2018 Squiddies: The Winners
In June, we asked for nominations. You responded, and we announced 19 nominees in August. Now it’s time to reveal the three winner of this year’s Squiddie (officially the Ongoing Worlds Medal for Superior Online Role Playing). Choosing just three winners from 19 excellent candidates was extremely difficult as many are deserving of a top-level award. However, that’s our job!
Facilitating the community experience: October Veritas (person)
October Veritas of UCIP continues to set the standard in the simming world when it comes to host leadership & beyond. She commanded the USS Vindicator to Squiddie & Simming Prize wins in 2016 and the Tournament of Simulations‘ top Star Trek award in each of the last three years (including the top overall prize in 2015). While her success at building community as a host is undeniable, her influence reaches far beyond the game level. Indeed, she was a major force behind the scenes of UCIP’s resurgence last summer, when it went from a struggling club to a community leader. She also volunteers extensively beyond her club for outside events and awards. All in all, she’s a builder of the role playing community.
Excellence in role playing: USS Black Hawk (game)
The USS Black Hawk of Bravo Fleet stands tall among a deep field of role plays across many genres. In 2017, it placed in the Tournament of Simulations, and within its own club, took home two Task Force Sim of the Month Awards, one Fleet Sim of the Quarter Award, and one Fleet Admiralty Unit Citation. Its writing excellence extended all year long through all missions. While the writing styles of the individual authors are quite different, they fit together extremely well to form a cohesive and compelling story. In addition, the veteran players prove very welcoming and helpful to newer ones. The Black Hawk provides a great simming excellence model for us all to follow.
Originality & Innovation: Obsidian Fleet (club)
Obsidian Fleet, now its 18th year, continues to innovate and refine the simming experience for its members. Built off of WordPress and using multiple plug-ins, the club’s new platform and website allow players to access, use, and transform nearly all fleet materials & information with a single login. Minimal custom code was used to create this unique and useable interface, which has improved operations at every level from the Admiralty down to the individual sims & players. Obsidian Fleet’s continual efforts to innovate drive its constant pursuit of improved simming & community excellence.
Congratulations to all three winners!!! They were chosen by the Ongoing Worlds Board of Advisors: David Ball, Leon Archer, Mister Xanadu, Tiberius Creations, Kenny Gillis, Misty Diamond, and Charles Star and our guest voter, Chris England. All results are final and are not subject to appeal. We would also like to announce that Chris has now joined us as a regular member of the Board of Advisors.
Good luck next year and keep simming!
