Purpose of the Awards
Our role playing forums are very special — unique in their quality and community. We come here to play, but also to work. It’s not easy to build a successful game or navigate through the galaxy with a character. It’s especially challenging now, with three distinct forums dedicated to different aspects of role playing. Many of you dedicate significant amounts of your free time to make this place the best it can be.

These awards have been established in recognition of the extraordinary efforts of you — our users. The VIPships and publicity awarded to winners are meant to serve as both a reward for a job well done and a way to increase visibility. It is hoped that others will learn from their example, and that they will continue to serve as leaders of these role playing forums.


How it works
Awards are held four times per year, in April (Spring), July (Summer), October (Autumn) and January (Winter).

The four categories for awards are:
Best GM
Best Roleplayer
Best RPG
Best New RPG

New RPGs are defined as any active game less than three (3) months old. RPGs must be active (no locked threads may be nominated)

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Voting will consist of two rounds:

Round 1:

• Lasts for five (5) days


• A time to nominate any active RPG or player


• Once a thread/player has been nominated once, please refrain from nominating them again (one nomination is sufficient to save a spot on the ballot)


• Users may not nominate themselves for awards


• All users may make a total of two (2) nominations per category

Any RPG that wins an award becomes ineligible for next season's awards, to ensure fairness and variety. Any players who win awards will be ineligible until the next year.

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Round 2

• Begins immediately after the results of Round 1 are posted


• A list of all the nominees will be compiled for members to pursue


• You then have seven (7) days to PM your votes from the choices to the host


• Users have the option of voting for up to three (3) people in the Best RPer and best GM categories, and up to two (2) games in the Games categories


• Campaigning (ie, soliciting votes and/or nominations) at any time during the awards, in any thread, in any forum, is absolutely not allowed!

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The winners will be announced at the end of Round 2.

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Prizes
As always, the part you've all been waiting for.

The winning GM and Roleplayer will each be awarded VIPship (with the ability to choose custom colors) for one week. In addition, they will earn a place in the "RPF Hall of Fame" in the Community Center. The winning RPGs will receive a special place in the introductory sticky thread, as well as the right to the title of "Best RPG," until the next season's winners are announced.


The "RPF Stars" Awards
Winners of the RPF Stars Awards will not receive titles or colors, but are encouraged to place their titles in their sig or bio. The idea behind these awards is to provide recognition for exemplary members of our community who stand out in interesting and innovative ways. There are no nominations for the RPF Stars. Rather, users will be asked to vote for the awards when they cast their votes for Best RPer/GM/etc. The full list of categories will be posted with the list of nominees in five days, but may include things like: Funniest RPer, Most Active RPer, Best Original Character, etc. Start thinking about users you might like to vote for!

Nominations are open until July 20th at 9:00 pm (board time)