Two trustees and the administrator at The Simming Prize were recently removed from their posts for multiple rules violations. This comes after several years of accusations of not following procedures, ignoring conflicts of interest, and nepotism. The recent attempts by the trustees to award a third lifetime achievement award to one of their own games and to award another game a nearly identical award two years in a row finally led to their downfall.
Game A (hosted by one of the trustees who was removed):
2020: “For its dedicated community, long standing quality and unparallel success over the last 26 years. The sim and members have sustained a creative energy and continue to create and expand the Star Trek universe. They are without equal in the Star Trek simming community. A three time Laureate of the Simming Prize.”
2014: “For it’s[sic] long standing[sic] quality and success, in which two decades of simmers have sustained a creative energy and continue to generate a universe whose imagination and depth is without equal in the Star Trek simming community. A two time[sic] Laureate of the Simming Prize.”
2012: [REDACTED]
Game B:
2020: “[Game B] is a home for excellent, high-quality simming that has stood the test of time. A two-time Laureate of the Simming Prize[sic]”
2019: “[Game B] is a home for excellent, high-quality simming that has stood the test of time.”
The trustees also regularly announced winners late, selectively leaked confidential judging deliberations, and failed to ensure a periodic turnover of trustees. They also failed to adequately engage with the broader community by not properly announcing submission deadlines, refusing to seat qualified judges and staff, and ignoring nominations that did not come from within their sphere of influence.
To remediate these issues and more, the new trustees have approved a new governing charter and have additionally pledged to run an open, inclusive, and transparent program, a significant contrast from the older model. Their announcement lists five specific steps to achieve the goals.
The Simming Prize was established in 1999 by the Simming League to honor individuals, games, clubs, and organizations that exemplify service, quality, and dedication within the online roleplaying and simming community or who pioneer new technology or techniques. The prize can recognize a significant one-time accomplishment or sustained contributions over a period of time. Those who win a prize are entitled to use the honorific Simming Prize Laureate.
Following the death of simming Leader Seth Cotis in 2005, the award was renamed and rebranded in his memory. Prior versions of the award have also been bestowed on behalf of Ongoing Worlds and the Simming Encyclopedia. With changes made by the new board of trustees, individuals can now submit nominations at any time through the Simming Prize website.
