Now that the ICE Awards for the best fan-made pyramid game of 2009 are over, let's look back at the experience, so we can also look to the future. I think that overall, it was a success. In quite short time we were able to figure out the new games for 2009, winnow them down to worthy finalists, and then have a successful vote for a worthy winner. The votes were rather few -- 13 in all -- but they were a valid vote made by informed players, most of whom had played all 3 finalist games, so I feel good about the results. Quicksand, the winner, got 9 first-place votes out of the 13. I got a few votes from email and geekmail, and majority from people at Origins. Thursday night and Friday, I was able to teach several people how to play the finalist games. I was pleased at the interest they had in them. The trophy was not hard to do: I got a nice-looking trophy at a local store (Trophy Mart) for $9, broke part of the generic sculpture off the top and replaced it with a tree of pyramids, glued together and spray-painted gold. The plaque for it is being made, after which I'll ship it to the winner. It looks good; I'll need to take a picture of it. So, thanks to all who helped: - First, to all the designers (too numerous for me to want to name) of the new games, for the fun they had and shared. - To those who helped come up with the final list: Ryan Hackel, Scott Myers, Bryan Stout, Eric Wald, Jeff Wolfe. - To Andy and Kristin Looney, for their support, not only granting us space and time but wanting us to have our moment in the sun. - To all who voted. You know who you are. If there are others who deserve mention, please remind me so we can credit them. Regards, Bryan Stout