From: langsl@hhcs.gov.au
Newsgroups: aus.games.roleplay
Subject: Re: Judging Role-Play
Date: 29 Sep 92 10:31:09 +1000
Organization: Aust. Dept. Health, Housing and Community Services

After reading the recent threads on judging roleplaying:

(and apologies in advance for the length of the following...)

1. Tonio's origninal claims on attributes correlating to prize winning.
=======================================================================
   I think Tonio's points on who apparently wins prizes is worthwhile to
mention - sometimes in the past it has seemed that those who know the 
designers win, or those who are loudest/most outrageous etc win.

   The point is that if this is the perception then whether or not it is
true is immaterial, and I think it is worth while being aware of this so
you can guard against it.  I don't believe I have ever seen any deliberately
biased judging, and I am not accusing anyone of even accidental bias.  But I
have heard gripes about this before at cons...and it can lead to bad feelings
about cons, the organisers of the comp and perhaps the con in general, none 
of which helps the hobby.

2. Competitiveness. 
===================
   Even Matthew Hall, who doesn't care about getting prizes at conventions
liked it when he got one.  Other people say the competitiveness helps them
focus their attention on the roleplaying, on trying different things, and
on trying to do better.  I think it is a fact of life that a lot of players
enjoy going to competitive conventions, and various responses on this imply
quite strongly that changing existing conventions is unlikely to be successful.

   I never went to an RPG con just aiming to win a prize...which caused some 
occasional friction with my other team members.  Mostly I went to have fun, and
fun only (ie not after a prize)  try different game systems, or see how
different people did things.
   
3. Non Competitiveness 
======================
   There seem to be quite a few people interested in non competitive cons.  
Why not try some alternate cons - start small at your local club, to see 
how it works.  You will find other like minded people, and also have
the opportunity to educate other players on the value on such styles of
roleplaying conventions.  If this works out _THEN_ you can try to scale up 
to a bigger con.  And it is more constructive than arguing the point with 
people who aren't interested or whom are unlikely to change their minds.

   If there is anyone interested in the Canberra area interested in giving it
a go I am willing to help.  Anyone who succeeds elsewhere - I'd be interested
in finding out how you went and how you did it.

   PS - I go to conventions to do with things other than roleplaying as part 
   of my job.  They are meetings of computer professionals where you go to 
   learn,often from the experiences of other people, or pass on your own 
   experiences,or just see what other parts of the profession are like.
   Socialising is often a big part of these - so you get to know people you
   can contact for advice/help.  This is nothing new.

   A similar approach could be taken to RPG cons
                              
4. Cons and Meeting People.
===========================

   I have met quite a few interesting people at cons, and found it useful 
and fun.  It _IS_ one of the benefits than can arise from cons.  If you aren't
interested, or don't find the format appealing, fine.  But cons can be design-
ed to facilitate meeting people.  Con dinners, get togethers with the players
refs & designers of a competition have all happened in the past, and the ones
I have heard of or attended all were successful.  Its up to you whether or
not you follow up on people after the con - but at least these activities
provide a better opportunity to meet people in the first place.





Newsgroups: aus.games.roleplay