Vote in the NBI Awards!

I didn’t want to end the Newbie Blogger Initiative month with merely a long list of links.  It almost seemed a shame just to put them all out there with a big period after it, right?  So — and nobody knew I was going to do this — I wanted to host a quick award show to highlight some of the many, many amazing blogs that has come out of this.

I could’ve just picked the winners, but what’s the fun in that?  I quite like all the blogs and feel a little funny choosing favorites.  Instead, I want to hear what all you readers think!  I’ve picked five nominations for each of eight different categories, with the award being a pat on the back and a little increased fame and recognition.  Hey you new bloggers: You didn’t think you’d land in an award show so soon, did you?

With the exception of “Best newish blogger,” all of the nominated blogs had to be created in the April-May 2012 window to keep things fair.  “Best newish blogger” nominated blogs all originated before April 2012.  All blogs had to have registered with the NBI forums in May.

Promising star, game-specific

This award is for the game-specific blog (that is, a blog dedicated to a single MMO) that shows serious promise.  We had a wide range of these this past month, from Anarchy Online to EVE Online, so it was certainly hard to narrow the field down to five worthy choices.  Nominations: Unliving a Death Knight, Mistress of Illusions, Malefic Incantations, Argus or Bust, Sephora’s Closet.

Promising star, general games and geekery

The counterpart of the game-specific award, this general games and geekery award goes to the most promising blog that either covers a wide range of games and MMOs, or a blog that delves into other aspects of geek life.  Nominations: Casual Aggro, Kemwer Game Blog, Beyond Tannhauser Gate, The Butterfly Gamer, Gaming Abroad

Best newish blogger

Our sole “not so new” blogger award, this one will go to one of the bloggers who started prior to April 2012, yet either considered him/herself a newbie, needed help with motivation or guidance, or was trying to gain a wider audience.  Nominations: Supergirl of Lorien, Goetia’s Letters, Brazokie’s Blog Space, TL-DR, Ravalation

Most interesting angle

This category is for those blogs that decided to do a little something different than the rest of the pack.  Maybe it’s just a different format, an unusual voice, a weird topic, or all of the above.  Nominations: Hipstalotro, Gaming for Introverts, MMO One Night a Week, Inside the Magic Shop, The Frugal Gamer

Most humorous blog

This is for the blog that worked the hardest to keep us smiling, with a fun sense of humor and a knack for amusing observations.  Nominations: Vagabond Goes for a Walk, Warrior Needs Time Badly, SWTOR from Scratch, That Was an Accident!, Trippin Tyria

Best blog layout

Looks aren’t everything, but they don’t hurt, either.  This award goes to the blog that has the best-looking design while keeping it fully functional.  Nominations: Funsponge, Bloodthorne, Image Heavy, MMO Asylum, Flask Half-Empty

Most prolific blogger

This goes to the blogger who loves to write.  A lot.  Whether it’s a blogger who posts frequently or who pens long essays, the most prolific blogger has a lot to say and is unashamed to say it.  Nominations: Neurotic Girl, My Staff is Bigger than Yours, Game Delver, Noob Raider, Why I Game

Best blog name

The award says it all: This is for the blog that came up with the best blog name.  Sorry kids, Bio Break was taken.  Nominations: Stabby McStabStab, Kaw Kaw Get In The Bag!, The Diverted Muse, The 10th Level of Gaming Hell, Mighty Viking Hamster