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List of XYZZY Awards by category

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This is a list of XYZZY Awards results, grouped by award rather than year. The XYZZY Awards are the annual awards given by the publication "XYZZYnews" to works of interactive fiction, serving a similar role to the Academy Awards for film. The awards were inaugurated in 1997, initially with eight categories: best game, best writing, best story, best setting, best puzzles, best individual puzzle, best NPCs (non-player characters) and best individual NPC. Two others, best individual player-character and best use of medium, were added the following year. For the 2010 awards, the best use of medium award was divided into separate awards for best implementation and best use of innovation, while new awards were instituted for non-game creations: best technological development and best supplemental materials. Presented in early spring, any game released during the year prior to the award ceremony is eligible for nomination to receive an award. The decision process takes place in two stages: members of the interactive fiction community nominate works within specific categories and sufficiently supported nominations become finalists within those categories. Typically there are four or five finalists in each category. Community members then vote among the finalists, and the game receiving a plurality of votes is given the award in an online ceremony on ifMUD.

Each entry below lists the winners of each award in each year, followed by other finalists for that year.

Best game

Given since 1996, the award for Best Game recognizes the game which is the most enjoyable as a whole; other awards recognize merit in particular qualities.

Best writing

Like the Best Game award, the Best Writing award has been given since 1996. It recognizes a game which rises above the others in the quality of its descriptive text.

  • 2012: howling dogs by Porpentine
    • Bee by Emily Short
    • Dinner Bell by Jenni Polodna
    • Eurydice (anonymous)
  • 2011: Cryptozookeeper by Robb Sherwin
    • Mentula Macanus: Apocolocyntosis by Adam Thornton
    • Taco Fiction by Ryan Veeder
    • Zombie Exodus by Jim Dattilo
  • 2010: Hoist Sail for the Heliopause and Home by Andrew Plotkin
    • The Blind House by Amanda Allen as "Maude Overton"
    • Gris et Jaune by Jason Devlin as "Steve van Gaal"
    • Hoosegow by Ben Collins-Sussman and Jack Welch
  • 2009: Alabaster by Emily Short et al.
    • Broken Legs by Sarah Morayati
    • Make it Good by Jon Ingold
    • The Shadow in the Cathedral by Ian Finley and Jon Ingold
    • Walker & Silhouette by C. E. J. Pacian
  • 2008: Violet by Jeremy Freese
    • Everybody Dies by Jim Munroe
    • Nightfall by Eric Eve
    • Gun Mute by C. E. J. Pacian
  • 2007: Lost Pig by Admiral Jota
    • An Act of Murder by Christopher Huang
    • Child's Play by Stephen Granade
    • The Chinese Room by Harry Giles and Joey Jones
    • Deadline Enchanter by Alan DeNiro
  • 2006: Delightful Wallpaper by Andrew Plotkin
    • Floatpoint by Emily Short
    • Legion by Jason Devlin
    • Pantomime by Robb Sherwin
    • The Baron by Victor Gijsbers
  • 2005: Vespers by Jason Devlin
    • Bolivia by Night by Aidan Doyle
    • Chancellor by Kevin Venzke
    • Mix Tape by Brett Witty
    • Tough Beans by Sara Dee
  • 2004: Blue Chairs by Chris Klimas
    • Future Boy! by Kent Tessman
    • Gamlet by Tomasz Pudlo
    • Necrotic Drift by Robb Sherwin
    • The Dreamhold by Andrew Plotkin
  • 2003: Narcolepsy by Adam Cadre
    • City of Secrets by Emily Short
    • Max Blaster and Doris de Lightning Against the Parrot Creatures of Venus by Dan Shiovitz and Emily Short
    • Slouching Towards Bedlam by Daniel Ravipinto and Star Foster
    • To Hell in a Hamper by J. J. Guest
  • 2002: The Moonlit Tower by Yoon Ha Lee
  • 2001: Fallacy of Dawn by Robb Sherwin
    • All Roads by Jon Ingold
    • Best of Three by Emily Short
    • No Time to Squeal by Mike Sousa and Robb Sherwin
    • Pytho's Mask by Emily Short
  • 2000: Metamorphoses by Emily Short
    • My Angel by Jon Ingold
    • Rameses by Stephen Bond
    • Shade by Andrew Plotkin
    • You are a CHEF! by Dan Shiovitz
  • 1999: For a Change by Dan Schmidt
    • Exhibition by Ian Finley
    • Lunatix: The Insanity Circle by Mike Snyder
    • Varicella by Adam Cadre
    • Worlds Apart by Suzanne Britton
  • 1998: Photopia by Adam Cadre
    • Anchorhead by Michael Gentry
    • Little Blue Men by Michael Gentry
    • Muse by Chris Huang
    • Spider and Web by Andrew Plotkin
  • 1997: Sunset Over Savannah by Ivan Cockrum
    • Babel by Ian Finley
    • I-0 by Adam Cadre
    • She's Got a Thing for a Spring by Brent VanFossen
    • The Space Under the Window by Andrew Plotkin
  • 1996: So Far by Andrew Plotkin
    • Aayela by Magnus Olsson
    • Lost New York by Neil deMause
    • The Meteor, the Stone, and a Long Glass of Sherbet by Graham Nelson
    • Tapestry by Daniel Ravipinto

Best story

This award has been given since 1996. It recognizes the game with the deepest or most original story.

  • 2012: howling dogs by Porpentine
    • Changes by David Given
    • Eurydice (anonymous)
    • First Draft of the Revolution by Emily Short, Liza Daly, and Inkle Studios
  • 2011: The Play by Deirdra Kiai.
    • Bonehead by Sean M. Shore
    • Cryptozookeeper by Robb Sherwin
    • The Life (and Deaths) of Doctor M by Michael D. Hilborn
    • Zombie Exodus by Jim Dattilo
  • 2010: The Warbler's Nest by Jason McIntosh
    • Gris et Jaune by Jason Devlin
    • Hoist Sail for the Heliopause and Home by Andrew Plotkin
    • One Eye Open by Colin Sandel and Carolyn VanEseltine
  • 2009: Blue Lacuna by Aaron A. Reed
    • The King of Shreds and Patches by Jimmy Maher
    • Make it Good by Jon Ingold
    • The Shadow in the Cathedral by Ian Finley and Jon Ingold
  • 2008: Nightfall by Eric Eve
    • Afflicted by Doug Evan
    • Everybody Dies by Jim Munroe
    • Violet by Jeremy Freese
    • Gun Mute by C. E. J. Pacian
  • 2007: A Fine Day for Reaping by James Webb
    • An Act of Murder by Christopher Huang
    • Deadline Enchanter by Alan DeNiro
    • Fate by Victor Gijsbers
  • 2006: The Traveling Swordsman by Mike Snyder
    • Moon-Shaped by Jason Ermer
    • Pantomime by Robb Sherwin
    • The Baron by Victor Gijsbers
    • The Elysium Enigma by Eric Eve
  • 2005: Beyond by Mondi Confinanti (Roberto Grassi, Paolo Lucchesi, and Alessandro Peretti)
    • All Hope Abandon by Eric Eve
    • Chancellor by Kevin Venzke
    • Distress by Mike Snyder
    • Vespers by Jason Devlin
  • 2004: Blue Chairs by Chris Klimas
    • The Act of Misdirection by Callico Harrison
    • The Cabal by Stephen Bond
    • Dreamhold by Andrew Plotkin
    • Future Boy! by Kent Tessman
    • Necrotic Drift by Robb Sherwin
  • 2003: Slouching Towards Bedlam by Daniel Ravipinto and Star Foster
    • City of Secrets by Emily Short
    • Narcolepsy by Adam Cadre
    • Redemption by Kathleen M. Fischer
    • To Hell in a Hamper by J. J. Guest
  • 2002: Savoir Faire by Emily Short
    • Augustine by Terrence V. Koch
    • The Moonlit Tower by Yoon Ha Lee
    • Till Death Makes a Monk-Fish Out of Me! by Jon Ingold and Mike Sousa
    • When Help Collides by J. D. Berry
  • 2001: All Roads by Jon Ingold
    • Fallacy of Dawn by Robb Sherwin
    • First Things First by J. Robinson Wheeler
    • Pytho's Mask by Emily Short
    • Vicious Cycles by Simon Mark
    • Voices by Aris Katsaris
  • 2000: My Angel by Jon Ingold
    • Being Andrew Plotkin by J. Robinson Wheeler
    • LASH by Paul O'Brian
    • Masquerade by Kathleen M. Fischer
    • Rameses by Stephen Bond
    • Shade by Andrew Plotkin
    • shrapnel by Adam Cadre
  • 1999: Worlds Apart by Suzanne Britton
    • Aisle by Sam Barlow
    • Common Ground by Stephen Granade
    • Lunatix by Mike Snyder
    • The Mulldoon Legacy by Jon Ingold
    • Varicella by Adam Cadre
  • 1998: Photopia by Adam Cadre
    • Anchorhead by Michael Gentry
    • Little Blue Men by Michael Gentry
    • Losing Your Grip by Stephen Granade
    • Spider and Web by Andrew Plotkin
  • 1997: Babel by Ian Finley
    • Glowgrass by Nate Cull
    • I-0 by Adam Cadre
    • Madame L'Estrange and the Troubled Spirit by Ian Ball and Marcus Young
    • Mercy by Chris Klimas
  • 1996: Tapestry by Daniel Ravipinto
    • Delusions by C. E. Forman
    • Lost New York by Neil deMause
    • So Far by Andrew Plotkin
    • Time: All Things Come to an End by Andy Phillips

Best setting

The award for Best Setting, also given since 1996, recognizes games with the most original or best-described locations.

  • 2012: Counterfeit Monkey by Emily Short
  • 2011: Cryptozookeeper by Robb Sherwin
    • Marine Raider by Allen Gies
    • Mentula Macanus: Apocolocyntosis by Adam Thornton
    • Six by Wade Clark
    • Zombie Exodus by Jim Dattilo
  • 2010: Aotearoa by Matt Wigdahl
    • Gris et Jaune by Jason Devlin
    • Hoist Sail for the Heliopause and Home by Andrew Plotkin
    • One Eye Open by Colin Sandel and Carolyn VanEseltine
  • 2009: Blue Lacuna by Aaron A. Reed; The King of Shreds and Patches by Jimmy Maher (tie)
    • Make it Good by Jon Ingold
    • The Shadow in the Cathedral by Ian Finley and Jon Ingold
  • 2008: Nightfall by Eric Eve
    • Buried in Shoes by Kazuki Mishima
    • Piracy 2.0 by Sean Huxter
    • Gun Mute by C. E. J. Pacian
    • Violet by Jeremy Freese
  • 2007: Varkana by Maryam Gousheh-Forgeot
    • Blighted Isle by Eric Eve
    • Ferrous Ring by Carma Ferris
    • Lost Pig by Admiral Jota
    • Suveh Nux by David Fisher
  • 2006: Floatpoint by Emily Short
    • Ekphrasis by "JB"
    • Star City by Mark Sachs
    • Strange Geometries by Phillip Chambers
    • Unauthorized Termination by Richard Otter
  • 2005: Vespers by Jason Devlin
    • All Hope Abandon by Eric Eve
    • Building by Mike Tullock
    • Chancellor by Kevin Venzke
    • Distress by Mike Snyder
  • 2004: The Fire Tower by Jacqueline A. Lott
    • The Dreamhold by Andrew Plotkin
    • Future Boy! by Kent Tessman
    • Gamlet by Tomasz Pudlo
    • Mingsheng by Deane Saunders
    • Necrotic Drift by Robb Sherwin
  • 2003: Slouching Towards Bedlam by Daniel Ravipinto and Star Foster
    • City of Secrets by Emily Short
    • Gourmet by Aaron A. Reed
    • Narcolepsy by Adam Cadre
    • To Hell in a Hamper by J. J. Guest
  • 2002: 1893: A World's Fair Mystery by Peter Nepstad
  • 2001: All Roads by Jon Ingold
    • Fallacy of Dawn by Robb Sherwin
    • Fine Tuned by Dennis Jerz
    • Heroes by Sean Barrett
    • Pytho's Mask by Emily Short
    • Textfire Golf by Adam Cadre
  • 2000: Shade by Andrew Plotkin
    • LASH by Paul O'Brian
    • Metamorphoses by Emily Short
    • Nevermore by Nate Cull
    • shrapnel by Adam Cadre
  • 1999: Hunter, in Darkness by Andrew Plotkin
    • Erehwon by Richard Litherland
    • For a Change by Dan Schmidt
    • The Mulldoon Legacy by Jon Ingold
    • Winter Wonderland by Laura Knauth
    • Worlds Apart by Suzanne Britton
  • 1998: Anchorhead by Michael Gentry
    • Losing Your Grip by Stephen Granade
    • Muse: An Autumn Romance by Christopher Huang
    • Once and Future by G. Kevin Wilson
    • Spider and Web by Andrew Plotkin
  • 1997: A Bear's Night Out by David Dyte
    • I-0 by Adam Cadre
    • Mercy by Chris Klimas
    • She's Got a Thing for a Spring by Brent VanFossen
    • Sins Against Mimesis by Adam Thornton
  • 1996: Small World by Andrew D. Pontious
    • The Light: Shelby's Addendum by Colm McCarthy
    • Lost New York by Neil deMause
    • Night at the Computer Center by Bonni Mierzejewska
    • So Far by Andrew Plotkin

Best puzzles

The award for Best Puzzles recognizes the game with the most well-crafted, clever, and appropriate puzzles. It has also been given since 1996.

  • 2012: Counterfeit Monkey by Emily Short
    • Bigger Than You Think by Andrew Plotkin
    • Dinner Bell by Jenni Polodna
    • Endless, Nameless by Adam Cadre
    • In a Manor of Speaking by Hulk Handsome
    • Shuffling Around by Andrew Schultz
  • 2011: PataNoir by Simon Christiansen
    • Mentula Macanus: Apocolocyntosis by Adam Thornton
    • The Race by Andy Why
    • Zombie Exodus by Jim Dattilo
  • 2010: Aotearoa by Matt Wigdahl
    • Dual Transform by Andrew Plotkin
    • Fragile Shells by Stephen Granade
    • One Eye Open by Colin Sandel and Carolyn VanEseltine
    • The People's Glorious Revolutionary Text Adventure Game by Taylor Vaughan
  • 2009: Earl Grey by Rob Dubbin and Adam Parrish
    • Broken Legs by Sarah Morayati
    • Make it Good by Jon Ingold
    • The Duel That Spanned the Ages by Oliver Ullmann
    • Rover's Day Out by Jack Welch and Ben Collins-Sussman
  • 2008: Gun Mute by C. E. J. Pacian
    • Escapade! by Juhana Leinonen
    • Piracy 2.0 by Sean Huxter
    • Violet by Jeremy Freese
  • 2007: Suveh Nux by David Fisher
    • An Act of Murder by Christopher Huang
    • Child's Play by Stephen Granade
    • The Chinese Room by Harry Giles and Joey Jones
    • Lost Pig by Admiral Jota
  • 2006: Delightful Wallpaper by Andrew Plotkin
    • Moebius by J. D. Clemens
    • The Elysium Enigma by Eric Eve
    • The Traveling Swordsman by Mike Snyder
    • The Warlord, The Princess & The Bulldog by David Whyld
  • 2005: Distress by Mike Snyder
    • Building by Mike Tullock
    • Cheiron by Sarah Clelland and Elisabeth Polli
    • Finding Martin by Gayla Wennstrom
    • Vespers by Jason Devlin
  • 2004: The Dreamhold by Andrew Plotkin
    • All Things Devours by "half sick of shadows"
    • Future Boy! by Kent Tessman
    • Goose, Egg, Badger by Brian Rapp
    • Square Circle by Eric Eve
  • 2003: Gourmet by Aaron A. Reed
    • Inevitable by Kathleen M. Fischer
    • Risorgimento Represso by Michael J. Coyne
    • Scavenger by Quintin Stone
    • The Erudition Chamber by Daniel Freas
  • 2002: Savoir Faire by Emily Short
  • 2001: First Things First by J. Robinson Wheeler
    • Degeneracy by Leonard Richardson
    • The Gostak by Carl Muckenhoupt
    • Stiffy Makane: The Undiscovered Country by Adam Thornton
    • Vicious Cycles by Simon Mark
    • The Weapon by Sean Barrett
  • 2000: Ad Verbum by Nick Montfort
    • Augmented Fourth by Brian Uri
    • Dinner with Andre by Liza Daly
    • The End Means Escape by Stephen Kodat
    • Heroine's Mantle by Andy Phillips
    • Metamorphoses by Emily Short
    • Nevermore by Nate Cull
  • 1999: The Mulldoon Legacy by Jon Ingold
    • Lunatix: The Insanity Circle by Mike Snyder
    • Not Just an Ordinary Ballerina by Jim Aiken
    • Varicella by Adam Cadre
    • Worlds Apart by Suzanne Britton
  • 1998: Spider and Web by Andrew Plotkin
    • Anchorhead by Michael Gentry
    • Enlightenment by Taro Ogawa
    • Losing Your Grip by Stephen Granade
    • Once and Future by G. Kevin Wilson
  • 1997: The Edifice by Lucian P. Smith
    • Babel by Ian Finley
    • Everybody Loves a Parade by Cody Sandifer
    • Heist by Andy Phillips
    • Zero Sum Game by Cody Sandifer
  • 1996: So Far by Andrew Plotkin
    • Frobozz Magic Support by Nate Cull
    • Lost New York by Neil deMause
    • The Meteor, the Stone, and a Long Glass of Sherbet by Graham Nelson
    • Time: All Things Come to an End by Andy Phillips

Best NPCs

Another of the original awards, the award for Best NPCs recognizes particularly appropriate, amusing, and well-written casts of non-player characters.

  • 2012: Guilded Youth by Jim Munroe
    • Andromeda Dreaming by Joey Jones
    • The Statue Got Me High by Ryan Veeder
  • 2011: Cryptozookeeper by Robb Sherwin
    • Cana According To Micah by Christopher Huang
    • The Play by Deirdra Kiai
    • Six by Wade Clarke
    • Zombie Exodus by Jim Dattilo
  • 2010: Aotearoa by Matt Wigdahl
    • Gris et Jaune by Jason Devlin
    • Hoosegow by Ben Collins-Sussman and Jack Welch
    • Rogue of the Multiverse by C. E. J. Pacian
  • 2009: Broken Legs by Sarah Morayati
    • Blue Lacuna by Aaron A. Reed
    • Make it Good by Jon Ingold
    • Dead Like Ants by C. E. J. Pacian
  • 2008: Everybody Dies by Jim Munroe
    • April in Paris by Jim Aikin
    • Gun Mute by C. E. J. Pacian
    • Snack Time! by Renee Choba
    • Violet by Jeremy Freese
  • 2007: Child's Play by Stephen Granade
    • An Act of Murder by Christopher Huang
    • The Chinese Room by Harry Giles and Joey Jones
    • Lost Pig by Admiral Jota
    • Slap That Fish by Peter Nepstad
  • 2006: Floatpoint by Emily Short
    • Aunts and Butlers by Robin Johnson
    • Delightful Wallpaper by Andrew Plotkin
    • Moon-Shaped by Jason Ermer
    • The Baron by Victor Gijsbers
  • 2005: Vespers by Jason Devlin
    • All Hope Abandon by Eric Eve
    • Bolivia by Night by Aidan Doyle
    • Flat Feet by Joel Ray Holveck
    • Gilded by John Evans
  • 2004: Sting of the Wasp by Jason Devlin
    • Blue Chairs by Chris Klimas
    • Future Boy! by Kent Tessman
    • Luminous Horizon by Paul O'Brian
    • Necrotic Drift by Robb Sherwin
  • 2003: City of Secrets by Emily Short
    • Narcolepsy by Adam Cadre
    • Risorgimento Represso by Michale Coyne
    • Shadows on the Mirror by Chrysoula Tzavelas
    • Slouching Towards Bedlam by Daniel Ravipinto and Star Foster
  • 2002: Lock & Key by Adam Cadre
  • 2001: Pytho's Mask, by Emily Short
    • Best of Three by Emily Short
    • Fallacy of Dawn by Robb Sherwin
    • Textfire Golf by Adam Cadre
    • You Are Here by Roy Fisher
  • 2000: Being Andrew Plotkin by J. Robinson Wheeler
    • Galatea by Emily Short
    • Heroine's Mantle by Andy Phillips
    • Kaged by Ian Finley
    • Punk Points by Jim Munroe
    • Rameses by Stephen Bond
  • 1999: Varicella by Adam Cadre
  • 1998: Once and Future by G. Kevin Wilson
    • Guilty Bastards by Kent Tessman
    • Mother Loose by Irene Callaci
    • Muse by Chris Huang
    • Photopia by Adam Cadre
  • 1997: The Frenetic Five vs. Sturm und Drang by Neil deMause
    • Everybody Loves a Parade by Cody Sandifer
    • I-0 by Adam Cadre
    • She's Got a Thing for a Spring by Brent VanFossen
    • Zero Sum Game by Cody Sandifer
  • 1996: Kissing the Buddha's Feet by Leon Lin
    • Lost New York by Neil deMause
    • Small World by Andrew Pontious
    • The Underoos that Ate New York by G. Kevin Wilson
    • The Wedding by Neil Brown

Best individual puzzle

The seventh original award is that for the Best Individual Puzzle. It recognizes a particularly inspired, well-crafted, and intriguing puzzle.

  • 2012: Surviving the fall in Bigger Than You Think by Andrew Plotkin
    • The hold-all in A Killer Headache by Mike Ciul
    • Making a taco in Shuffling Around by Andrew Schultz
  • 2011: The hat mystery (also in Doctor M, Last Day of Summer, and Playing Games) in Cold Iron by Andrew Plotkin
    • Assembling the name of the final location in The Race by Andy Why
    • Escaping the tower in Indigo by Emily Short
    • Putting out the fire in How Suzy Got Her Powers by David Whyld
  • 2010: Crossing the river in Aotearoa by Matt Wigdahl
    • Deciding what to do with the baby in The Warblers Nest by Jason McIntosh
    • Dividing up the oxygen reserves in Oxygen by Benjamin Sokal
    • Getting the lighter from Kai in Allein mit Kai by Ingo Scharmann and Joana Markus
    • Roof tile repair in The 12:54 to Asgard by J. Robinson Wheeler
    • Saving Dr. Ephart in One Eye Open by Colin Sandel and Carolyn VanEseltine
  • 2009: Finding out how the goggles work in Byzantine Perspective by Lea Albaugh
    • Defeating the Eagle Beast in The Ascot by Duncan Bowsman
    • Working out the controls in Rover's Day Out by Jack Welch and Ben Collins-Sussman
  • 2008: Disconnecting the Internet/getting rid of the key in Violet by Jeremy Freese
    • Putting the vampire together in Afflicted by Doug Egan
    • Calling for help in Escapade! by Juhana Leinonen
    • The gallows in Gun Mute by C. E. J. Pacian
  • 2007: Identifying the killer, in An Act of Murder by Christopher Huang
    • The toy in the cabinet, in Child's Play by Stephen Granade
    • The thermostat, in Orevore Courier by Brian Rapp
    • The shark, in Slap That Fish by Peter Nepstad
    • The vault door, in Suveh Nux by David Fisher
  • 2006: Navigating the mansion in Delightful Wallpaper by Andrew Plotkin
    • Choosing the present in Floatpoint by Emily Short
    • The piano puzzle in Madam Spider's Web by Sara Dee
    • The reactor puzzle in Moebius by J. D. Clemens
    • Final puzzle in Strange Geometries by Phillip Chambers
  • 2005: Following the murderer, in Beyond by Mondi Confinanti (Roberto Grassi, Paolo Lucchesi, and Alessandro Peretti)
    • Moving the stone (after escaping the labyrinth), in All Hope Abandon by Eric Eve
    • Finding something to eat, in Chancellor by Kevin Venzke
    • Beating the creature, in Distress by Mike Snyder
    • Identifying the killer, in Mystery House Possessed by Emily Short
  • 2004: The time puzzle, in All Things Devours by "half sick of shadows"
    • The toilet, in Blue Chairs by Chris Klimas
    • Cracking Eno's computer, in Future Boy! by Kent Tessman
    • The poltergeist, in Necrotic Drift by Robb Sherwin
    • The cistern, in The Dreamhold by Andrew Plotkin
  • 2003: The purple room, in The Recruit by Mike Sousa
    • Escaping the quicksand, in Max Blaster and Doris de Lightning Against the Parrot Creatures of Venus by Dan Shiovitz and Emily Short
    • Making the sandwich, in Max Blaster and Doris de Lightning Against the Parrot Creatures of Venus by Dan Shiovitz and Emily Short
    • Creating the black powder, in Risorgimento Represso by Michael J. Coyne
    • Getting into the farm, in Risorgimento Represso by Michael J. Coyne
  • 2002: Setting the traps, in Lock & Key by Adam Cadre
    • The maze, in Constraints by Martin Bays
    • Entering the church, in Forever Always by Iain Merrick
    • Decoding the letter, in Savoir Faire by Emily Short
    • The computer password, in Till Death Makes a Monk-Fish out of Me! by Jon Ingold and Mike Sousa
  • 2001: Deciphering the language, in The Gostak by Carl Muckenhoupt
    • The birds, in All Roads by Jon Ingold
    • Switching the glasses, in Pytho's Mask by Emily Short
    • The chess game, in Silicon Castles by David Given
    • An unspecified puzzle, in Textfire Golf by Adam Cadre
    • Disarming the bomb, in Vicious Cycles by Simon Mark
  • 2000: The whole game, in Rematch by Andrew Pontious
    • The whole game, in 9:05 by Adam Cadre
    • The mannequin, in Adove and Beyond! by Mike Sousa
    • The letter rooms, in Ad Verbum by Nick Montfort
    • The recursive room, in Being Andrew Plotkin by J. Robinson Wheeler
  • 1999: The maze, in Hunter, in Darkness by Andrew Plotkin
  • 1998: Getting out of the chair, in Spider and Web by Andrew Plotkin
    • The snack machine, in Little Blue Men by Michael Gentry
    • The granite cube, in Losing Your Grip by Stephen Granade
    • Getting out of the maze, in Photopia by Adam Cadre
    • Entering the warehouse, in The Plant by Mike Roberts
  • 1997: The language puzzle, in The Edifice by Lucian P. Smith
    • Setting the digital clock, in Heist by Andy Phillips
    • The whole game, in Pick Up the Phone Booth and Die by Rob Noyes
    • Defeating the Kunkel, in Sins Against Mimesis by Adam Thornton
    • Building the sand castle, in Sunset Over Savannah by Ivan Cockrum
  • 1996: Opening the gate, in So Far by Andrew Plotkin
    • The crystals, in Fear by Chuan-Tze Teo
    • The elephant, in The Meteor, the Stone, and a Long Glass of Sherbet by Graham Nelson
    • (cramped, crawling), in So Far by Andrew Plotkin
    • Riding the creature, in So Far by Andrew Plotkin

Best individual NPC

The last of the original awards given in 1996 is the award for the Best Individual NPC. This award recognizes a particularly well-implemented and well-written non-player character.

  • 2012: New Rat City in rat chaos by J. Chastain
    • Kadro in Andromeda Dreaming by Joey Jones
    • W.D. in Speculative Fiction by Diane Christoforo and Thomas Mack
  • 2011: Grimloft in Cryptozookeeper by Robb Sherwin
    • Heather in Zombie Exodus by Jim Dattilo
    • The puppy in Beet the Devil by Carolyn VanEseltine
    • Zuleika in Taco Fiction by Ryan Veeder
  • 2010: Dr Sliss in Rogue of the Multiverse by C. E. J. Pacian
    • Gaspar in The Bible Retold: Following a Star by Justin Morgan
    • Mariel in Mariel by Michael Baltes
    • The monkey-thing in Aotearoa by Matt Wigdahl
    • Muddy in Hoosegow by Ben Collins-Sussman and Jack Welch
  • 2009: Snow White in Alabaster by Emily Short et al.
    • Lottie's mom in Broken Legs by Sarah Morayati
    • Progue in Blue Lacuna by Aaron A. Reed
  • 2008: Violet in Violet by Jeremy Freese
    • H. R. in Escapade! by Juhana Leinonen
    • Solemn Gertrude in Gun Mute by C. E. J. Pacian
    • Your Pet in Snack Time! by Renee Choba
  • 2007: The gnome, in Lost Pig by Admiral Jota
    • Zoe, in Child's Play by Stephen Granade
    • Gunwar, in Treasures of a Slaver's Kingdom by S. John Ross
  • 2006: Leela, in The Elysium Enigma by Eric Eve
    • The butler, in Aunts and Butlers by Robin Johnson
    • John, in Legion by Jason Devlin
    • God, in The Bible Retold by Justin Morgan and "Celestianpower"
    • The gargoyle, in The Baron by Victor Gijsbers
  • 2005: The storyteller, in Whom the Telling Changed by Aaron A. Reed
    • Agrath, in All Hope Abandon by Eric Eve
    • Relph, in Flat Feet by Joel Ray Holveck
    • Val, in Gilded by John Evans
    • Cecilia, in Vespers by Jason Devlin
  • 2004: Audrey, in Necrotic Drift by Robb Sherwin
    • Bob Finger, in Future Boy! by Kent Tessman
    • Jacek, in Gamlet by Tomasz Pudlo
    • Xojo, in Return to Ditch Day by Michael J. Roberts
    • Dr. Todd, in THe Great Xavio by Reese Warner
  • 2003: Triage, in Slouching Towards Bedlam by Daniel Ravipinto and Star Foster
    • The bookseller, in City of Secrets by Emily Short
    • Corvallis Oregon, in Narcolepsy by Adam Cadre
    • Iona, in Scavenger by Quintin Stone
    • Galen, in Shadows on the Mirror by Chrysoula Tzavelas
  • 2002: Boldo, in Lock & Key by Adam Cadre
  • 2001: Yahoweh Porn, in Fallacy of Dawn by Robb Sherwin
    • Grant Stern, in Best of Three by Emily Short
    • The droke, in The Gostak by Carl Muckenhoupt
    • Space Moose, in Stiffy Makane: The Undiscovered Country by Adam Thornton
    • Cheryl, in The Weapon by Sean Barrett
  • 2000: Galatea, in Galatea by Emily Short
    • The King, in Augmented Fourth by Brian Uri
    • Melvin, in Being Andrew Plotkin by J. Robinson Wheeler
    • The alien, in Fail-Safe by Jon Ingold
    • Angel, in My Angel by Jon Ingold
  • 1999: Miss Sierra, in Varicella by Adam Cadre
    • Anatoly Domokov, in Exhibition by Ian Finley
    • The wumpus, in Hunter, in Darkness by Andrew Plotkin
    • Princess Charlotte, in Varicella by Adam Cadre
    • Lyric/Echo, in Worlds Apart by Suzanne Britton
  • 1998: The interrogator, in Spider and Web by Andrew Plotkin
    • Michael, in Anchorhead by Michael Gentry
    • The troll, in Enlightenment by Taro Ogawa
    • The wolf, in Mother Loose by Irene Callaci
    • Alley, in Photopia by Adam Cadre
  • 1997: Bob, in She's Got a Thing for a Spring by Brent VanFossen
    • The Stranger, in The Edifice by Lucian P. Smith
    • The Taco Junta girl, in I-0 by Adam Cadre
    • The cow, in The Lost Spellmaker by Neil Brown
    • The devil, in Sins Against Mimesis by Adam Thornton
  • 1996: The burin, in Frobozz Magic Support by Nate Cull
    • Evan, in Kissing the Buddha's Feet by Leon Lin
    • The devil, in Small World by Andrew Pontious
    • Leo the Lemming, in Phlegm by Jason Dyer
    • Christopher Robin, in Ralph by Miron Schmidt

Best individual PC

The award for the Best Individual PC was one of two XYZZY Awards added in 1997. It is intended to recognize particularly well-defined and well-written player characters. The very existence of this award violates the principle of AFGNCAAP, which stresses the importance of leaving certain characteristics of the protagonist intentionally vague to allow the player to more easily envision themselves as the central character. However, many games, such as those listed here, have demonstrated that successful interactive fiction stories can also be told with a more well-defined player character.

  • 2012: Alexandra in Counterfeit Monkey by Emily Short
    • Hector in Sunday Afternoon by Christopher Huang
    • Olivia in Olivia's Orphanorium by Sam Kabo Ashwell
  • 2011: Mentula Macanus in Mentula Macanus: Apocolocyntosis by Adam Thornton
    • Alistair Liddell in Sentencing Mr Liddell by I-K. Huuhtanen
    • Mangiasaur in Mangiasaur by DCBSupafly
    • Morgoth, Lord of Darkness in A Comedy of Error Messages by Adam Le Doux
    • Nicholas St. John in Love, Hate and the Mysterious Ocean Tower by C.E.J. Pacian
    • Variously-named PC in Zombie Exodus by Jim Dattilo
  • 2010: Anthony Saint Germain in Death Off the Cuff by Simon Christiansen
    • Balthasar in The Bible Retold: Following a Star by Justin Morgan
    • Helena in The Blind House by Amanda Allen
    • PC in Gris et Jaune by Jason Devlin
  • 2009: Lottie Plum in Broken Legs by Sarah Morayati
    • The detective in Make it Good by Jon Ingold
    • Silhouette in Walker & Silhouette by C. E. J. Pacian
  • 2008: Hardy the Bulldog in Snack Time! by Renee Choba
    • Graham in Everybody Dies by Jim Munroe
    • Mute Lawton in Gun Mute by C. E. J. Pacian
    • David in Nightfall by Eric Eve
  • 2007: Grunk, in Lost Pig by Admiral Jota
    • Erskine Ring, in Ferrous Ring by Carma Ferris
    • Death, in A Fine Day for Reaping by James Webb
    • The King, in The Reluctant Resurrectee by David Whyld
    • Farahnaaz, in Varkana by Maryam Gousheh-Forgeot
  • 2006: The player character in Delightful Wallpaper by Andrew Plotkin
    • Legion, in Legion by Jason Devlin
    • The player character in The Baron by Victor Gijsbers
    • The player character in The Primrose Path by Nolan Bonvouloir
    • The player character in The Traveling Swordsman by Mike Snyder
  • 2005: Wendy Little, in Tough Beans by Sara Dee
    • Inspector Maltelli, in Beyond by Mondi Confinanti (Roberto Grassi, Paolo Lucchesi, and Alessandro Peretti)
    • Conan, in Conan Kill Everything by Ian Haberkorn
    • Jacques, in Flat Feet by Joel Ray Holveck
    • The abbot in Vespers by Jason Devlin
  • 2004: Julia, in Sting of the Wasp by Jason Devlin
    • Dante, in Blue Chairs by Chris Klimas
    • Tomasz Pudlo, in Gamlet by Tomasz Pudlo
    • Austin, in Luminous Horizon by Paul O'Brian
    • Jarrett Duffy, in Necrotic Drift by Robb Sherwin
  • 2003: The player character in Episode in the Life of an Artist by Peter Eastman
    • The chef, in Gourmet by Aaron A. Reed
    • Eugene Oregon, in Narcolepsy by Adam Cadre
    • Enra, in Shadows on the Mirror by Chrysoula Tzavelas
    • Triage, in Slouching Towards Bedlam by Daniel Ravipinto and Star Foste
  • 2002: Pierre, in Savoir Faire by Emily Short
    • Dutch Dapper, in Dutch Dapper IV: The Final Voyage by Harry Hol
    • Goldilocks, in Goldilocks is a FOX! by J. J. Guest
    • The janitor, in Janitor by Peter Seebach and Kevin Lynn
    • Jack Downer, in Photograph by Steve Evans
  • 2001: The Kissing Bandit, in The Tale of the Kissing Bandit by J. Robinson Wheeler
    • Aubrey Foil, in The Beetmonger's Journal by Scott Starkey
    • Helen Tsakis, in Best of Three by Emily Short
    • Delarion Yar, in Fallacy of Dawn by Robb Sherwin
    • Troy Sterling, in Fine Tuned by Dennis Jerz
  • 2000: Rameses Alexander Moran, in Rameses by Stephen Bond
    • [unspecified], in Being Andrew Plotkin by J. Robinson Wheeler
    • The MULE, in LASH by Paul O'Brian
    • The alchemist, in Nevermore by Nate Cull
    • The player character in Shade by Andrew Plotkin
  • 1999: Primo Varicella, in Varicella by Adam Cadre
    • The player character in Aisle by Sam Barlow
    • The cat, in A Day for Soft Food by Tod Levi
    • The wife, in Exhibition by Ian Finley
    • Sarah, in Winchester's Nightmare by Nick Montfort
  • 1998: The employee, in Little Blue Men by Michael Gentry
    • Mover #005, in Bad Machine by Dan Shiovitz
    • Rev. Stephen Dawson, in Muse by Chris Huang
    • The agent, in Spider and Web by Andrew Plotkin
    • The troll, in Zork: A Troll's Eye View by Dylan O'Donnell
  • 1997: Tracy Valencia, in I-0 by Adam Cadre
    • David, in Babel by Ian Finley
    • The bear, in A Bear's Night Out by David Dyte
    • Improv, in The Frenetic Five vs. Sturm und Drang by Neil deMause
    • Mattie, in The Lost Spellmaker by Neil Brown

Best implementation

The Best Implementation award was introduced in 2010 along with Best Use of Innovation, to replace the Best use of Medium award. It recognizes "completeness of implementation, excellence in parser messages, etc".[1]

  • 2012: Counterfeit Monkey by Emily Short
    • Andromeda Apocalypse by Marco Innocenti
    • Speculative Fiction by Diane Christoforo and Thomas Mack
    • Sunday Afternoon by Christopher Huang
  • 2011: Six by Wade Clarke
    • Taco Fiction by Ryan Veeder
    • Zombie Exodus by Jim Dattilo
  • 2010: Aotearoa by Matt Wigdahl
    • Hoist Sail for the Heliopause and Home by Andrew Plotkin
    • Hoosegow by Ben Collins-Sussman and Jack Welch

Best use of innovation

The Best Use of Innovation award was introduced in 2010 along with Best Implementation, to replace the Best use of Medium award. It recognizes the "most innovative game".[1]

Best use of medium

The Best Use of Medium award, the other XYZZY Award added in 1997, is not a clearly defined award, with no specific criteria given to voters. The interpretation of what particular quality this award recognizes remains open; many voters choose to interpret this award as a recognition of particularly daring interpretations of the limits and abilities of interactive fiction, especially as regards the relationship between the player, narrator, and player character. This award was retired in 2010, when Best Implementation and Best Use of Innovation were introduced as replacements.

  • 2009: Blue Lacuna by Aaron A. Reed
    • Alabaster by Emily Short et al.
    • Rover's Day Out by Jack Welch and Ben Collins-Sussman
    • The Shadow in the Cathedral by Ian Finley and Jon Ingold
  • 2008: The Moon Watch by Paolo Maroncelli and Alessandro Peretti
    • Afflicted by Doug Evan
    • Everybody Dies by Jim Munroe
    • Violet by Jeremy Freese
    • Gun Mute by C. E. J. Pacian
  • 2007: Deadline Enchanter by Alan DeNiro
    • An Act of Murder by Christopher Huang
    • Fate by Victor Gijsbers
    • Lost Pig by Admiral Jota
    • Slap That Fish by Peter Nepstad
  • 2006: The Baron by Victor Gijsbers
    • Another Goddam Escape the Locked Room Game by Riff Conner
    • Attack of the Yeti Robot Zombies by Øyvind Thorsby
    • Bronze by Emily Short
    • Legion by Jason Devlin
  • 2005: Mystery House Possessed by Emily Short
    • A New Life by Alexendre Owen Muñiz
    • Book and Volume by Nick Montfort
    • Distress by Mike Snyder
    • Whom the Telling Changed by Aaron A. Reed
  • 2004: The Dreamhold by Andrew Plotkin
    • All Things Devours by "half sick of shadows"
    • Bellclap by Tommy Herbert
    • Future Boy! by Kent Tessman
    • Return to Ditch Day by Michael J. Roberts
  • 2003: ASCII and the Argonauts by J. Robinson Wheeler
    • City of Secrets by Emily Short
    • Max Blaster and Doris de Lightning Against the Parrot Creatures of Venus by Dan Shiovitz and Emily Short
    • Slouching Towards Bedlam by Daniel Ravipinto and Star Foster
    • To Hell in a Hamper by J. J. Guest
  • 2002: Earth and Sky 2: Another Earth, Another Sky by Paul O'Brian
    • Lock & Key by Adam Cadre
    • Photograph by Steve Evans (interactive fiction)|Steve Evans
    • Savoir Faire by Emily Short
    • When Help Collides by J. D. Berry
  • 2001: The Gostak by Carl Muckenhoupt
    • Best of Three by Emily Short
    • Heroes by Sean Barrett
    • Pick Up the Phone Booth and Aisle by Ola Sverre Bauge, Steve Bernard, Jon Blask, John Cater, Liza Daly, David Dyte, Stephen Granade, Iain Merrick, Rob Noyes, Dan Schmidt, Dan Shiovitz, Emily Short, and J. Robinson Wheeler
    • Textfire Golf by Adam Cadre
  • 2000: shrapnel by Adam Cadre
    • Ad Verbum by Nick Montfort
    • Metamorphoses by Emily Short
    • Rameses by Stephen Bond
    • Shade by Andrew Plotkin
  • 1999: Aisle by Sam Barlow
    • Hunter, in Darkness by Andrew Plotkin
    • Six Stories by Neil K. Guy
    • Varicella by Adam Cadre
    • Worlds Apart by Suzanne Britton
  • 1998: Spider and Web by Andrew Plotkin
    • Arrival, or Attack of the B-Movie Clichés by Stephen Granade
    • Bad Machine by Dan Shiovitz
    • Once and Future by G. Kevin Wilson
    • Photopia by Adam Cadre
  • 1997: The Tempest by Graham Nelson
    • I-0 by Adam Cadre
    • A New Day by Jonathan Fry
    • The Space Under the Window by Andrew Plotkin
    • Sunset Over Savannah by Ivan Cockrum

Best technological development

The Best Technological Development award was introduced in 2010 to recognize "interpreters, authoring systems, libraries, utilities, and so on".[1]

Best supplemental materials

The Best Supplemental Materials award was introduced in 2010 to recognize outstanding non-game content ("feelies") created to accompany specific games. Eligibility is based on the year when the supplemental materials were released, regardless of the year of release of the game.

References

  1. ^ a b c "What's new with the XYZZY Awards in 2010?". XYZZY Awards FAQ. Archived from the original on 2012-07-27. Retrieved 2013-12-20.
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