In the first couple of days of the contest, several people have already made posts that place them in real danger of having their submission be disqualified before the voting even begins. The reason is that they have mentioned details about their submissions that may break anonymity, for instance the aproximate word count or missing formatting of spells.

So, for your own sake - DO NOT POST ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR SUBMISSION THAT MAY BE USED TO IDENTIFY YOU AS THE AUTHOR!

Talking about your submission can get you in serious trouble, not only in regards to the first round, but also if you make if to the Top 32. People have been disqualified during previous years for failure to keep quiet.

I know it's hard, with the nervousness and excitement and all. But trust me, the judges WILL crack down on failure to follow the rules. And it would be a real shame if asking a question about what may be a minor flaw is going to get your submission canned.

Here are the relevant bit from the round 1 rules.

DISQUALIFICATION: Submissions may be disqualified for the following reasons:

Submission is not a wondrous item.
Submission is not anonymous.
Submission exceeds 300 words.
Submission does not conform to the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.
Submission is copied from a previously published source.
Submission uses rules, monsters, or copyrighted material from publishers other than Paizo

Forgive me if I missed it somewhere, but will the general public be able to comment on items during the open voting time of round one?

Because if so, I can see a lot of people not being able to resist adding their voice to their own defense, to their immediate detriment.

Even if not, I can foresee some threads cropping up during voting along the lines of, "Hey everybody! Did anybody else see that terrible X that did Y? What were they thinking?", which will compel some people to come on the defensive.

Related: If you advance, your posts, if any, should consist of "thank you" and "please vote for me", and absolutely nothing else unless you really want to be DQ'd.

Even if not, I can foresee some threads cropping up during voting along the lines of, "Hey everybody! Did anybody else see that terrible X that did Y? What were they thinking?", which will compel some people to come on the defensive.

Maybe one of the traits of a good freelancer is knowing how to avoid breaking an NDA by feeding the forum trolls?

Related: If you advance, your posts, if any, should consist of "thank you" and "please vote for me", and absolutely nothing else unless you really want to be DQ'd.

I don't think folks are even allowed to comment that much this year.

Maybe one of the traits of a good freelancer is knowing how to avoid breaking an NDA by feeding the forum trolls?

Agreed, 100%.

Doesn't mean it's not going to happen, though.

Garrett Guillotte wrote:

Maybe one of the traits of a good freelancer is knowing how to avoid breaking an NDA by feeding the forum trolls?

Agreed, 100%.

Doesn't mean it's not going to happen, though.

If it does, I'm fresh out of ideas on what else can be done. There was more than enough drama last year about forum posts and DQs, Clark's already calling people out on it, there's this "talking about your submission may get you disqualified" thread title bouncing around the top of the forum.

If someone doesn't get it by now, there's (ancient Mayans excepted) always next year. I get that this is a first-time shakedown cruise and Bad Things will happen, but someone giving away secrets on the forums because they got trolled is downright Darwinian in a contest about freelancing.

I'm sure people will make "did you see X item?" posts.
I'm sure some competitors will be tempted to reply.
And some will actually reply.
And a few may do so in such a way that makes it clear that they're the author of the item.
And it will be possible to scour the boards to see if any competitors posted on their items.

But honestly, it's not worth the effort to try to stop it. Just like it's not worth the effort to followup on rumors of people talking up their R2–R5 submissions at their local game store in an attempt to get more votes.

Given that the items you're shown for votes are randomized, you may not even be shown a particular item unless you refresh the voting page a lot.

Basically, if it's blatant, then I'll worry about it. Until then, the number of entries and the voting method make it difficult to break anonymity in this way.

My REDACTED are so awesome everyone will vote for them and love me. Soon everyone will be able to play a REDACTED in PFS using them.
Remember folks, vote a vote for REDACTED is a vote for Jaxtile!

My REDACTED are so awesome everyone will vote for them and love me. Soon everyone will be able to play a REDACTED in PFS using them.

Remember folks, vote a vote for REDACTED is a vote for Jaxtile!

Dammit Jaxtile! Stop taking credit for my REDACTED!

My REDACTED are so awesome everyone will vote for them and love me. Soon everyone will be able to play a REDACTED in PFS using them.

Remember folks, vote a vote for REDACTED is a vote for Jaxtile!

So your item is actually a set of itemS, eh? Interesting ...

Your REDACTED is gonna get trounced by my [DELETED FOR SECURITY REASONS].

If someone doesn't get it by now, there's (ancient Mayans excepted) always next year. I get that this is a first-time shakedown cruise and Bad Things will happen, but someone giving away secrets on the forums because they got trolled is downright Darwinian in a contest about freelancing.

Personally speaking, someone who tried to troll someone else into being disqualified is someone whom I'd have strong reservations about hiring. I'm not the person who chooses freelancers, but it's not like the people who choose with which freelancers to work don't read the forums, folks. :-) Compete with your talent.

Jessica is right - don't forget that your behavior on the boards, and elsewhere, *is* going to be seen both by the voting public and your prospective employers. If you can't make the effort to be professional about it (which includes following NDAs), you're not going to get kept on even if you're good at what you do.

Your REDACTED is gonna get trounced by my [DELETED FOR SECURITY REASONS].

Are we all submitting SCP entries or something?

Standback wrote:

Your REDACTED is gonna get trounced by my [DELETED FOR SECURITY REASONS].

Are we all submitting SCP entries or something?

Well, traditionally the monster round has at least a few entries that wouldn't be out of place with a few class-D personel being assigned to them...

Forgive me if I missed it somewhere, but will the general public be able to comment on items during the open voting time of round one?

Because if so, I can see a lot of people not being able to resist adding their voice to their own defense, to their immediate detriment.

Quite frankly, if your item can't defend itself in and of itself, if it has to be explained, than it's not Superstar material.

This is my first year trying out... and nerves are crazy.

Though I'm working on R2 in the hopes I pass because I saw the time tables and I figured it's good to get a head start.

This is my first year trying out... and nerves are crazy.

Though I'm working on R2 in the hopes I pass because I saw the time tables and I figured it's good to get a head start.

Good luck! Also, it's smart thinking to work ahead.

Good luck, Chozyn. Plenty of people have made it on their first shot (me being one of them). And very smart to work ahead. I didn't think I had a chance last year and was pretty surprised when I made it in. I was scrambling the rest of the contest (though it's also some of the most fun I've ever had with gaming).

This is my first year trying out... and nerves are crazy.

*Nods in agreement from his padded cell, before returning to babbling to himself incoherently*

This will be my... probably fourth year submitting. I've never made it to the top 32. I think my ideas are groovy, but then it's not my opinion what matters. This year I'm going to try and really push the limit, hang the rules I'm done playing it safe. I want to make an item that's off the wall, and makes people say "That's cool I want one, and I want all my friends to buy one."

Of course that's like saying I want to make a viral video, you just have to put together your best idea and hope that it captures the zeitgeist.

Well submission was sent today prepared to suck and fail horribly

Well submission was sent today prepared to suck and fail horribly

Don't worry dude! You should be proud that you entered. And with the voting being the way it is, you'll at least have fun and have a way to pass the time in the meanwhile.

I'm not as edgy as I was last year, but I do start to get creeping doubts about whether my other items might have had wider appeal, or if I could have written more flavorfully, or if maybe my item has unforeseen complications with the rules...?

Anyway, you're in the same boat as everybody else, even the veterans, so that means there's always a chance!

Anyway, you're in the same boat as everybody else, even the veterans, so that means there's always a chance!

Don't worry! I brought a bucket to help stem the intake of seawater the veteran boat is taking on. If only we hadn't read the explosive runes in the instruction manuals on how to win RPG SS, we might have made it safely back to port...

This will be my first year too. I transitioned from 3.5 to Pathfinder early January this year, right as Superstar was coming to a close. I've really gotten into it though, so I'm excited for this round!

Standback wrote:

Your REDACTED is gonna get trounced by my [DELETED FOR SECURITY REASONS].

Are we all submitting SCP entries or something?

Add a few more sly in-references and give the wondrous items vague enough mechanics that it's difficult to quantify them, and we're close enough.

Already submitted my item, but I just finished working on one that I potentially like better. :p

Woe betide me. Kinda.

I have been trying to summit my item, but whenever I click on the "click here to summit your entry" link it keeps taking me back to the Paizo homepage...

Chris Shaeffer wrote:

Anyway, you're in the same boat as everybody else, even the veterans, so that means there's always a chance!

Don't worry! I brought a bucket to help stem the intake of seawater the veteran boat is taking on. If only we hadn't read the explosive runes in the instruction manuals on how to win RPG SS, we might have made it safely back to port...

Tell me about it - last night, I abandoned the item I have had sitting more or less ready to submit in favor of another idea which I wrote up after getting in late.

It's sitting in my google drive, waiting for some final polish ar tightening - probably a lot of both. When's the submission deadline again?

When's the submission deadline again?

Ummm, today!

In just over 12 hours, submissions will close, at the time of this posting.

DON'T leave it till then. Servers do crash occasionally.

It's sitting in my google drive, waiting for some final polish ar tightening - probably a lot of both. When's the submission deadline again?

It was two hours ago.

Jacob Trier wrote:

When's the submission deadline again?

Ummm, today!

In just over 12 hours, submissions will close, at the time of this posting.

DON'T leave it till then. Servers do crash occasionally.

Guys, I'm kidding - trust me, I could probably tell you the exact amount of time remaining before the submission period ends, down to the last second.

And I DON'T plan on waiting for the last couple of minutes. Last year's round 3 submission taught me that all too well.

I have been trying to summit my item, but whenever I click on the "click here to summit your entry" link it keeps taking me back to the Paizo homepage...

Keep trying - if it doesn't work after a few tries, shoot an e-mail to Gary Teter, Ross Byers or customer support.

I have been trying to summit my item, but whenever I click on the "click here to summit your entry" link it keeps taking me back to the Paizo homepage...

Make sure you are logged in with your Paizo account before trying to submit. The same thing happened to me in the 2011 competition.

And I DON'T plan on waiting for the last couple of minutes. Last year's round 3 submission taught me that all too well.

Argh, Round 3. I literally submitted mine three minutes before the deadline. THREE MINUTES. XD

Jacob Trier wrote:

And I DON'T plan on waiting for the last couple of minutes. Last year's round 3 submission taught me that all too well.

Argh, Round 3. I literally submitted mine three minutes before the deadline. THREE MINUTES. XD

Look on the bright side, Chris. If we hadn't botched round 3 like we did, we wouldn't get to have all this fun again this year.

Of course that's like saying I want to make a viral video, you just have to put together your best idea and hope that it captures the zeitgeist.

Dudemeister, I work in advertising. The amount of times I've heard the client ask us to just make them a viral video makes me wish they contracted a virus.

All I am willing to say is....

I double checked the 27 auto rejects
I hit preview, read, re-read, and read aloud my entry.
I checked the word count.
I double checked the formatting against the helpful info from the forum
Only them did I submit

I had one regret after submitting but if it bites me in the butt ill try again next year and maybe make some practice items instead of changing my mind and entering at the last minute.

All I am willing to say is....

I double checked the 27 auto rejects
I hit preview, read, re-read, and read aloud my entry.
I checked the word count.
I double checked the formatting against the helpful info from the forum
Only them did I submit

I had one regret after submitting but if it bites me in the butt ill try again next year and maybe make some practice items instead of changing my mind and entering at the last minute.

You will always have doubts and regrets. Ignore them and be proud you even worked up the nerve to enter. It's an intimidating thing.

I have been trying to summit my item, but whenever I click on the "click here to summit your entry" link it keeps taking me back to the Paizo homepage...

Your entry has been posted, so no worries.

BDFisher89 wrote:

I have been trying to summit my item, but whenever I click on the "click here to summit your entry" link it keeps taking me back to the Paizo homepage...

Your entry has been posted, so no worries.

When you're submitted the Superstar page should say "Thanks for entering RPG Superstar—good luck!" along with the date & time of your submission, shouldn't it?

Apologies if this has been addressed somewhere...is there a way to see our submission? Or do we have to wait until we see (hopefully...sooo hopefully) our item in the voting?

There's no way to see your submission unless it shows up for you during voting.

If you see Click here to submit your entry for this round of RPG Superstar! then we do not have your submission.

If you see this instead, your entry has been submitted:

Thanks for entering RPG Superstar—good luck!
Your submission was received <date received>.
Come back December 20 to cast your vote!

This is my first year in the competition, and so now I'm officially in the sweat box with everyone else, instead of just being a spectator. I will officially start making some periodic Will saves to avoid the DQ Blabbing Trap.

Apologies if this has been addressed somewhere...is there a way to see our submission? Or do we have to wait until we see (hopefully...sooo hopefully) our item in the voting?

You have to wait - or you could paste the copy of your item into a private message to yourself to check the format. You DID save a copy of your submission, right?

Pendin Fust wrote:

Apologies if this has been addressed somewhere...is there a way to see our submission? Or do we have to wait until we see (hopefully...sooo hopefully) our item in the voting?

You have to wait - or you could paste the copy of your item into a private message to yourself to check the format. You DID save a copy of your submission, right?

Sigh...I...(hangs head in shame)...did not save it. In my excitement, I had kept a running text editor open with my item, revised it over a couple days, added the forum tags, submitted...and closed it without saving.

I plan on voting the heck out of this contest so I HOPE I will see it.

I hadn't even heard about this contest until this go-round.

I've mentioned it elsewhere, Pendin, always save a copy of your work. What if your computer crashed while submitting? You'd have lost it all!

Something to keep in mind for for next time. (next round, perhaps? Good luck!)

This is one of the reasons I prefer to use google drive for writing up items. No risk of accidentally losing your work because you close the wrong window. Also makes for easy sharing to get feedback, and you can edit your item from anywhere.

@RonarsCorruption - You are completely right. As often is the wont, I don't take my own professional advice (computer guy here) for myself. Good luck to you!!

@Jacob Trier - Google Drive is becoming my standard. I'm slow to adopt new spangly things. I love it so far.

Also, which Jacob is Jiggy???

Also, which Jacob is Jiggy???

All of them, plus a few hundred, maybe thousands of entrants for the next couple of days...

*jitter* *shake* *twitch*

Also, which Jacob is Jiggy???

You can mouse over a poster's name to get a tooltip saying "Name aka username". Good for identification purposes.