Ennie Awards Shift Direction: AI-Generated Content No Longer Permitted

The Ennie Awards, a cornerstone in the tabletop gaming world, have announced a significant shift in their nomination criteria. From the 2025-2026 awards season onward, submissions incorporating generative AI, or any assistance from Large Language Models for content creation, will be ineligible. This move comes in response to a strong backlash from the tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) community, who voiced their concerns loudly on social platforms and beyond. For this immediate season, however, products using these AI-enhanced tools will still be considered.

In their recent statement, the ENNIE Awards’ organizers, who have operated independently of the EN World forums since 2019, emphasized their dedication to honoring the creativity of human designers. “We want to ensure that all submissions are untainted by AI-generated components,” they explained. While it’s too late to revise the rules for next year’s festivities, the decision marks a clear path forward in preserving the unique ingenuity within the TTRPG space.

This decision also highlights the ongoing debate surrounding generative AI’s role in tabletop gaming. Critics point out not only the environmental toll of such technology but also ethical concerns, as these tools often utilize content without proper authorization from original creators. Within this landscape, the Ennies, run entirely by volunteers, are striving to adapt swiftly to these evolving challenges, a sentiment reflected in their latest communication to followers.

The organizers noted, “The ENNIES, though small and volunteer-driven, are committed to evolving as needed and staying true to their mission,” illustrating their resolve to meet these new industry demands head-on.