wow, that is a HUGE commitment.

Good questions, J.

Yep, each judge has to evaluate each and every product submitted- that consists of IIRC about four to six boxes full of books, accessories, and CDs.  I already have a case of books and other goodies ready to ship from entries submitted at Gen Con 06.  It's hundreds, possibly hours worth of reading.  Depending on their time constraints, many judges take a week or two off work in May/June in order to complete the task.  The good news is, you get a bunch of excellent products, free Gen Con passes and a place to stay, and an unforgettable experience!

And you're right, chances are, most people here have don't qualify on account of having produced a game in the past year.  These are meant to be fandom awards, not professional ones- plus we want to reduce the chances of bias (real or perceived).

Hey, I just realized that I actually qualify for this. What do you know. Now I'll just need to figure out how to get the diaspora to vote for me in this showdown. After that it'll be Gencon time!

Damn. Thinking it through, I actually notice now that I'm a publisher myself, albeit in a different language area. How the heck is anybody supposed to get their paws on Ennies judgeship with this kind of requirements... I guess it's just not meant for us :(

At the very least, don't forget to vote for your choice of judge!  When the nominations are announced, read their statements and ask 'em questions!

I just started up a thread over at http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=187231 in which I hope voters will ask questions of the nominees.  If you don't want to join EN World, feel free to ask a question in here and I'll post it over there.
(I was going to start up our own forums to keep it on neutral ground, but I don't want to stir the pot that much (yet)!)

Denise:

I have a judge-suitability question: let's say I am a publisher but have not published a new game or other product in 2006. However, I started selling a print version of a product for 2006 which was previously only available as a PDF. Would this disqualify that person from being a judge?

Sorry, Grey, but you definitely qualify as being a publisher, so wouldn't be able to be a judge!

greyorm wrote:
Denise:

I have a judge-suitability question: let's say I am a publisher but have not published a new game or other product in 2006. However, I started selling a print version of a product for 2006 which was previously only available as a PDF. Would this disqualify that person from being a judge?

Hi Denise,

I had a couple of questions. Does playtesting disqualify someone? Also when exactly is a person considered a publisher? When they start working on a game that may or may not see the light of day, when they finally print the game, or when they first attempt to sell the game? I'm working on my first game which could possibly be done by Gen Con this year, but will not be sold before then. I would obviously have to have the books printed before August.

Hi Clyde, and thanks for your interest!

Playtesting is judged on a case by case basis with factors such as renumeration, depth of involvement, whether the publisher is entering, etc. 
But if you're publishing this year, we couldn't have you as a judge- imagine if your book, freshly-released at Gen Con Indy, was touted as The Next Big Thing, and then there you are, on stage at the ENnies as a judge!  The optics on that one would not be good.

Basically, the Board takes into consideration the two following factors:
1. Fairness/Impartiality.  We have to try to avoid all possibilities of conflict of interest.
2. Fan Awards.  These are not Industry awards, these are awards for fans, run by fans.  Professionals- publishers, freelancers, etc. cannot judge.

Sorry you can't be involved this time around- but you are certainly welcome to vote for a judge and for your favourite products!  It looks as though we may have at least one candidate from the Forge...

Clyde wrote:
Hi Denise,

I had a couple of questions. Does playtesting disqualify someone? Also when exactly is a person considered a publisher? When they start working on a game that may or may not see the light of day, when they finally print the game, or when they first attempt to sell the game? I'm working on my first game which could possibly be done by Gen Con this year, but will not be sold before then. I would obviously have to have the books printed before August.

Hi Denise,

Gotcha. Thanks.

Denise wrote: Sorry, Grey, but you definitely qualify as being a publisher, so wouldn't be able to be a judge!

We now have seven judge candidates, and an interesting discussion (http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=187231) going on EN World with fans asking the judges their opinions on certain topics.

I don't know if any Forge peeps would like to start up a thread of their own to which I could link from the ENnies site (that'd be awesome!), or if they'd like to join EN World, but I think it could be beneficial to see where the candidates stand on issues that are important to you.

Nominations close Saturday, so please don't delay if you're planning on entering.  Also, I try to post the entries every night before heading to bed, so if you don't see your entry on the site  (ennieawards.com/judgenominees.html) and you're sure you sent it, please contact me

So, what would you like to ask the potential judges?  Thus far we have:

1. How do you think price factors when evaluating a product?
2. Do you have a favourite system, or particular dislike of one? Why? How will this affect your ability to judge products?
3. How do you feel about PDFs? Inherent advantages and/or disadvantages?
4. Mutant or troll?
5. mechanics or concepts? if you find too many errors in mechanics or in the writing will you fault the submission?
6. are you in a long term relationship or a job which requires you to be on call or have little free time? how much time are you willing to spend to see this project to completion? are the outside factors going to effect your commitment? (a non gaming SO, a sick child, an aging parent, a new job, a move, planning a marriage, etc...)
7. what are you gonna do with your stuff when all is done?
8. 4e - Now, Soon, Later, or Never?
9. Which is your favorite Beatle?
10. Software. What role do you see for software in DnD? Do you use software in DnD (more than Word/PDF etc)? Are minis more important than software?
*
12.  What game(s) are you playing in now / have played in in the past year?

*Question 11 asked about bribery, so I'm skipping that one.

"Does System matter?" seems like a given to me ;)

Heya Eero, howsabout starting up a new thread with the question?  I'd hate for any questions be lost amongst this thread with all the eligibility questions, y'know?  As soon as it's going, I'll send the nominees over here, and perhaps other Forge members can contribute some questions, too!

New threads should go into the Conventions forum. That's sort of the best fit, I think.

Best, Ron

How do you send in a nomination form? Can you nominate yourself or does someone else need to nominate you? Is it too late to realistically run at this point?

Calithena wrote:
How do you send in a nomination form? Can you nominate yourself or does someone else need to nominate you? Is it too late to realistically run at this point?