Yay!!! Best news of the day so far.
Good luck everybody
Good luck entrants! I'll be looking forward to reading your labors of love. :D
-Ben.
Good luck, all! (God, I'm still recovering from not making it in last year, has it been a year already??)
Umm, probably a silly question, but presumably, we're looking at 3.5 and/or Pathfinder game mechanics, vs. 4th Edition?
EDIT: Never mind - just found and read the rules. Always good to do that, first...
Been waiting all year for this. Here we go!
Where does the time go? It seems like yesterday that it was the 2009 contest.
Oh, I can tell you where the time goes. It goes into a whole lot of writing right up into late-August. And then it goes into several weeks of development. Then, by the end of November, the whole thing is ready to start over for someone new. My 15 minutes are up. It's time for a new Superstar to shine.
This contest is what first brought Paizo's existence onto my radar. A truely amazing contest, and I very much look forward to reading this years entries. May the best imagination win!
Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games
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Exciting times!
I was ever so tickled to be a finalist the first time around and to add what advice I could to contestants last year. It's also a way to meet friends and to see the amazing variety of play and design styles that all find their way under the heading of our favorite hobby, to say nothing of meeting a lot of cool people both virtually and in many cases in person (I'm looking at you Booms, Rob, Neil, and all the folks I met at PaizoCon as well).
I'll offer my encouragement to anybody who loves D&D/PF to give it a shot. You can't win if you don't play, but if you enter you might just have a chance to be throwing haymakers round after round, and you might be on top of the heap when it's all over.
Do a little research. See if what you're doing has been done before.
Give it a little hook, a little spice, but don't worry that you have to come up with *THE* most inventive thing that's ever been invented. For Heaven's sake don't be boring, but don't chicken out just because you think you're not the next Leonardo da Vinci. Ideas + craft + style + good grammar are a recipe for success.
Lastly, avoid puns, easter eggs, and that sort of thing. Yes, I know I and others have used them in the past, but that kind of thing has kind of run its course in terms of amusement value. Don't rely on people 'getting' the joke or reference to make your submission memorable and outstanding, just make it rock the house all on its own.
To sum up: Worry less about being clever and more about being awesome!
Bring on the next SUPERSTAR!!!
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Star Voter Season 6
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Ok, here's an egocentric question.
Depending on the format for the item, I'm thinking about entering, but...
I'm worried if I get ran over by my depression again, falling into another creative rut and just petering out. I don't mean to sound prideful and assume I'd make it into the top 32 again, but I'm worried about getting in, crashing, and denying someone else a slot.
Anyone want to offer their opinion?
(That said, I'm trying to get others in my gaming group to enter as well)
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 8
aka Tarren Dei
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Ok, here's an egocentric question.
Depending on the format for the item, I'm thinking about entering, but...
I'm worried if I get ran over by my depression again, falling into another creative rut and just petering out. I don't mean to sound prideful and assume I'd make it into the top 32 again, but I'm worried about getting in, crashing, and denying someone else a slot.
Anyone want to offer their opinion?
(That said, I'm trying to get others in my gaming group to enter as well)
Enter and have fun. (Just wish I could enter again! It was such a blast last year.)
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 4
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Star Voter Season 6
aka raidou
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Ok, here's an egocentric question.
Depending on the format for the item, I'm thinking about entering, but...
I'm worried if I get ran over by my depression again, falling into another creative rut and just petering out. I don't mean to sound prideful and assume I'd make it into the top 32 again, but I'm worried about getting in, crashing, and denying someone else a slot.
Anyone want to offer their opinion?
(That said, I'm trying to get others in my gaming group to enter as well)
Matthew, don't sweat it. Enter to have fun and to learn from the process of putting your ideas out there. Don't worry about what might happen, just give it a shot and enjoy the ride.
-eric
Can you not enter, Tarren?No one from the previous top 8. (Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.)
Yep.
Boo-yeah! I'm so glad to see RPG Superstar 2010! I probably won't be entering this year (my mind is on sci-fi gaming), but I will be watching with avid interest!
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Ok, here's an egocentric question.
Depending on the format for the item, I'm thinking about entering, but...
I'm worried if I get ran over by my depression again, falling into another creative rut and just petering out. I don't mean to sound prideful and assume I'd make it into the top 32 again, but I'm worried about getting in, crashing, and denying someone else a slot.
Anyone want to offer their opinion?
If you make it into the top 32 and then crash out because of a medical problem then you did better than the other 15 who crash out because their entry sucks.
I might be in the same position due to a migraine that renders me blind for half a day and then stupid for a couple more.
If you beat me into the top 32, you deserved to be there more than I did - end of story.
Good luck.
Are wondrous items for the four new base-classes allowed?
I discussed this with Wes, and we've decided to not allow wondrous items relating to or based on the four new base classes. We appreciate the enthusiasm everyone is showing for the new classes, but because they aren't finalized, they may change over the course of the competition. We're concerned that playtest-related changes to the classes may break or invalidate a submitted wondrous item, and we don't want that to result in any bias against the item or disqualify an item because it doesn't follow the current version of the class or uses a rule that no longer exists.
I'll get this added to the FAQ ASAP.
Ok, here's an egocentric question.
Depending on the format for the item, I'm thinking about entering, but...
I'm worried if I get ran over by my depression again, falling into another creative rut and just petering out. I don't mean to sound prideful and assume I'd make it into the top 32 again, but I'm worried about getting in, crashing, and denying someone else a slot.
Anyone want to offer their opinion?
(That said, I'm trying to get others in my gaming group to enter as well)
Definitely go for it. You have nothing to lose. Besides, just making the first cut is a credential and will get your name kicked around by some of the biggest names in the industry.
This sounds like fun! I'm looking forward to seeing all the different entries, and have one to submit myself. :)
Ok, here's an egocentric question.
Depending on the format for the item, I'm thinking about entering, but...
I'm worried if I get ran over by my depression again, falling into another creative rut and just petering out. I don't mean to sound prideful and assume I'd make it into the top 32 again, but I'm worried about getting in, crashing, and denying someone else a slot.
Anyone want to offer their opinion?
(That said, I'm trying to get others in my gaming group to enter as well)
Always, always, always try to repeat. You're not denying someone a spot if you qualify, you're growing as a developer/writer/whathaveyou. Who knows how far you or I will go this time?
See you on the item-forging trail!
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games
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Ok, here's an egocentric question.
Depending on the format for the item, I'm thinking about entering, but...
I'm worried if I get ran over by my depression again, falling into another creative rut and just petering out. I don't mean to sound prideful and assume I'd make it into the top 32 again, but I'm worried about getting in, crashing, and denying someone else a slot.
Anyone want to offer their opinion?
(That said, I'm trying to get others in my gaming group to enter as well)
Do you think stress from being in Round 2 directly caused the depression? If so, I think it would be sense to ask yourself if the game is worth the candle? Depression can be an absolutely ghastly place to be. If not, hmm, it's a tricky thing you're asking... :-?
If it's any help, I think that in previous years that there have been contestants who've dropped out before Round 2 closed, which is why Paizo have a reserve list for that round. You could at least enter Round 1, and if things came to a point where you had been offered a Round 2 place bow out at that point with a clear conscience if you weren't feeling too good at that point.
People have indeed dropped out for any number of reasons, and while none of the alternates ended up getting tapped in 2009, Russ Taylor went from the FIFTH alternate in 2008 all the way to the Final 6 in the contest that year.
I believe we only had one repeater from the 2008 top 32 into the next year. If the rules say let you enter (i.e., not top 8), then by gum ENTER! Maybe you'll get in again. Maybe you won't. No way to know except to try!
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Star Voter Season 6
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Thank you for the input everyone.
No, dying a horrible death in round 2 didn't cause the depression. There are perks to not having much of an ego, but my ego must have one heck of a fortitude save because it had to make a save vs massive damage after round 2. :-)
It's just one of those things that comes and goes, and I live with.
Since everyone else seems to be tossing in their two c-bills for advice I'll give mine.
Take pride in your work, but don't let it blind you.
If you get picked for the top 32, or if you ask Clark to critique your item after you aren't, take the critism to heart but not personally. They will be brutal, they will not pull punches. But if you want to be in 'the industry' you had better develop a thick skin and listen to them.
So I'll be entering my [redacted] and we'll see where the chips fall.
I assume, as in the past, that we're not allowed to discuss our entries on the boards. Correct?
Correct. For three reasons:
1) The judges aren't allowed to know who submitted what. If you're just posting the same item elsewhere, your name is then on it.
2) This is supposed to be a test of YOUR game design ability. Discussing your item and getting feedback before turning it in means it isn't really your item.
3) If you post your item, that means people can see it. That means they can copy it. The last thing we need is someone making the top 32 based on an improved version of someone else's work.
Once the Top 32 are announced though, discuss away.
If you get picked for the top 32, or if you ask Clark to critique your item after you aren't, take the critism to heart but not personally.
"Don't take it personal - just take it seriously."
I think that this year will be very difficult considering we have two seasons of awesome feedback. There is going to be some very talented people in this bunch me-thinks!
Anyway, good luck guys!
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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Star Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka JoelF847
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Thank you for the input everyone.
No, dying a horrible death in round 2 didn't cause the depression. There are perks to not having much of an ego, but my ego must have one heck of a fortitude save because it had to make a save vs massive damage after round 2. :-)
It's just one of those things that comes and goes, and I live with.
Since everyone else seems to be tossing in their two c-bills for advice I'll give mine.
Take pride in your work, but don't let it blind you.
If you get picked for the top 32, or if you ask Clark to critique your item after you aren't, take the critism to heart but not personally. They will be brutal, they will not pull punches. But if you want to be in 'the industry' you had better develop a thick skin and listen to them.
So I'll be entering my [redacted] and we'll see where the chips fall.
Glad to hear you'll be entering. I know I'll give it another shot this year. The way I see things, I win no matter what. Either I make it in and have a chance to do better this time around, or I don't and I get to have a stress free time enjoying the competition, seeing what everyone else can do, and reading the insightful comments and critiques of the judges and community. No matter what, I'm sure I'll see things that will make me a better writer and gamer.
This is going to be fun and even more of a roller coaster ride than last year! Did ya'll notice the THREE DAY turn around for the middle rounds?! Weeeeeeeee!
That's the same timeframe we had last year. And I can tell you it goes really quickly. We had the benefit of (mostly) knowing what each round would focus on, though. This go-around, it appears they're keeping everything "secret" until the rules are announced. That means more potential curveballs, but that's a fairly realistic portrayal of how the RPG industry functions behind the curtain. So, batten down the hatches and prepare to ride out the storm. Those who come out on the other side definitely earn their stripes.
But that's just my two-cents,
--Neil
That's the same timeframe we had last year. And I can tell you it goes really quickly. We had the benefit of (mostly) knowing what each round would focus on, though. This go-around, it appears they're keeping everything "secret" until the rules are announced. That means more potential curveballs, but that's a fairly realistic portrayal of how the RPG industry functions behind the curtain. So, batten down the hatches and prepare to ride out the storm. Those who come out on the other side definitely earn their stripes.
But that's just my two-cents,
--Neil
Yah, that's what I was meaning, three days and no pre-knowledge ::chuckle:: Hold on to your hats, folks!
Does anybody know how many people entered last year? I don't recall seeing it posted anywhere.
Oh hell yeah! It's on!!
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games
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I think that this year will be very difficult considering we have two seasons of awesome feedback. There is going to be some very talented people in this bunch me-thinks!
Anyway, good luck guys!
It's true - a TON of good feedback. Make use of it!
There were a few times last year that I was surprised that things came up again that had been hammered by the judges the previous year (I'm looking at YOU Mr. "Not Actually a Villain"). The first time around, we were all kinda feeling our way through. You've got two years of feedback from the judges, the voting public, and two sets of people who've gone through the wringer of the process. You'd be foolish not to take advantage of that.
I was so disappointed the first year, that I took a pass in the second year.
Not so this time. I'm a bit humbler now, but wiser and feeling even more creative.
Let's get it on!
If you get picked for the top 32, or if you ask Clark to critique your item after you aren't, take the critism to heart but not personally."Don't take it personal - just take it seriously."
Lilith, as always right on!
Some thick skin is needed. But please remember and be comforted by the fact that this is a caring, intelligent, creative community. We all know what it means to create and to share that creation, and the many sensitivities that go along with that. Its tough to make something and to put it out for comment. But if there is a place to do it, its here.
I have seen in each of the prior years that we have always been able to discuss, debate, critique and comment in an adult manner in a spirit of community with a goal of mutual improvement. So let that help take some of the edge off the reluctance that comes along with the idea of creation and submission.
Don't take it personal, take it seriously. I like that. Nice :)
Clark
I was so disappointed the first year, that I took a pass in the second year.
Not so this time. I'm a bit humbler now, but wiser and feeling even more creative.
Let's get it on!
That's the spirit!!!!
Woot! Heya clark, hope things are well. It is nice to see your back in the judging seat.
