Things I liked about round one

[ParagonDireRaccoon]

I'd like to thank Paizo and the RPG Superstar staff for another great first round and another year's contest. A few things I like in particular:

The weapon, armor, staff, ring or rod choice this year was really cool. A lot of neat items, and a lot of creative and fun designs.

I don't have time to game as much as I'd like, and it's fun to take part in a gaming community event like this.

The RPG Superstar event re-energizes the fan base each year. This is my second year of submitting an item and voting, but I've noticed that Paizo supports the fan base more than most gaming companies.

The process of voting on items makes me a little better at designing items. Deciding what makes a good item hundreds or thousands of times helps me understand what I consider 'good' and 'bad' design.

Seeing the top 32 helps me see what the fans and customers look for. I think of it as comparing Superman Returns to the Avengers for superhero movies: Superman Returns has a lot of details that only a diehard Superman fan will appreciate, but wasn't commercially successful while Avengers was a very good movie both for comic book fans and moviegoers in general. In terms of game design, Avengers is a better goal than Superman Returns. An rpg example might be Talislanta, one of my favorite all-time rpgs. A great concept and setting but not commercially successful. The first round helps show what the combination of good design and commercial success should look like (at least for items).

[R Pickard]

Nice post. I am so, so, so very glad they switched up round 1. We needed a refresher. The focus on swift turnaround is also important, something often forgotten.

I would disagree with your final statement slightly-- the top 32 shows what developers look for, as they are picked by the judges. This intersects with what fans & customers look for but isn't exactly the same thing. Peoples' personal keep lists and the top 100 voted shows what fans and customers look for. The differences between these things and the top 32 show what differs between the judges' (developer) preferences and general fan sentiment. One of many key differences is simply the judges are voting for a designer; many voters vote for the items themselves, not the designer the item effectively represents. Still understanding all these things are really valuable.

I feel like this year for whatever reason had had a more civil community surrounding it. It's had its issues, as internet message boards will, but I've felt better hanging around the Superstar boards more this year than in previous.

[Brigg]

Yes, the community here is super awesome and extremely helpful. I know if it weren't for Anthony, Jacob, Curaigh, and the rest of the veteran company lovingly critiquing what I test-submitted in the "Nine Blazing Months" thread, I would have been horribly bling to the finer points of this contest, and my item would have probably looked like total doo-doo in comparison to the others in the contest.

I'm looking forward to seeing the top 32 revealed, regardless if I make it or not! Still making map stuffs just in case! ^.^!

~Brigg - Fee Fie Foe YUM! <.<

[Oceanshieldwolf]

I was very pleased to see a change in Round 1. May there be further changes throughout the existence of the competition.

[The black raven]

I liked the variety of types too. I enjoyed having the So far I have seen thread to vent (too much maybe) AND the Armory of awesome thread for a brighter tone. Both have been exceedingly interesting to better understand how people vote (myself included). I find it a priceless boon for any would-be designer out there.