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The only way a name can be too good is if it oversells the item.
The Helm of Corruscating Flame, for instance, might be too much for a helmet that lets you, oh, light normal fires 1/day.
In other cases, I've seen things like (making these up here) The Greater Boots of Lamashtu that just improve spellcasting.
You want a name that grabs the reader's attention without going overboard. Cube of Force does that for me, but I'll give you that naming is pretty subjective. It's easier to mess it up than to do it right.
We had some real-world names added to wondrous items this year. That was odd.
I would hope there were few names like Feather of R'vcu-Bety'vck (just made it up)
I hate when an author uses names no one can ever pronounce or sound silly.
I did have one question I did not notice there was an answer to. How many items were actually submitted? I saw you say you had about 100 left to read and had about 40 in the keeper stack already. I didn't look how many were submitted last year either, but just curious...
*The reason I ask here rather than go look it up is simple... I don't think I want to spend a week reading topics to find the answer :) *
Had I read that thread earlier (as I really should have), I probably would have tried to think of a more intriguing item in general, though... I was thinking of creating an item that would be, well, publishable, but not really focusing on making one that would really stand out, and the thread showed me the error of that thinking (though, again, I probably should have realized that before reading it).
That is most likely a very common problem.
Too many people approach this contest round as a wondrous item open call and get upset if they arent picked for top 32 because their item would have been good enough for publication. That is not what we are doing here.
This is your AUDITION to compete in RPG Superstar. This is our device to help us select from all the people who want to enter. Its our application process if you will. Just submitting an item that is of publishable quality isnt enough. But it certainly is a minimum requirement :)
Names are definately better this year in general.How well are names matching with their items? Have people generally done a good job of meshing the coolness of their item names and their items?
CR
Wolf and I have definately discussed that as a result of better names this year we are seeing more items that dont deliver on the good names :)
I liked my idea and did a decent job but I botched my formatting. I forgot a couple things and like one other I did mine more in the format of the standard SRD. I followed last years example with the intent of modifying the format last and then botched it.
if it costs me, then lesson learned. overall I am not bummed because it is the little things that wins in the end usually and failure to follow rules will probably cost me.
I didn't enter last year so got a little caught up in looking at those examples for this year
oh well, lesson learned. Still excited to see the final 32
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but they don't explicitly say not to write your item description in Pig Latin, either.
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Actually they do. (if by explicitly you mean mentioned in line three) 0:)
I hate when an author uses names no one can ever pronounce or sound silly.I did have one question I did not notice there was an answer to. How many items were actually submitted?
1. I hate that too.
2. I never did say. Thats not my place. I am but one of three judges. Vic, Gary, Lisa, Erik and Co can decide if they want to release that info. Thats their call, not mine.
Here are some more things we are seeing:
I dont remember where I am with numbers so I am pickign up at 20 :)
20. Sleep/dream items.
21. Riding and/or bit/bridle/saddle items that help the mount and/or rider.
22. Soul draining with healing items.
23. Banners or standards or things that help leaders command in combat.
Not sure why we are seeing so many of these. At least three of the four categories had at least one item that we felt was much better than the others of the same kind. Nothing inherently bad with these four item types. Sleep/dream items are not the most sexy items, however, and if recall correctly that was the category that didnt have a real standout.
Last year it was augury items, coin items, camping items, etc. Not sure why it changes year to year. :)
Oh and I forgot:
24. animal companion items that buff, enhance or modify an animal companion.
I, frankly, thought a couple of them were cool.
I have finished reviewing, commenting and sorting all of the items I can. There are a few that the judges are split on that either Wolf or Sean need to break the tie for that I have already commented on. So all the sorting isnt finished. But my goal is to have that done by end of the day on Monday. That way we can then select our top 32 and alternates by Wednesday and then turn our list over well ahead of deadline for the Paizo crew.
Like good freelancers, we judges are ahead of deadline :)
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I have finished reviewing, commenting and sorting all of the items I can. There are a few that the judges are split on that either Wolf or Sean need to break the tie for that I have already commented on. So all the sorting isnt finished. But my goal is to have that done by end of the day on Monday. That way we can then select our top 32 and alternates by Wednesday and then turn our list over well ahead of deadline for the Paizo crew.
Like good freelancers, we judges are ahead of deadline :)
Huuurah! Freelancers Rule Dude!
Too bad about the Health Insurance though.
We had some real-world names added to wondrous items this year. That was odd.
So somebody sent in an item called "Floyd" or "David" or something?
So somebody sent in an item called "Floyd" or "David" or something?
We had some real-world names added to wondrous items this year. That was odd.
I think it was more like "Floyd's Flask of Effervesence" OR "Shoe of David"
That is a perfect example of a thing that we might notice but wont get you rejected. That was a common problem. In fact, I dont think we even really marked down for it. Once we saw so many people did it we kind of realized that the problem was that we werent clear enough. When that many smart people goof it up you have to think that perhaps the problem was the instruction. We're not afraid to say its our fault on some stuff :)I'm sure that I read in another Thread that someone (Vic or James I think) said that the Item Name only had to go into the Subject Line, not in the Item Description Text. That's the reason I didn't include mine in the DT.
I remember this too, and thus put the name only in the subject line.
I am also wondering a bit about the name I chose for my item, I like it but it might be a bit too weird...
Ok... I think I might have failed. I got confused on which format to use because I have seen different ones at different places all over these boards, but I'll go ahead and ask for one of the judges to let me know if these formats are acceptable or an auto-rejection, and which one is which. I got one of the formats from the wondrous items from last year. And the other seems to have popped up a lot more recently. I thought the format was supposed to be the same as last year (My logic being that they obviously knew what they were doing if they made it to the next round). So I don't know, but I'm thinking I messed up.
Is this ok or not?
1.
Item Name
Description
Aura, Creation, Cost.
Or maybe this one?
2.
Item Name
Slot, Aura, Price.
Description
Creation, Cost.
Is one of these an automatic disqualification?
Ok... I think I might have failed.
Example number 2 is the correct one.......I'll let you draw your own conclusions based on Clark's first few posts.
Last year it was augury items, coin items, camping items, etc. Not sure why it changes year to year. :)
People were avoiding the augury, coin and camping items like the plague? That would be my first guess to explain the change. I know I made sure no item I came up with fit into any of these categories.
23. Banners or standards or things that help leaders command in combat.
Oh my.
Well, here's to hoping I did better than my colleagues.
RPG Superstar 2013
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Dedicated Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka Steven T. Helt
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I heard you had a pretty sexy dream item that didn't make it last year. You could just advance that author in place of other good dream items, if you want to.
: }
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I got one of the formats from the wondrous items from last year. And the other seems to have popped up a lot more recently. I thought the format was supposed to be the same as last year (My logic being that they obviously knew what they were doing if they made it to the next round). So I don't know, but I'm thinking I messed up.
Ah-HAH ....I wasn't the only one!
I had the same problem and did the exact same thing, Kentza.
These won't outright disqualify us will it?
No, but you need to be the item in that category that stands out.
I thought the format was supposed to be the same as last year (My logic being that they obviously knew what they were doing if they made it to the next round). So I don't know, but I'm thinking I messed up.Ah-HAH ....I wasn't the only one!
I had the same problem and did the exact same thing, Kentza.
See...I just don't understand how this happens. Not to be overly critical, but the rules for RPG Superstar were very clear on this topic. Designers were asked to use the Pathfinder RPG rules for magic item creation AND the new format Paizo developed. Missing that in one's submission has got to be a pretty egregious oversight on a designer's part. It's an early warning indicator that a potential freelancer cannot follow guidelines appropriately. And it falls right up there with misinterpreting the deadline for submitting. I don't understand how that happens either. Those are the very first things you have to know before you even get started.
But that's just my two-cents,
--Neil
It's always reassuring that, whatever else my design flaws, at least my items are never just another one of the pack.
Yeah... I haven't really seen anything close to my item, either.
I don't know. Maybe it's not as boring as I think it is. I mean, I've been going on about how uninteresting my item is and how I should have thought of something better, but... well, actually, the truth is I do think my item may have a chance of making it to the top 32. Maybe not a big chance--I definitely should have tried harder to come up with something that really stood out and grabbed the attention more--but I may have been slightly exaggerating my pessimism. I don't think it's completely impossible that my item may make the cut.
I just won't be surprised if it doesn't, is all I'm saying.
See...I just don't understand how this happens. Not to be overly critical, but the rules for RPG Superstar were very clear on this topic.
I agree Nspicer. The rules weren't that long and they had links so that you could download the exact documents that they were talking about so I was a bit mystified by the wrong format thing too.
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See...I just don't understand how this happens.
Different people process information differently.
I didn't worry about the format requirements until AFTER I designed my item.
Without referring to the rules again, I found last year's entries, cut 'n' pasted one and filled in my own information.
I'm not seeking a loophole or making excuses, just lamenting my own mistake. And somewhat mollified to find I wasn't the only one to make the same mistake.
FWIW, I'm sure Clark, Wolfgang and most of the Paizo editors can relate a story of an experienced freelance who made simple formatting mistakes.
"Crap" happens.
...the rules for RPG Superstar were very clear on this topic. Designers were asked to use the Pathfinder RPG rules for magic item creation AND the new format Paizo developed. Missing that in one's submission has got to be a pretty egregious oversight on a designer's part.
So was the requirement that the name of the item appear in both the subject line and the description. Yet, the judges seem ready to excuse that on a case by case basis.
:shrug: To each his own. And just my own two cents.
Marathon Voter Season 6
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I'm mostly worried that while my name/concept are good, my mechanics might not be up to par. My item has nothing that I know of to base the mechanics ON so I had to create it all from scratch and I could probably have been clearer. Man I can't wait till the 20th so even if I didn't win I can at least post it =p
So somebody sent in an item called "Floyd" or "David" or something?
We had some real-world names added to wondrous items this year. That was odd.
I think (but hope that he doesn't) he mean something more like "Stephen Hawkings' Sphere of Annhilation" or "Lute of John Denver" but maybe with more medieval names.
My guess is that the winners and alts will be anounced and you will get to see our comments on those items.
Then, I will be happy to start a new thread and if you want to ask why yours didnt make the cut I will be happy to answer with my comments about your item. I cant agree to share the thoughts of the other judges, but they may come in and join the party if they want :)
So there you have it. Once the top 32 are announced, I will personally answer any questions anyone might have on why their item didnt make the cut.
How is that for total insanity? :)
How is that for total insanity? :)
You're just a glutton for punishment, aren't you, Clark? ;-D
But seriously, it is incredibly amazing and awesome for you to do that. It goes far beyond the call of duty as a judge for RPG Superstar. And I think any efforts you expend in providing that kind of feedback will go a long way towards encouraging the overall hobby as a whole.
My two-cents,
--Neil
My guess is that the winners and alts will be anounced and you will get to see our comments on those items.
Then, I will be happy to start a new thread and if you want to ask why yours didnt make the cut I will be happy to answer with my comments about your item. I cant agree to share the thoughts of the other judges, but they may come in and join the party if they want :)
So there you have it. Once the top 32 are announced, I will personally answer any questions anyone might have on why their item didnt make the cut.
How is that for total insanity? :)
Clark,
I don't know if you will be up for it, but i know those who have posted in the 'almost also ran' thread would probably love to get feed back on those items in the mean time. Ofcause, there is no preasure what with everything else, but if you get a free few minites and the mood strikes you, it would be very cool.
ben
Heh. Not to beat a dead horse, but I certainly allowed myself to over narrate this time around. Still, the item was cute and hopefully overcomes my indulgence.
Regardless, it was a fun right up. I mean, if you're gonna make a mistake, let it be one you can live with and learn from (mmm, ending with prepositions makes me and Churchill happy).
I really look forward to seeing this year's 32.
I think that the judging works sort of like this:
Let's say that a perfect score of 100 is required to get in to the top 32.
Everyone starts with 0 points. Certain mistakes cost you points -Wrong format is minus 75, bad name -15, too much back story -30, capitalizing spell name is minus 5, wrong word count is minus a million. Positive points come from doing it right -Good name +15-25 points, Good mechanics +25-50, useful item plus 30, original idea +50. I pulled these points from my nether regions of course.
Certain mistakes make it unlikely to get a good score and some make it totally impossible.
Now obviously, the judges aren't actually using a point based system, but I think each judge is valuing the criteria in a way sort of like that.
That is why making a mistake is not instant death (unless you make a really big mistake), but it does count against you and if your item isn't fantastic it will kill you. Even if your item is fantastic, an equally fantastic item that didn't fall into any pitfalls will likely pull way ahead of you.
I think it's kind of like that.
Hm. Now there's a 2010 Superstar entry...
Nah. It's a construct. Creatures aren't wondrous items.
Chief Technical Officer
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I'm sure that I read in another Thread that someone (Vic or James I think) said that the Item Name only had to go into the Subject Line, not in the Item Description Text. That's the reason I didn't include mine in the DT.
I may well have said that. My original intent was that the item name would be in the thread title and not the body, and the submission form was designed with that in mind. However, Erik wrote up the round one rules, and specifically asked for the name to also appear in the body; I failed to notice that.
Pretty much immediately after submissions opened, the judges asked for a ruling on whether or not failing to put the name in the body should be considered a strike against the submission; I ruled that it's reasonable to infer from the submission form that you only need to put the item name in the Item Name field, so nobody should be penalized for this.
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Chief Technical Officer
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I keep seeing these really good items with some neat ideas behind them. But the author falls down on the mechanics or other things. Those kill me. Those are hard to reject.Question for you, Clark. And the other judges, too, I suppose, if they're of a mind to answer...
If we wind up falling into that category this year (or think we have)...and do exactly like you and go back to tinkering with it to refine the idea so it works better mechanically...would you like to see such an item resubmitted next year? Or would you prefer an all-new idea rather than something reworked?
--Neil
I can't speak for the *real* judges, but personally, if I saw a reworked item, it would make me wonder if the author lacks the creativity to come up with two good items in a year.
I can't speak for the *real* judges, but personally, if I saw a reworked item, it would make me wonder if the author lacks the creativity to come up with two good items in a year.
Then the question becomes how would the judges know? The submitter is anonymized. I suppose they might recall the name from the last years big pool of items, but if the name changed, then it would just seem like a separate but similar item.
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Chief Technical Officer
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I can't speak for the *real* judges, but personally, if I saw a reworked item, it would make me wonder if the author lacks the creativity to come up with two good items in a year.Then the question becomes how would the judges know? The submitter is anonymized. I suppose they might recall the name from the last years big pool of items, but if the name changed, then it would just seem like a separate but similar item.
The judges have a startlingly good aptitude for "haven't I seen this before?"
I mean, unless it were reworked enough to be a really different item... in which case, well, it's a really different item!
See...I just don't understand how this happens. Not to be overly critical, but the rules for RPG Superstar were very clear on this topic. Designers were asked to use the Pathfinder RPG rules for magic item creation AND the new format Paizo developed. Missing that in one's submission has got to be a pretty egregious oversight on a designer's part. It's an early warning indicator that a potential freelancer cannot follow guidelines appropriately. And it falls right up there with misinterpreting the deadline for submitting. I don't understand how that happens either. Those are the very first things you have to know before you even get started.But that's just my two-cents,
--Neil
I don't know. When I first read the rules, they didn't seem so cut and dry. I think the first part said use the guidelines from one source, and it gave you the link to a .pdf file. Under the guideline section it told you different things like how to price magical items, what kind of items fall under wondrous items categories, and different things like that. Then later on in the "presentation" part of the rules it said to present it like the magical items in chapter 15 of something, and it gave another .pdf file to download, but it was the same .pdf file. When I went to actually submit my magical item, I wasn't sure exactly what they wanted because I over analyzed things, and long story short, I went with what made the most sense to me at the time which was the whole "If they made the top 32 last year with that format, why wouldn't that format work?" It was stupid, and I'm not trying to make excuses or anything. I'm just defending myself to let you know I'm not a complete idiot... just an idiot. :) I was pressed for time, and made a split decision. Rereading the rules now, it seems so obvious, but at the time, I was just trying to figure everything out, write my entry, and yada yada yada before the deadline, and found myself rushing everything (wish I would have known about all of this a little bit sooner, but eh). Sorry for rambling.
The End.Oh and also!!!!!! I did like Ericthered and designed and wrote my magical item before figuring out the format (which is why I was in such a hurry to figure out which format to use before the deadline caught up with me).
The End Again.
Then, I will be happy to start a new thread and if you want to ask why yours didnt make the cut I will be happy to answer with my comments about your item. I cant agree to share the thoughts of the other judges, but they may come in and join the party if they want :)So there you have it. Once the top 32 are announced, I will personally answer any questions anyone might have on why their item didnt make the cut.
I have my idea for next year lining up already: so if I don't make the grade this time out, you can be sure that I'll be picking your brains as to why... :)
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My guess is that the winners and alts will be anounced and you will get to see our comments on those items.
Then, I will be happy to start a new thread and if you want to ask why yours didnt make the cut I will be happy to answer with my comments about your item. I cant agree to share the thoughts of the other judges, but they may come in and join the party if they want :)
So there you have it. Once the top 32 are announced, I will personally answer any questions anyone might have on why their item didnt make the cut.
How is that for total insanity? :)
You're the best, man. Thanks again, and I can't wait for the 20th to arrive!