Question regarding rules?


RPG Superstar™ 2010 General Discussion


I have looked through the rules and can't seem to find any restrictions regarding a mature nature product. For example a wondrous item that has to do with tobacco or alcohol. Before submiting an entry, I would like to know if this is grounds for immediate dismissal. I could easily change my iitem but I would like to try out an unique idea. I just want to make sure it stands a chance and that there are no regulations stoping it. If there are restrict rules that I have missed, please point them out for me because I would be very disapointed in myself for not giving this competion my best. All because of a sentence I somehow did not notice. I would also like to point out that if there are any disaprovement of such products in the game. That the item or items would be tasteful in a world of magic and fantasy. It is only designed to enhance a game experience not to advertise smoking, drinking, and etc.... Thank you for your time.


Pathfinder Rulebook Subscriber
IDK wrote:
I have looked through the rules and can't seem to find any restrictions regarding a mature nature product. For example a wondrous item that has to do with tobacco or alcohol. Before submiting an entry, I would like to know if this is grounds for immediate dismissal. I could easily change my iitem but I would like to try out an unique idea. I just want to make sure it stands a chance and that there are no regulations stoping it. If there are restrict rules that I have missed, please point them out for me because I would be very disapointed in myself for not giving this competion my best. All because of a sentence I somehow did not notice. I would also like to point out that if there are any disaprovement of such products in the game. That the item or items would be tasteful in a world of magic and fantasy. It is only designed to enhance a game experience not to advertise smoking, drinking, and etc.... Thank you for your time.

I'll have to look it up but I'm pretty sure anything of quasi-mature nature, such as drugs, alcohol, or any sort of adult material, are expressly prohibited. Can't pull up the quote at the moment but I'd be HIGHLY surprised if that type of content WAS allowed.


I just looked at the Round One rules. I don't see anything in there against it technically. Here's the disqualifiers:

DISQUALIFICATION: Submissions may be disqualified for the following reasons:

Submission is not a wondrous item.
Submission exceeds 300 words.
Submission does not conform to the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.
Submission is copied from a previously published source.
Submission uses rules, monsters, or copyrighted material from publishers other than Paizo.
Incorrect math.
Incorrect grammar or spelling.

Now, whether it's a good and interesting item? That's its own merits. If you're questioning it, you might want to think about the item itself. Is it wondrous?


jreyst wrote:
I'll have to look it up but I'm pretty sure anything of quasi-mature nature, such as drugs, alcohol, or any sort of adult material, are expressly prohibited. Can't pull up the quote at the moment but I'd be HIGHLY surprised if that type of content WAS allowed.

I just checked the messageboard rules (which could in theory apply if an item were accepted and posted). Here's the most relevant quote:

What are the messageboard rules?

The most important rule: Don't be a jerk. We want our messageboards to be a fun and friendly place.

Users who participate in our message boards agree to not: post any content that infringes and/or violates any patent, trademark, copyright, or other proprietary right of any third party; use profanity or any type of vulgar speech; make any bigoted, hateful or racially offensive statements; defame, abuse, stalk, harass or threaten others; advocate illegal activity or discuss illegal activities with the intent to commit them.


I believe PG-13 is usually their suggestion for the maturity level of content although I know an adventure or two that pushed those boundaries.

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

While we don't currently have such a rule, I anticipate adding one in the future that says something to the effect that "Entries may not include material that the general public would classify as 'adult content,' offensive, or inappropriate for minors."


IDK wrote:
I have looked through the rules and can't seem to find any restrictions regarding a mature nature product. For example a wondrous item that has to do with tobacco or alcohol. Before submiting an entry, I would like to know if this is grounds for immediate dismissal. I could easily change my iitem but I would like to try out an unique idea. I just want to make sure it stands a chance and that there are no regulations stoping it. If there are restrict rules that I have missed, please point them out for me because I would be very disapointed in myself for not giving this competion my best. All because of a sentence I somehow did not notice. I would also like to point out that if there are any disaprovement of such products in the game. That the item or items would be tasteful in a world of magic and fantasy. It is only designed to enhance a game experience not to advertise smoking, drinking, and etc.... Thank you for your time.

Interesting question, and I would say that it probably depends upon exactly what you present. That could be a good strategy for pushing the envelope just enough, if you can pull it off. If it is gratuitously violent,sexual or drug-related, I'm sure you would be dumped unceremoniously. If it's a pipe that does something cool, like blow smoke rings that solidify and bind your enemies or armor your allies or do your bidding, I think you would receive fair consideration. I kind of kicked around an idea like that.


Vic Wertz wrote:
While we don't currently have such a rule, I anticipate adding one in the future that says something to the effect that "Entries may not include material that the general public would classify as 'adult content,' offensive, or inappropriate for minors."

I wish I had an alternate suggestion, but I don't at the moment. Does it need to be that loose of a description? It's unlikely to come up and be much of a problem, but your "general public" and mine are very very different. Also, the american "general public" and the french "general public" both have very different views on various subjects. I know Paizo is based out of seattle, and can make an educated guess on what's kosher and what's not...what about someone from a more open society? To me, the above rule is about as much of a rule as "don't say anything inapropriate." It doesn't actually cover anything. If there is a need for a rule to be writen, I would suggest it has some true content. Please, don't think I'm attempting to create an argument, or sound snarky. I just see this as not actually solving anything (wasn't sure there was an issue to solve in the first place, but obviously others are thinking there might be).

Legendary Games, Necromancer Games

Fraust wrote:
To me, the above rule is about as much of a rule as "don't say anything inapropriate." It doesn't actually cover anything. If there is a need for a rule to be writen, I would suggest it has some true content. Please, don't think I'm attempting to create an argument, or sound snarky. I just see this as not actually solving anything (wasn't sure there was an issue to solve in the first place, but obviously others are thinking there might be).

Anyone with a clue knows what's appropriate and what isn't. This isn't hard, people. If it seems hard, you are over-thinking it. ;)

I don't make the rules, that's Vic's job. But I can tell you if your content is more than PG-13, its going to get discussion from judges.

And I don't want to hear crying that its unfair or not in the rules. Well, its not in the rules to not make a stupid or boring item either. So a technically perfect boring item is still a boring item. Our subjective evaluation of the item is a part of the judging process and inappropriateness is part of that process.

That said, this is fantasy gaming with monsters and evil and violence. We aren't trying to turn gaming into Disneyland or My Little Pony. So we understand there is going to be some edgy content. That's ok.

You know what mature content is. Avoid it. Don't over-think it.

Contributor

Clark Peterson wrote:
And I don't want to hear crying that its unfair or not in the rules. Well, its not in the rules to not make a stupid or boring item either.

LOL

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

Fraust wrote:
Vic Wertz wrote:
While we don't currently have such a rule, I anticipate adding one in the future that says something to the effect that "Entries may not include material that the general public would classify as 'adult content,' offensive, or inappropriate for minors."
I wish I had an alternate suggestion, but I don't at the moment. Does it need to be that loose of a description? It's unlikely to come up and be much of a problem, but your "general public" and mine are very very different. Also, the american "general public" and the french "general public" both have very different views on various subjects. I know Paizo is based out of seattle, and can make an educated guess on what's kosher and what's not...what about someone from a more open society? To me, the above rule is about as much of a rule as "don't say anything inapropriate." It doesn't actually cover anything. If there is a need for a rule to be writen, I would suggest it has some true content. Please, don't think I'm attempting to create an argument, or sound snarky. I just see this as not actually solving anything (wasn't sure there was an issue to solve in the first place, but obviously others are thinking there might be).

I can promise you we won't be making a checklist of words you can and can't say, themes you can and can't use, and so on. First, that way lies madness ("Well, you said I couldn't say ****, but you didn't say I couldn't say ****licker..."); second, we haven't needed it for the first two years, and I'm not completely convinced we need it now; and third, I'm pretty sure that most people who have a shot at winning already have a pretty good idea of what reasonable boundaries are. At best, they should just need a reminder that they need to think about them.

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

Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber
Clark Peterson wrote:


And I don't want to hear crying that its unfair or not in the rules. Well, its not in the rules to not make a stupid or boring item either.

Don't poke the owlbear! The beast is beginning to stir.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. :)


Ok thanks for the posts. Preety much to sum it up, it seems there are two rules.

1) Use common sense

2) Use the rule of cool

Thanks again.


Clark Peterson wrote:
That said, this is fantasy gaming with monsters and evil and violence. We aren't trying to turn gaming into Disneyland or My Little Pony

.

You may have just insulted the entire hobbit nation!

LOL, I couldn't resist... tis not a PONY, its a WAR PONY thank you very much.

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