The Ennie Awards, which hold a special place as one of the top honors in the tabletop gaming world, have decided to halt nominations for products that incorporate generative AI technologies—but this change will take effect only after the conclusion of this year’s awards. The announcement came on Sunday, following a wave of vocal feedback from fans and industry professionals in the tabletop role-playing game community, seen across various social media platforms and other forums. However, for the 2024-2025 awards cycle, entries that used AI tools during their production will still be accepted.
In their statement, the organization declared, “Starting with the 2025-2026 submission cycle, the ENNIE Awards will no longer consider any products that include generative AI or have been developed with the aid of Large Language Models or similar technologies for visual, written, or edited content.” They further emphasized that “creators wishing to enter must ensure their works are free of AI-generated elements. Although altering the rules retroactively for the 2024-2025 season isn’t feasible, this updated policy underscores the ENNIE Awards’ dedication to honoring the human creativity that lies at the heart of the TTRPG community.” Notably, since 2019, the organization has operated independently from the EN World forums.
The topic of AI’s role in tabletop gaming is generating a lot of discussions, partly due to the significant environmental impacts linked to this technology. Moreover, many large language models have been accused of exploiting artists by using their work without permission. Like many creative fields dealing with the influence of these financially potent innovations, the Ennies, run entirely by volunteers, are striving to stay ahead of the curve—a sentiment that was quite evident in their recent statement.
“The ENNIES proudly operate as a small, volunteer-driven body that stands ready to adapt swiftly when necessary, despite the challenges tied to their mission,” the team expressed.
