I'm not sure one could call the Narrative genre the final evolution of the AAR - that likely has not been invented yet - but it certainly was and is the next phase in the writing journey of the form. Grand tapestries, rich characters, living and breathing in the world created by these writAARs based sometimes on hundreds of years or at other times only a mere moment within a game. The works nominated here may develop their AAR entirely around the narrative or it may weave in and out with history or gameplay sections (and comedy) - the beloved hybrid. Some are older works still going, some are brand new. And the same goes for our writAARs listed. In short, this category has it all in both game choice and in narrative style.
If I am counting correctly, every single one of our 23 voters offered at least one nominated AAR in this category. With that, you may conclude that it was yet another hotly contested result. As I followed the vote in my running tally, the lead changed quite a few times. It was not settled until the very final day and the difference between eventual victor and runner up was one mere vote. As I've mentioned before (and will again) - every single vote matters and the number of AARs listed matters too! Placement down ballot is still a vote and it counts just as much in the way I tabulate the results.
With all of that said, let us get to the reveal. I am very proud to present this year's 2022 Narrative AAR of the Year to...
There were a number of new writAARs and AARs listed in this category, but this stellar work shattered the glass ceiling (yes, I had to say it.
) A tremendous debut by a very promising new membAAR deservedly takes home this year's Gold. And as said, it was followed very closely by the runner up...
I'll say more below, but it is an extreme honor to have placed so highly among the voters and there is no shame in a Silver Cup (though it damn well better be sterling silver. ) Nor should there be with our Bronze winner...
I am biased in that I voted this one my own personal favorite for the year, but I am terribly pleased to see that so many of you thought so highly of it as well.
So many congratulations to both @Von Acturus and @Werther for their excellent work!!
Of course, these were not the only AARs placed into nomination as 30 more were listed and they are (in order of the vote):
Hoo boy! Again...so many great AARs! Across the spectrum and missing only HoI2 from the still active sub-fora, this list is exhaustive but not exhausting (despite how long it may have taken to put it together. ) I must say how incredibly proud I am to see the narrative genre still going very strong after all of these years and I really must applaud all of our voters for their time, memory and inclusiveness! It is my favorite form of AAR writing (both in practice and in reading) so it is awesome to see so many others enjoy it as well. No matter where you ended up on the above list, someone thought your work was among the very best or favorite from this past year and that is a huge compliment.
For my own part, I could not possibly express enough how proud I am to see my WOTR listed by so many. A project first conceived in 2007 but not fully put into practice until 2021, and so much of the work done this past year...it is so rewarding just to have it appreciated and enjoyed. I personally wish to thank all of those that voted for it and as stated above, it is a huge honor to be listed among all of these excellent AARs! And also...and every time...I wish to thank those that give to it comment. As we all know, it makes the writing of it that much more fun!
An all around great category and vote, and thank you again to all of our 23 voters for their effort! And congratulations to @Von Acturus again for the win. Very much deserved! The thread is now open for your own congrats, thanks and discussion of the work(s) if so desired. Once again...well done, AARland!
If I am counting correctly, every single one of our 23 voters offered at least one nominated AAR in this category. With that, you may conclude that it was yet another hotly contested result. As I followed the vote in my running tally, the lead changed quite a few times. It was not settled until the very final day and the difference between eventual victor and runner up was one mere vote. As I've mentioned before (and will again) - every single vote matters and the number of AARs listed matters too! Placement down ballot is still a vote and it counts just as much in the way I tabulate the results.
With all of that said, let us get to the reveal. I am very proud to present this year's 2022 Narrative AAR of the Year to...
Shattered Glass: A Narrative Stellaris AAR by @Von Acturus in Stellaris
There were a number of new writAARs and AARs listed in this category, but this stellar work shattered the glass ceiling (yes, I had to say it.
) A tremendous debut by a very promising new membAAR deservedly takes home this year's Gold. And as said, it was followed very closely by the runner up...The Wars of the Roses by @coz1 in EU4
I'll say more below, but it is an extreme honor to have placed so highly among the voters and there is no shame in a Silver Cup (though it damn well better be sterling silver.
) Nor should there be with our Bronze winner...Crowns of the Levant by @Werther in Crusader Kings 3
I am biased in that I voted this one my own personal favorite for the year, but I am terribly pleased to see that so many of you thought so highly of it as well.
So many congratulations to both @Von Acturus and @Werther for their excellent work!!
Of course, these were not the only AARs placed into nomination as 30 more were listed and they are (in order of the vote):
The Last Heroes by @Macavity116 (Stellaris)
A Royal Prerogative - A UK AAR by @Le Jones (HoI4)
The Dragons Realm - A House Targaryen AAR by @streaker77 (CK2)
Songs of the Saiiban- A Poetic AAR by @Chilango2 (Stellaris)
To The Strongest - A Hellenistic Resurgence AAR by @Eludio (CK2)
Savages of Utah - A White Legs HOI4 Old World Blues Mod AAR by @RustyHunter (HoI4)
Tomorrow Belongs To Me - A 'Democratic' Germany AAR by @TheButterflyComposer (HoI4)
The Legacy of Uhtred (A Bamburgh AAR) by @Dunaden (CK3)
The Thorn of the Rose by @stnylan (HoI4)
The People of the Forest by @Dunaden (CK2)
The Secret History of the Bargas by @filcat (CK3)
Onward, Toward Perfection (Anthology of the Enclave of Eternity) WIP by @Quinzal (Stellaris)
The Lions of Olomouc: a CKIII Ironman AAR (Duchy of Moravia, 867) by @Revan86 (CK3)
A Galaxy of Wonder by @Nax24 (Stellaris)
Born to Breed: House of the Prophets by @Peter Ebbesen (CK3)
Talking Turkey: Alternate History from 1936 by @Bullfilter (HoI3)
Die Wacht Im Raum - A Kaiserreich Stellaris AAR by @Side (Stellaris)
The Thin Wedge of Europe by @Revan86 (EU4)
Boris & Brian - A Bulgaria Road to 56 AAR by @jak7139 (HoI4)
"The Dawn is Near" - A White Russian Novel AAR by @Khanconette (HoI4)
Dreams of an Honest World - a Mexico V3 AAR by @Chilango2 (Vic 3)
Annuntio Vobis: A Papal History of Italy by @slothinator (Vic 2)
Song of the Karlings: Karloman's Legacy by @LPDK 356 (CK2)
Rise of Rome by @jasondroth24 (Imperator:Rome)
The Chosen People by @Uriah (Imperator:Rome)
Once a Satrapy: A Parthian Dynasty by @alpherbethegamer (Imperator:Rome)
Last Chance at Valhalla by @Dunaden (CK2)
Epirus Ascendant, Part 1 by @HistoryDude (Imperator:Rome)
An Empire Where the Sun Always Rises- A Japan V3 AAR by @hjarg (Vic 3)
'Odin' and Stalin's Secret Committee by @roverS3 (HoI3)
A Royal Prerogative - A UK AAR by @Le Jones (HoI4)
The Dragons Realm - A House Targaryen AAR by @streaker77 (CK2)
Songs of the Saiiban- A Poetic AAR by @Chilango2 (Stellaris)
To The Strongest - A Hellenistic Resurgence AAR by @Eludio (CK2)
Savages of Utah - A White Legs HOI4 Old World Blues Mod AAR by @RustyHunter (HoI4)
Tomorrow Belongs To Me - A 'Democratic' Germany AAR by @TheButterflyComposer (HoI4)
The Legacy of Uhtred (A Bamburgh AAR) by @Dunaden (CK3)
The Thorn of the Rose by @stnylan (HoI4)
The People of the Forest by @Dunaden (CK2)
The Secret History of the Bargas by @filcat (CK3)
Onward, Toward Perfection (Anthology of the Enclave of Eternity) WIP by @Quinzal (Stellaris)
The Lions of Olomouc: a CKIII Ironman AAR (Duchy of Moravia, 867) by @Revan86 (CK3)
A Galaxy of Wonder by @Nax24 (Stellaris)
Born to Breed: House of the Prophets by @Peter Ebbesen (CK3)
Talking Turkey: Alternate History from 1936 by @Bullfilter (HoI3)
Die Wacht Im Raum - A Kaiserreich Stellaris AAR by @Side (Stellaris)
The Thin Wedge of Europe by @Revan86 (EU4)
Boris & Brian - A Bulgaria Road to 56 AAR by @jak7139 (HoI4)
"The Dawn is Near" - A White Russian Novel AAR by @Khanconette (HoI4)
Dreams of an Honest World - a Mexico V3 AAR by @Chilango2 (Vic 3)
Annuntio Vobis: A Papal History of Italy by @slothinator (Vic 2)
Song of the Karlings: Karloman's Legacy by @LPDK 356 (CK2)
Rise of Rome by @jasondroth24 (Imperator:Rome)
The Chosen People by @Uriah (Imperator:Rome)
Once a Satrapy: A Parthian Dynasty by @alpherbethegamer (Imperator:Rome)
Last Chance at Valhalla by @Dunaden (CK2)
Epirus Ascendant, Part 1 by @HistoryDude (Imperator:Rome)
An Empire Where the Sun Always Rises- A Japan V3 AAR by @hjarg (Vic 3)
'Odin' and Stalin's Secret Committee by @roverS3 (HoI3)
Hoo boy! Again...so many great AARs! Across the spectrum and missing only HoI2 from the still active sub-fora, this list is exhaustive but not exhausting (despite how long it may have taken to put it together.
) I must say how incredibly proud I am to see the narrative genre still going very strong after all of these years and I really must applaud all of our voters for their time, memory and inclusiveness! It is my favorite form of AAR writing (both in practice and in reading) so it is awesome to see so many others enjoy it as well. No matter where you ended up on the above list, someone thought your work was among the very best or favorite from this past year and that is a huge compliment.For my own part, I could not possibly express enough how proud I am to see my WOTR listed by so many. A project first conceived in 2007 but not fully put into practice until 2021, and so much of the work done this past year...it is so rewarding just to have it appreciated and enjoyed. I personally wish to thank all of those that voted for it and as stated above, it is a huge honor to be listed among all of these excellent AARs! And also...and every time...I wish to thank those that give to it comment. As we all know, it makes the writing of it that much more fun!
An all around great category and vote, and thank you again to all of our 23 voters for their effort! And congratulations to @Von Acturus again for the win. Very much deserved! The thread is now open for your own congrats, thanks and discussion of the work(s) if so desired. Once again...well done, AARland!
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