The rules clearly state RPG Superstar's policy on contestants discussing/explaining/detailing content in their own entry threads. We've had one instance of this rule being broken this year. It has been censored and no one is being disqualified. Should there be a second instance, there will be disqualifications. This is this year's only warning on this matter.
If the judges or anyone else has questions about my monster, can I post answers to their questions?
No! At least, not while voting is open. See Rule #14 on the Official Rules page: "Contestants are prohibited from posting in their own entry threads beyond asking for feedback and requesting your vote. Such discussion may not add to, expand upon, or clarify the content of the submission. Doing so may result in disqualification, in the sole discretion of the judges and/or Paizo." In other words, your submission has to get by on its own, even if everyone has the same question and you could answer it with a single word. That's because if you write a monster and it gets published, the book doesn't include a little copy of you to answer questions or offer suggestions, so you need to make sure your submission is clear on its own. Just grin and bear it--you'll be able to say as much as you want about it once voting is closed. In fact, you may just want to copy this safe-to-post statement: Thank you for your support and please vote for my item! If you have questions, I'll be happy to answer them once voting for this round is closed.
Correct.
Chief Technical Officer
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Wow, I hope commenting about others' creatures isn't verboten, or I'm frakked.As Wes said:
"The rules clearly state RPG Superstar's policy on contestants discussing/explaining/detailing content in their own entry threads."
Yes... technically, you can comment on other contestant's entries... but the public is watching, and they will remember if you make an ass—or an ass-kisser—of yourself.
Personally? I wouldn't.
Dont put it on external blogs or boards either.
We had a guy this year post his submission on his blog. Had to DQ him.
*laugh* Thank you Vic,
Fortunately I think everyone already knows I'm an ass at times ;-)
I hope "Vote for the Lahamu" with a link to the superstar page is fine, or I goofed.
Yes, I was tempted to do something like this with my yuku account. That's okay right?
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Chief Technical Officer
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Yes, I was tempted to do something like this with my yuku account. That's okay right?*laugh* Thank you Vic,
Fortunately I think everyone already knows I'm an ass at times ;-)
I hope "Vote for the Lahamu" with a link to the superstar page is fine, or I goofed.
You can paraphrase that "safe-to-post" statement wherever you like.
Basically, what we're saying is, feel free to drum up support and interest in yourselves in your thread and elsewhere, but while voting is open, don't elaborate on your work in your own thread or elsewhere. And while there are no rules specifically governing your interaction with the other contestants and their work, I'd advise you to play it safe.
And while there are no rules specifically governing your interaction with the other contestants and their work, I'd advise you to play it safe.
I feel bad because I've been trying to build my fellow contestants up and give them useful feedback. I hope I haven't crossed any lines, but I guess I'll be witholding my comments (except for my own stuff) henceforth.
And while there are no rules specifically governing your interaction with the other contestants and their work, I'd advise you to play it safe.I feel bad because I've been trying to build my fellow contestants up and give them useful feedback. I hope I haven't crossed any lines, but I guess I'll be witholding my comments (except for my own stuff) henceforth.
Building up fellow competitors is GREAT! Please continue.
Okay.. will proceed with caution.
Okay.. will proceed with caution.
I'd like to thank you Jim (and the other Top 32, Nicolas 'Hydro', and Lief 'tejon') for your posts in my thread. Feel free to comment on my later rounds (assuming I make the later rounds). :-)
And of course, (everyone say it with me):
'I'll be happy to answer your questions after voting has finished.'
More seriously though, the friendly attitude from the everyone in the Top 32 has made me feel that we are a League of Gentlemen/Ladies all nobly and honorably competing for the prize.
Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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In the first round I made an effort to post in everyone's thread early. This round since comments potentially effect voting I have been very cautious about posting in anyone's threads. I have posted in a few but I kind of think there is a conflict of interest in posting criticisms... So I posted in a few threads and that's it. I'll try and post more when voting is over.
I posted a lot of (what I felt to be fair and honest) feedback in the first couple hours, and a few people seemed to really appreciate it because they thanks me and/or came to my thread with feedback and encouragement of their own.
I can see the wisdom in 'playing it safe', but at the same time, I see that I'm not the only contestant getting out there and sharing thoughts with other contestants, and I feel like there's a lot of good will and positive vibes being fostered here. I for one would be very reluctant to give that up. I for one LOVE seeing other top 36 replying to my thread, because they're all smart, creative people and their insights have real value above and beyond the general expression of goodwill that thoughtful feedback implies. (This isn't to say that there aren't smart, creative, and thoughtful posters who aren't 32, or that their feedback isn't equally valuable)
Occorse, I also understand that that's a fragile thing and can easily go sour with a misread word or a careless phrase. I've been trying to be careful and, above all, respectful. My biggest fear is that I'm inspiring resentment somehow and no one is telling me because they don't want to look bad themselves (I can be a little socially tonedeaf sometimes), but this whole affair is just so awesome that it's hard not to get out there and be a bigger part of it.
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RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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Speaking for myself, Hydro, I really appreciated the cautious "This could be a good monster, or a real mess" response. It was honest and helpful.
It's certainly possible to post criticisms in everybody else's threads and come off as spiteful or lofty. I don't think your posts have come anywhere close to that.
If anyone's interested, here's my take on the whole "to comment or not to comment" debate. Last year, I commented on everyone's wondrous item...because, at that point, we were all pretty much feeling great that the judges had selected us, there was a spirit of camaraderie, and an expectation that we should start establishing an online presence and persona for ourselves on the boards so the voters could get a sense of who we were.
After Round One, however, I think the only time I posted in anyone else's thread was to comment on those that got my vote, to offer encouragement to someone who didn't make the cut after the voting was over, or to joke around with Trevor through our Gulga-Bracht humor.
Other than that, I purposefully avoided commenting on anyone else's stuff...not because I didn't want to encourage them or didn't like what they'd created. Rather, I'm such a critical person in real-life that I knew if I opened my mouth (virtually, speaking), I'd be likely to make a comment that might reflect negatively on me. So, I stuck to the age-old adage that if you have nothing good to say (or fear you might say something wrong), it's best to say nothing at all instead.
Now that doesn't mean I couldn't offer up plenty of encouragement in the Top 32 Guild Hall thread for other people. I just made sure to do that kind of thing outside of the actual submission threads...just to be safe. I also avoided getting into any "design" debates or "shop talk" with regards to our submissions. Not so much because I wouldn't have enjoyed that kind of conversation, but again, because I didn't see very much value in that with respect to the impressions voters might form about me and how that might impact their votes. And, it flirts with disqualification in a way that I certainly didn't want to risk it.
But that's just my two-cents,
--Neil
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Star Voter Season 6
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I've just mostly kept to myself for this very reason.
Because you come off spiteful and lofty? :P
Seriously, for me I comment on what catches my eye. *shrug* I did read all the judges comments on everyone, and have peeked in everyone's thread.
You guys have convinced me. I'm going to avoid commenting in other people's threads. If doing it thus far have cost me some votes, then I guess I'll have to live with that. :\
I'm not going to stop thanking people in my own thread however. I actually enjoy it and I'm sincere in my heart. If that is a mark against me, then I'm not the designer the audience is looking for.
You guys have convinced me. I'm going to avoid commenting in other people's threads. If doing it thus far have cost me some votes, then I guess I'll have to live with that. :\
actually Watcher, seeing somebody going around and giving good, honest, and helpful feedback to other contestants will make me more likely to want to vote for them, and will be taken into consideration if their entry is on the bubble of whether to get my vote or not.
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actually Watcher, seeing somebody going around and giving good, honest, and helpful feedback to other contestants will make me more likely to want to vote for them, and will be taken into consideration if their entry is on the bubble of whether to get my vote or not.
Agreed, I like to think that more often than not I can tell the difference between someone getting into a debate with an ulterior motive, and someone who just wants to get involved; especially when you guys are wearing your allegiances on your title line, so to speak.
Yours and Hydro's comments have come across as the kind of mature, honest, constructive criticism I'd expect from Paizo regulars, and I admit if either of you were on the cusp for one of my votes, your attitudes might just tip me over compared to someone who gets less involved.
I feel a lot more respect for the contestants that are willing to help their fellow contestants out and give *honest* commentary, criticism, and encouragement. It is nothing but helpful for the other contestants, and helps give those who want a quick and dirty analysis of a submission something to go on. Maybe I'm in the minority here, but that respect does *not* carry over into my voting. This is not RPG Popularity contest. I judge each entrant based on their work submitted, and their previous submissions. Nothing else. I don't even read other feedback until after I've written a critique, to make sure I am selecting my votes based only on the quality of the work.
Your two have made great points, and I was certainly thinking about cwslyclgh's comments the entire time I was out walking the dog this morning.
I guess it's something each contestant has to come to terms with on their own. That is, there is no "cookie cutter" answer here on what to do or not to do.
One thing that keeps coming back to me over and over during Round Two is that I wasn't the strongest entry in Round One. It didn't matter that much because as long as you qualified for Round One, you had a basis upon which to build. In Round Two however I really felt a lot of sympathy for my fellow contestants because once someone draws your attention to where you got off track- you've learned your lesson right there and then. You're not going to make that mistake again. Watching that happen from the outside I find myself asking, "What would this author do if they had a second chance?"
My hope is that they would run like the wind, because there is a lot of potential energy in that emotion.
I used to watch a TV show about a teenage girl that talked to God (who appeared as just anybody she walked past). One episode she is talking to God and beating up on herself. God just looks at her and says, "Hey, I'm all about second chances." I'm NOT trying to push religion on anybody, but right there and then I found myself nodding and saying, "Yeah, me too."
Because if the situation was reversed, I'd want someone else to give me a second chance. Anybody who has stumbled in pursuit of their dreams has got to understand how that feels.
Boy.. I'm writing an essay here.
Back to topic: I'll have to think carefully about commenting on other people’s stuff, because good intentions can so easily be misconstrued. I'd also be disingenuous if I suggested that wanting to give good feedback took a higher priority than advancing in the contest. Circumstance leaves me no choice but to be biased in my own favor.
If I can be forgiven one last remark, I think doing good design is the most important challenge of this contest. However the politics of personality is among the most stressful elements of it. For me anyway.
*****
(Last minute edit)
@ Caith, there in nothing unreasonable in what you've said either. Part of the audience's responsibility is finding the best candidate.
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@caith, I agree that it's not a popularity contest, but there are a hell of a lot of factors at play here which can sometimes make it nigh impossible to choose between a shortlist, and if I can't honestly narrow my list down from 5 to 4, at that point, factors beyond the entry pop up. These are things like their previous round entries and how they've conducted themselves in their own threads and beyond. Also, for what it's worth neither Watcher nor Hydro recieved one of my picks :).
At the end of the day, the winner of the contest (and other members of the top 8) will be doing freelancing work for Paizo, for that reason I think it's perfectly valid where evidence exists, to consider the creators consistency, ability to take criticism, passion for the game and for interacting with the community, and their eye for language and the rules.
...if I can't honestly narrow my list down from 5 to 4, at that point, factors beyond the entry pop up. These are things like their previous round entries and how they've conducted themselves in their own threads and beyond.
I absolutely agree. The content of what they create is (for me) the number one criteria to evaluate. But then, when you've got a handful of submissions and contestants vying for that last vote, you have to look for tie-breakers. Some do that based on the portfolio of work they've created over the entire contest up to that point. Some might include an evaluation of how the contestant has conducted themselves. So, I think it's wise to consider all those things as you go along.
I guess it's something each contestant has to come to terms with on their own. That is, there is no "cookie cutter" answer here on what to do or not to do.
Amen to that. This is that element where everyone in the competition has to learn how to navigate those waters as best they can.
A lot of good advice.
My advice to anyone who wants to be a superstar: Subscribe to Neil's Recent Post RSS feed.
I've been following his posts since last year. One of the things that makes him great is that he posts like a superstar all the time. I've never seen him get involved in a flame war. He's always courteous and supportive of others. He gives encouragement and advice to all the contestants. He conducts himself in a professional manner at all times. Follow his advice and you will certainly improve your chances.
I also recommend following all of the judge's RSS feeds too.
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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Other than that, I purposefully avoided commenting on anyone else's stuff...not because I didn't want to encourage them or didn't like what they'd created. Rather, I'm such a critical person in real-life that I knew if I opened my mouth (virtually, speaking), I'd be likely to make a comment that might reflect negatively on me. So, I stuck to the age-old adage that if you have nothing good to say (or fear you might say something wrong), it's best to say nothing at all instead.
This is my concern also, I have in the past posted criticisms of people's creations and they were not received well. Whether that is my posting style or the reader I am not sure. So I'm keeping quiet mostly because I don't want to look like a jerk.
I feel bad because I've been trying to build my fellow contestants up and give them useful feedback. I hope I haven't crossed any lines, but I guess I'll be witholding my comments (except for my own stuff) henceforth.
I have to say it's a great statement to your character that you are giving encouragement and advice to your competitors. It may be part of your Open Design background, but it shows your interested in getting the best results from a project and not just looking out for yourself.
I hope you go far in the contest! There are too many people I want to see in the next round, but you've earned my vote.
I'll say this much and then bow out of this topic:
It was really great to go through last year's contest with a friend like Trevor Gulliver. I said it then and I think it bears repeating now. Trevor was never a competitor of mine. I was one of his supporters in every round of the contest and today as well. I am a fan of his stuff. You can also see how much Trevor went out of his way to support the others in the contest, too.
And that's why one of the pieces of advice I wove into those massive, novel-length threads mentioned how important it is to "support one another." You're all going through the same thing. And, when you come out on the other side, you'll find that you're part of a brotherhood that really faced some pretty intense fire as a result of RPG Superstar.
In addition, within the Guild Hall thread you're like a support network for one another. And, even as the pool of contestants gets cut in half round-by-round, those who fall out become spectators and voters, too. So it's pretty important to build a rapport with one another.
But that's just my last two-cents on the topic,
--Neil
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 8
aka Tarren Dei
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I'll say this much and then bow out of this topic:
** spoiler omitted **
But that's just my last two-cents on the topic,
--Neil
Neil:
Everybody but Neil:
I see no reason not to be supportive of others in this contest. If they are any good, these are people that you will hopefully be working with.
We don't want to have to DQ people. But we will. When we said last warning we meant it. Don't make me bust out the Wand of Orcus.
We don't want to have to DQ people. But we will. When we said last warning we meant it. Don't make me bust out the Wand of Orcus.OK, now, that sounds dirty.
<covers eyes and mouth. not sure about the ears...>
We don't want to have to DQ people. But we will. When we said last warning we meant it. Don't make me bust out the Wand of Orcus.OK, now, that sounds dirty.
*coughs* Asmodeus' Ruby Rod is bigger *coughs*
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*coughs* Asmodeus' Ruby Rod is bigger *coughs*We don't want to have to DQ people. But we will. When we said last warning we meant it. Don't make me bust out the Wand of Orcus.OK, now, that sounds dirty.
I had a staff over here I thought was pretty empowered but then the darn thing broke into seven parts.
I want this thread back on track.
I'm not kidding.
We warned once. We had a possible DQ issue on a monster but we didnt need to decide it since it didnt advance.
I'M SERIOUS. NEXT PROBLEM IS A DQ. END OF STORY. And I won't want to hear any crying if it happens.
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Chief Technical Officer
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One contestant made a questionable post in his thread after this warning was issued, quoting and repositioning material from his submission in a way that drew attention to specific points related to ongoing critical discussion in the thread. We suppressed the post, and the judges discussed his possible disqualification. As it turned out, the contestant didn't get enough votes to advance, so it wasn't necessary to make a disqualification decision.
However, for those of you still in the contest... seriously—you're clever guys, and you know what our intent is here. It's really not worth challenging it.
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Chief Technical Officer
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We have amended Rule 14 of the Official Rules. It now reads:
14. During public voting rounds, contestants are prohibited from any public discussion that could be considered as adding to, expanding upon, or clarifying the content of their current submission. This applies to (but is not limited to) personal blogs and messageboard posts on paizo.com or elsewhere, including the paizo.com discussion thread for the entry itself. Any such discussion may result in disqualification, in the sole discretion of the judges and/or Paizo.
The FAQ has also been updated:
What if I am a contestant?
Contestants are prohibited from commenting on their own entries (in the entry's own thread or elsewhere) while the voting booth is open, other than to thank others for their support and encourage voting.
You may just want to copy this safe-to-post statement: "Thank you for your support and please vote for my entry! If you have questions, I'll be happy to answer them once voting for this round is closed." See Rule #14 on the Official Rules page.
Once the voting booth has closed, contestants may comment freely on their own entries.
Contestants are allowed to comment on the entries of others, as long as they do so tactfully (see the guidelines for conduct, above.)
The Top 16 have been notified of these changes via e-mail.
I get to be "bad cop"
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Star Voter Season 6
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Ironic thing now is, those of us weho posted 'developers notes' gave the other contestants* help for round 3. *shrug* not that it matters, I hope to see 15 different lahamu!
*