Keen Awards
The Keen Awards are given to Commander Keen fans for their Keen-related works and other achievements. The event was held three times in the Public Commander Keen Forum at irregular intervals between 2002 and 2005. For many years, the Keen Awards 2004 were the last of their kind, but after several unsuccessful attempts, the event was finally revived with the Keen Awards 2019.
At the beginning of each Keen Awards event, the PCKF members nominate the entries for the different categories, usually limited to only one entry per category. Afterwards, polls based on the nominations are created where members vote for their favorite in each category. Eventually, the winners are announced after the voting has ended. The winners also receive virtual trophies, with the exception of the Keen Awards 2003.
Keen Awards 2002
The nominations took place from 2002-07-13 to 2002-07-20. The subsequent polls were open from 2002-07-22 to 2002-08-06. On 2002-08-14, the list of winners was posted, alongside trophies made by MRC Marky.
| Category | Winner(s) | Note(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Programming | |||
| 1.1 | Best Mod of an Original Keen Game | Episode X | Xky Rauh | |
| 1.2 | Best Fan-Game | Spork III: Code of the Sporkia demo 2 | Slasher a.k.a. Matrix | |
| 1.3 | Best Editor | KeenWright DOS version (then KeenEdit) | Andrew Durdin | |
| 2 | Fan Art | |||
| 2.1 | Best Graphical Artwork | The Universe Is Toast! webcomic | Too Much Spare Time | |
| 2.2 | Best Narrative | Commander Keen: Ten Years On | Too Much Spare Time | |
| 2.3 | Best Song | Music of Shadowlands - The Animated Series episode 1 | Ilsoap | |
| 2.4 | Best Animation | Shadowlands - The Animated Series episode 1 | Ilsoap | |
| 2.5 | Best Non-Computerized Art | Snow Slug | Too Much Spare Time | |
| 3 | Web | |||
| 3.1 | Best Website | The Keencyclopedia | TCL999 | Later integrated into Beyond the Pogo. |
| 3.2 | Best Online Entertainment | HangKeen | Korath III | Images not archived; artwork of hanged Keen can be seen here. |
| 3.3 | Online Community Service Recognition | Cho'gall | ||
| 4 | Miscellaneous | |||
| 4.1 | Keenest Person of the Year | Too Much Spare Time | ||
| 4.2 | Really Keen Stuff | Discovery of the Impossible Bullet Trick | KeenCommander a.k.a. Br1ck, James a.k.a. Dr. Witherstone |
|
Keen Awards 2003
The nominations took place from 2004-01-12 to 2004-01-23 and were followed by the polls. On 2004-01-30, the list of winners was posted. There were no trophies.
| Category | Winner(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Programming | ||
| 1.1 | Best Mod of an Original Keen Game | Lego Keen | Ilsoap |
| 1.2 | Best Fan-Game | The Mystery of Isis II demo 4 | Isis team |
| 1.3 | Best Editor/Other Keen Program | The Patchotron | Xtraverse |
| 2 | Fan Art | ||
| 2.1 | Best Graphical Artwork | Shadowlands Tour and Fribbulus Xax Tour | Xtraverse |
| 2.2 | Best Narrative/Song | The Armageddon Machine MIDI | Xky Rauh |
| 2.3 | Best Animation | Shadowlands - The Animated Series episode 2 | Ilsoap |
| 2.4 | Best Non-Computerized Art | Snow Dopefish (additional image) | Too Much Spare Time |
| 3 | Web | ||
| 3.1 | Best Website | Beyond the Pogo | Xtraverse |
| 3.2 | Best Online Entertainment | Flash Keen | Glen Rhodes a.k.a. Flasherman |
| 3.3 | Online Community Service Recognition | Xtraverse | |
| 4 | Miscellaneous | ||
| 4.1 | Keenest Person of the Year | Flaose | |
| 4.2 | Really Keen Stuff | Billy Blaze prank call | Too Much Spare Time |
| 4.3 | Ancient Works | Original Cerebral Cortex 314 | Geoff |
Keen Awards 2004
The nominations took place from 2005-03-14 to 2005-04-14 and were followed by the polls. On 2005-05-26, the list of winners was posted, alongside trophies made by Xtraverse. Two categories, Best Animation and Best Online Entertainment, were left out due to the lack of nominees.
| Category | Winner(s) | Note(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Programming | |||
| 1.1 | Best Mod of an Original Keen Game | Episode Dash | Xky Rauh | |
| 1.2 | Best Fan-Game | Keen: Next tech demos (then unnamed) | z-one | |
| 1.3 | Best Editor/Other Keen Program | ModKeen 2.0 | Andrew Durdin | |
| 2 | Fan Art | |||
| 2.1 | Best Graphical Artwork | Work on the 3D Keen movie | DSL | Many images unavailable. |
| 2.2 | Best Narrative/Song | man sieht sich galaxie | analoq | |
| 2.4 | Best Non-Computerized Art | 24 Hours of Keen: Cookies | RocketJess | |
| 3 | Web | |||
| 3.1 | Best Website | Beyond the Pogo | Xtraverse | |
| 3.3 | Forum Crew Recognition | eK | ||
| 4 | Miscellaneous | |||
| 4.1 | Keenest Person of the Year | Xky Rauh | ||
| 4.2 | Really Keen Stuff | Birdman | Br1ck, Dr. Witherstone | |
| 4.3 | Most Promising Project | Keen: Next (then unnamed) | z-one | |
| 5 | Special Category | |||
| 5.1 | Best 3/14 Minimod | Norp the Yorp 3.5: The Maze of Doom | Xtraverse | Category related to the 2005 one-level mod challenge. |
Keen Awards 2019
The nominations started after a call for the revival of the Keen Awards on 2019-12-31 and ended on 2020-02-29. The subsequent polls were open from 2020-03-02 to 2020-03-14. Afterwards, the list of winners was posted, alongside trophies made by Lava89. One category, Best Animation, was left out due to the lack of nominees.
| Category | Winner(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Programming | ||
| 1.1 | Best Vorticon Mod | The Mortrix | Quillax |
| 1.2 | Best Galaxy/Dreams Mod | Atroxian Realm v.1.3 | Gridlock |
| 1.3 | Best Fangame | Planet Cloudius IX | Roobar |
| 1.4 | Best Level | Cell Block Alpha (Level 01) from The Prisoner's Dilemma | Kohntarkosz_ |
| 1.5 | Best Tool | Customized Screen Update Code for Keen 4-6 | K1n9_Duk3 |
| 2 | Fan Art | ||
| 2.1 | Best Graphical Artwork | Redrawn Keen 1 sprites | aintnofuntime |
| 2.2 | Best Narrative | The Commander | Dean Smyth |
| 2.3 | Best Music | Too Hot To Handle | troublesomekeen |
| 2.5 | Best Non-Computerized Art | Yorp and Garg cosplay | unidentified |
| 2.6 | Best Gameplay Video | Paul's Gaming - Commander Keen mods playthroughs | Piece of Pie Software |
| 3 | Web | ||
| 3.1 | Best Website | Quillax Ship | Quillax |
| 3.2 | Best Online Entertainment | Chocolate Keen in WebAssembly | James Mackenzie |
| 3.3 | Online Community Service Recognition | Fleexy | |
| 4 | Miscellaneous | ||
| 4.1 | Keenest Person of the Year | Nisaba | |
| 4.2 | Really Keen Stuff | Discovery of a way to collect all Lollipops in Keen 1 Level 4 | NY00123 |
| 4.3 | Most Promising Project | Keen 4 levels from WolfenDoom - Blade of Agony | Realm667 team |
| 4.4 | Best Official Keen Product | Nintendo Switch port of Keen Dreams | Lone Wolf Technology |
Keen Awards 2020
The nominations opened in 2020-12-23. Unlike previous events, this year's Keen Awards allowed members to nominate more than one entry per category. After the nominations were closed on 2021-01-23, the polls immediately opened. On 2021-02-13, the polls closed and the list of winners was posted. The trophies were released on 2022-02-05. One category, Best Online Entertainment, was left out due to the lack of nominees.
| Category | Winner(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Programming | ||
| 1.1 | Best Vorticon Mod | Commander Keen: Sunset | KeenRush, proYorp |
| 1.2 | Best Galaxy Mod | Operation Ocflore | Bubbatom |
| 1.3 | Best Fangame | Planet Cloudius IX v.1.2.6 | Roobar |
| 1.4 | Best Level | Ancient Observatory (Level 11) from Operation Ocflore | Bubbatom |
| 1.5 | Best Tool | Abiathar v.2.11.3 | Fleexy |
| 2 | Fan Art | ||
| 2.1 | Best Graphical Artwork | Operation Ocflore Graphics | Bubbatom |
| 2.2 | Best Narrative | Operation Ocflore Story | Bubbatom |
| 2.3 | Best Music | Br'er Tar Ain't Gonna Get Me! | Scifidelity Orchestra |
| 2.4 | Best Animation | PCKF Logos | Nisaba |
| 2.5 | Best Non-Computerized Art | Drawtumn 20.21 - Flame (Commander Keen vs Berkeloid) | AlmightyRayzilla |
| 2.6 | Best Gameplay Video | Unnamed Keen Fangame | Ryemanni |
| 3 | Web | ||
| 3.1 | Best Website | KeenWiki | Malvineous |
| 3.3 | Online Community Service Recognition | Grandy02 | |
| 4 | Miscellaneous | ||
| 4.1 | Keenest Person of the Year | K1n9_Duk3 | |
| 4.2 | Really Keen Stuff | The Great Galaxy-Mod Bug Hunt 2020 | K1n9_Duk3 |
| 4.3 | Most Promising Project | Foray in the Forest | Nisaba |
| 4.4 | Best 30th Anniversary Tribute | Keen 1 Randomiser | Multimania |
Keen Awards 2021
The nominations started in 2022-02-06. The "Best Level" category was split into three to allow all types of levels to get recognition. The polls were open from 2022-03-01 to Keen Day 2022, and the winners were announced the following day. The trophies were then released on 2022-03-24. A few categories were left out due to a lack of nominees.
| Category | Winner(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Programming | ||
| 1.1 | Best Vorticon Mod | Mura | Nospike |
| 1.2 | Best Galaxy/Dreams Mod | Return to the Shadowlands | Ceilick |
| 1.3 | Best Fangame/Other Mod | Wolfenstein - Blade of Agony (Keen 4 levels) | Realm667 team |
| 1.4 | Best Vorticon Level | Level 01 from Mura | Nospike |
| 1.5 | Best Galaxy Level | A-Danac Express (Level 10) from The Prisoner's Dilemma | Kohntarkosz_ |
| 1.6 | Best Other Mod Level | Keen 4 level "Blue Cartridge" from Wolfenstein - Blade of Agony | Realm667 team |
| 1.7 | Best Tool | Orbatext | Quirky Moron |
| 2 | Fan Art | ||
| 2.1 | Best Graphical Artwork | Keen 1 Redrawn | Pandakeen |
| 2.2 | Best Narrative | Commander Keen: The Comic Strip | Mort |
| 2.3 | Best Music | Hide & Seek from The Armageddon App OST | 55Aavenue |
| 2.6 | Best Gameplay Video | The Mystery of Isis II playtrough | DarkAle |
| 3 | Web | ||
| 3.1 | Best Website | KeenWiki | Malvineous |
| 3.3 | Online Community Service Recognition | Grandy02 | |
| 4 | Miscellaneous | ||
| 4.1 | Keenest Person of the Year | proYorp | |
| 4.2 | Really Keen Stuff | Recreated Keen 4-6 Source Code | K1n9_Duk3 |
| 4.3 | Most Promising Project | Foray in the Forest | Nisaba |
Keen Awards 2022
The nominations started in 2023-01-07. The polls were open from 2023-02-22 to Keen Day 2023, and the winners were announced afterwards. The trophies were released on 2023-04-16. A couple categories were left out due to a lack of nominees.
| Category | Winner(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Programming | ||
| 1.1 | Best Vorticon Mod | Bunny Basher 3: Easter Escapades | Benvolio |
| 1.2 | Best Galaxy Mod | Aurora Bliss | Dave216 |
| 1.3 | Best Fangame | Link-Keen and VortaKeen | John314 |
| 1.5 | Best Galaxy Level | Magnetic Field Manipulator (Level 08) from Operation Station Infiltration | Ceilick |
| 1.6 | Best Fangame Level | Freezilic Caves (Level 03) from Commander Keen 2000 - Remake | CvH_9000 |
| 1.7 | Best Tool | Patch Calculators | TheBigV |
| 2 | Fan Art | ||
| 2.1 | Best Graphical Artwork | Violet & Keen | rollytheborb |
| 2.2 | Best Narrative | The Brightest Star | proYorp |
| 2.3 | Best Music | Soundtrack of Aurora Bliss | Dave216 |
| 2.4 | Best Animation | Commander Keen, You've Got to Eat Your Vegetables | RORYUkEr1 |
| 2.5 | Best Non-Computerized Art | Battle Of The Brains: Commander Keen VS. Mortimer McMire | Soul Monster |
| 2.6 | Best Gameplay Video | Keen mod playthroughs | troublesomekeen |
| 3 | Web | ||
| 3.1 | Best Website | PCKF Archive | Grandy02 |
| 3.3 | Online Community Service Recognition | Fleexy | |
| 4 | Miscellaneous | ||
| 4.1 | Keenest Person of the Year | Ceilick | |
| 4.2 | Really Keen Stuff | Development and publishing letters | Scott Miller |
| 4.3 | Most Promising Project | Foray in the Forest | Nisaba |
Keen Awards 2023
The nominations started in 2024-02-22. After the nominations ended in 2024-03-05, the polls opened immediately. On 2024-03-15, the polls closed and the winners were announced. No trophies have been made so far. A couple categories were left out due to a lack of nominees.
| Category | Winner(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Programming | ||
| 1.1 | Best Vorticon Mod | Prelude | Levellass |
| 1.2 | Best Galaxy Mod | Foray in the Forest | Nisaba |
| 1.3 | Best Fangame / Other Mod | GBA ports of Keen 4-6 | John314 |
| 1.4 | Best Vorticon Level | The Ice Laboratory (Level 13) from Keen Is At It Again! | transporthummel |
| 1.5 | Best Galaxy Level | Concealed Ruin (Level 14) from Foray in the Forest | Nisaba |
| 1.7 | Best Tool | MIRRORSND | Levellass |
| 2 | Fan Art | ||
| 2.1 | Best Graphical Artwork | Canmore's Redemption and Revival of Bliss | Dave216 |
| 2.2 | Best Narrative | Canmore's Redemption | Dave216 |
| 2.3 | Best Music | Soundtrack of Canmore's Redemption | Dave216 |
| 2.5 | Best Non-Computerized Art | Nospike jack-o'-lantern (additional image) | troublesomekeen |
| 2.6 | Best Gameplay Video | The Ruin of Roib playthrough | troublesomekeen |
| 3 | Web | ||
| 3.1 | Best Website | KeenWiki | Malvineous |
| 3.2 | Best Online Entertainment | Captain Rixot v2.1 in browser | ktch0 |
| 3.3 | Online Community Service Recognition | Nisaba | |
| 4 | Miscellaneous | ||
| 4.1 | Keenest Person of the Year | Nisaba | |
| 4.2 | Really Keen Stuff | Commander Keen's Adaptive Tile Refresh article | Fabien Sanglard |
| 4.3 | Most Promising Project | Revivial of Bliss | Dave216 |
Statistics
- Most total wins: 9
- Most wins in a single year: 4
- Most consecutive years won: 5