We continue the series by posting up some of the answers from the panel in response to questions raised by the community in this thread (https://ame-gda.andarian.net/forums/index.php?topic=287.0.html). Keep posting, and we'll keep answering!
How much of your time AME is taking? Do you still find time to put your creative minds to module making?
B G P Hughes - AME takes a lot of my time, especially the administration time, but not so much that I have had to give up on other games-making work. Though I no longer produce for NWN or NWN2, I do professional work on other games on a contract basis. I think if you are a panel member who already plays a lot of modules, it doesn't take so much time.
Andarian - It takes a lot of time, which is one reason why I'm looking forward to AME's extended "off-season" in the second half of the year. There's no question that it's cut into my module-making time, but it's not the only culprit in that regard. I've also been working on a Master's degree in physics (only just one Master's Essay from being complete, now -- yay!), as well as working a full-time job and trying to make some time to spend with my wife, too. My work as organizing chairman last summer before Ben took over was the main reason why my last module ended up being shorter than I had wanted and intended it to be. I'm hoping to be able to spend more time modding again in the not too distant future.
Tybae - Not as much as I thought it would, although it would help if someone took the bull whip away from Ben {editor's note - just Tybae's little joke... right?}. Most of the really long modules, I already played, so I had much less play time than others to accomplish.
Estelindis - AME takes up a lot of my time at certain bottleneck periods near deadline time... and also when I am working on whatever category I am championing. Otherwise, it doesn't take up very much time at all. As for module-making, AME actually helps me in many ways, because I get lots of ideas for modules and custom content by looking at the huge range of what's out there! (I always try to stay aware of what's new in CC, no matter what, but if not for AME I might not play any modules except for new installments from my favourite series.)
Starlight - Actually, it does take some of my time. However, together with some other work of hobbies, like Overlooked Module Report, reading, gaming, drawing, etc. I always hope there are more than 24 hours a day.
For the second part of the question. No. I'm not a module maker and I have no problem with it at all.
SirChet - Not that much, most of the difficult projects are taken on by Ben, Andarian, and Qk. Which really just leaves experiencing various adventures, taking notes, and being involved in the debates covering the many aspects to be considered in the works presented. I really enjoy making contributions to adventures, it helps me stay humble. Whenever I think I may have a certain aspect of building pretty much mastered, I see what a true master can do and realize just how little I know about modding and how weak my skills truly are.
QSW - I came back into the AME very late this year (after a long hiatus since last December) so all of the major work had been done this year. Good timing? I'll leave that up to you to decide Last year it took up a lot of everybody's time since it was the first year for these awards. It was fun though in a masochistic way
sixesthrice - I don't module-make nowadays. I do custom-content-make and I also do completely unrelated-related-to-NWN-things a lot of the time. AME doesn't take up too much time for me, mostly because I've already played quite a few of the modules, so I only have an impression of them, and feel I only need to give them a brief run-through to remind myself of them. Oh yeah, I've done my final exams of high school in the last few months so I have 100% free time now. That helps too.
Qkrch - AME takes from me a lot of time this year but i was the one making the videos and the website so my work here expanded... anyway... I released three or 4 packages of nwn stuff while nominating on AME
How did your significant others react when you told them that it was super important that you play a whole bunch of games?
B G P Hughes - I try to keep the border between 'playing' and 'testing' very murky so that my wife can't tell which is which! This helps me to get a lot more time than I might otherwise!
Andarian - Well, she certainly laughed when I showed her your question. Seriously, she's been very supportive of my gaming efforts, which I'm very grateful for, even if she's not interested in games herself. She's even been encouraging me for years to try to get into gaming professionally, since I seem to like it so much...
Tybae - Well, we recently got a DVR and on demand, so my wife has been recording all the shows she wants to watch along with on-demanding the ones that she watches, so I have plenty of time to play as of late. The conversation goes something like this:
"Are you going to watch your BS TV programs?"
"Yes, go and do your dork stuff."
Estelindis - Doesn't apply, as I'm single. None of my friends mind in the least, though. Quite a few of the games I play, I play with them.
Starlight - I have to finish the review before the deadline and I always play until late nights and have not enough sleep. He worries about my health a lot.
SirChet - The same way she reacts to anything I have a passion for. I believe I am one of the few people who have a spouse that supports me in any and all of my extra-curricular activities. I can remember times when my wife, (Wanda) would just lay a note on my desk and quietly walk away, because she didn't want to break my train of thought when working on a certain area or dialog.
QSW - Like SirChet, my husband (Martin) has always been very accepting of my NWN passions, he is a muscian and has his own passion in music. This year he is more mindful that I don't overstretch myself with anything, but as long as I look like I am having fun he won't worry too much
sixesthrice - Haven't had one of those for a while...
Qkrch - They knew it since I was a 4 years child and i got stuck looking a Bubble Bobble arcade. So I never had to tell them , they just figure it out.
Was there anything within the works of the finalist to inspire the creative panel to include into their own works?
B G P Hughes - I've seen a lot of very creative and interesting stuff. Some of the 'bigger' things I wouldn't copy for myself - that spoils there uniqueness; but small touches and creative inspirations definitely influence the work that I produce myself.
Andarian - A few things, sure. I particularly liked the RP options in Dark Avenger, for example, that allowed the player to customize his role-playing with varying backgrounds that were all consistent with the module plot. Aribeth's Redemption II did this as well, and to good effect.
Tybae - I'm not a builder, but if I were, the answer would be yes. I would take ideas from other modules and use them for my own, with modification of course. I don't want to be a complete copy cat.
Estelindis - Lance Botelle's patch hak is an excellent idea. Guthlac's method of assigning alignment-based RPing XP is also brilliant. I would like to use both (or something like them) in my own work. Maerduin's attention to detail and talent for little RPing flourishes... Those are qualities I can only hope to emulate.
Starlight - I'm not a builder. But I'm really appreciate the patching hak idea of Lance Botelle a lot.
SirChet - Yes, yes, and yes! One of the best parts of being a member of AME is that we get to take a much closer look at some of the finest creations on the vault. In my opinion, a true "Master Piece" should always inspire other artists.
QSW - I'm not a builder, but I have always been in awe of those who build and create Custom Content. These are amazing people who selflessly give of their awesome talent.
sixesthrice - Yes. In the case of tilesets, I even physically included some bits of one nomination, and all of another, in a tileset of my own as well as a joint effort compilation-retexture-remodel-fix-addnewstuff tileset project of mine and s030363l's. In the case of modules, well, I don't make modules these days.
Qkrch - Absolutely yes, and i'm one of those people who uses always his own content and ideas.