Best Ofs

• I will begin accepting your nominations December 1st. The way it works – for those who were around for the 2011 Best Ofs – is that it’s Editor’s Choice based on reader nominations. So the great EVN community can send what they think should be recognized to [email protected] and from that list I will pick the creme de la creme. (I have no idea how to say creme de la creme by the way, so be happy this is being typed.) The deadline to do this will be December 31st and the final list of nominees will be released the following day, January 1st.
• H (Hentai) games may not be nominated. As the goal of these games is often to titillate the reader/viewer, in my opinion that makes the bulk of H games pornography. If that’s your thing, that’s your thing, but considering my own personal views as well as the clear goals behind these particular works, just like last year, I won’t even try to attempt and be fair when I know I can’t.
• If you as a writer or your development group has released several English visual novels this year, please be advised that only two of them will be considered for nomination in all categories. This is done primarily to ensure that no one group or person can monopolize the nominations since one EVN can be nominated for more than one category. For example, let’s say that OraStudios (obviously not real) made a romance EVN and a more dramatic/thrilling EVN. Theoretically speaking, if both EVNs used different artists and musicians, both games can be nominated in ten different categories each (EVN of the Year, Artist, Original Score, Original Song, Romance, Drama, Character, Writer, Editor and Director) with the studio itself possibly being up for nomination as well. Now, toss out the two EVN limit and potentially one studio could stuff the ballot and ruin my good time…which is a big no-no. On the plus side, for those who developed the EVNs, you can tell me which two EVNs you’d prefer to be considered.
• All winners will be decided by moi. Please be respectful of this decision and those that will be nominated for an award when commenting on the site.
• Certain categories will require a unique qualifier. This is not an attempt to heap awards onto any one person, group or visual novel. This is simply an effort to include everyone that contributed to the development of a visual novel. Also, please keep in mind that the lack of a qualifier in one category doesn’t necessarily mean a visual novel won’t be nominated for another. All visual novels nominated will be judged by the exact same criteria.
• And since we’re on the subject, the winners of each game category will be chosen based on their Presentation, Story, Ambition and Enjoyment Level while playing the game. These things are unique to each nominee as well as to each reader. Please keep that in mind on when we announce the winners.
• There is no trophy or other award signifying the winner of each category. Unless you plan to pay for one, please do not hassle the editor about the lack of a physical award.

CATEGORIES

 2014 BEST OFS

2013 BEST OFS

2012 BEST OFS

• Analogue: A Hate Story – English Visual Novel of the Year
• Four Leaf Studios – EVN Studio/Circle of the Year
• *Hyun-ae (Analogue: A Hate Story) – Best Character
• Saguaro (Lucky Special Games) – Rookie of the Year
• Gracjana Zielinska (Cinders) – Best Artist
• Rob Westwood (Cinders) – Best Original Score
• AxemRed (Twilight Princess Prophecy Quest Chronicles) – Best Male Voice Actor
• Melissa Heflin (The Romance of Miss Boop)– Best Female Voice Actress
• Long Live the Queen (Hanako Games) – Best Hybrid
• Ristorante Amore (Cyanide Tea) – Best Romance
• Juniper’s Knot (Dischan Group) – Best Drama
• Rejoice! The Gospel of Matthew (tkhnoman) – Best Fanwork
• The Knife of the Traitor (Clua & Anarchy) – Best Comedy

2011 BEST OFS

• Kansei – English Visual Novel of the Year
• Winter Wolves – Studio/EVN Circle of the Year
• John Rook – Best Character
• M. Beatriz Garcia – Best Artist
• Carosene – Rookie of the Year
• Matthew Myers & Cristina Vee –Best Original Score
• Micah Solusod – Best Male Voice Artist
• Cherami Leigh – Best Female Voice Artist
• Lucky Rabbit Reflex – Best Romance
• Rapunzel – Best Fanwork
• Anton’s Vacation – Best Comedy
• The Thirteenth Year – Best Drama