Advice for Round One


RPG Superstar™ 2010 General Discussion

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Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

Your template varies from the SRD. Is it price then weight or weight then price?

Thanks

anthrorob

Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8

Just use the template found HERE, and you should be fine.

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

anthrorob wrote:

Your template varies from the SRD. Is it price then weight or weight then price?

Thanks

anthrorob

Also, if you're looking at the SRD, you're using the wrong game system...

Contributor

Vic Wertz wrote:
Also, if you're looking at the SRD, you're using the wrong game system...

... which both the rules and the FAQ tell you. ;)


Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber
Sean K Reynolds wrote:
Vic Wertz wrote:
Also, if you're looking at the SRD, you're using the wrong game system...
... which both the rules and the FAQ tell you. ;)

*cough* did I say SRD? It must have been a typo since the "S" key and "P" key are so close together on the keyboard...I meant PRD..."Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Reference Document" as in: http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/

my appologies if I offended.

anthrorob

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

anthrorob wrote:
Sean K Reynolds wrote:
Vic Wertz wrote:
Also, if you're looking at the SRD, you're using the wrong game system...
... which both the rules and the FAQ tell you. ;)

*cough* did I say SRD? It must have been a typo since the "S" key and "P" key are so close together on the keyboard...I meant PRD..."Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Reference Document" as in: http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/

my appologies if I offended.

anthrorob

No offense taken... it's just, well, let's say that not everyone who has entered an item seemed to have gotten that message. Wanted to make sure you weren't riding the wrong train.

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

From Neil's original post:

NSpicer wrote:
Read the rules. Right now. Go back and read them several times.

This was good advice. Sadly, it's clear that not everyone did that.

I'd also add: "Read the rules FAQ. Right now. Go back and read it several times." Sadly, not everyone did that either.

The judges really don't want to autoreject your entries because you didn't read the rules or the FAQ. But it nonetheless happens, and far too often.

If you haven't entered yet, hold up on the submit button for ten minutes after you think you're done. Go read the rules, and the FAQ—every sentence—and think about whether or not your entry is following the rules. And if you think you might have even a borderline rules violation, fix it so you know you don't. We don't want to miss out on discovering the next great writer because of a rules violation. That would be lame.

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut

Vic Wertz wrote:

From Neil's original post:

NSpicer wrote:
Read the rules. Right now. Go back and read them several times.
This was good advice. Sadly, it's clear that not everyone did that.

Sadly, I knew that would happen. :-[

But, on the positive side, it does quickly weed out those who can't follow instructions from those with real Superstar potential.

Still...it's disappointing to see people go down on technicalities for ignoring the rules and guidelines.


NSpicer wrote:
Vic Wertz wrote:

From Neil's original post:

NSpicer wrote:
Read the rules. Right now. Go back and read them several times.
This was good advice. Sadly, it's clear that not everyone did that.

Sadly, I knew that would happen. :-[

But, on the positive side, it does quickly weed out those who can't follow instructions from those with real Superstar potential.
Still...it's disappointing to see people go down on technicalities for ignoring the rules and guidelines.

Sadcakes. :(

Scarab Sages

Adventure Path Charter Subscriber

I did notice that many of the posted magic items in the Pathfinder Reference Document (PRD) do not use this footnote rule from the item creation section:

If a continuous item has an effect based on a spell with a duration measured in rounds, multiply the cost by 4. If the duration of the spell is 1 minute/level, multiply the cost by 2, and if the duration is 10 minutes/level, multiply the cost by 1.5. If the spell has a 24-hour duration or greater, divide the cost in half.

For example the lantern of revealing is given a listed cost of 30,000gp.

per the rule the cost would be Spell Level (3) x Caster Level (5) x 2000 x 2 (since the duration of Ipurge = 1min/lvl) = 60,000gp.

Is there a reason that these listed wondrous items get a discount? I tried not to ignore this rule for my created item. Hopefully, I did not inflate it.

thanks,

Mac

Contributor

Why are you looking at the SRD? The Superstar competition uses the Pathfinder rules.

Scarab Sages

Adventure Path Charter Subscriber
Sean K Reynolds wrote:
Why are you looking at the SRD? The Superstar competition uses the Pathfinder rules.

I meant PRD actually..will edit post above.

Contributor

Ahh.

Well, remember that the rules for pricing items are:

1) Compare it to a similar item.
2) If you can't find a similar item, use the formulas.

Many of the items in the Core Rulebook (and the DMG before it) include ad-hoc price adjustments because the benefits they give are significantly more or less than what the formulas would indicate.


Sean K Reynolds wrote:
Why are you looking at the SRD? The Superstar competition uses the Pathfinder rules.

Pretty much figured he didn't mean SRD, even though, under creating magic items, Paizo and SRD are the same for that one statement about continuous items. It is word for word.

I think this falls into the category that this was taken from the original items that came from 3.5. IE this was the pricing that was given in 3.5 no matter how you work it doesn't match up, but realistically speaking, who would buy a lantern that negates invisibility for 60k. I am going back to the old WOTC archives because I know there was a thread there specifically that WOTC said why the lantern was priced that way..I will find it...unless someone beats me to it.


Sean K Reynolds wrote:

Ahh.

Well, remember that the rules for pricing items are:

1) Compare it to a similar item.
2) If you can't find a similar item, use the formulas.

Many of the items in the Core Rulebook (and the DMG before it) include ad-hoc price adjustments because the benefits they give are significantly more or less than what the formulas would indicate.

Grrr, Sean beat me to it, I was busy trying to find that thread on the WOTC website. But yeah as Sean said, Neil said, and many other people in threads have stated, if your pricing is similiar to an item already made then go with it. It will probably be cheaper than if you actually worked the formulas.


Mactaka wrote:
I did notice that many of the posted magic items in the SRD do not use this footnote rule from the item creation section...

Pricing is not a science, as many have already pointed out, and the formulae are just the first step. Comparing the formula price to existing items at that price, and to items that have a similar level of functionality to your item, is the next.

Looking at that lantern, its formula price should be doubled again, because it doesn't take up a body slot (you can put it down and it still functions), so it would actually cost 120,000 gp! That's as much as a robe of eyes, which can also see invisible stuff, but with much improved range and duration, and it does a load of other cool stuff too.

Balance that cost with the fact that the lantern has no utility whatsoever if there's nothing invisible to see, and that lower price tag is starting to look reasonable. Some items are always going to be useful; others are situational, and therefore less valuable. Plus, the lantern of revealing has all the limitations of a normal hooded lantern and it could probably be extinguished pretty easily by a crafty villain.

Pricing can be a long and winding road, and this is why the formula doesn't always tell the whole story.


Over the years I don't know how many arguements went around the table because the price in the book didn't match up and it doesn't make sense. It always went back to, well it is pretty close to what this item does so I think the item should only cost this much to make....(enter our DM) NOT...work it according to the formula's, and the price you get is what it is going to cost you.....I think it was his way of keeping us from making a ton of magic items =)

Contributor

Dredan wrote:
Pretty much figured he didn't mean SRD, even though, under creating magic items, Paizo and SRD are the same for that one statement about continuous items. It is word for word.

Doesn't hurt to make sure he wasn't actually looking at the SRD. After all, we've had at least one item this year refer to the SRD, and one use a 4e mechanic....

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut

Sean K Reynolds wrote:
...After all, we've had at least one item this year refer to the SRD, and one use a 4e mechanic....

::facepalm::

Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8 , Star Voter Season 6

NSpicer wrote:
Sean K Reynolds wrote:
...After all, we've had at least one item this year refer to the SRD, and one use a 4e mechanic....
::facepalm::

my only 'mistake' might be that I used the RPG and not the PRD.

<evil mode> Please whoever used the 4e mechanic, ask Clark to critque your item in the open thread *laugh*

Paizo Employee Director of Game Development , Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9

Sean K Reynolds wrote:
After all, we've had at least one item this year refer to the SRD, and one use a 4e mechanic....

Wow!

Contributor

Matthew Morris wrote:
my only 'mistake' might be that I used the RPG and not the PRD.

The Core Rulebook/Bestiary and the PRD are the same source for this purpose, not to worry. :)

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut

Sean K Reynolds wrote:
Matthew Morris wrote:
my only 'mistake' might be that I used the RPG and not the PRD.
The Core Rulebook/Bestiary and the PRD are the same source for this purpose, not to worry. :)

Except for all those extra super-secret rules on pricing wondrous items in the PRD, right?

::wink:: ::nudge::

:-D

RPG Superstar 2009 Top 16, 2012 Top 32 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9 aka Epic Meepo

Sean K Reynolds wrote:
After all, we've had at least one item this year refer to the SRD, and one use a 4e mechanic....

Wow.

I hope that last one wasn't also a gag item. Such an item's potential for wasting the judges' time might make Clark's head explode.

Legendary Games, Necromancer Games

Vic Wertz wrote:

This was good advice. Sadly, it's clear that not everyone did that.

I'd also add: "Read the rules FAQ. Right now. Go back and read it several times." Sadly, not everyone did that either.

The judges really don't want to autoreject your entries because you didn't read the rules or the FAQ. But it nonetheless happens, and far too often.

Great advice, but Vic is wrong about something. He says we don't want to autoreject your items because you didn't read the rules. That's not right.

I do. I love it. I love autorejecting submissions. I can't speak for the other judges but I love it.

If an item is over word count, I don't even read it. In fact, I just autorejected an item because it was 450+ words--the item was about 300 but then the guy/girl added over 150 words of "designer notes." That's a no brainer all day rejection for me. I didn't even read that item and I don't care. And I don't feel sorry or sad in the least. In fact, I love it. That's right. Autoreject. And that means I dont even wait for the other judges to look at it. So if you send in an item over word count (particularly if its over because you can't follow rules and add in a bunch of designer notes that put you over word count) I will autoreject your item before any of the other judges even get to see it. Heck, Vic might even autoreject it (though I dont think he ever has, he just flags them for us). So if you are over word count, or some other autoreject issue, you might not even get read by two of the judges. You might just get one that autorejects you. Bummer. Follow the rules. Its not that hard.

Autorejects make rejecting easy. The hard rejections are the "good but not good enough" items. Please, give me more autorejectable items. Sort yourself out of the competition for me. That way I dont have to. Because pretty much "I can't follow the simple rules for a contest" translates 100% into "I won't be a good freelancer."

Legendary Games, Necromancer Games

NSpicer wrote:
Still...it's disappointing to see people go down on technicalities for ignoring the rules and guidelines.

See, for me it isn't disappointing at all. The one and only person who should be disappointed is the author. :) I love it. I've got a ton of submissions to read. Please help me by weeding yourself out. I appreciate the help.

Here's me:

"Oh, its over word count. Don't even have to read it. Don't have to post a comment. Just hit the reject button and read the next entry. Bye bye person who can't follow rules."

It's that simple. And that painless.

There is no wringing of hands. No reading of the item and going "oh, but that item is so great, the author is such a gaming genius, I should find a way to keep his over-word-count submission, I should find a way to excuse his inability to follow rules." That doesn't happen. And no one should have any illusion that it does.

RPG Superstar 2013 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Dedicated Voter Season 9 aka Darkjoy

Clark is a rejection machine!

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut

Clark Peterson wrote:
NSpicer wrote:
Still...it's disappointing to see people go down on technicalities for ignoring the rules and guidelines.
See, for me it isn't disappointing at all.

I completely understand why it doesn't disappoint you. And, were I judge, I know I'd feel the same way.

But, as a fan of the contest...a former participant...and someone who really likes how this contest energizes the RPG community...I still find it disappointing. Kind of like the same feeling teachers get when they've spent so many hours in front of the classroom, going over the lessons, instructing everyone...and then, BAM!...test time comes and a student who could have applied themselves and done well, totally washes out and throws away all their potential and the opportunity to succeed.

So...yeah. Still disappointed. :-[

But that doesn't mean I won't cheer you on for autorejecting them as part of your judicial responsibilities. You go, Clark!
;-)

Legendary Games, Necromancer Games

Alright, I can understand that. The as an observer feeling of "oh man, if only he had followed the rules that is a neat item" disappointment. Sure. :) (softie)

RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16 aka Sir_Wulf

Clark's comments give me the image of Orcus walking past a long table cluttered with strange magical devices. He scans some carefully, but others only get a brief glance before his dreaded scepter crushes them to powder.

Marathon Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9

Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber
Clark Peterson wrote:
Vic Wertz wrote:

This was good advice. Sadly, it's clear that not everyone did that.

I'd also add: "Read the rules FAQ. Right now. Go back and read it several times." Sadly, not everyone did that either.

The judges really don't want to autoreject your entries because you didn't read the rules or the FAQ. But it nonetheless happens, and far too often.

Great advice, but Vic is wrong about something. He says we don't want to autoreject your items because you didn't read the rules. That's not right.

I do. I love it. I love autorejecting submissions. I can't speak for the other judges but I love it.

If an item is over word count, I don't even read it. In fact, I just autorejected an item because it was 450+ words--the item was about 300 but then the guy/girl added over 150 words of "designer notes." That's a no brainer all day rejection for me. I didn't even read that item and I don't care. And I don't feel sorry or sad in the least. In fact, I love it. That's right. Autoreject. And that means I dont even wait for the other judges to look at it. So if you send in an item over word count (particularly if its over because you can't follow rules and add in a bunch of designer notes that put you over word count) I will autoreject your item before any of the other judges even get to see it. Heck, Vic might even autoreject it (though I dont think he ever has, he just flags them for us). So if you are over word count, or some other autoreject issue, you might not even get read by two of the judges. You might just get one that autorejects you. Bummer. Follow the rules. Its not that hard.

Autorejects make rejecting easy. The hard rejections are the "good but not good enough" items. Please, give me more autorejectable items. Sort yourself out of the competition for me. That way I dont have to. Because pretty much "I can't follow the simple rules for a contest" translates 100% into "I won't be a good freelancer."

And that's why Orcus is his avatar. Pure evil! Muhahahahaha.

The Exchange RPG Superstar 2009 Top 8 aka Tarren Dei

Clark Peterson wrote:
Alright, I can understand that. The as an observer feeling of "oh man, if only he had followed the rules that is a neat item" disappointment. Sure. :) (softie)

Clark? Has anyone told you today ...

Spoiler:
... how much we appreciate the time and energy you put into this?


I go the easy route of helping Clark out.

I don't submit!
Wooooooooo! Yay Team Me!

Paizo Employee Director of Brand Strategy

aitch wrote:

I go the easy route of helping Clark out.

I don't submit!
Wooooooooo! Yay Team Me!

That's not promoting the spirit of the competition! Do it!

Legendary Games, Necromancer Games

Tarren Dei wrote:

Clark? Has anyone told you today ...

** spoiler omitted **

... that I'm a pain in the butt? Yes. :)

Thanks TG :)

I really love this contest. I think it does everything right on so many levels. I think the people at Paizo really need mad props for this contest. Its great for finding new talent. Its great for Pathfinder. Its great for community building. Its great promotion for Paizo. And it gets the D&D juices flowing in a major way!


Clark Peterson wrote:
Tarren Dei wrote:

Clark? Has anyone told you today ...

** spoiler omitted **

... that I'm a pain in the butt? Yes. :)

Thanks TG :)

I really love this contest. I think it does everything right on so many levels. I think the people at Paizo really need mad props for this contest. Its great for finding new talent. Its great for Pathfinder. Its great for community building. Its great promotion for Paizo. And it gets the D&D juices flowing in a major way!

+1

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

Clark Peterson wrote:

Great advice, but Vic is wrong about something. He says we don't want to autoreject your items because you didn't read the rules. That's not right.

I do. I love it. I love autorejecting submissions. I can't speak for the other judges but I love it.

That'll teach me to try to speak on behalf of the demon lord of the underworld...

Legendary Games, Necromancer Games

No, Vic. You are right on. You are trying to be nice. Claiming I don't love to reject items. That's the right thing for you to say. But the truth is I do :) Moohooohooohahahahahahahaha


Clark Peterson wrote:
I do. I love it. I love autorejecting submissions. I can't speak for the other judges but I love it.

How can I respond to this without getting censored... This sounds very high-handed and arrogant. I seems that you think very highly of yerself. Very well, and applause for you from all around I'm sure... but, is this really encouraging people to participate?

Well one thing is for sure, YOU have definitely (pre) auto rejected my submission, because I have NO desire to participate with a company (or people) that behave in this way.

So have a big laugh on me. Good day to you sir!


Clark Peterson, I have to say the last few posts of yours are some of the most ignorant things I have seen posted on the internet in a long time (and I've seen some ridiculous crap, especially around election times...).

I am sad to hear that you would enjoy auto-rejecting submissions...are you that drunk on the prospect of power that you would flaunt the little tiny bit that you have like you are more important than the rest of us? It's one thing to do it because you feel it needs to be done. But to take pleasure out of it and flaunt that fact to everyone on the board? That is downright ignorant and childish.

I'm sure you and the rest of Paizo's staff (and the kiss ups on this site) will all enjoy a laugh about me and my post, and I invite you to do just that. Just know this: You reap what you sow.

I for one will NOT ever submit one single thing to this site ever again for one reason and one reason only: People like you. It's not enough that you don't think one's submission isn't good enough to make it to the next round...you are going to insult the said person's intelligence while you're at it...that's just terrible.

I think the worst part is that nobody ever says anything. But I will say something. Your title of "Publisher, Necromancer Games" does NOT impress me one iota. And I know I am not the only one who feels this way.

I wonder how long before my post is deleted...

>_<

Star Voter Season 6

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

Before we start, this is my first posting on the boards. That being said WOW...Why are people surprised that they are being punished for not following the rules? The contest has been occurring for several years and the requirements have been listed each year.

For those who complain about the auto-reject I have a few simple questions. How many people do you think submit applications to this contest each year? Even if only 1000 people, im sure its more, thats A LOT of items to look over and try to judge fairly. Imagine how hard and annoying that must be to see people who do things that would hurt the world that these individuals created or helped create. I also have met one of the designers, not of this contest or company, and he told horror stories of how hard it was to judge so many at one time.

By allowing those who broke the rules BLATANTLY by being over word count you are getting an unfair advantage on those who did follow the rules. Why bother putting up the rules? Heck why even bother to put up a contest that anyone can enter.

Ive entered contests for other companies and watched as their in-house designers win.

Lastly on this rant... I have to ask one last thing? When did you start a game company? Mr. Peterson runs a PUBLISHED company with actual product. I think if anyone knows what would be expected or required it would be someone who's done such work PROFESSIONALLY. He's volunteering his time to this contest and if anything should be thanked for that. Same with the other Judges.

No I am not entered in this contest but this posting line demanded a response.

Feel free to blast and complain... As a teacher Ive heard it all before from children of various ages.

Good luck and congratulations to all those who entered and followed the rules with their submissions.

Paizo Employee Director of Game Development , Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9

As someone who has entered this contest each year in hopes of getting his foot in the freelancing door, failed two times previously, and then worked his ass off in the half a dozen other ways to get a similar result, I have to say that I agree with most of Clark’s statements. Sure he’s rough. He’s supposed to be. Freelance game design is a rough business. It’s not easy. It’s not highly subjective art. It’s work. At my regular day job, I don’t appreciate anyone not giving it their best. Those people make my work harder.

In freelance game design, I appreciate it even less. This is work I do outside of my 40+ hours a week at my day job. I have written for a small handful of publishers and have edited dozens of author’s work. Everyone I’ve had the pleasure of working with takes their writing and design seriously, and even then, there are varying degrees of competence. If someone didn’t care enough to really make an effort to get a serious freelance contract, then I don’t have any advice for that person other than to shake their mental Etch-A-Sketch and give it another go with a serious face. Someone just goofing off in the first round is never going to make it to getting a contract for writing a 32 page adventure module that needs to conform to exacting standards.

It may sound rough, but it’s work. It’s business, and that’s something anyone should take seriously enough to read the rules, know the system, and come to the party with an appropriate level of skill and tact. You could find at least fifty people here who know I’m a light-hearted joker (or jackass depending on who you ask), but they also know that I get serious when work is involved.

Paizo Employee Director of Game Development , Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9

Blaze73 wrote:
No I am not entered in this contest...

You really should enter, however. ;)

Legendary Games, Necromancer Games

It wont be deleted, I dont think. I sure hope it wont.

Don't worry, I'm not impressed with my title of Publisher either. I got it out of one of those vending machines that you put a quarter in and you wiggle the handle and the claw hand moves around and drops down and pulls out a mystery ball and then drops it in the slot and you get it and then when you open it sometimes you get a piece of gum or a small lame fuzzy tribble-like stuffed animal with googely eyes. I got a little piece of paper that says "you may now call yourself 'Publisher!'" It seemed cool at the time so I stuck with it.

I agree with your post. And if you think for a minute I take actual joy in rejecting people, then maybe I'm not as funny as I think I am :) I have a funny feeling most people "get it."

[Edit] Oh, I want a title that says "most ignorant things I have seen posted on the internet". Now THAT would be an impressive title.

Legendary Games, Necromancer Games

Bruce Bogtrotter wrote:

How can I respond to this without getting censored... This sounds very high-handed and arrogant. I seems that you think very highly of yerself. Very well, and applause for you from all around I'm sure... but, is this really encouraging people to participate?

Well one thing is for sure, YOU have definitely (pre) auto rejected my submission, because I have NO desire to participate with a company (or people) that behave in this way.

So have a big laugh on me. Good day to you sir!

Looks to me like YOU are auto-rejecting your submission.


I do not get pulled into posts like this often, but I invite you to reread what Clark wrote. In my opinion, he is pleading with the potential contestants to do the BEST they can. That's right he is trying to MOTIVATE us not bash us. For any contestants who have not entered yet, he is actually trying to make your submissions better.
I am a nobody in this industry, I am just a fan, but I know if I want to become a freelance writer, the first thing I need is a thick skin, and the ability to take feedback, both good and bad. I encourage everyone to look at what Clark is saying. I see it as, "there are hundreds, if not thousands of contestants entering, I am begging you to not make it easy for us judges to disqualify you. In fact I am seeing things the rules specifically state that individuals are ignoring. This is my rallying call for those who are left to enter to AVOID these pit falls, and to those who have fell in the pit to learn for next year". Clark, and I guarantee the rest of the judges want quality and would be PLEASED if they actually received 800 superstar items. People, its not often you have proven industry veterans willing to direct those of us who want to enter this arena as a freelancer. While it may seem harsh for some, if you want to be a writer get used to it, and learn to understand that the item you wrote is not a reflection on you as a person. I have wrote some crap I am not a pile of steaming, well you know...

Contributor

Guys, chill.

The fact is that the contest RULES say "submit a wondrous item in 300 words or less."

If you submit a magic sword, you've failed to follow the rules of the contest.

If you submit a wondrous item in 500 words, you've failed to follow the rules of the contest.

If you show up at an archery competition with a laser-sighted sniper rifle, you've failed to follow the rules of the contest.

If you show up at the Tour de France on a motorcycle, you've failed to follow the rules of the contest.

If you show up at American Idol and you do a mime act, you've failed to follow the rules of the contest.

A lot of people have put a LOT of work into their submission to make sure it follows the rules of the competition. Clark, Wes, and I spend our free time over the holidays reviewing every single submission. So when someone fails to follow the EASY rules of the competition, they're basically saying, "I didn't bother to read and understand the rules, or didn't care what you were asking for."

And remember that the grand prize of this competition is getting a 32-page adventure published. If Bob can't be bothered to follow the easy rules for a 300-word wondrous item submission, why should I think Bob's going to follow the rules for what we need for an adventure? If I'm expecting a 20,000 word adventure, and Bob gives me a 30,000 word collection of magic items, he's not only wasted my time, he's left me in the lurch (as I now need to find someone able to write a 20,000 word adventure very, very quickly). So if in Round 1, Bob submits a magic sword, or Bob submits a 500-word wondrous item, it's clear to me that he's going to be a problem. And I don't want to work with designers who are problems. If I assign a designer an adventure contract, I don't want to receive a book of magic items. If I assign a designer a chapter of new feats, I don't want a chapter of new spells. I want them to give me what I ask them for.

When you take the SAT, they tell you to use a #2 pencil. You know this before you sit down to take the test, you're told when you sign up to take the test. And if you sit down to take the test and mark your answers with a pink highlighter pen under where it says "use only a #2 pencil," yeah, I'm going to be inclined to mock you.

And so if Bob does something really dumb with his magic item submission, something that the easy-to-follow rules actually spell out that he shouldn't do, I'm going to be inclined to mock him. Because he wasted my time. Because other people have been worrying about their submission for weeks. Because other people have been adjusting with their item for weeks before deciding to submit. Because it's 10pm on Christmas Eve and I'm evaluating magic items for a contest. Because for many people, this contest is a chance at a dream opportunity... and Bob doesn't care. And for every submission like Bob's that I can auto-reject because he doesn't care about the rules of the contest, that's five more minutes of my free time that I can devote to a genuine submission, or spend with my girlfriend.

So feel free to get mad when we save ourselves time by autorejecting someone who's wasting our time. You'll probably be out at the movies or playing a game when I'm doing those auto-rejects, and I'll be up late at my computer, reading submissions from people who really want to win this contest.

If we mock, we're not doing it because we're mean. We're doing it because it helps blow off steam, because after looking at a hundred magic item stat blocks we need a break, and because sometimes what you read is so absurd you just have to laugh at it.

Legendary Games, Necromancer Games

Larcifer wrote:
In my opinion, he is pleading with the potential contestants to do the BEST they can. That's right he is trying to MOTIVATE us not bash us. For any contestants who have not entered yet, he is actually trying to make your submissions better.

All while being an evil demon lord of the undead. Its a hard balance to keep. I've got a reputation to uphold. Someone has to be Simon to Wes' Paula, after all... ;)

But you are correct. The point of my comments is this:

'The hard rejections are the "good but not good enough" items.'

Those are the ones I really spend time on, and those are the ones you WANT me spending time on. Not the over word count ones. And I would love--LOVE--to have more of the good ones to have to sort through.

Paizo Employee Director of Game Development , Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9

Sean, you should really stop harping on Bob. It's going to hurt his feelings. ;)


Beign funny is a risky business in this threads... croak!

*goes back to corner and continues waiting for Fansasy Illustrator RPG Superstar* :P

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