[Brody]

It was supposed to happen last spring, but we just didn't see much demand for the event.

We're going to give it another try, though!

From Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 2007, Necromundus - one of the games of jointhesaga.com - will play host to FidoCon II: The Second Bite.

We need your help to make it a success, though.

First, we're looking for nominees for the Fido Awards in the following categories:

* Best Overall Text-Based Online RPG

* Best Sci-Fi Text-Based Online RPG

* Best Horror Text-Based Online RPG

* Best Fantasy Text-Based Online RPG

* Best Modern-Themed Text-Based Online RPG

* Best Modern-Themed Text-Based Online RPG

* Best Multi-Genre Text-Based Online RPG

* Best Text-Based Online Community

(Jointhesaga.com is hosting this event, so our games are excluded from the competition.)

It'd be great if the nominees had pages set up in the MU*Wiki at Main Page - WikiMU* - a Wikia wiki but our only pre-req for qualification is that the game is online and open for players.

Second, we want exhibitors! So, if you run a game and you want to promote it, send a description for the room you want to wes@jointhesaga.com. It'll be one room per game. Deadline for the booth request/description is Nov. 15.

Third, we want presenters! We're looking for people involved in text-based gaming who want to talk about everything from character development to keeping MUDs fun for the people who run them (not just the people who play them) to podcasting and video blogging as a means of promoting your game in the iTunes age. So, if you've got a topic you want to discuss and a time during the FidoCon II weekend that would be best for you, drop me a note at wes@jointhesaga.com

As with the first FidoCon, we'll hold a drawing for a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate near the end of the weekend.

Keep watching :: FidoCon :: Putting the "Paw" in "Pwnage :: for updates and schedule information. (It's outdated now, but you can peruse logs of last year's FidoCon and check out the Fido Award winners!)

Necromundus, the host site, can be reached at jointhesaga.com 3005.

[Brody]

The updates have begun! :: FidoCon :: Putting the "Paw" in "Pwnage ::

We're looking for:

* MUD operators who want exhibition booths (read: Send me a description for the room with information about your game and I'll add it to the exhibit hall)
* Enthusiasts who want to give presentations on MU* development, roleplaying, combat, refereeing, permadeath, videoblogging, podcasts, free vs. pay, doing this for a living - whatever floats your boat, as long as you make the commitment and stick to it!
* Nominees for the Second Fido Awards (jointhesaga.com games are again ineligible for nomination because we're hosting the event)

The convention runs Nov. 30-Dec. 2 at jointhesaga.com 3005

[Milawe]

Bumpies. Trying to get the stuff together to participate this year.

[Brody]

Originally Posted by Mina Bumpies. Trying to get the stuff together to participate this year.

Thanks for the bump!

Just a heads-up: We've got 4Dimensions in as an exhibitor and Armageddon pondering possible event involvement. Plus, some jointhesaga.com folks are already on board to give talks.

Room for more!

[Brody]

Don't wait too long! We still need exhibitors, nominees, and topic presenters!

[Milawe]

I keep emailing the address you have listed. Am I getting spam blocked, perhaps?

[Brody]

Originally Posted by Mina I keep emailing the address you have listed. Am I getting spam blocked, perhaps?

Shouldn't be blocked. Feel free to send the info via PM here if you can't get through with email. Sorry about the inconvenience!

[Brody]

We've got our next batch of nominees for the Fido Awards, which will be given out during next weekend's FidoCon at jointhesaga.com 3005. We need your votes first!

* Best Overall Text-Based Online RPG
- Legends of Karinth
- 4 Dimensions
- Shadows of Isildur

* Best Sci-Fi Text-Based Online RPG
- Serenity MUSH
- Cybersphere
- Dune III MUSH

* Best Horror Text-Based Online RPG
- Novo Upanje
- Haunted Memories
- Windy City MUX

* Best Fantasy Text-Based Online RPG
- Legends of Karinth
- Aardwolf
- Threshold

* Best Historical Text-Based Online RPG
- Colorado Dreams
- KushielMUX
- MaddockMUX

* Best Modern-Themed Text-Based Online RPG
- SephoraMOO
- the-night.com

* Best Multi-Genre Text-Based Online RPG
- 4 Dimensions
- LegendMUD
- Scourge of Time

* Best Text-Based Online Community
- Top MUD Sites
- MUD Connector
- M*U*S*H

Send ballots to wes@jointhesaga.com

[Brody]

Wow. Gotta say kudos to 4-Dimensions - they know how to get out the vote. The rest of you slackers better step it up! Time's running out.

[Brody]

The ballots are coming in with great regularity now! Keep 'em coming.

Also, since you're all doing so well with those, if any of you are interested in giving a presentation about your game - or on a MUD-related topic near and dear to your heart - during FidoCon, just drop me an email at wes@jointhesaga.com with the topic, the day, and the time you'd like to make the presentation.

Thanks!

[prof1515]

Originally Posted by Brody We've got our next batch of nominees for the Fido Awards, which will be given out during next weekend's FidoCon at jointhesaga.com 3005. We need your votes first! * Best Overall Text-Based Online RPG - Legends of Karinth - 4 Dimensions - Shadows of Isildur * Best Sci-Fi Text-Based Online RPG - Serenity MUSH - Cybersphere - Dune III MUSH * Best Horror Text-Based Online RPG - Novo Upanje - Haunted Memories - Windy City MUX * Best Fantasy Text-Based Online RPG - Legends of Karinth - Aardwolf - Threshold * Best Historical Text-Based Online RPG - Colorado Dreams - KushielMUX - MaddockMUX * Best Modern-Themed Text-Based Online RPG - SephoraMOO - the-night.com * Best Multi-Genre Text-Based Online RPG - 4 Dimensions - LegendMUD - Scourge of Time * Best Text-Based Online Community - Top MUD Sites - MUD Connector - M*U*S*H Send ballots to wes@jointhesaga.com

A few questions regarding this thing.

So, basically it's a popularity contest, not really a recognition of anything beyond playerbase size? And really, does genre-setting make as much of a difference as the type of game? You've got RP* versus H&S in some categories. That's like comparing proverbial apples and oranges. Also, how is it that a game like Shadows of Isildur can be nominated for "Best Overall Text-Based Online RPG" but not be nominated for "Best Fantasy Text-Based Online RPG"? Finally, as a professional historian, I find "historical" to describe any MUD setting inaccurate. I have yet to see a MUD that is more historical than it is historical-fantasy (and even then the history is so inaccurate and watered-down that you can find more historical accuracy on Lord of the Rings MUDs).

[Brody]

Originally Posted by prof1515 A few questions regarding this thing. So, basically it's a popularity contest, not really a recognition of anything beyond playerbase size? And really, does genre-setting make as much of a difference as the type of game? You've got RP* versus H&S in some categories. That's like comparing proverbial apples and oranges. Also, how is it that a game like Shadows of Isildur can be nominated for "Best Overall Text-Based Online RPG" but not be nominated for "Best Fantasy Text-Based Online RPG"? Finally, as a professional historian, I find "historical" to describe any MUD setting inaccurate. I have yet to see a MUD that is more historical than it is historical-fantasy (and even then the history is so inaccurate and watered-down that you can find more historical accuracy on Lord of the Rings MUDs).

It's a celebration of MUDs, not scientific research. Of course it's a popularity contest.

Quite a few games got nominated in various categories, but you might notice a trend in each category: We chose the top three nomination recipients in each category to put up as nominees. So, SoI, just as an example, got a lot of nominations as Best Overall, but didn't get enough to make the top three in Best Fantasy this time around. (Unsurprisingly, those who sent in votes didn't always vote in every category.)

In any event, you're not obligated to participate if you don't care for the methodology. Thanks for your interest in the awards, though.

And, I should probably tell people now that if they vote via e-mail, they're automatically entered in the drawing for the $50 Amazon.com gift certificate.

[Brody]

REMINDER: FidoCon II kicks off tonight at 7 p.m. Eastern at jointhesaga.com 3005.

Get your final votes in! And if you want an exhibit showcase, send me email with a 100-word rundown about your game or site to wes@jointhesaga.com - it'll be in the exhibit hall, available for visitors to check out. You'll be welcome to hang out and promote your project, of course!

[Brody]

Thanks to everyone who attended the first evening of activities at FidoCon II! I'll get logs of the sessions up on the FidoCon site later today, most likely.

The event officially resumes at 3 p.m. Eastern today, but everyone is welcome to drop by at any time to check out the exhibit hall and say hello at jointhesaga.com 3005.

[Brody]

Thanks again to everyone who turned out for the second day of activities at FidoCon. Just a reminder: Tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern we announce the winners of the 2007 Fido Awards. Nominees are listed at :: FidoCon :: Putting the "Paw" in "Pwnage ::

After the winners are announced, we'll hold a drawing for the $50 Amazon.com gift certificate. If you sent in an email with votes in the awards by Dec. 1, your email address will be included in the drawing.

You're welcome to visit jointhesaga.com 3005 all day today to check out the exhibit hall in the FidoCon area, where we've got showcases from 4 Dimensions, OtherVerse, Threshold, and RPG Works (among others)!

[Brody]

FidoCon II: The Second Bite has come to a close.

Congratulations to the following winners in the 2007 Fido Awards:

Best Overall Text RPG

- 4 Dimensions

Best Sci-Fi Text RPG

- Cybersphere

Best Horror Text RPG

- Novo Upanje

Best Fantasy Text RPG

- Legends of Karinth

Best Historical Text RPG

- KushielMUX

Best Modern-Themed Text RPG

- SephoraMOO

Best Multi-Genre Text RPG

- 4 Dimensions

Best Text-Based Online Community

- MUD Connector

And congratulations to Scourge, from Scourge of Time, for winning the $50 Amazon.com gift certificate!

Thanks to all the exhibitors and attendees!

I'll have logs up at :: FidoCon :: Putting the "Paw" in "Pwnage :: SOON. Seriously!

Hope to see everyone next year at FidoCon III: Fido Bites Back!