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Massive Auditorium

Stainless-steel robots glide hither and thither serving hors d'oeuvres (supplied from the kitchen via vacuum tube). Audience members fill the massive auditorium, looking up at the stage, above which glows "2010 XYZZYs" in radiant neon tubing.

You can see: READ THIS PLEASE, a chalkboard listing the XYZZY Award winners

Visible Exits: west


inky arrives from the west.

DavidW arrives from the west.

Maize arrives from the west.

RandomExile arrives from the west.

Jacqueline arrives from the west.

fluke arrives from the west.

eeyorerin arrives from the west.

JimmyM arrives from the west.

Felix arrives from the west.

SGaal arrives from the west.

maga arrives from the west.

inky concentrates, and disappears.

inky walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice him approaching it from the other side.

Lucea arrives from the west.

jmac walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice him approaching it from the other side.

SimonChris arrives from the west.

Gerynar walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice him approaching it from the other side.

eladnarra walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice her approaching it from the other side.

zarf arrives from the west.

Pacian walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice him approaching it from the other side.

inky hollers, "The auditorium is open! Type 'xyzzy' or go east, south, east from the lounge!"

yandexx walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice him approaching it from the other side.

Nitku walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice him approaching it from the other side.

Benjor arrives from the west.

Guest2 walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice it approaching it from the other side.

InsertCoin25 walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice him approaching it from the other side.

Gerynar finds a chair, sits down and gets ready for the show

Johnny walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice him approaching it from the other side.

Benjor grabs a bacon-covered scallop from a tray and peers around

SGaal leaves the auditorium to the west.

Jacqueline says (to DavidW), "Forest green with miniature keys on the suit this year. Very nice."

DavidW says (to Jacqueline), "yeah, it's last year's outfit, but who's gonna notice that."

fluke exclaims, "I'm so excited, I've always wanted to see Metallica!"

JasonDev walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice it approaching it from the other side.

Jacqueline takes a seat, her dress rearranging itself as she does so.

vimes walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice him approaching it from the other side.

Limbo walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice him approaching it from the other side.

evg walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice it approaching it from the other side.

Johnny does hand stretches in preparation.

Maize finds a seat and settles down with an expectant look.

SimonChris says, "Hey jason"

Gerynar warms up his hands by doing a little Irish Hand Dancing

Jacqueline asks (of Gerynar), "Seriously, right here, in front of everyone?"

Guest2 says, "@joinchannel #peanut-gallery"

Johnny says, "Guests can't join channels."

Gerynar asks (of Jacqueline), "why not?"

Johnny says, "There's time to register!"

boucher arrives from the west.

Gerynar franticly tries to untie his fingers. He seems to have gotten carried away with the dance

RandomExile checks his tie and settles comfortably into a seat, notebook and pen in hand.

Maize turns off his cell phone.

[peanut-gallery] * eladnarra has joined the channel.

[peanut-gallery] * fluke has joined the channel.

Gunther arrives from the west.

[peanut-gallery] inky says, "I've got the technical stuff for that more sorted out this year"

[peanut-gallery] Gunther says, "HELLO I'M HERE TO CRASH THIS BITCH"

[peanut-gallery] SimonChris asks, "What happened last year?"

[peanut-gallery] Felix says, "I never figured out what that was about."

[peanut-gallery] Jacqueline asks (of DW), "There was - yeah, what happened?"

[peanut-gallery] Gunther says, "Jonathan Blow came in and insulted everyone"

[peanut-gallery] inky says, "ha ha"

[peanut-gallery] DavidW says, "I don't remember, but someone deliberately wanted to piss in the porridge."

[peanut-gallery] inky says, "some acquaintance of somebody's showed up and was a jerk"

[peanut-gallery] inky says, "it was weird"

[peanut-gallery] maga says, "this year the porridge is electrified"

[peanut-gallery] yandexx says, "haha Jonathan Blow"

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "Warbler's Nest cupcakes: http://plixi.com/p/80189791"

[peanut-gallery] inky says, "like, I'm not sure why they bothered"

Benjor wonders where Jack is

[peanut-gallery] inky says (to zarf), "ha ha ha"

[peanut-gallery] inky says, "brilliant"

[peanut-gallery] Gunther says, "Nice!"

Johnny gets all the coughing out.

[peanut-gallery] vimes says, "to go with the electric-coconut"

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "credit to Ruth, author of a game"

[peanut-gallery] Lucea says, "are you sure those are cupcakes"

[peanut-gallery] JasonDev exclaims, "haha, great!"

[peanut-gallery] inky says, "you bite into them and there's a baby inside"

[peanut-gallery] * evg has joined the channel.

inky says, "ok, I don't know about you guys, but I'm ready to get this show on the road"

Cheshiren walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice him approaching it from the other side.

zarf says, "on the road? I just got here"

inky says, "assume a spherical auditorium"

Gunther says, "man, I hope there won't be any uprisings against wizards"

Gerynar says, "I didn't realize the Xyzzies were mobile"

inky hops up on stage and gestures to dim the lights.

eeyorerin asks, "what if i assume a spherical cow?"

Jacqueline says, "I hope there's enough foom in here."

[peanut-gallery] maga says, "eagh, conjoined-sextuplet changelings"

inky says, "Hello everyone! Welcome to the 2010 XYZZY Awards!"

Johnny says, "Assume the spherical position."

yandexx starts clapping

maga claps

Gerynar claps along with yandexx

Limbo claps

JasonDev says, "roo roo roo"

Maize claps.

Johnny claps.

Jacqueline applauds.

SimonChris claps

jmac exclaims, "Huzzah!"

[peanut-gallery] DavidW asks, "ooh, cool cupcakes. Ruth wrote A Quiet Evening at Home, right?"

[peanut-gallery] Johnny says (to Jacq), "fancy."

DavidW claps.

[peanut-gallery] Jacqueline says (to Johnny), "Thank you."

JimmyM claps

yandexx is excited

fluke claps

RandomExile claps

InsertCoin25 says, "this is going to be good"

Gunther will be away, turns on auto-clapper

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "she wasn't going to mention the title of the game, in uncharacteristic embarrassment"

inky says, "I'm pleased to see we have some finalists and winners from previous years here, in addition to many of this year's nominees"

Gerynar says, "yay"

inky says, "and heck, let's get started"

inky says, "our first category this year is Best Use of Innovation"

Guest2 says, "@joinchannel #peanut-gallery"

DavidW says, "NEW CATEGORY!"

Johnny says, "Woo"

Guest1 walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice it approaching it from the other side.

yandexx says, "woohoo"

DavidW says, "And the Best Use of Innovation goes to... Best Use of Innovation. Huzzah!"

inky says, "As you recall, the traditional Best Use of Medium category was split into two this year, and this one represents the "innovation" side -- what games do new things with the medium or push the boundaries in other ways"

Guest1 says, "@joinc #peanut-gallery"

inky says, "And the nominees for this category are ..."

inky says, "Aotearoa (Matt Wigdahl)"

DavidW says (to Guest1), "Guests can't join channels, sorry."

yandexx applauds

Jacqueline applauds.

inky says, "for innovation in dinosaurs"

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "someone fix the sign, for the sake of the poor guests"

Gerynar applauds

SimonChris applauds

inky says, "> by @ (Aaron A. Reed)"

inky says, "for innovation in puncutation"

Johnny says, "!"

DavidW!!!

[peanut-gallery] * Cheshiren has joined the channel.

yandexx says, "$"

Gerynar says, "@"

inky says, "and Rogue of the Multiverse (C.E.J. Pacian)"

inky says, "for innovation in bananas"

Johnny says, "Woo, Siege!"

yandexx exclaims, "woohoo!"

DavidW says, "yay bananas"

Benjor cheers for fruit

yandexx noms a banana

Ellison walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice him approaching it from the other side.

inky fumbles around for the envelope.

Jacqueline leans forward.

inky says, "ah, here"

SimonChris holds his breath in anticipation

inky removes the card.

[peanut-gallery] Gunther says, "I coded the entire seat but I only need the edge"

inky says, "hmm, this isn't a very innovative way to present the award"

(From inky) Suddenly a herd of dinosaurs charges across the stage and flattens inky!

[peanut-gallery] maga says, "you need a laser display board"

inky says, "..oh"

inky says (weakly) "And the winner is, Aotearoa by Matt Wigdahl!"

Gerynar applauds

DavidW says, "woot!"

yandexx exclaims, "wooooo!"

zarf says, "yay"

SimonChris claps

JasonDev exclaims, "Yay!"

Ellison says, "heh, woo"

yandexx applauds

Limbo applauds

Johnny says, "yyy"

RandomExile exclaims, "Woohoo!!"

Maize says, "Congrats!"

Felix clapclaps.

[peanut-gallery] JasonDev asks, "is matt here?"

Ellison claps

Benjor clapclapclaps

Marvin arrives from the west.

yandexx says, "dinos for the win"

Ugo walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice it approaching it from the other side.

Jacqueline applauds in a lady-life fashion.

jmac cheers

Doug materializes.

inky says, "yeah, is Matt here? He was earlier"

[peanut-gallery] * Ugo has joined the channel.

[peanut-gallery] Limbo says, "matt said on intfiction.org that he probably wouldn't be here"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "I think he later deleted that post which makes me think he made arrangements"

[peanut-gallery] JasonDev asks, "did he at least send a tape of his acceptance speeches?"

[peanut-gallery] Limbo says, "oh, okay"

inky says, "...well, possibly his awards will be accepted by a monkey thing"

inky says, "anyway, onwards!"

inky says, "the next category is the other half of Best Use of Medium: quality of implementation"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison asks, "I take it that was Most Innovative?"

Jacqueline applauds enthusiastically.

inky says, "The Best Implementation category rewards games that offer depth and detail in the parser responses, scenery, etc"

[peanut-gallery] Felix says, "Precisely."

Lucea is gonna get back baby bad balls to you, love, cretin.

Lucea has disconnected.

yandexx orders more juice

[peanut-gallery] Marvin says, "I totally had no idea this was happening tonight."

inky says, "and the nominees are ..."

inky says, "Aotearoa (Matt Wigdahl)"

DavidW says, "Juicy is a word sometimes used to describe good implementation."

two-star walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice it approaching it from the other side.

inky says, "Hoist Sail for the Heliopause and Home (Andrew Plotkin)"

yandexx claps

Johnny clap clap.

Gerynar claps for all the nominations

DavidW says, "unfurls clap sails"

Cheshiren claps

inky says, "and Hoosegow (Ben Collins-Sussman and Jack Welch)"

yandexx whistles

Benjor looks casual

Maize applauds.

yandexx exclaims, "go Ben and Jack!"

Johnny says, "woo"

maga claps

DavidW jingles some keys

inky says, "(this was not actually a category for best use of the letter H, despite appearances)"

SimonChris claps

two-star claps, not knowing what category he stumbled into.

JasonDev says, "haha"

Benjor snorts

Ellison says, "clap clap"

Jacqueline laughs.

inky removes envelope from pocket.

inky says, ">OPEN ENVELOPE"

(From inky) You can't do that.

inky says, ">TEAR ENVELOPE"

(From inky) I don't know the word 'tear'.

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "EAT ENVELOpE!"

inky says, ">CUT ENVELOPE WITH KNIFE"

[peanut-gallery] Gerynar says, "try unseal"

(From inky) I don't know how to cut that.

[peanut-gallery] yandexx says, "haha"

Benjor giggles

jmac says, "walkthrough"

DavidW says, ">LICK ENVELOPE"

inky tries to walk through the envelope.

InsertCoin25 says, "hahaha"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, ">OPEN CAN OF WHOOP ASS ON ENVELOPE"

inky says, "hm"

[peanut-gallery] Pacian says, "Disenvelope winner."

Cheshiren says, "try infra-red scan"

inky says (to Pacian), "now we're talking!"

(From inky) The envelope falls away to reveal a white card.

inky says, "and the winner is ..."

Ellison laughs

[peanut-gallery] zarf asks, "so what was the verb?"

inky says, "Aotearoa (Matt Wigdahl)!@"

zarf claps

Gerynar claps and shouts "Yay!"

Benjor clapCLAP!

Maize says, "Yay!"

maga says, "man, why did we even split this award up"

yandexx claps

Felix applauds.

SimonChris claps

Marvin exclaims, "Woo!"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "DISENVELOPE, I believe"

JimmyM claps

Jacqueline applauds.

vimes says, ">CLAP"

maga claps

Limbo claps

[peanut-gallery] Johnny says, ">seduce envelope"

RandomExile goes clappityclappity

yandexx exclaims, "still, Muddy rocks!"

Ellison laughs and claps and claps and laughs

fluke claps

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "so much for the best use of H"

DavidW applauds.

(From vimes) That's not an applause I recognize.

InsertCoin25 says, "WOW"

Johnny claps

two-star clapclapclap

fluke says, "Matt's acceptance speeches just arrived on 2 DVDs"

inky says, "now that's implementation"

InsertCoin25 says, "Congrats again Matt"

inky says, "our next category, Best Individual PC, is one of our traditional ones."

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "I wish I had saved my votes so I could remember which wins make me especially happy"

inky says, "It's often the case that the PC and the player's knowledge aren't one and the same, and for this year's nominees for Best Individual PC it's especially true"

inky says, "whether the PC knows much more than the player, but nothing helpful, as in .. Anthony Saint Germain in Death Off the Cuff (Simon Christiansen)"

SimonChris smiles

yandexx exclaims, "wooo for Anthony!"

Gerynar claps

DavidW says, "oooh"

maga claps

[peanut-gallery] Jacqueline asks (of Ellison), "It sucks, getting old, doesn't it?"

jmac hurrahs

Maize says, "Yay!"

Cheshiren exclaims, "yeah!"

[peanut-gallery] Marvin says, "I wish I had paid any attention to IF in the past year so I knew something about these games."

[peanut-gallery] Gerynar wonders what Jacq considers "old" as far as ages go

DavidW says, ">TWIRL MOUSTACHE"

yandexx laughs.

inky says, "or the PC knows a great deal and it's up to the player to sort out what's relevant, as in .. Balthasar in The Bible Retold: Following a Star (Justin Morgan)"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says (to Jacqueline), "it is not a wonderland of delight!"

DavidW claps

Ellison claps

Benjor claps

Gerynar claps

inky says, "or there are things clear to the player that the PC is unwilling to recognize, as in Helena in The Blind House (Maude Overton)"

Gerynar claps

Pacian applauds applaudulously.

Maize claps.

DavidW hides from the scary mirrors.

Ellison breaks five mirrors

inky says, "or, perhaps, the PC is not unwilling to recognize a thing, but actually unable, as in the unnamed PC in Gris et Jaune (Jason Devlin)"

InsertCoin25 claps

yandexx says, "braaains"

Gerynar claps some more

yandexx says, "whoops"

Johnny claps claps claps.

Maize says, ">invoke applause"

fluke claps aplenty

inky pulls forth the envelope.

Ellison applauds

DavidW cheers

maga claps

maga says, "woo"

[peanut-gallery] yandexx asks, "whoa, that game is Jason's?"

SimonChris crosses his fingers

[peanut-gallery] yandexx says, "interesting, how did I miss that"

two-star claps

[peanut-gallery] JasonDev says, "i've been gone for too long :)"

inky says, "now, from the size and shape of the envelope and the way in which the flap was sealed, we can analyze the personality of the vote-counter as they sealed it up, making it clear the winner is ..."

inky says, "Anthony Saint Germain in Death Off the Cuff (Simon Christiansen)!"

Gerynar says, "yay"

zarf says, "woo"

JasonDev exclaims, "go simon!"

eeyorerin exclaims, "yay!"

Johnny says, "Congratulations!"

RandomExile claps

fluke exclaims, "hurrah!"

Ellison says, "woo"

Maize says, "Whoo hoo!"

maga says, "yay"

jmac applauds

SimonChris stands up and bows to the audience

Jacqueline waves and makes an isquiesque departure for home.

Johnny asks, "Now, is that your real hair?"

inky asks, "and I believe he's here with us, so perhaps he would care to say a few words ..?"

Limbo claps

Felix claps too.

two-star says, "yay"

maga's studied dalliance with his venal muses is little to our taste.

Maize says, "Well done!"

Gerynar claps

JimmyM exclaims, "Speech, Speech!"

Cheshiren claps wildly

SimonChris gets up on the stage

SimonChris coughs

InsertCoin25 exclaims, "Congrats Simon!!!!"

Gerynar says, "speech! speech! but not too long :)"

[peanut-gallery] yandexx says (to JasonDev), ""people have quite enjoyed the Russian translation of Vespers by the way :)"

Benjor stands and applauds, notices nobody standing, sits down

Marvin cheers.

yandexx claps for Simon

SimonChris says, "I must confess i have not prepared a speech, but i will do my best"

Guest2 goes home.

[peanut-gallery] JasonDev says, "awesome"

SimonChris says, "It is a great honor to be here today to accept what will hopefully become the first of many Xyzzy awards"

Maize says, "Imma let you finish, but..."

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "oh, I just realized that Evgeny Bychkov is one of the guys behind that graphicl IntroComp game. that was very neat!"

maga walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice him approaching it from the other side.

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says (to evg), "cool game!"

[peanut-gallery] DavidW says, "oh yeah, it wouldn't play on my machine."

[peanut-gallery] yandexx says (to Ellison), "heh :)"

[peanut-gallery] Jacqueline exclaims, "Belatedly, due to being bumped: Very cute, inky, and YAY SIMON!"

Jacqueline walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice her approaching it from the other side.

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "it was humorous and strangely atmospheric"

[peanut-gallery] yandexx says, ""personally I liked their TwifComp entry much more"

Benjor says, "Omelette him finish..."

Ellison laughs

SimonChris says, "I was pleased with how many people liked the game. I wasn't sure how well it would be received, so i was pleasantly surprised."

[peanut-gallery] Cheshiren says, "we love these guys"

[peanut-gallery] Johnny says (to Benjor), "that was corny"

[peanut-gallery] Johnny says, "Geddit? Maize!"

RandomExile locates Guinness from Jacqueline and unobtrusively dispenses age-appropriate libations.

inky updates the BEST USE OF INNOVATION entry on the chalkboard.

SimonChris says, "Anyway, i would like to encourage all my fans to also check out the post competition which i believe significantly improves the game"

inky updates the BEST IMPLEMENTATION entry on the chalkboard.

SimonChris bows to the audience again

SimonChris gets off the stage

yandexx applauds again

Gerynar claps for SimonChris

zarf says, "yay"

Benjor applauds

inky updates the BEST INDIVIDUAL PC entry on the chalkboard.

Johnny says, "Hooray"

Pacian cheers.

Marvin cheers some more.

Maize whistles appreciatively.

Felix claps again.

Limbo applauds

Miseri materializes.

RandomExile applauds with vigor

inky says, "er"

SimonChris sits down

[peanut-gallery] Jacqueline says (to SC), "We played the updated one on ClubFloyd, right"

inky says, "thanks Simon!"

[peanut-gallery] yandexx says, "seems as if this year's awards is going slower"

Ellison claps

Cheshiren goes home.

inky says, "for our next category, as per union rules, we have NamelessAdventurer to present Best Individual NPC"

NamelessAdventurer has arrived.

Johnny says, "yay"

Benjor asks, "do we serve their kind here?"

[peanut-gallery] Jacqueline says (to yandexx), "Really? I feel like he's sped it up to get us through the extra categories without making the ceremony way too long."

Ellison says, "NamelessAdventurer should be picketing in Wisconsin!"

[peanut-gallery] SimonChris says, "No, i am afraid that was the comp release. The updated version allows you to talk about abstract topics."

RandomExile really liked him in Planescape: Torment

[peanut-gallery] Jacqueline says (to SC), "Ah. Hrm. Good to know."

NamelessAdventurer has a pin reading "GUE = Grue Union Emergence"

Ellison claps

JimmyM asks, "Shouldn't he be trying to eat his sword?"

[peanut-gallery] yandexx says (to Jacqueline), "40 minutes, 3 prizes given. Well I'm not in any kind of hurry anyway :)"

DavidW cheers for the Nameless one.

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "I think the awards always takes a fair amount of time"

Gerynar claps, which unfortunately causes him to spill his water

[peanut-gallery] Johnny says, "There's just so much clapping to get through."

NamelessAdventurer pulls out a selection of signs, the first illustrating a scaly hand offering a banana, labelled "Dr Sliss in Rogue of the Multiverse (C.E.J. Pacian)"

[peanut-gallery] Jacqueline says, "We didn't exactly start at the top of the hour. That was just when the doors got unlocked."

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "It used to be really long. I think we've been under two hours for the past few years"

[peanut-gallery] Johnny says (to Gerynar), "Oh, it was in a dribble glass anyway."

DavidW clapsss

SimonChris claps

Benjor applauds

Johnny says, "Woo"

Maize claps.

maga says, "yay"

Jacqueline applauds.

Ellison cheers

[peanut-gallery] Gerynar says, "and here, I thought I was just having a difficult time drinking it."

yandexx claps with his tentacles

NamelessAdventurer shows this off to the audience, only to replace it with another sign showing an man on a camel, labelled "Gaspar in The Bible Retold: Following a Star (Justin Morgan)"

Gerynar carefully puts down his glass of water and claps

K-Y walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice him approaching it from the other side.

DavidW says, "I'd walk a mile for a man on a camel."

Johnny woos.

NamelessAdventurer replaces this in turn with a sign with a shadowy woman, labelled "Mariel in Mariel (Michael Baltes)"

Johnny claps.

Ellison applauds

Gerynar applauds

DavidW gecheers

Maize applauds.

Benjor claps

NamelessAdventurer then holds up a sign with something that is almost but not quite a monkey, labelled "The monkey-thing in Aotearoa (Matt Wigdahl)"

DavidW ooks

Gerynar eeks

Benjor squints at thing

Maize ook-ooks.

NamelessAdventurer's last sign has a "HELLO MY NAME IS _______" for you to fill in your choice

NamelessAdventurer's final sign has a man barely visible under a cowboy hat, labelled "Muddy in Hoosegow (Ben Collins-Sussman and Jack Welch)"

yandexx roots for Muddy

JimmyM says, "My monkey thing had a name, I'll have you know."

yandexx says, "go Muddy go!""

Gerynar claps

yandexx applauds

DavidW says (to JimmyM), "ha ha"

Maize giggles.

Jacqueline claps.

Johnny applauds.

Ellison claps

NamelessAdventurer takes the envelope from inky.

NamelessAdventurer squeezes the envelope.

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "my monkey-thing had a first name, it's X Y Z Z Y"

NamelessAdventurer tries to eat the envelope.

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "heh"

[peanut-gallery] vimes says, "yay"

NamelessAdventurer drops the envelope and picks it up again.

Benjor shifts nervously

NamelessAdventurer opens the envelope and reveals ...

Johnny gasps.

Jacqueline leans forward again.

Gerynar hopes it's not the wrong card

NamelessAdventurer vanishes briefly, then reappears holding a mailbox, a giant turtle, and a victorian hat

NamelessAdventurer also has a sign reading "Dr Sliss in Rogue of the Multiverse (C.E.J. Pacian)"

zarf says, "whee"

Gerynar applauds

fluke exclaims, "yay!"

DavidW says, "woot!"

Johnny says, "woo, Pacian"

maga says, "hooray"

Pacian looks around.

Ellison says, "yay"

Felix clapclapclaps.

jmac whistles

JimmyM claps

Benjor applauds!

Maize says, "Whoo hoo!"

SimonChris applauds

Pacian stumbles onto the stage and grabs the award with both hands.

DavidW says, "Dr Sliss! Dr Sliss! Dr Sliss!"

RandomExile still doesn't trust her

yandexx exclaims, "congrats, Pacian!"

Pacian looks at NamelessAdventurer. "You too, huh?"

fluke still dreams about her

Jacqueline looks pleased.

Gerynar says, "Yeah, congrats"

two-star clapclapclap clap

Pacian says, "Unfortunately, Dr. Sliss couldn't make it today. We heard rumours that Core Allianc Enforcers would be undercover in the audience."

Pacian says, "She did, however, give me her speech."

DavidW says, "and a banana"

maga says, "we love you, amoral lizard"

Pacian unfolds a crumpled piece of paper and clears his throat.

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "dang it, this auditorium would have been a great place for a high speed chase"

inky says (to maga), "hey, no politics at the ceremony"

Ellison laughs

Pacian says, "It is only with great humility that I can accept this award for Best Individual from Earth's prestigious Nobel Prize Commission."

yandexx grins

Ellison says, "yay"

Jacqueline says, "um...""

DavidW says, "hee"

SimonChris laughs

Maize says, "Close enough!"

maga says, "snrk"

Pacian says, "I would like to thank all my voluntary test subjects. A great saurian once said that genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration, and much of that perspiration was surely yours."

vimes snorts complimentary coffee all over his program.

Johnny says, "woo"

jmac has hearts in his eye

[peanut-gallery] inky says, "ha ha"

Pacian says, "And to the people of Earth: the road to civilisation is a long and hard one, but I know with all my heart that you can make it."

Pacian clears his throat again.

JimmyM asks, "Can saurians actually sweat?"

Pacian says, "Dr. Sliss, ladies and gentlemen."

Gerynar says, "yay"

maga claps

Jacqueline applauds.

Pacian bows and returns to his seat.

Maize cheers.

DavidW cheers

JasonDev says, "haha, bravo"

inky says, "give her our best!"

SimonChris claps

Ellison claps

JimmyM cheers

Limbo exclaims, "woo!"

yandexx says, "wee"

RandomExile exclaims, "yay!"

Felix applauds, looking slightly confuzed.

InsertCoin25 applauds

inky says, "our next category is Best Individual Puzzle"

inky says, "whether big or small, puzzles are the traditional mainstay of IF games, and it's been interesting to see how they've evolved as the form have"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "man, makes you wonder about the great acceptance speeches we never get to see just because people voted wrong"

[peanut-gallery] yandexx says, "my thought exactly"

inky says, "in some cases they represent straight-up "here's a puzzle, now solve it", but more often they're in the game to act as a gatekeeper on progress, ensuring the player has done something before they reach a certain point; or they're not so much a hard puzzle to solve as a moral choice about what to do"

DavidW says, "puz-zle"

inky says, "our nominees this year, which provide examples of all of those, are .."

inky says, "Crossing the river in Aotearoa (Matt Wigdahl)"

Emily walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice her approaching it from the other side.

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "hey emily"

maga claps

inky says, "Deciding what to do with the baby in The Warbler's Nest (Jason McIntosh)"

yandexx picks up a rock

[peanut-gallery] Emily says, "heya"

inky says, "Dividing up the oxygen reserves in Oxygen (Benjamin Sokal)"

zarf claps

maga says, "sploosh"

inky says, "Getting the lighter from Kai in Allein mit Kai (Ingo Scharmann and Joana Markus)"

[peanut-gallery] yandexx says, "hello, Emily"

inky says, "(warning: don't mix lighter and oxygen)"

inky says, "Roof tile repair in The 12:54 to Asgard (J. Robinson Wheeler)"

Ellison laughs

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "lighter and oxygen and baby"

inky says, "and Saving Dr. Ephart in One Eye Open (Colin Sandel and Carolyn VanEseltine)"

zarf claps

Ellison says, "woo"

Maize claps.

RandomExile claps

DavidW claps for all the finalists

yandexx claps for One Eye Open

Benjor claps

[peanut-gallery] SimonChris says, "Hi emily"

Johnny yays.

[peanut-gallery] Johnny says, "Hi Em"

Maize asks, "What is the sound of One Eye clapping?"

inky searches through his pockets.

inky says, "hmm, I can't find the card"

Gerynar says (to Maize), "*squitch* *squitch* *squitch*"

inky says, "maybe I was supposed to choose between finding out the winner of the award, and saving an adorable puppy"

Jacqueline laughs at Gerynar.

DavidW asks, "Have you looked under the podium?"

inky says, "oh hey"

Ellison says, "the answer to the riddle is 'APPLESAUCE.' I mean, 'applause'!"

inky says, ">LOOK UNDER PODIUM"

(From inky) You find an envelope!

inky says, "man, I tried >LOOK BEHIND PODIUM but all I found was myself"

DavidW says, "hooray! I am all that."

yandexx says, "haha"

inky says, "and the winner is ..."

inky says, "Crossing the river in Aotearoa (Matt Wigdahl)!"

zarf says, "yay"

Gerynar claps

SimonChris claps

maga claps

jmac exclaims, "Hooray!"

Maize claps.

fluke claps

two-star says, "woo"

Ellison claps

Johnny'plauds.

Limbo claps

RandomExile says, "claps"

yandexx claps

JimmyM claps

Benjor smacks his knee

Jacqueline applauds.

Felix clapclapclap!

Gerynar *squitch* *squitch* *squitch*

Pacian makes with the clappity.

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "nm and flourish have wandered into the party"

inky says, "I guess we should have invested in one of those cardboard cutout Matt Wigdahls"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison asks, "right on. do you guys have the MUD window projected up against a screen?"

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "big TV"

InsertCoin25 smiles

JimmyM says, "That sounds like fun for the whole family."

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "nice. HEY YOU GUYS AT THE PARTY!"

Gerynar says, "Don't know...how would you stick the prizes to the cutout without it looking silly."

[peanut-gallery] vimes says, "Really? LOOK MA I'M ON TV"

[peanut-gallery] DavidW waves to the party guests

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "those Warbler's Nest treats look tasty!"

inky says, "well, since he's not here, I guess we will go on to the halftime show"

[peanut-gallery] Jacqueline says (to vimes), "heehee"

NamelessAdventurer >WAVE POMPOM

Jacqueline asks (of maga), "Are you going to do that little dance?"

Maize says, "The Black Eyed Peas again?!"

DavidW asks, "oh, maybe it's time for Best NPCs?"

JimmyM asks, "You've convinced an over-the-hill rock star to perform for us?"

Ellison asks (of inky), "would this cardboard cutout of President William Howard Taft suffice?"

inky says (to Maize), "no, don't worry, I applied the p-remover"

Benjor reaches for the banjo under his seat, then thinks twice

inky says, "ok, actually, I don't have a halftime show planned"

Jacqueline says (to Ellison), "Here, have this cardboard Sarah Palin. We're done with her."

Nitku asks, "So we have the Black Eyed Eas?"

InsertCoin25 says, "please no black eyed peas"

inky says, "but we do have these two new awards and I thought the middle of the ceremony would be a good time to present them"

[peanut-gallery] yandexx asks, "where is that? it's not PAX time yet, right?"

DavidW says, "Give peas a chance."

Ellison cheers

Limbo says (to davidw), "hehe"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says (to yandexx), "some people in Boston, MA, USA, have put together a nice IF group that gets together regularly"

inky says, "the revisions to the ceremony this year are primarily in response to something started by Leandro Ribeiro, who asked if we'd thought about adding a "best feelies" kind of category"

[peanut-gallery] Jacqueline says (to Yandexx), "We have one here in Alaska, too."

[peanut-gallery] Jacqueline says, "But it's, um, just maga and I."

Ellison says, "the AIF community has a similar award but it means something else there"

inky says, "and things kind of snowballed from there, but I'm appreciative that he got the ball going with his initial query"

[peanut-gallery] yandexx says (to Ellison), "oh, right, I read about it, thanks"

[peanut-gallery] Jacqueline says, "Er, me and maga, rather."

[peanut-gallery] inky says (to Ellison), "ha ha"

[peanut-gallery] yandexx says (to Jacqueline), "ahaha :)"

[peanut-gallery] Gerynar says (to Jacq), "that's only because Alaska's too far away from Indiana"

Jacqueline says (to Ellison), "Yay."

InsertCoin25 laughs at Ellison

inky says, "so the first of our new totally-new categories is Best Supplemental Materials, intended as, basically, things for games that aren't themselves games"

inky says, "whether it's a manual, cover art, a teaser demo, or something else entirely"

inky says, "the nominees for which are .."

inky says, "Cover artwork for Allein mit Kai (Ingo Scharmann and Joana Markus)"

inky says, "Creating Interactive Fiction with Inform 7 (Aaron Reed)"

maga claps

Johnny wooooo

inky says, "The PDF manual for Leadlight (Wade Clarke)"

Ellison supplements his claps with cheers

Maize cheers.

yandexx claps

inky says, "The teaser poster for her upcoming game (Emily Short)"

inky says, "and in a double-nomination, The website for Leadlight"

inky says, "(also Wade Clarke)"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "Leadlight? this category seems LeadHEAVY har har"

InsertCoin25 claps for Aaron Reed

Pacian feels like applauding feelies.

RandomExile puts down CIFwI7 and applauds

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "somerville groans"

Ellison claps

inky says, "and the winner is .. Creating Interactive Fiction with Inform 7 (Aaron Reed)!"

zarf says, "yay"

maga says, "yay"

eeyorerin claps

yandexx exclaims, "woo!"

Jacqueline stands to applaud.

inky asks, "is Aaron here, by chance?"

Maize says, "Hooray!"

RandomExile exclaims, "woot!"

jmac says, "excellent"

Gerynar claps

Johnny says, "Yay"

Felix applauds.

Maize stands up.

maga says (to inky), "it seems more likely he'd be here by DESIGN (hyuk hyuk)"

fluke claps

yandexx smiles

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "ha ha. Sorry, Somerville!"

Ellison claps

Limbo claps

inky says (to maga), "I would like to make a joke about that one part in Curses with the lightning bolt but it's been too long"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "hee hyuk hyuk"

Jacqueline laughs and retakes her seat.

InsertCoin25 says, "YES!!! COngrats Aaron"

Ellison laughs

Maize sits.

inky says, "well, a much-deserved victory for Aaron"

inky says, "the other of the two categories, Best Technological Development, is something folks have been thinking about for a couple years"

Benjor hoots with joy

inky says, "although we think about innovation and cool stuff as happening around games, it also happens around the tools, interpreters, and libraries that makes those games happen"

[peanut-gallery] yandexx says, "I'd have voted for "Mentula..." if it was not a demo"

Jacqueline smiles and nods.

inky says, "so I'm pleased to list the nominees for Best Technological Development are ..."

inky says, "Automatypewriter (Jonathan M. Guberman)"

inky says, "(which, I believe, will be at PAX)"

Emily says, "(yes)"

zarf says, "yep"

inky says, "GLIMMR (Erik Temple)"

Johnny says, "yay"

maga claps

inky says, "Inform 7's "Release with an interpreter." (Graham Nelson)"

yandexx applauds

Johnny says, "woo"

inky says, "QTads 2, cross-platform HTML TADS interpreter (Nikos Chantziaras)"

Johnny says, "bully"

inky says, "Quixe, online Glulx interpreter (Andrew Plotkin)"

yandexx says, "woo"

maga says, "yay"

inky says, "and Undum (I.D. Millington)"

Pacian cheers.

DavidW says, "tough competition in this category"

Johnny says, "yip"

Benjor says, "GO QUIXE"

Ellison cheers

InsertCoin25 says, "I must see that typeriter in action but go GLIMMR"

inky says, "yeah, this was one of the more hard-fought categories"

Guest2 walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice it approaching it from the other side.

JasonDev exclaims, "two for GLIMMR!"

vimes says, "The winner is: Online voting for the xyzzys!"

inky says, "and the winner is .. Quixe, online Glulx interpreter (Andrew Plotkin)!"

inky says (to vimes), "I'm the winner there!"

Emily claps

maga claps

Felix applauds!

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "hard fought, and it hurts to be hit with a typewriter!"

JasonDev says, "and Quixe :)"

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "somerville claps"

yandexx applauds

DavidW says (to zarf), "Congrats!"

Gerynar says, "Yay"

zarf stands up

vimes says, "Huzzah!"

Jacqueline says (to inky), "Everyone's a winner, just like you."

RandomExile exclaims, "Congratulations!"

fluke says, "claps"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "well won, sir. nice thing you did there."

Jacqueline applauds for Quixe.

Benjor hollers

Ellison cheers

zarf says, "I would like to thank the little people that I;m standing opn"

Maize says (to zarf), "Congratulations!"

zarf says, "I mean"

zarf says, "Well, for example, Quixe is almost irrelevant without the release-as-interpreter"

InsertCoin25 says, "congrats zarf just need a update for graphics :)"

jmac says, "You misspelled 'pwn'"

SimonChris claps

jmac says, "(that was gavin)"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "also, yay inky as winner"

zarf says, "And -- well, I haven't implemented graphics yet"

zarf says, "Hm"

zarf says, "But! I look forward to being an invisible substrate in many games to come"

zarf says, "thank you"

zarf sits down

Jacqueline says (to zarf), "It's cool - we're paying you to work on this stuff, after all."

yandexx applauds wildly

jmac says, "woohoo"

Maize applauds.

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "oh yeah, I voted for release-as-interpreter. that was cool, too! so many cool things!"

Jacqueline applauds.

Limbo claps for browser-based outreach to casual gamers

Felix will drink to that.

InsertCoin25 says, "Much deserved award zarf keep up the great work"

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "*i'm finished*"

NamelessAdventurer comes up to the podium.

Ellison claps

NamelessAdventurer also comes up to the podium.

yandexx blinks

inky says, "(I don't see how that works -- NPC's can't use save & restore)"

NamelessAdventurers hold up signs reading "BEST NPCS"

Ellison claps and claps

Pacian rubs his eyes and looks suspiciously at his drink.

InsertCoin25 claps

NamelessAdventurers hold up signs reading "Aote" "et Jaune"

NamelessAdventurers stare suspiciously at their signs.

NamelessAdventurers hold up new signs reading "Hoosegow" "of the Multiverse"

Ellison laughs

DavidW holds up sign reading "snrk"

[peanut-gallery] Gerynar is now tempted to have an NPC in his game that *can* save & restore

yandexx says, "Muddy Sliss"

[peanut-gallery] maga says, "zombie dinosaur vs. space cowboy"

Benjor looks confused

Ellison "chu" "faws"

NamelessAdventurers "Rogue" "aroa"?

NamelessAdventurers go into a huddle.

[peanut-gallery] JasonDev exclaims, "now thats a game, maga!"

NamelessAdventurers "Aotearoa (Matt Wigdahl)"

NamelessAdventurers "Gris et Jaune (Jason Devlin)"

[peanut-gallery] Johnny says, "A dinosaur is no match for a pompatus."

NamelessAdventurers "Hoosegow (Ben Collins-Sussman and Jack Welch)"

NamelessAdventurers "and Rogue of the Multiverse (C.E.J. Pacian)"

Ellison claps

Benjor claps

maga claps

Maize claps.

Limbo claps

[peanut-gallery] DavidW says, "I hope these NamelessAdventures have a dance routine. I'd love to watch it."

Johnny claps.

[peanut-gallery] fluke exclaims, "cheers for Gris et Jaune!"

[peanut-gallery] vimes says, "synchronized lamp-getting"

NamelessAdventurers "And the" "Winner is"

NamelessAdventurers "Aotearoa (Matt Wigdahl)" "(remember to support your local NPC)"

zarf says, "yay"

yandexx claps

Benjor exclaims, "wow!"

Ellison cheers

JasonDev exclaims, "matt's cleaning up!"

Felix clapclaps!

maga claps

RandomExile claps

Johnny says, "Ha ha"

Gerynar applauds

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "the comments here are 'right, next year, we all put in more dinosaurs'"

Jacqueline applauds.

fluke claps

Johnny applauds.

InsertCoin25 says, "amazing"

[peanut-gallery] inky says, "I would be OK with that"

[peanut-gallery] DavidW says, "heh heh"

[peanut-gallery] Johnny says, "That guy needs to get down here to speechify."

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "unless Gardner Dozois is voting, in which case it gets complicated"

Maize says, "It was a nice touch that he named all the animals after my cats."

two-star claps

Emily says (to Maize), "ha ha ha"

SimonChris claps

Ghogg walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice him approaching it from the other side.

Jacqueline laughs at Maize.

InsertCoin25 claps

inky says, "the Best Puzzles category, of course, speaks for itself"

inky says, "usually with some kind of ask/tell thing where you have to have found the password beforehand"

Gerynar says, ">LISTEN TO PUZZLES"

inky says, "the nominees this year are .. Aotearoa (Matt Wigdahl)"

inky says, "Dual Transform (Andrew Plotkin as "Nigel Smith")"

maga claps

inky says, "(zarf, incidentally, looks less like a Nigel than anyone else I know)"

Ellison says, "woo"

Maize claps.

Johnny says, "hooray for pseudonyms"

Jacqueline laughs.

inky says, "Fragile Shells (Stephen Granade)"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "that is a wry observation!"

yandexx applauds

inky says, "One Eye Open (Colin Sandel and Carolyn VanEseltine)"

yandexx applauds, again

RandomExile claps

inky says, "and The People's Glorious Revolutionary Text Adventure Game (Taylor Vaughan)"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "s/wry/apt"

Ellison cheers

DavidW says, "cheers for puzzle games"

inky says, "normally I would offer anagrams of these names or something since this is the puzzle category, but the first and last ones make that a little difficult"

Jacqueline says, "Heehee"

inky says, "so instead I will just open the envelope"

Johnny says, "hooray"

inky says, "and the winner is .. Aotearoa (Matt Wigdahl)"

zarf says, "yay"

inky says, "truly dinosaurs are the solution to everything"

maga claps

Maize says, "Wow!"

inky says, ">OPEN DOOR WITH TRICERATOPS"

Gerynar applauds in a Maorian way

Pacian says, "Huzzah."

Jacqueline applauds.

DavidW says, "wait, the envelope opened just like that? But I haven't tied the buttered toast to the cat yet!"

yandexx says, "haha"

Benjor grins

inky says, "nor made the false moustache"

SimonChris applauds

Ellison claps

InsertCoin25 says, "Unbelievable"

Felix clappityclap.

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "wow, crazy how these things happen"

Johnny says (to DavidW), "If you tie it butter-side down, that cat will be unstoppable."

DavidW says, "That's why we have UNDO."

inky says, "and here to present the Best Setting award is the editor of SPAG and last year's co-winner for Best Setting (for The King of Shreds and Patches) is .. Jimmy Maher!"

maga says, "woo"

yandexx says, "ooh"

DavidW says, "woo!"

Johnny says, "ooW"

RandomExile exclaims, "Woot!"

Gerynar says, "w00t"

JimmyM Climbs up onstage looking shocked

Limbo claps

Jacqueline applauds for JimmyM.

Felix clapclapclaps!

[peanut-gallery] maga says, "I'm not sure how much of an advantage it is to have been in the comp, but it has to count for something"

Maize says, "Ooo!"

[peanut-gallery] DavidW says, "It counts a lot, I'm sure."

[peanut-gallery] Johnny says, "Exposure."

JimmyM says, "First order of business: I'm no longer the editor of SPAG. David Monath, who is hanging out here as RandomExile, now has that role."

[peanut-gallery] DavidW says, "Exactly."

[peanut-gallery] maga says, "well, right"

JimmyM says, "Take a bow, David."

Ellison claps

yandexx says, "wow"

RandomExile waves

Maize claps for David.

InsertCoin25 applauds

RandomExile stands briefly, offers a cheery grin, and resumes his seat

Johnny says, "Woo RE"

maga claps

DavidW gets up, blushes. "oh. Other David. Sorry."

Ellison says, "thanks for the great job, JimmyM!"

inky says, "yay for keeping SPAG going"

[peanut-gallery] inky says (to DW), "hee hee"

Ellison laughs

[peanut-gallery] yandexx says, "I think Aotearoa is overrated... but then it still did deserve the prizes so far"

JimmyM says, "So, we spend a lot of time in the community talking about all the things we don't know how to do -- which, I sometimes think, most things."

JimmyM says, "But it's also good to talk about what IF does really, really well. And one of those things is setting."

Guest3 walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice it approaching it from the other side.

eladnarra goes home.

JimmyM says, "So, I'm honored to have won last year for that category, and honored to present this year."

Jacqueline applauds.

yandexx claps

Limbo claps

JimmyM says, "So, without further ado..."

JimmyM says, "The first nominee will shock everyone, I'm sure."

Johnny says, "Heh"

yandexx says, "panihwa"

Jacqueline laughs at Jimmy.

jmac snorts

JimmyM says, "Aotearoa by Matt Wigdahl! This game took place in the one place that could be more beautiful than New Zealand."

Maize gasps.

maga says, "golly gee"

JimmyM exclaims, "An alternate New Zealand with dinosaurs!"

Felix chuckles.

Johnny cheers.

InsertCoin25 falls on floor in shock

Pacian dinocheers.

JimmyM says, "And if you think "Aotearoa" is hard to spell, you should see some of the other names in this thing..."

[peanut-gallery] maga says, "Visit New Zealand | Like in Aotearoa"

[peanut-gallery] Jacqueline says, "yay"

Benjor concentrates, and disappears.

Benjor walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice him approaching it from the other side.

JimmyM says, "The next game is Gris et Jaune by Jason Devlin. This game takes place in one of favorite cities in the world."

Johnny says, "woo"

Maize claps.

JimmyM says, "And the only thing better than New Orleans is New Orleans with black magic."

Felix oohs!

JasonDev asks, "is there a new orleans without black magic?"

inky says, "well, there's alcohol"

JimmyM says, "It all depends on how much you've drunk that night, my friend."

[peanut-gallery] Ellison laughs

InsertCoin25 says, "this is true"

JasonDev says, "haha"

maga says (to JasonDev), "depends on whether zydeco counts or not"

JimmyM says, "Next we have Hoist Sail for the Heliopause and Home by Andrew Plotkin, a.k.a. Zarf. (But I'm not sure if I'm cool enough to call him Zarf yet.)"

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "Doug thinks you're not cool enough to call me Andrew"

JimmyM says, "This takes place in a galaxy far, far away.. with Andrew Plotkin."

InsertCoin25 cheers

[peanut-gallery] inky asks, "Zarf Wars?"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison asks, "is one cool enough to drink tea without burning oneself?"

JimmyM says, "Which means that maybe it doesn't really take place in a galaxy far, far away at all."

yandexx says, "haha"

yandexx applauds

Johnny claps.

Maize says, "I would totally watch a Star Wars film starring Andrew Plotkin."

JimmyM says, "And finally we have One Eye Open by Colin Sandel and Carolyn Van Eseltine."

[peanut-gallery] Jacqueline says, "Eep. No one is keeping up the chalkboard."

Gerynar says, "So would I, as long as he wasn't a Gungan"

[peanut-gallery] inky says, "oh yeah"

Maize cheers a whole lot.

Ellison claps

[peanut-gallery] Jacqueline says, "You could probably do it easier, inky. I'd have to keep scrolling back."

JimmyM says, "This probing documentary is a shocking expose of the horrors of socialized medicine."

RandomExile is still hiding in the testing room with the creepy photo.

JimmyM asks, "Can the death panels be far behind?"

Jacqueline laughs.

JimmyM says, "And the winner is..."

Maize says, "Hey, now! </canadian>"

InsertCoin25 laughs at Maize

JimmyM says, "Wait for it..."

Jacqueline waits.

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "Z."

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "I hope so"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "ha"

JimmyM twiddles thumbs, examines ceiling tiles.

JimmyM exclaims, "Aotearoa!"

zarf says, "yay"

[peanut-gallery] yandexx says, "I'm unsurprised :)"

Ellison claps

JimmyM says, "Sorry, I was figuring out how to spell it again."

yandexx claps

DavidW says, "heh"

Jacqueline applauds.

Maize clapws.

JasonDev exclaims, "unbroken!"

JimmyM says, "Huge congrats to Matt Wigdahl."

DavidW says, "It helps to remember it has TEA inside it."

Maize also claps.

Benjor claps in amazement

JimmyM asks, "Hey, what if they gave an XYZZY ceremony in your honor and you didn't show up?"

nusco walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice it approaching it from the other side.

RandomExile ran out of fingers on his counting hand

Felix applauds, looking particularly unsurprised by now.

inky updates the BEST SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS entry on the chalkboard.

inky updates the BEST TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT entry on the chalkboard.

inky updates the BEST INDIVIDUAL NPC entry on the chalkboard.

inky updates the BEST INDIVIDUAL PUZZLE entry on the chalkboard.

inky updates the BEST NPCs entry on the chalkboard.

inky updates the BEST PUZZLES entry on the chalkboard.

inky updates the BEST SETTING entry on the chalkboard.

JimmyM says, "Thanks, everyone. Now back over to inky."

Limbo stops clapping for a moment because his hands are dino-sore

inky says, "thanks Jimmy!"

JimmyM scurries offstage again.

[peanut-gallery] * nusco has joined the channel.

Guest4 walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice it approaching it from the other side.

inky says, "the Best Story category is a little mysterious"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "mystery!"

InsertCoin25 claps

[peanut-gallery] Nitku says, "Wow, a horde of guests"

inky says, "it's one of those things that people have a hard time defining but you generally know it when you see it, whether the game is short or long"

inky says, "the nominees this year for Best Story are .."

inky says, "Gris et Jaune (Jason Devlin)"

Guest2 goes home.

inky says, "Hoist Sail for the Heliopause and Home (Andrew Plotkin)"

maga claps

Benjor claps

Ellison claps

inky says, "One Eye Open (Colin Sandel and Carolyn VanEseltine)"

RandomExile claps

yandexx claps for all the nominees

inky says, "and The Warbler's Nest (Jason McIntosh)"

maga says, "woo"

Johnny says, "hooray"

Guest2 walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice it approaching it from the other side.

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "'Pick Up The Phone Booth And Dinosaur'"

Maize applauds.

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "you can backfill the onversation here"

inky opens the envelope and looks inside.

nusco says, ""woo""

inky says, "and the winner in this category is the only game I am aware of with a spinoff cupcake"

inky says, "The Warbler's Nest (Jason McIntosh)!"

zarf claps

maga says, "yay"

yandexx says, "woo"

[peanut-gallery] Emily says, "(...spinoff cupcake?)"

yandexx claps

jmac says, "what"

Gerynar claps

Ellison hoorays and drools at the mention of cupcakes

jmac says, "wait"

fluke claps a lot!

Jacqueline stands to applaud.

RandomExile claps

Guest2 goes home.

Johnny says, "Hooray!"

Benjor puts hands together

Emily claps

[peanut-gallery] DavidW says, "http://plixi.com/p/80189791"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says (to Emily), "check jmac's twitter. they look tasty."

jmac says, "Wel,, thanks, y'all"

Felix clappityclapclap.

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "there we go."

[peanut-gallery] maga says, "still everything comp games"

InsertCoin25 apllauds

Limbo exclaims, "yay for dark folk tales!"

Maize says (to jmac), "Congratulations!"

[peanut-gallery] Emily says, "oh man"

[peanut-gallery] Emily says, "okay, that is freakishly adorable, and I will never look at peeps the same way again"

[peanut-gallery] inky says, "ha ha"

jmac says, "And for the record, in future moral choices: puppy."

[peanut-gallery] Emily says, "YOU LOOK MARSHMALLOWY BUT YOU MIGHT BE EVIL"

jmac says, "Thank you."

jmac sits down.

zarf claps

DavidW claps

maga claps

[peanut-gallery] Jacqueline says (to Emily), "yay"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "hee"

Maize claps.

Jacqueline applauds again and takes her seat.

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "reminds one of that old webpage that shows how hard it is to kill a peep"

inky says, "well, I can't argue with that"

Benjor drops his seat and sits on it

inky says, "and here to present the next award is someone who knows a thing or two about moral choices in games, Emily Short!"

SimonChris claps

RandomExile claps

inky says, "(not to mention the editor of last year's winner, Alabaster)"

yandexx claps

Gunther asks, "will she present this award... or MURDER A CHILD?"

Emily steps up to the podium

vimes brings Emily a chair.

Ellison claps

Felix applauds!

Limbo claps

Benjor listens

jmac har

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "sorry, little Timmy"

yandexx says, "huhu""

[peanut-gallery] Gunther says, "oops, channel, sorry"

InsertCoin25 claps

Guest2 walks out from under the archway south of here, although you didn't notice it approaching it from the other side.

Emily says, "The nominees this year are:"

Emily says, "The Blind House, by Maude Overton, which evokes a strong sense of dread through its ambiguous protagonist."

Pacian cheers.

zarf says, "I think we haven't seen the category named"

[peanut-gallery] yandexx says, "yup"

DavidW says, "I was about to ask."

inky asks, "what, you guys don't have the categories memorized yet?"

DavidW says, "I think it's Best Writing"

Emily says, "er, sorry. This is Best Writing"

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "Gunther distracted everybody. It's like The Westing Game"

maga says (to zarf), "we're creating a sense of ambiguous anticipation"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "heh"

Emily says, "Writing for IF is all about making sure you get the right hints in there so the player can follow what's going on"

Emily says, "and I was, uh, demonstrating how it can go wrong"

Emily says, "to contrast with our nominees"

zarf says, "ha"

DavidW says, "(nice save!)"

Benjor exclaims, "so tricky, that Emily!"

Emily says, "So!"

jmac nods, enlightened.

Emily says, ">G"

nusco says, "Yay ambiguity everywhere"

Emily says, "The Blind House, by Maude Overton, which evokes a strong sense of dread through its ambiguous protagonist."

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "if we had all paid attention, the clues to the category were all there"

Johnny says, "yay"

Pacian cheers for real this time.

[peanut-gallery] maga says, "and an eerie sense of deja vu"

Emily says, "Gris et Jaune by Jason Devlin, with a lyrical treatment of what the world looks like under the influence of black magic."

Maize claps.

maga claps

Ellison claps

Emily says, "Hoist Sail for the Heliopause and Home, by Andrew Plotkin, which evokes the strange and distant beauty of interstellar travel."

Emily says, "...and Hoosegow, by Ben Collins-Sussman and Jack Welch, with hilarious period color and memorable dialogue."

[peanut-gallery] yandexx says, "excellent games, all these"

DavidW applauds all the finalists.

yandexx roots for MUDDY

Benjor blushes

Emily fishes around in her backpack for the envelope

Emily retrieves it

Johnny says, "claps"

Emily says, "and the winner is:"

Ellison cheers

Emily says, "Hoist Sail for the Heliopause and Home, by Andrew Plotkin"

yandexx says, "woo"

maga claps

Benjor applauds wildly

yandexx claps

RandomExile claps

JasonDev exclaims, "way to go!"

inky claps for PR-IF

zarf says, "Whew! I mean, yay"

fluke claps n claps

zarf stands up

Maize says, "Huzzah, and well-done!"

DavidW says, "huzzah!"

maga says, ">EAT COOKIES"

Ellison says, "yay"

Johnny says, "hooray"

nusco says, "say "clap""

zarf says, "I apoloize for being here only as a holographic avatar"

Limbo says, "congrats"

RandomExile unfurls applause

zarf says, "I am of course off cruising the magnetic fields of the Andromeda spiral arms"

Felix giggles and claps.

InsertCoin25 exclaims, "well Done!!!"

zarf says, "I hear there's a strange and distant beauty out here, and I want to get her number"

[peanut-gallery] inky says, "ha ha"

DavidW says, "heh"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "nice"

zarf says, "But I'm glad you folks appreciated all the work I've done"

Jacqueline laughs.

zarf says, "Discovering. Things."

[peanut-gallery] yandexx says, "ain't that sweet :)"

zarf says, "Things you can't imagine"

Jacqueline says, "er, laughed about you and the distant beauty, not all the work you've done."

zarf says, "Oh, look. There's one. Gotta go"

Benjor puts his hand through Zarf, pulls it out again

zarf sits down

Jacqueline applauds for zarf!

Daddo arrives from the west.

Ellison claps

yandexx exclaims, "hooray for zarf!"

jmac says, "yay"

SimonChris applauds

RandomExile reefs applause

[peanut-gallery] * Daddo has joined the channel.

[peanut-gallery] yandexx says, "ooh it's 1:05 a.m. here"

inky updates the BEST STORY entry on the chalkboard.

inky updates the BEST WRITING entry on the chalkboard.

Johnny says, "yay zarf"

inky says, "thanks Emily! thanks zarf!"

inky says, "and now to the final award of the night, Best Game"

Maize says, "Ooo!"

NamelessAdventurer walks onstage in a little black dress.

[peanut-gallery] Limbo says, ""Things you can't imagine"... Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion"

[peanut-gallery] Emily says, "sorry about that, somehow I misread what inky said as also mentioning what the category was that was up next"

Pacian wolf whistles.

[peanut-gallery] inky says, "my fault, I've been sloppy about it"

[peanut-gallery] vimes says, "Categorically ambiguous"

NamelessAdventurer holds up a sign saying "The Best Game is the one with the most NPCs"

[peanut-gallery] Emily says, "well, I am also reading through a bit of a headache, so comprehension is not at its highest"

[peanut-gallery] maga says, "hey baby, you're looking both ageless and genderless tonight"

DavidW says, "ha ha"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says (to Limbo), "heh"

inky says (to NamelessAdventurer), "well, ok, I was going to say that everyone has their own definition, but that works"

DavidW says, "You mean the most Puzzles."

[peanut-gallery] vimes says, "hang on, let me just take my face off"

vimes says, "Certainly the most dinosaurs."

inky says, "anyway, yeah, of course you can't have a competition like this without a Best Game award, but it's also true it'll vary tremendously year to year, and even within the category"

DavidW says, "(once upon a time, the most rooms meant something. Believe it or not.)"

Maize begins translating some Pynchon books to IF.

Ugo goes home.

inky says, "for example, this year's nominees for Best Game are .."

Ellison does his best clapping

inky says, "a newbie-friendly boy's-own-adventure with dinosaurs: Aotearoa (Matt Wigdahl)"

zarf says, "yay"

Maize cheers.

inky says, "an expansive scientific and -fictional exploration: Hoist Sail for the Heliopause and Home (Andrew Plotkin)"

zarf says, "yay (me)"

inky says, "a survival horror that goes across time: One Eye Open (Colin Sandel and Carolyn VanEseltine)"

Johnny says, "yay"

zarf says, "yay"

RandomExile claps

Johnny says, "yay"

Johnny says, "yay"

DavidW says, "my"

yandexx says, "yay"

fluke says, "yay One Eye Open"

Maize says, "Whooo!"

jmac woohoos

yandexx says, "one yay open"

inky says, "a humorous pulp sf game with arcade-y elements: Rogue of the Multiverse (C.E.J. Pacian)"

zarf says, "woo"

maga says, "yay"

Johnny says, "yay"

yandexx claps

Maize claps.

nusco says, "Yay Pacian"

inky says, "and a tight little psychological horror game: The Warbler's Nest (Jason McIntosh)"

fluke exclaims, "yay Rogue too!"

Johnny says, "yay"

zarf says, "yay"

Ellison claps

maga claps

fluke says, "and yay for dunking babies"

inky says, "this was a particular close category this year, with several tight contenders for the award"

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "ooh"

inky says, "but I am pleased to announce the winner is .. Aotearoa (Matt Wigdahl)"

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "oh"

[peanut-gallery] Nitku says, "Dunkin' Babies, the lesser known fast food chain"

zarf says, "yay"

yandexx says, "woo"

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says, "h"

jmac exclaims, "Huzzah!"

yandexx applauds

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says (to Nitku), "hee"

RandomExile applauds

Pacian applauds.

JimmyM claps

Ellison cheers

eeyorerin claps

[peanut-gallery] maga says, "man, Matt pretty much cleaned up"

nusco says, "Yay lack of surprise"

JasonDev exclaims, "well done!"

Maize says, "Way to go!"

[peanut-gallery] Limbo says (to nitku), "ahahaha, man"

[peanut-gallery] fluke says, "very popular here :)"

Felix clapclapclaps!

[peanut-gallery] inky says, "and not to take away from his well-deserved victory, but this was a close one"

Johnny says, "whoo"

[peanut-gallery] zarf says, "right. The People's Republic cannot be defeated, except by dinosaurs."

[peanut-gallery] inky says, "ha ha"

[peanut-gallery] jmac says, "[nm] Dinosaurs? More like diYESsaurs"

inky updates the BEST GAME entry on the chalkboard.

[peanut-gallery] inky says, "that is what nm sounds like"

Gunther says, "now to reveal that Matt Wigdahl is actually zarf."

DavidW says, "ha ha"

jmac snrk

[peanut-gallery] maga says, "I somehow didn't expect it to be a very XYZZY-winning kind of game"

inky says, "I'd like to thank everyone for coming to and voting in this year's XYZZYs"

[peanut-gallery] maga says, "which shows how much I know"

Gerynar says, "yay"

yandexx says, "woohoo"

Benjor wipes a tear of joy away

Maize says, "Thank you for hosting and having them!"

yandexx applauds for everyone involved

[peanut-gallery] Ellison says (to jmac), "heh"

Benjor thinks he should go play Aoteaora already

inky says, "I'd also like to thank the presenters, who were mostly pulled in at the last minute, and David Welbourn, without whose tireless cataloging efforts we couldn't have a first voting round"

Felix applauds once more for the organizers and the hosts.

Limbo says, "thanks for presenting the show"

maga claps

Guest4 goes home.

RandomExile claps for all

DavidW says, "thanks to inky for doing everything else!"

Maize says, "This was my first time voting and attending, and it was fun. :)"

yandexx opens a bottle of champagne

Benjor disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

inky says, "and thanks to NamelessAdventurer for wearing that dress so I didn't have to"

inky says, "also, expect a few more changes in the XYZZYs next year, although I'm not quite sure what they'll be yet"

DavidW says, "We'll get you in a dress someday. We can wait."

yandexx says (to Maize), "see you next year :)"

Limbo says (to inky), "more cowbell"

Ellison says (to inky), "p'shaw, that's why you walk to work"

fluke claps for everyone that made a game last year

inky says, "hee hee"

Felix says, "That's a good category to have."

Maize says, "Yeah thanks to all the game authors!"

JasonDev says, "thanks again for a great show everyone"

zarf claps in general

Ellison says, "thanks to game authors! thanks to organizers! thanks for the new awards!"

DavidW says, "yes, thanks to anyone who wrote a game last year!"

Gunther disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

Ellison says, "let's make 2011 equally great!"

Maize says (to yandexx), "Thanks!"

vimes disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

Jacqueline exclaims, "Thank you, inky!"

JimmyM says, "Thanks, inky and everyone else who makes this happen every year."

Jacqueline asks (of DW), "The bar, or the lounge?"

Maize says (to inky), "Thank you for a fine time!"

Pacian says, "Awesome work guys."

Gerynar says, "Thanks everyone (presenters, authors, voters, but not the dinosaurs)"

JimmyM goes home.

DavidW asks (of Jacqueline), "whichever. Are people in a bar mood this year?"

Johnny says, "Hooray."

Johnny says, "Congrats all around"

Felix winks to Jimmy. "I hope to see you here next year as well, now that you broke the ice."

yandexx me hands a bottle of champagne to DavidW

yandexx says, "gotta go... need more sleep"

DavidW says (to yandexx), "ooh, thanks!"

Felix darns, is slow tonight.

Jacqueline says, "I'm going to make an non-virtual cocktail, and when I return I shall go to where the most peeps are."

SimonChris says, "Thanks to everyone. It has been a fun evening."

Maize says, "Now to whisk eeyorerin off to dinner before I get teeth marks in my shoulder."

K-Y says, "the most peeps seem to be at the physical party, being eaten"

JasonDev goes home.

eeyorerin looks guilty.

Idd arrives from the west.

eeyorerin goes home.

Maize goes home.

yandexx says, "thanks everyone, see you around, bye"

Ellison says, "later yandexx"

yandexx goes home.

jmac had fun sharing this with a bunch of local friends via VGA cable and giant LCD TV

jmac says, "And apparently we have champagne"

jmac says, "And victory cookies"

K-Y disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

boucher disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

Nitku disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

Limbo fully expects incriminating party photographs from the Boston PR-IF tomorrow

Pacian goes home.

jmac exclaims, "Ciao and congrats and thanks!"

jmac disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

Gerynar leaves the auditorium to the west.

Guest3 says, "@listc"

Guest3 says, "'scuse me."

SimonChris goes home.

InsertCoin25 exclaims, "Congrats to everyone on winning and being nominated...had fun!!!"

Felix says (to Guest3), "You need to make an account first. :)"

fluke disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

inky leaves the auditorium to the west.

Ellison disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.