The annual Ennie Awards, among the most prestigious awards in the tabletop industry, will no longer allow nominations for products that make use of generative AI but only after this years awards conclude. The announcement, made Sunday, comes after a period of vocal outcry from fans and professionals in the tabletop role-playing industry on social media and elsewhere. However, products that made use of AI tools in their production will be allowed in the 2024-2025 awards cycle.Beginning with the 2025-2026 submission cycle, the ENNIE Awards will no longer accept any products containing generative AI or created with the assistance of Large Language Models or similar technologies for visual, written, or edited content, the organization, which has been separate from the EN World forums since 2019, said in a statement. Creators wishing to submit products must ensure that no AI-generated elements are included in their works. While it is not feasible to retroactively alter the rules for the 2024-2025 season, this revised policy reflects the ENNIE Awards commitment to celebrating the human creativity at the heart of the TTRPG community.The use of generative AI continues to be a hot button issue in the tabletop space, in part due to the technologys massive environmental impacts. But many LLMs also exploit labor by stealing from artists without their consent. The all-volunteer Ennies, like virtually all other creatives grappling with these well-funded technologies, are racing to catch up something that was clearly indicated in last weeks statement.The ENNIES remain a small, volunteer-run organization that values the ability to adapt quickly, when necessary, despite the challenges inherent in their mission, the team said.The Ennie Award winners will be announced at this years Gen Con in Indianapolis on August. Submissions are currently open.