The ENnie Awards

 

 

Michael Harrison

Michael Harrison

aka Czech

Introduction
I'm Michael Harrison and I write for Wired.com's GeekDad blog. I focus on gaming, specifically tabletop RPGs and boardgames, and given that I work quite a lot on reviewing various games that I buy and play, I feel like participating in the ENnies would be a natural extension of that.

1. When did you join the RPG hobby and what inspired you to become involved and stay with it?
I've been playing RPGs since I was about ten years old, which was in 1991. I started with 2nd edition AD&D and graduated on to GURPS, Shadowrun, Earthdawn, and others. I've always enjoyed the collaborative storytelling aspect as well as the tactical gaming side, and it's something that has contributed quite positively to my own personal development.

2. Since you joined the hobby, what roles have you played (e.g. vending, professional writing and publishing, freelancing, reviewing, convention organizing, homebrewing, playing, GMing, etc.)?
Ever since I began playing, GMing was my bag. I whiled away days and days, creating new worlds and stories (most of which probably never saw the table or the players) and I began to work on my own gaming systems in early high school. I remember helping a friend with a play-by-note space exploration game, which we ran throughout sophomore year. Participants would pass notes with their moves and actions and we'd tally the events up and reveal the results at lunchtime. It was a blast.

Now, as a writer at Wired.com, I review products from various publishers with my regular gaming group.
3. The ENnies require a major commitment of time and mental energy. What resources do you bring that will help you discharge these responsibilities? Will your gaming group or other individuals be assisting you? Does your family support you?
I've been a core contributor at GeekDad for nearly three years. I have a regular gaming group that loves to help out with review duties, and my wife is a member of that group. We're all in this together!
4. 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'm a Lifehacker and GTDer 4 life. My dayjob is at an online marketing firm, where I manage over 80 different accounts, so time management, communication and deadlines are a part of my professional life.

Like I said before, I've been writing for Wired.com's GeekDad blog for several years and if anyone knows how to keep to a deadline, it's a blogger at Wired.

As far as storage space, I'm sure I can find some room next to my boxes of Dwarven Forge!
5. 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/girl”?
I run the gamut. I love tactical games like modern D&D, but I started off with old-school style gaming where 10 foot poles were mandatory and the rules existed only to push the story forward.

I've recently had a lot of fun with Robin Laws' GUMSHOE system, specifically Esoterrorists, and my weekly gaming group is on a yearlong 4e campaign that shows no sign of stopping. Most recently, I ran a short 4th edition Shadowrun game with some other friends, too.

I love trying out new systems, but if given the option, I tend to choose combat-oriented games.
6. What system do you think is best designed? Is it the one you play most?
Currently, I derive most of my pleasure from D&D 4e. I have a regular group that has developed a really amazing rapport, and the roleplaying and tactical experiences we've gotten out of the game have been unforgettable. For its ability to involve and engage tacticians and roleplayers at the table, 4e gets my vote for best designed.
7. What games have you played in the past year? List up to 10 RPGs you have played the most.
Played in the last year:
- Shadowrun 4th Edition
- D&D 4e
- D&D 3.5
- Esoterrorists/GUMSHOE
- Pathfinder
- Savage Worlds

RPGs Played the Most:
- D&D 4e
- Shadowrun (2nd edition through 4th edition)
- D&D 3.0/3.5
- GURPS
- Call of Cthulhu
- Savage Worlds
- OD&D
8. Briefly summarize the criteria you will use for judging products in the different categories. How will you deal with comparing products of vastly disparate lengths, medium (PDF vs. print), or mechanics to prose ratios? Will innovation and originality play a major role?
For me, it's about the fine line between how a product caters to a specific type of player and how it appeals to a broader audience.

My group is extremely versatile, but we have our types, and it's important to understand and report on how a freeform, story-based investigative game just won't appeal to the wargamer in your RPG group. Furthermore, it's key to show how such games can offer overlap that might draw in that someone who keeps their dice bag on their belt at all times and can't imagine not chucking a polyhedral.

Each product has a place and a purpose, essentially, and they have to be viewed within context before determining their value.
9. How will you judge supplements or adventures for game systems whose core rules you are unfamiliar with or you believe are badly designed? What about for systems that are out of print?
Depending on the time at hand, I will do my best to learn the game systems in question before judging a supplemental product. Otherwise, I couldn't rightfully pass judgment on them.

For systems that are badly designed, I feel that it is important to look past the core ruleset and try to weigh the supplement itself for those in its target audience. How does it improve the core system? How does it add new or exciting experiences to the gaming table for that system?

Out-of-print systems are a little trickier. There are a lot of resources available online that would allow for review, but as stated above, unless I can review the supplement as it relates to its system, I don't think I would feel comfortable passing judgment.
10. How would you like to see the ENnies change (categories, policies, etc)? What should remain inviolate?
I am not terribly familiar with the ENies policies, but the one category change I'd like to see is a split in the "Website" award. This year, blog sites like Critical Hits were paired up with utility sites like Obsidian Portal. A split for blogs and online tools would be very helpful, I think.
BONUS: (optional) If you were an RPG, what would it be, and would you play it?
I am a online marketing analyst, blogger, husband, and father. My RPG would have a lot of upkeep, a lot of grind, and a lot of repetition. The rewards system would be fairly minimal.

Every once in a while (not often enough, most would agree), it would offer the chance to participate in an adventure of some sort. During the weekend, usually. The characters would be able to cast aside their mild-mannered disguises, take on their secret identities and kick some serious ass.

So, yeah. Probably a superhero RPG of some kind. :)

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