This is a unique and very subjective Sub-Award. It goes to the designer who displayed the best support of their 2003 published game. This could be through the creation of forums or mailing lists about their game, their response times to questions about their games, the designer's use of marketing to get the word out about their game, the organization of the game's website, and of course support materials like free downloads, rules, starter kits, materials, adventures and supplements.
The Finalists and Selected Peer Feedback
Active Exploits 2nd Edition
PIG (aside from having a great acronym) make sure that every title
they release is supported with pdf enhancements, forum talk and so
on.
Free PDF and online material at web site, discussion list, and forums. Plus compatibility with other systems.
AE has a huge amount of free material available at the PIGames site, plus a whole pile of games that run on the system.
FATE (aka "Fudge FATE")
For their great web-presence, offering downloads, discussion forums,
resource wiki and even an online character developer. Now that's service,
and a full-use of the internet for all that it can help them provide.
Rob and Fred are always available to discuss their game, and actually incorporate the users feedback into the game with every edition - not just in a salutory way, but in a way that makes the game more what people want with every edition.
My Life With Master
I'm going to have "My Life With Master", just for the speed
at which Paul responds to forum posts on the game. Direct access to
the designer is always a good thing.
Pax Draconis
After the years he has had his booth at the major cons, the efforts
he's put into supporting his small fan base, what he lacks in actual
supplements, he makes up for in personal sacrifice.
The creator and several playtesters and developers man forums where people can do more than ask questions - for example, they can develop ideas that aren't part of the current rules or setting. Additionally, lots of downloads and a bi-monthly column give new and experienced players resources they can use.
The folks at Technicraft are absolutely TIRELESS in their support and exhortation of Pax Draconis.
Wushu
I've seen this company put out several support modules for the Wushu
game, such as gun-fu, cut-fu, and car-fu.
The Runners Up
| 3rd Place, with 25 Points | PAX DRACONIS |
| 2nd Place, with 26 Points | ACTIVE EXPLOITS 2nd EDITION |
And the Winner, with 52 Points, is...
|
FATE (Fudge
FATE) Support-wise, the FATE guys are insane! They have the LiveJournal and the Yahoo! group, yeah, but it's the WIKI that completely blew me away. There's so much content. You can literally dig for hours through rules clarifications, setting material for *multiple* campaigns, links, and actual play reports. |
Further Feedback:
Active Exploits 2nd Edition
The quantity and quality of Active Exploits releases are remarkably
high.
I've had nothing but good luck with the publishers of AED in regards to customer service.
FATE
Although Active Exploits does have a fair amount of support, FATE's
ability to tap into the Fudge support network while retaining a crisp
new system is massive.
Having playtested the rules, I have found that the ideas and concepts presented in FATE not only work for Fudge, but also for other systems.
I'm impressed with the system from what I've seen of it and it seems well supported.
A large and active community with some great voices.
Nice website, a yahoo group with discussions and supporting files, online tools like a character developer and even a wiki.
Fred and gang are always pumping support of FATE, replying to questions quickly on their mailing list or on RPG boards. Their support model is one to follow.
Pax Draconis
Lots of supplements and a decent website.
Wushu
Again best cinematic rules set
Other
These guys have worked hard to have a product for every genre, and
very often they are high quality too. That kind of coverage is hard
work, and deserves respect - not to mention attracts customers like
flies. A generic system is dull. A good sourcebook on your favourite
genre is a must-have.
