RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
,
Star Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka JoelF847
|
I think that the answer is "it depends" like for so many other questions.
Speaking for myself, if I liked your original villain, odds are, I want to see more on them. If I didn't like your entry, then for my vote, you'd be better off with a new entry.
In general, one factor that will impact your decision is asking yourself "If I stick with my current villain, will I be adding something to it/him/her by using them in round 3?" If the answer is yes, then go for it. If the answer is no, then wow us with something else.
Is it more important for a Superstar to show their range by creating entirely new villain concepts? Or do you think that the ability to build on an existing concept is the truest sign of a Superstar?
Is sticking to your guns an important sign of confidence? Or is it more important to listen to voter complaints and design a new villain to meet their stated expectations?
Would a newly created monstrous villain be welcome as an added source of inspiration? Or would he look like a cheap attempt to capitalize on the success of existing monstrous villains?
In short, what do you, the voting public, want to see from the Top 17?
I want to see the best possible product from you. I don't intuit your character from your work. I don't care about your confidence, your ability to listen to what I have to say, or whether you look inspired or cravenly opportunistic. Do what you need to do to put the best RPG product out there.
In short, what do you, the voting public, want to see from the Top 17?
Sex and violence please, just like TV. Also, I dare you to use the word vaseline just once.
Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
|
If "we" knew what "we" wanted in the aggregate, "we'd" be RPG Superstars. Just follow your instincts and put forth your best product. If you're lucky, you'll only get a half dozen contradictory responses to your question. If you're not lucky, you'll just get the dregs like me popping in to offer the same poor concepts and lack of talent that failed to win us a spot in the final 32, much less the final 16. You follow our opinion at your own peril, and honestly, that's not what I expect from someone with the talent to make it this far.
Plus, it looks like pandering, and I hate pandering.
Plus, it looks like pandering, and I hate pandering.
I thought you were a successful lawyer. Huh, go figure.
If "we" knew what "we" wanted in the aggregate, "we'd" be RPG Superstars. Just follow your instincts and put forth your best product. If you're lucky, you'll only get a half dozen contradictory responses to your question. If you're not lucky, you'll just get the dregs like me popping in to offer the same poor concepts and lack of talent that failed to win us a spot in the final 32, much less the final 16. You follow our opinion at your own peril, and honestly, that's not what I expect from someone with the talent to make it this far.
Plus, it looks like pandering, and I hate pandering.
I heartily agree ... asking us what we want to see is NOT something I'd expect from a Superstar in a contest. You've already gotten all the comments on your thread, on other people's threads, and the general threads on the Villain round. Asking for more strikes me as ... I don't know what to call it, but I don't like it.
I heartily agree ... asking us what we want to see is NOT something I'd expect from a Superstar in a contest. You've already gotten all the comments on your thread, on other people's threads, and the general threads on the Villain round. Asking for more strikes me as ... I don't know what to call it, but I don't like it.If "we" knew what "we" wanted in the aggregate, "we'd" be RPG Superstars. Just follow your instincts and put forth your best product. If you're lucky, you'll only get a half dozen contradictory responses to your question. If you're not lucky, you'll just get the dregs like me popping in to offer the same poor concepts and lack of talent that failed to win us a spot in the final 32, much less the final 16. You follow our opinion at your own peril, and honestly, that's not what I expect from someone with the talent to make it this far.
Plus, it looks like pandering, and I hate pandering.
I dont mind you asking, Paizo is always asking us what we want- makes me think about what I want.
I reckon going with the same thing may get a bit dull,- but mostly I agree with Sebastian.
Dont listen to me, or others,Trust your instincts
Dont listen to me, or others,Trust your instincts
See, that's what I thought too. Now I wish I would have done more pandering. I'm reminded last year there was someone who dropped out after the first round because he did something he knew the judges would love but wasn't actually very thoughtful design so he felt guilty about it.
I'm well on my way to finishing the stat block for Aelfric Dream-Slayer. It seems only fair that I use Aelfric in Round 3, since he's gotten me this far. Also, I don't want to pull a bait-and-switch on the people who voted for me.
That being said, I would like to ask some questions on behalf of everyone in the Top 17. Note that the rules this round give finalists the option of submitting an entirely new villain. With that in mind:
Is it more important for a Superstar to show their range by creating entirely new villain concepts? Or do you think that the ability to build on an existing concept is the truest sign of a Superstar?
Is sticking to your guns an important sign of confidence? Or is it more important to listen to voter complaints and design a new villain to meet their stated expectations?
Would a newly created monstrous villain be welcome as an added source of inspiration? Or would he look like a cheap attempt to capitalize on the success of existing monstrous villains?
In short, what do you, the voting public, want to see from the Top 17?
Let's see. I am a big fan of rules compliance. :)
Other then that, he is your villain. You got into the top 16 (er, 17), on his merits. So, your instincts are on track. Trust them.
Dedicated Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8
|
Is it more important for a Superstar to show their range by creating entirely new villain concepts? Or do you think that the ability to build on an existing concept is the truest sign of a Superstar?
I'd prefer to see contestants revise their villains from Round 2, edit: or, at worst, respond to what seemed to go wrong with the entry. It's very important to be able to make good use of feedback. Also, I think anyone will be stretching to do justice to a new concept, as well as the other two sections of this round, in the time available.
However, those who scraped in with seriously flawed or limiting Round 2 entries (and only the author can make that choice) might be better off to create something entirely new.
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 8
aka Tarren Dei
|
Only on the internet. In real life, I can never catch the ambulences.I thought you were a successful lawyer. Huh, go figure.Plus, it looks like pandering, and I hate pandering.
Gee, ya'd think being a pony/lawyer would have some advantages. You just can't get a break, can ya?
I heartily agree ... asking us what we want to see is NOT something I'd expect from a Superstar in a contest. You've already gotten all the comments on your thread, on other people's threads, and the general threads on the Villain round. Asking for more strikes me as ... I don't know what to call it, but I don't like it.
Feel free to not like it. It's also wholly inconsistent with how James Jacobs asks us whether we like cut scenes in Curse of the Crimson Throne or how the Pathfinder RPG is open-tested. Industry professionals like James and Jason ask what their customers want and make their own decisions. That's what makes them better than Superstars. The ability to take feedback but not be beholden to it is a vital skill for people working in any media.
OP: You go ahead and ask us.
Darn, postmonster ate my long answer...
To summarize it: It's all a gamble and a lot depends on what others do and if you can make difficult things work. The only recommendation is to do what you think is your best and hope.
|
Contributor
,
Star Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 9
|
If "we" knew what "we" wanted in the aggregate, "we'd" be RPG Superstars. Just follow your instincts and put forth your best product. If you're lucky, you'll only get a half dozen contradictory responses to your question. If you're not lucky, you'll just get the dregs like me popping in to offer the same poor concepts and lack of talent that failed to win us a spot in the final 32, much less the final 16. You follow our opinion at your own peril, and honestly, that's not what I expect from someone with the talent to make it this far.
Plus, it looks like pandering, and I hate pandering.
I like red pandering, becuase they're kinda like raccoons.
Sex and violence please, just like TV. Also, I dare you to use the word vaseline just once.In short, what do you, the voting public, want to see from the Top 17?
That lich's skeletal warrior cohort is vassal-lean!!!
|
Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
|
Feel free to not like it. It's also wholly inconsistent with how James Jacobs asks us whether we like cut scenes in Curse of the Crimson Throne or how the Pathfinder RPG is open-tested. Industry professionals like James and Jason ask what their customers want and make their own decisions. That's what makes them better than Superstars. The ability to take feedback but not be beholden to it is a vital skill for people working in any media.OP: You go ahead and ask us.
Uhhh...James Jacobs and Paizo are talented individuals with a proven track record and a long list of successes. They didn't break into the business by sending query letters to Dungeon asking "Dear Dungeon, what types of adventures would your readers like to see? I will write one of those!"
Plus, they have the experience to differentiate them diamonds from the rough, even in user comments.
It's a good idea to listen to feedback, but you're not going to break into this business by chasing whatever flights of fancy get generated by a post like this. I expect the superstars to wow me with their talent and ideas, not go begging for the talent and ideas of their audience. Like I said, if I knew what everyone here thought was a good villian, I'd be a superstar myself. The feedback portion of the contest occurs after an entry is posted. If you want to know what people liked/didn't like, read the comments posted on the superstar entries from this year and last year. There is a wealth of data available, but the way to figure out what works and what doesn't is to do your homework, not ask us to do homework for you.
Also, I dare you to use the word vaseline just once.
"Normally, Buh'Baa the Guhmpp follows the vaseline level progression, however, due to a deal he brokered with the Shrimp Lords..."
Sorry, my finger slipped off the "B" key.
In short, what do you, the voting public, want to see from the Top 17?
Also in short. New villians. Show us why YOU are superstar material. You just can't have too many good villians. I already know the other ones and I don't want to read about them anymore.
..but thats just me.. my 2cp
Also, congradulations to the competitors.
-Dubs
James Jacobs and Paizo are talented individuals with a proven track record and a long list of successes. They didn't break into the business by sending query letters to Dungeon asking "Dear Dungeon, what types of adventures would your readers like to see? I will write one of those!"
Actually, they may have done just that. :) I dont know, maybe they will tell us if they ever did that.
I've certainly had people send query letters. Normally they arent "tell me what you want me to write." But I have certainly had experienced guys write me saying "any particular type of adventure you are looking for right now."
Clark
Bottom line: I dont mind you asking. I understand why people think it feels like pandering, though I guess I dont see it that way. I think you are actually asking something a bit different and had you asked it differently it would have come across differently.
That said, go with your gut. Trust your creative voice. Its better to go down hard on something you believed in than it is to focus-group something and submit something you think might be popular but that you dont believe in.
Besides, people are fickle. They tell you one thing and do another :)
I'll tell you what people want: they want something interesting and good and creative and cool and fun. Its like the old pornography description: "I cant describe it, but I know it when I see it."
Evil Blink Dog.
Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games
|
James Jacobs and Paizo are talented individuals with a proven track record and a long list of successes. They didn't break into the business by sending query letters to Dungeon asking "Dear Dungeon, what types of adventures would your readers like to see? I will write one of those!"Actually, they may have done just that. :) I dont know, maybe they will tell us if they ever did that.
I've certainly had people send query letters. Normally they arent "tell me what you want me to write." But I have certainly had experienced guys write me saying "any particular type of adventure you are looking for right now."
Clark
A similar kind of query letter was the first one I sent to Dragon, but actually it wasn't so much "what do you want?" but was more along the lines of "what don't you want?" I sent about 10 article kernels to Jesse Decker, who was running Dragon at the tmie, several of which were things they had just done in recent issues or were planning to do soon, some they just weren't interested in, one that was a clear yes, and another was a "sounds good but let's see" that didn't end up making the cut.
Knowing your audience helps, but giving an editor options and chances to say yes also helps, and it usually doesn't hurt to ask a question about areas they might like or not like.
The ability to take feedback but not be beholden to it is a vital skill for people working in any media.
It's a good idea to listen to feedback, but you're not going to break into this business by chasing whatever flights of fancy get generated by a post like this.
Note that these two statements mean the same thing.
The rest of my post was that it's completely fine to ask for advice. What you do with it is a separate thing entirely. The notion that you can only ask for advice and aid once you need it the least strikes me as a terribly perverse and isolating philosophy.
Evil Blink Dog.They are dogs, so they are inherently evil. Displacer beasts are victims of propaganda.
Maybe your dog... My lab's a sweetheart. My cat Kossuth on the other hand is a little bastiche. Which is funny, cuz his sister Pazuzu is a sweety...
[/threadjack]