2015 Best of P2TM - DISCUSSION

[Swith Witherward]

That time is upon us... yes, the year-end awards. How about some community input before we launch the nomination thread?

THE AWARD NOMINATION THREAD IS NOW OPEN! viewtopic.php?f=31&t=362678


Some things that came up since the last few:

1. "It's a popularity contest."
   I have to agree there. We've had sour grapes all around: nominations submitted after deadlines winning because the player's entire RP group flooded with votes; players nominated but without any links to the posts that would lend to them winning their category. Talent and popularity are not the same thing.
   
   
2. "Shit posts win because of player popularity."
   We have a lot of talented people in our community. Most did not participate in last year's event because they felt they would not have a chance due to the smaller size of their RP group.
   
   
3. "Original characters are not original."
   I also have to agree with this one, especially as a bunch of people sent TGs during one contest... with links to that "original character" nomination coming directly from an online anime story game (even the picture had been ripped off).
   
   
4. "Puppet voting!"
   I'm not so sure on this one. Other contests on NS (Sexiest NSer, for example) have a bit of Mod review to them. We could ask Mods to keep track of that stuff, if necessary. By and large, we seem to be a mature and honest community, however.
   
   
5. "VOTE FOR ME!" incessant solicitation.
   Uh, no. This will be taboo this year. If your stuff is good, peeps will vote for it. Begging for votes is the most annoying thing anyone can do. I'm all for the suggestion of disqualifying a nomination if the nominee can't refrain from acting like a barking spider in the actual nomination thread (they can campaign to their heart's delight in their own OOC threads, via TG, whatever).

So, all that said, here are some suggestions for changes:

WINNER SELECTION

• CATEGORY: Roleplayer. This is based upon the number of nominations received. Nominations without supporting links/information will not be counted. ("Because they're awesome!" doesn't cut it.)
  
• CATEGORY: Roleplay. This is based upon the number of nominations received. Nominations without supporting links/information will not be counted. ("Because it's awesome!" doesn't cut it.)
• CATEGORY: Character. This is based upon the number of nominations received. Nominations without supporting links/information will not be counted. ("Because they're awesome!" doesn't cut it.)
• CATEGORY: Scene. Determination process - panel of judges.
• CATEGORY: Single Post. Determination process - panel of judges.
• CATEGORY: Collaborated Post. Determination process - panel of judges.

The first three categories are cut and dry. A nomination counts as a vote. We eliminate some of the popularity contest bullshit by requiring links to posts rather than just shout-outs. "Swith is best worldbuilder!"... why?... "Because she's cool!"... balls, show me something she's built.

I also cut out "Best OVERALL RPer/RP" because, once again, votes are determined by how large a RP group is. Do we really need a "best in show" when we have so many talented people in P2TM?



These wonky things...

CATEGORY: Scene. Determination process - panel of judges.
CATEGORY: Single Post. Determination process panel of judges.
CATEGORY: Collaborated Post. Determination process panel of judges.

Yeah, those categories are always a bitch. We could let it be a poll, but those piss off a lot of people. Popular "vote by nomination" likewise causes rancor when it comes to actual writing.

What I'd like to do is have mentors skim stuff over, tossing away dreadful text walls or recognized plagiarism, and then bring it before a panel of judges pulled from the community. The judges would only see the posts, not the person's name. Selection would be based upon writing skill, content, and talent alone. Perhaps a simple point system would negate quarrels? 1-5, with five being best.
Grammar
Spelling
Flow
Content/whatever/etc
How well did it hold your attention


Where do we get judges? You guys... volunteer! A judge should be someone that has a good grasp of writing basics, doesn't mind reading through long posts, and is familiar with RP in general.

What if the judge's own work is up for nomination? The judge is recused from that genre's category.

What if the judges aren't being fair? Like what if someone from PL or EH is a judge, and awards high marks for posts from their own games? The whole world will see it, peeps. Anyone at any time can cry "foul!" over it, and that judge will be dropped. However, if the post is worth high marks - meaning any fool can see that the post flows, engages the reader, has proper grammar etc, then it's worthy of those marks.



Here's an example of the nomination code. PLEASE do NOT nominate people here. The form is ONLY for discussion purposes!

EXAMPLE EXAMPLE EXAMPLE EXAMPLE

CATEGORY: Roleplayer
This category reflects the roleplayer, not the role play game. You may not nominate yourself.

Best Role Player By Genre
Please include a link to applicable examples to support your nomination.

• Mystery:
  
• Fantasy:
  
• Science Fiction:
  
• Horror/Thriller:
  
• Romance:
  
• War:
  
• Comedy:
  
• School-based/Life-Based:
  
• Nation RP:
  
• Crime:

Best Worldbuilder: (link example/s)
Best OP/GM: (link RP/s)
Most Involved in P2TM: (Describe)
Funniest RP'er:
Most Improved RP'er:
Best Writer (The "Novelist" Award): (link examples)

---

CATEGORY: Roleplay
This is for the the actual Role Play Game. You may link your own games. All nominations must have a link to both the IC and OOC threads.

Best Genre RP

• Mystery:
  
• Fantasy:
  
• Science Fiction:
  
• Horror/Thriller:
  
• Romance:
  
• War:
  
• Comedy:
  
• School-based/Life-Based:
  
• Nation RP:
  
• Crime:

Best Lore/Worldbuilding RP:
Best RP Series:
Funniest RP:
Most Creative or Original RP Idea:
Most Informative OOC Thread: (Requirements: opening post, amount of detail provided on first page, sharp coding etc.)

---

CATEGORY: Character
Most Fleshed-Out/Rounded Character: (Link to applicable examples, Character Sheets etc)
Funniest Character: (Links or explain why)
Most Original Character: (Character Sheet or other details supporting this)

---

CATEGORY: Scene
A scene is a part of a story, a glimpse into that story which takes places in the same immediate setting. Scenes take place as players post. You can have as few as two players contributing; it can be as short as 2 posts, or as many as 20. Please note: one-liner banter (as commonly found in F7) does not qualify. Sorry. Links to actual posts are required here.
Best Romantic:
Best Comedy:
Best Heartwarming/Tear-Jerker:
Best Action:
Best Horror:


CATEGORY: Single Post
Nominations must contain links to the actual post.
Best Fight or Fight Scene Post:
Best Horror Post:
Best Romance Post:
Best Comedy Post (The "Funniest Post" Award):
Best Heartwarming/Tearjerker Post:


CATEGORY: Collaborated Post
A collaborated posts is one done by two or more players using Google Docs or TG or other features. Collaborated posts are normally posted by a single player but credit all authors. Collaborate posts should flow smoothly as a solid piece of work rather than disjointed one-liners thrown together. Nominations must contain links to the actual post.
Best Fight or Fight Scene Post:
Best Horror Post:
Best Romance Post:
Best Comedy Post (The "Funniest Post" Award):
Best Heartwarming/Tearjerker Post:

Your thoughts?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("THE SKINNY"): viewtopic.php?p=27025591#p27025591

---

Judge Volunteers:
Burning Sun
Cer
Dutch
Esty
Lavan Tiri
Nature-Spirits
Occupied Deutschland withdraw due to schedule
SaintB
Star
Swith
Tilt
TriStates
Ularn
Zark the Minty

Backup Judge Volunteers:
Highfort
THC withdraw due to schedule

[Esternial]

As for puppet voting, we could always investigate dubious votes ourselves. A lot of puppets have some indication towards those who control it.

If anyone gets caught puppet voting, any of their input (votes received, votes given, etc.) are then considered void.

Also, I don't mind judging. I'm not that active in many RPs myself.

[The Armed Republic of Dutch Coolness]

Interesting to see there's a panel of judges now. Overall I agree with the changes - great to see it's happening this year again, as well!

[Agritum]

Ooh, nice.

[Finland SSR]

CATEGORY: Single post.

OH YOU JUST HAD TO SPREAD YOUR BEST ARC INTO NINE POSTS SO NONE OF THEM WOULD QUALIFY, FINNY!

[The United Remnants of America]

Aw man, is now when I regret not forcing Task Force Atlas into P2TM? I really need to start participating in this forum rather than II...

Anyways, Swith, can we volunteer judges that aren't ourselves? Or is that in bad taste to raise someone else's hand?

[New Rnclave]

Noice, nice to know there's multiple judges

[Tiltjuice]

I see no issue with this and volunteer as judge.

[The Templar High Council]

Just here to tag it. For now, that is.

But last year there was variety in the general votes. Genres of RPs and RPers make it so nation players don't have to compete with character players from a giant RP for one award.

[Swith Witherward]

Good point, Esty.

Honestly, P2TMers are decent people. We don't see much infighting here, and there's a measure of respect given between players. I'm proud of our community for that reason. The temptation to use puppets is there, but we all recognize names. Some puppet with a low post count suddenly nominating specific players would stand out.


You and Dutch and Tilt would be excellent judges. I'm volunteering as well.


Some questions that came up already:

1. Do dead RP count? Yes, provided they were active in 2015.
2. Do CTE'd nations count? Let's discuss this one. I personally have no issue with awarding something posthumously.
3. Deadline? I'd originally planned a 30 Dec nomination deadline, with judging to take place over a period of 2 weeks following. This is open to discussion as well.
4. Finny... those posts would qualify as "scene", perhaps?
5. URA, I'd ask them before volunteering them.

[The Starlight]

Very nice, Swith.

I should be able to be a judge.

[The Templar High Council]

5. URA, I'd ask them before volunteering them.

He wanted to volunteer me.

I'm fine with it. If, yeah, voting happens later. I have 2 more final exams next week.

[Swith Witherward]

5. URA, I'd ask them before volunteering them.

He wanted to volunteer me.

I'm fine with it. If, yeah, voting happens later. I have 2 more final exams next week.

We'd do the judging in the first two weeks of January. Finals... everyone is enduring them this month.

[The Armed Republic of Dutch Coolness]

I won't have time to judge in January - that's when I have finals

[The Templar High Council]

He wanted to volunteer me.

I'm fine with it. If, yeah, voting happens later. I have 2 more final exams next week.

We'd do the judging in the first two weeks of January. Finals... everyone is enduring them this month.

Gotcha. I'll help if you'll have me.

[Swith Witherward]

Also, I know of only a few active RP groups. I visited their threads. If you know of a group, or your own group didn't get a visit, please post the link to this on their page. In fairness, everyone in P2TM should have the chance to participate in discussion or to nominate things for awards.

And Dutch, you just have to be a poopiehead and have finals then! I'll leave your name on the list for now, though, if you don't mind. We'll play it by ear.

THC... I added you to the list.

[Esternial]

I've got exams in January too, actually, so perhaps just keep me as a backup.

[Agritum]

Also, I know of only a few active RP groups. I visited their threads. If you know of a group, or your own group didn't get a visit, please post the link to this on their page. In fairness, everyone in P2TM should have the chance to participate in discussion or to nominate things for awards.

And Dutch, you just have to be a poopiehead and have finals then! I'll leave your name on the list for now, though, if you don't mind. We'll play it by ear.

THC... I added you to the list.

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=333412&start=2150 add them too.

[G-Tech Corporation]

o/ Folks.

Seeing as I've been lackadaisical about my writing this year, I won't be in the running, so I'd be happy to help judge.

[Ularn]

"I volunteer as tribute!"

Uh, yeah - I'd be happy to volunteer myself as a judge. Do you need me to supply a resume or something? I don't have exams or other commitments in January apart from work and, as with G-Tech, I think my writing and RPing have generally been good but I'd be honestly surprised if anyone nominates me for any specific thing I've done this year so I shouldn't have to recuse myself from any votes unless maybe Children of Infinity gets some nominations - which I really hope it does but anyway, I'm in if you want me.

[Highfort]

If you'll have me, I can volunteer as a backup in case your panel isn't large enough due to judges having finals in January, which is when I'll just be starting up classes again.

Also, -pokes thread with tag-. There we go!

[Swith Witherward]

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=333412&start=2150 add them too.

Thanks Agri! Message dropped in their thread.

I'll add them to the Gog group page as well. I try to track as many as possible so peeps have handy links, but I've been slacking off lately. I blame Cer.

Ularn, we just need a blood sample, urine sample, family medical history, shot record, passport...

[The Silhouette of Adventure]

Heh. I'll keep an eye on this thread. Here's for hoping someone from IJ gets an award

[New Rob Halfordia]

Oh boy. Another session of RP wankery begins anew. I can't wait to see the same people win again this year.

[Agritum]

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=333412&start=2150 add them too.

Thanks Agri! Message dropped in their thread.

I'll add them to the Gog group page as well. I try to track as many as possible so peeps have handy links, but I've been slacking off lately. I blame Cer.

Ularn, we just need a blood sample, urine sample, family medical history, shot record, passport...

Oh, thank you. I had kinda forgotten to add my own group, but then I never expected them to get so big in the first place