Defender Awards 2018

[Tim Stark]

*polishes his trophycase of Meltdown awards*

Y’all are just jealous. I worked hard to make an ass of myself for all those years, this years’ nominees are trite and lightweight competition in comparison.

Well, you're not wrong that these are lightweight in comparison.

You're unwelcome from setting foot in or getting involved with the vast majority of the NS Gameplay community for far more severe actions than those currently being nominated for the award are guilty of, after all.

[Wabbitslayah]

As far as discussion on meltdown goes, I don't foresee anything changing with respect to the category this year at this point. I don't really remember if there was a rationale for changing the Meltdown to raider only last year or if it was just a misunderstanding of what it had traditionally been as part of the FRA awards. Due to constraints on my time leading up to this year's awards, I wasn't really able to give a critical look at last year's awards to find and implement ways to improve upon them. As a result, we're more or less running it back on how they were ran last year by W&S.

Over the course of this year's awards however some interesting points of discussion have come up as part of the nomination process and that may lead to some changes to, some additions of, or some removals of awards next year.

All that said, there are about 2 more days to get your nominations in before voting starts

That's a bit of a cop out no? It was discussed before. Should have been changed to remove OOC events and opened to everyone not just raiders or gotten rid of entirely. It still can. Voting hasn't even happened, if it had then it would be begrudgingly fine to accept it.

[Deadeye Jack]

As far as discussion on meltdown goes, I don't foresee anything changing with respect to the category this year at this point. I don't really remember if there was a rationale for changing the Meltdown to raider only last year or if it was just a misunderstanding of what it had traditionally been as part of the FRA awards. Due to constraints on my time leading up to this year's awards, I wasn't really able to give a critical look at last year's awards to find and implement ways to improve upon them. As a result, we're more or less running it back on how they were ran last year by W&S.

Over the course of this year's awards however some interesting points of discussion have come up as part of the nomination process and that may lead to some changes to, some additions of, or some removals of awards next year.

All that said, there are about 2 more days to get your nominations in before voting starts

That's a bit of a cop out no? It was discussed before. Should have been changed to remove OOC events and opened to everyone not just raiders or gotten rid of entirely. It still can. Voting hasn't even happened, if it had then it would be begrudgingly fine to accept it.

Not really. I don't think it should be changed this year. If we decided it before the event started then I'd be all for it, but we didn't. Besides there isn't a consensus on what change should actually be made yet if any. That's why it will take longer than right now to make a decision. If you disagree that's your prerogative. But I don't feel like I'm being unreasonable. Personally I'd probably lean towards the removal of the Meltdown altogether but I didn't have the proper time to discuss and make a case for it ahead of the start.

[Guy]

In case of ‘extreme’ OOC behaviour, I think the organisers can exercise their discretion and refuse to recognise certain nominations.

I’ve been somewhat ambivalent about Meltdown in the past, but at the end of the day this is a game, sometimes shit happens and doesn’t work out that well, and recognising that isn’t some terrible toxicity that is going to make Gameplay a worse place. So let’s not make mountains out of molehills either.

[RiderSyl]

Ya, the Meltdown award needs to be changed to exclude OOC. I agree with the majority opinion here.

Also, anyone selectively applying the "it's just a game" excuse here needs to have that BS thrown back in their face when they take things too seriously on here.

[Thatcher Whitehall]

Also, anyone selectively applying the "it's just a game" excuse here needs to have that BS thrown back in their face when they take things too seriously on here.

Siggable material right here, RiderSyl.

[Guy]

Ya, the Meltdown award needs to be changed to exclude OOC. I agree with the majority opinion here.

Also, anyone selectively applying the "it's just a game" excuse here needs to have that BS thrown back in their face when they take things too seriously on here.

By saying that IC Meltdown is okay, you’re really agreeing that in game matters are “just a game” and of lesser sensitivity/importance.

I actually don’t think that the game is at all times, for all players “just a game” - in some instances, there is interplay with matters of RL import. But I think that this award can be run to ensure that those instances involving sensitive matters are not made fun of etc.

[Wabbitslayah]

In case of ‘extreme’ OOC behaviour, I think the organisers can exercise their discretion and refuse to recognise certain nominations.

I’ve been somewhat ambivalent about Meltdown in the past, but at the end of the day this is a game, sometimes shit happens and doesn’t work out that well, and recognising that isn’t some terrible toxicity that is going to make Gameplay a worse place. So let’s not make mountains out of molehills either.

For me it isn't about toxicity or some crusade. For me it has no place IC.

If I got upset at TRR and you because every step of the way of doing anything I was always roadblocked, resigned, and ragequit. That's a Meltdown.

If I (Pretend it's possible) destroyed the forum, jacked up the discord, and purged the region and then ragequit because I have personal OOC grievances with you, fratt, and others. That's me being an OOC jackass who should be promptly blacklisted and shunned with little mention from everyone. It doesn't belong in an IC award ceremony even if the award is for potentially negative things.

[Cormactopia Prime]

I hope people who aren't okay with giving a badge of recognition that they'll wear with pride to The Roman Empire or Kaiserreich will boycott these awards, given the Wardens' refusal to make changes to the Meltdown award. OOC toxicity has no place in awards that are supposed to be fun and IC.

[Drop Your Pants]

OOC toxicity has no place in awards that are supposed to be fun and IC.

You do love the toxic buzzword recently.

[Cormactopia Prime]

OOC toxicity has no place in awards that are supposed to be fun and IC.

You do love the toxic buzzword recently.

Do you not find The Roman Empire's and Kaiserreich's conduct toxic...?

[Unibot III]

*polishes his trophycase of Meltdown awards*

Y’all are just jealous. I worked hard to make an ass of myself for all those years, this years’ nominees are trite and lightweight competition in comparison.

Well, you're not wrong that these are lightweight in comparison.

You're unwelcome from setting foot in or getting involved with the vast majority of the NS Gameplay community for far more severe actions than those currently being nominated for the award are guilty of, after all.

I don't think anyone has ever accused me of being worse than white supremacists or homophobes. Well, except a few people, but they were all really bad people.

I won the meltdown awards for my overreactions, the histrionics, my bad blood with the FRA, and unadulterated paranoia. That was what the meltdown award was about, it was often about making light of our pettiness from the vantage of time. A year was a long time in NS politics. A year would pass by and I'd think to myself, did I really yell my head off to DYP and Wop about some fucking FRA flags? I probably announced I was retiring as UDL's leader every Thursday. You could have timed your watch to my childish outbursts.

There was a lot of mistrust in the ranks that contributed to poor relations: I didn't trust the FRA, the FRA didn't trust me, Grub didn't trust me, I didn't trust Grub, Grub called the FRA "invaders" and switched to calling the UDL, "invaders," while the FRA called out Grub for invading, then UDL did. I took myself way too seriously then and couldn't really appreciate the humour behind the meltdown award.

The meltdown award wasn't a product of toxicity per se, it was making fun of toxicity. It was a way of saying, "lighten up, man," to players that needed to be embarrassed to get the message.

[Lord Dominator]

Incidentally, once someone in charge realizes that TRE only had my nomination & Fratt's second, KR is the only valid nominee remaining.

[Cormactopia Prime]

I hope people who aren't okay with giving a badge of recognition that they'll wear with pride to The Roman Empire or Kaiserreich will boycott these awards, given the Wardens' refusal to make changes to the Meltdown award. OOC toxicity has no place in awards that are supposed to be fun and IC.

I wasn't aware at the time of posting that the Wardens actually are taking steps to remove OOC-based nominees, so nevermind about the boycott.

I do nonetheless continue to think the Meltdown Award should be abolished. Why have a mean-spirited award? How is that fun?

[Joe Bobs]

I'm really glad to see these awards are still going.

And I remember your meltdown Unibot!

[Unibot III]

And I remember your meltdown Unibot!

It had to be one of the top 10 of the all-time NS tantrums.

Nice to see you again, Joe.

[Glen-Rhodes]

I do nonetheless continue to think the Meltdown Award should be abolished. Why have a mean-spirited award? How is that fun?

Is this position against mean-spiritedness generally applicable, or are you only concerned about the Defender Awards here?

[Deadeye Jack]

Nominations are now closed. It's time to start the voting process. Voting will last from July 15th to July 22nd. There are three ways you can send your votes in:

1. Send a personal message to me on the Grey Wardens forum.
2. Telegram me at Deadeye Jack
3. Direct Message me on discord. My Id is Mad-Eye Jack#6068

Votes can be sent using the below list template. You don't have to vote on every category if you don't want to or if you don't feel like you know enough to make an informed decision. Descriptions of the awards can be seen in the OP.

Defender of the Year:
The WASC Award:
The Numero Capitan Award:
The Ananke Award:
Worst Invader Group:
Meltdown of the Year:
The Blackbird Award:
Operation of the Year:
The Sir Lans Award:
Lifetime Achievement Award for Dedication to Defending:
The Karputsk Award:
The Anarchtopia Award:
Worst Operation:
The Eagles Disobey Award:
Best Newcomer Award:
Best Defender Mentor:
The Eluvatar Award:
Best Defender Quote:

Here is a full list of the nominees for each award:
Defender of the Year
Roavin
Tim
Tupelope
Vincent Drake

The WASC Award
Benevolent Thomas
Kozmix
Lenlyvit

The Numero Capitan Award (Intelligence Work)
Frattastan
Tim

The Ananke Award (Invasion Spotting)
Kanta Hame
Kozmix
Tupelope

Worst Invader Group
The Invaders
The Roman Empire
Lone Wolves United

Meltdown of the Year
Kaiserreich SC Liberation Freakout

The Blackbird Award (Best Invader Group)
LILY
The Black Hawks
The Ragerian Imperium

Operation of the Year
Belgium
Japan
Middle Earth
Philippines

The Sir Lans Award (Updater of the Year)
Hired Contractor
Sir Merlin
Vinny

Lifetime Achievement Award for Dedication to Defending
Deadeye Jack
Red Dusk
Benevolent Thomas
Kanta Hame
Klopstock
Wopruthien
Shizensky
Guy
Eist
Dyr Nasad
Ravania

The Karputsk Award (Leading Liberations)
Sorya
United States of Vietnam
Vincent Drake

The Anarchotopia Award (Invasion Prevention)
10000 Islands Treaty Organization
The Order of the Grey Wardens

Worst Operation
Iran
The Monarchist Entente

The Eagles Disobey Award (Keeping Free Regions Free)
10000 Islands Treaty Organization
The Rejected Realms Army

Best Newcomer Award
Lynxi
Hired Contractor

Best Defender Mentor
Kanta Hame
Roavin
Vincent Drake

The Eluvatar Award (Tech)
Krypton Nova
Roavin
Vincent Drake

Best Defender Quote

Guy: @here go g og

Xanthal: Defender endorsements are like fog; they materialize when things are bleak and vanish in fair weather.

tupelope - Today at 2:21 PM
arent u italian?
rome isnt in italy

tupelope - Today at 2:21 PM
wait
yes it is
nvm

[Deadeye Jack]

Voting is still underway!

There are 3 days left to vote.

Voting will close on Sunday at the strike of Midnight US Eastern Time

[Lord Dominator]

Voting is still underway!

There are 3 days left to vote.

Voting will close on Sunday at the strike of Midnight US Eastern Time

Will this mean that vote counting will start as such? I need to know how busy defenders are going to be.
For a friend you see

[Deadeye Jack]

Voting is still underway!

There are 3 days left to vote.

Voting will close on Sunday at the strike of Midnight US Eastern Time

Will this mean that vote counting will start as such? I need to know how busy defenders are going to be.
For a friend you see

Final counts probably won't happen til some point the next day depending on how busy I am.

[Tupelope]

Voting is still underway!

There are 3 days left to vote.

Voting will close on Sunday at the strike of Midnight US Eastern Time

Will this mean that vote counting will start as such? I need to know how busy defenders are going to be.
For a friend you see

like jack even updates anymore lel

[Lord Dominator]

Will this mean that vote counting will start as such? I need to know how busy defenders are going to be.
For a friend you see

like jack even updates anymore lel

Well yes, it was more a question about Vinny than Jack

[Fauxia]

like jack even updates anymore lel

Well yes, it was more a question about Vinny than Jack

HC will be there no matter what happens

[Tupelope]

like jack even updates anymore lel

Well yes, it was more a question about Vinny than Jack

like vinny even updates anymore lel