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For those who didn't make the Top 32 for RPG Superstar 2010, I thought now might be a worthwhile time to share some things to keep in mind. I know a lot of people come out of the process disappointed. And I certainly did the first year (in 2008) when I didn't make it into the competition. It really is pretty hard to crack the Top 32, but missing the mark one year doesn't mean you can't comeback next time and knock it out of the park. So, with that serving as the premise for this bit of advice, here's some thoughts for you to consider before the Top 32 are announced:
You Still Have a Role To Play
Just because you didn't make the Top 32 doesn't mean this contest is over for you. How's that? Well, you've still got a role to play. You're part of the voting public. Those who did make it into the competition need (and deserve) your feedback throughout the competition. They're going to want your vote. And if your positions were reversed, you'd want theirs as well. So stick around and participate. There's so much more to the RPG Superstar competition than just competing for the prize. You can add value and take something useful from the contest without ever being a contestant. And besides, it’s really entertaining stuff just to watch!
Don't Get Yourself Down
Clark himself (who's been judging the competition for every year since its inception) has admitted publicly here in the forums many times that he couldn't have won RPG Superstar. Also, even strong competitors from the first year (i.e., those who advanced no further than the Top 16 and retained their eligibility) didn't make it back for RPG Superstar 2009. And yet, as I mentioned before I didn't make it in the first year, but lucked out and won the whole thing the second time around. So, there's no reason to think just because you didn't make the Top 32 this year that you can't do so next time.
In addition, getting down on yourself is a surefire way to undermine your own potential. It's a negative emotion that feeds itself until you pretty much give up hope of even trying again. And that's not something you should allow to take over your thinking. Stay positive. And keep trying.
Look At This As A Learning Opportunity
Even though you can't compete this year, you can follow along with this contest and learn a TON of useful things about game design...as well as the RPG Superstar contest itself and how to navigate each round in the event you do make it in next year. Don't waste this opportunity. It will help you improve your writing, your knowledge of the rules, and even your internet social skills by participating in the conversations, debates, and feedback process as a whole.
There are a variety of ways you can pick up information throughout this contest by following along. Resist the temptation to draw back into a shell. Keep your neck out there and observe. Pay attention to what the contestants do (both the good and whatever missteps they might make). Review the comments of the judges very carefully for what works and what doesn't in their opinion. Also, watch the public reaction, both to the contestants' submissions from round-to-round, as well as their reaction to the judges' commentary. Many times I learned things just by reading through the feedback shared by the voters on each contestants' submission. And it helped me plan for things I would do to get the judges' recommendations in the future...ways I'd try to draw positive comments from the voters...and stuff I'd need to create to draw attention to my work and win votes so I could advance.
It's a lot harder to notice or realize those things when you're in the heat of the competition. Usually, you're very focused on each task with a very limited amount of time for turning around your next submission. And, it's hard to follow along with everyone else's work (and the feedback they receive) when you're agonizing over the comments coming back from the judges and voters on your own stuff. So, while you're in this position (i.e., observing from outside the competition), use this time to maximize your research. Go back and review the messageboard threads from the prior years. Juxtapose what happened in each round of those competitions with how things proceed this year. If you can start to tie some lessons together from all those things, you'll really set yourself up for success the next time around.
Seek Feedback
Clark Peterson has offered another opportunity for feedback on the items that didn’t make the cut. He’ll have a separate thread where you can ask for his review of your item, provided you ask for it. Sean Reynolds did a bit of that last year, too. And it seems they're both prepared to do so again.
This opportunity is NOT to be missed. If you thought your item was cool enough to make the Top 32, but it didn't, this represents an opportunity to find out why...straight from the source. You can also get really great feedback from other members of the community, who will almost certainly have a different perspective than you do on the item you made, because they're not nearly as close to it as you are.
If you take advantage of this opportunity, do make sure of one thing, though -- be prepared for an honest assessment. That may not sound so difficult. But, in actuality, you'll be surprised at how thick-skinned you’ll need to be when someone critiques something you crafted and love so much. It's a sign of a true professional to take criticism well and apply it. So, prepare yourself to look for constructive criticism. And, if you offer feedback on someone else's rejected item, make sure you make it constructive criticism to help them, too.
Support One Another
This is important. The Paizo community has always made for a pretty amazing place to engage in conversation and have fun. In a competition like RPG Superstar, it's magnified because there are some really great conversations you can have with industry professionals, former RPG Superstar contestants and current freelancers, and really knowledgeable fans of the game. And it's a lot of fun, too.
But, beyond that, I firmly believe everyone should strive to support Paizo and the RPG Superstar contest. It's one of the best things going in the RPG industry today. It's helping grow the hobby as it encourages people to really delve into the rules. Some contestants are even encouraging their children to try their hand at it. And, by supporting the contest, you're supporting the hobby. That's a goal I think all of us, as gamers, should pursue.
In addition, those who are competing in the contest need your help. They need more than just your vote. They also need your support. The same support you'd want if you were in their shoes. So, support one another. Encourage these guys to go further and accomplish more. Because, in the end, their success will translate into some really great gaming products down the road that should hopefully entertain you and other gamers around the world.
That's what RPG Superstar is all about. That's the kind of designer it's attempting to discover. And you can help in that, because as Clark mentioned previously, RPG Superstars don't just spring into existence fully-formed. These contestants will be doing a lot of growing over the next couple of months. And you can nurture that growth by helping them along with your support and commentary.
For me, two familiar phrases spring to mind in this regard. Do unto others as you'd have done unto you. And, cast your bread upon the water and it will return to you. Or, in terms of karma, what goes around comes around. So, if you conduct yourself in a professional, amiable, supportive manner while following these contestants in this year's competition, they'll be very likely to return the favor if and when you make it there, too.
Okay. That's all I've got. Hopefully, no one takes that advice in a negative way. I know disappointment can really set in rather harshly for some people when they don't make the cut. I hope most folks move past that and support the contest to its conclusion.
My two-cents,
--Neil
Thanks Neil! Great advice.
Thanks Neil! Great advice.
Wow, Larry. You're either a fast reader, or I failed to type something at my usual novel-sized length for a change. ;-)
Developer
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Dedicated Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8
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Yet more words of wisdom from Neil. Thanks, Neil! I've learned a lot from looking back at the old RPG Superstar competitions, and I can't wait to see the difference it will make to actually participate in this one, either as a participant or as an observer. Either way, as you describe above, I'm sure I'll learn a ton.
All wonderful Advice Neil.
Not making the cut is always disheartening but learning what you can from it and moving on not just as a designer but as a fan to support a truly wonderful contest which I know I look forward to these past years.
Fast reader :) I caught it right away tho, been hitting refresh while drawing maps for Pathfinder Society....
For those who didn't make the Top 32 for RPG Superstar 2010, I thought now might be a worthwhile time to share some things to keep in mind. I know a lot of people come out of the process disappointed. And I certainly did the first year (in 2008) when I didn't make it into the competition. It really is pretty hard to crack the Top 32, but missing the mark one year doesn't mean you can't comeback next time and knock it out of the park. So, with that serving as the premise for this bit of advice, here's some thoughts for you to consider before the Top 32 are announced:
** spoiler omitted **...
Okay. That's all I've got. Hopefully, no one takes that advice in a negative way. I know disappointment can really set in rather harshly for some people when they don't make the cut. I hope most folks move past that and support the contest to its conclusion.
My two-cents,
--Neil
Ummm ... would this also be a reasonable time to remember the Open Call as another way to continuing to participate?
many pearls of wisdom
Dude! If I win this year and they ask me to support RPG superstar 2011, I am going to copy and paste your words with the following addition:
This is what Neil said last year
.....your stuff.....
And I'll close with: it's true!
After loosing last year I took a slightly different approach. I believe in my campaign the PCs came across three odd Kobold tribes - The Mona, Baur, Petrs tribes who where wholly convinced that armor make from apple fritters was indeed superior to their usual leather and hides. The ensuing carnage decimated the Kobold population for generation, but admittedly it did fill the provision stocks of bakers for miles around. To this day the Kobolds speak of the lost Mona, Baur and Petr tribes with great hesitance - a warning to all who mistake pastry for armor mitigation.
Kidding of course. All in all the contest is quite subjective and a delight to participate in win or loose. Really there is no 'loose' - anyone here can write up an adventure and submit it for publication. In that regards I think the contest is a great prep tool for all who participate and observe. It is a great tool to distinguish the realities of publication; the many upsides and downsides. That in of itself is very valuable.
Your advice is wise, Neil, including advising us to seek feedback... and yet, I'm uncomfortably aware I submitted my entry not long before the 31st, when Clark found the entry that he thought was a joke in poor taste.
My idea was never intended as a joke (or even with humor in mind. I thought it was kind of creepy, in an offbeat way,) but, well, you start second guessing yourself when someone significant gets upset. Was it me? Did I upset him? Was my idea creative and unusual, or just weird and silly? Worse, could it be construed as a bad attempt at humor?
I don't want to alienate the people behind my favorite D20 publisher and their allies. But I do want feedback. Guh.
Any advice for dealing with the inner conflict there? :)
Any advice for dealing with the inner conflict there? :)
Find someone you trust and seek feedback separately from Clark's thread? Or, suck it up and take your medicine by asking Clark directly. But make sure you grow thicker skin than an elephant when you seek out the criticism. Just know it'll be constructive as long as you're upfront in truly wanting to know where you fell short.
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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Neil - your advice is great stuff. I think maybe several of us sibmitted items we thought were great, and it's an awkward place to know you need to be polite and give the Superstars their due, while reading some items and thinking "really?"
I speak only for myself when I admit I read some items, I get locked out of the contest three years in a row, and I start to wonder if I just don't understand what a Superstar item even looks like.
However - this contest is great for Paizo, great for the hobby, and really demonstrates the passion a lot of people have. It sucks to be balancing "I desereve to be there" with "Obviously the judges didn't think so", but what is redeeming is that there are other ways to pursue work, and there is a great commuity here to join with and help cultivate superstars this year and beyond.
We are tol over and over, it isn't about us, it's about one item at one time. It might be hard to remember that, but it's true. All you can do is be a good sport, wish everyone luck, and be a good-natured critic of ideas in coming rounds to sharpen the remaining contestants.
And - design is fun. Talking about design is fun. Thinking about design is fun. Losing ourselves in that cheerfully makes the competition better for everyone. Wallowing or posting how bad you think an item is helps no one.
The only thing I'd disagree with about your post is that you didn't luck out last year. You were a front-runner from autumn leaves. Your spirit and sportsmanship since Superstar started has been a blessing, so thanks for you encouragement.
@Drakli - I bet that coming to Clark or the others with some humility and willingness to learn can make up for potentially being the irritating joke guy. You'll recall that Clark was upset he thought someone wasn't taking everyone's time seriously. If you were, that's different (in my opinion). And, I think anyone would dramatically prefer to see someone ask for advice about an item they maybe didn't convey so well to the arrogance the judges sometimes put up with. It's better to sayyour item wasn't a joke and ask how you could make it better than to file a formal complaint or whatever other disrespectful reactions the judges have had to endure.
...I speak only for myself when I admit I read some items, I get locked out of the contest three years in a row, and I start to wonder if I just don't understand what a Superstar item even looks like.
I can understand your point of view, Steven. And I suspect there are many more who would share it. Every year, I think there's been at least a handful of items that make people scratch their heads and wonder why the judges selected them for Top 32. And it's not just because they have a puffed up sense of importance in how highly they view their own work. Often, many of the items that make it through have some pretty glaring mistakes. And yet, the judges champion some redeeming factor in them while overlooking those problems because of the potential they represent.
Defining the exact elements that go into a Superstar item isn't easy. If I had to pin it down to one primary thing, I'd say it's "an awesome idea"...but in and of itself, that isn't always going to be enough. The truly great items have to present "an awesome idea" done really well, both in terms of the game mechanics as well as the presentation and flavor text that accompanies it.
In many ways, the most properly executed wondrous item submission with flowing prose, tight mechanics, and perfect presentation still might not get in. Why? Because if there are 32 other items (or 36, counting the alternates) that had a more innovative spark to them, they could still edge out that type of item.
It's all subjective. And a Top 32 item is very much in the eye of the beholder...or, in this case, the judges. Sometimes that's a frustrating thing. However, I'll point out once again, you can't let that get you down if you don't crack the Top 32...even several years running. Why? Because each year is another year to learn from those who do make it. Another year to cook up something really innovative for the next contest. As long as you don't give up...follow along as a spectator...and prepare yourself for the next go-around, you'll be a stronger competitor when the next opportunity arrives. I make no bones about being an optimist in that regard.
The only thing I'd disagree with about your post is that you didn't luck out last year. You were a front-runner from autumn leaves. Your spirit and sportsmanship since Superstar started has been a blessing, so thanks for you encouragement.
That's kind of you to say. I really do want to encourage everyone to keep plugging away at the contest each year. This thing is only going to get better and better (as evidenced by Clark's own comparisons over all three years now). People are learning more and more about wondrous item design...as well as the design that goes into every other assignment. In the long run, we'll hopefully see lots of cool creations come from those who follow along with this contest. And that's whether they participate as a contestant or a spectator. You can learn a lot either way.
But that's just my two-cents,
--Neil
Hopefully, no one takes that advice in a negative way.
Ohhh. Yah. I sure did.
You're gonna be hearing from my lawyer!
Good Stuff
More Good Stuff
Thanks for the talk, guys.
I'm certainly not going to be antagonizing. Heck, most of my nervousness was/is being afraid I'd already accidentally antagonized someone important to our hobby.
I think I'm going to take your advice and post my item to his thread at the appropriate time.
Geez, the silly part of all this is that I don't actually know if I was the unpleasant joke guy. I'm really going to feel silly if I find out I just missed on a technicality or not quite enough oomph. n.n;
Great words Neil, as always!
(You have to give Kudos to the guy, not only can he write more than I can, [A scary thought in itself!] But he doesn't HAVE to! He can say more with a single well -turned sentence than I can with an entire page!) ;)
Thanks again Neil! And I look forward to following the 32's entries (And Neil's great advice) and then joining again NEXT year!
My only regret? Not entering LAST year! ;P
<shuffles off to join the line of readers/reviewers/posters of the Top 32!>
FYI, I've compiled a big list of reasons why many entries were autorejected, and I'm going to explain why for each reason, should help people improve their design and give better submissions next year.
FYI, I've compiled a big list of reasons why many entries were autorejected, and I'm going to explain why for each reason, should help people improve their design and give better submissions next year.
Thanks Sean!
And thanks Neil for offering advice to those who didn't make it and not just focusing on the guys who did! :p
Who've got my vote for President of the Republic of Funk!
Fantastic advice Neil, as usual.
And I was disappointed, for like five minutes, and then I was thinking of all the things I said in other posts during the waiting period, and I asked myself, "Did you actually mean those things, or were they just words?" And that helped turn me around. Because I really did mean all those positive things I said, and you are absolutely correct, I (we) still have a role to play, and I for one am looking forward to it. I followed along last year, and learned a lot, so I can only hope to learn even more this time around as I follow along (and participate in) RPG Superstar 2010, as a voter.
But, I am anxious to learn what it was about my item that the judges didn't like enough to advance it. (And it is my misfortune that I have a 12 hour day @ work today... was kinda hoping the "Clark, feedback" thread would be unlocked and I could post my item for his critique before I go into work today. ~sigh~
There's always after work. ;)
Seriously Neil, thanks for everything you do here on the Paizo messageboards. It's easy to see why you won Superstar 2009. You are a true professional in every way. (When my item gets posted, I wouldn't mind your opinion as well, if you find the time and feel so inclined.)
Thanks again.
Dean; The_Minstrel_Wyrm
...I was disappointed, for like five minutes, and then I was thinking of all the things I said in other posts during the waiting period, and I asked myself, "Did you actually mean those things, or were they just words?" And that helped turn me around.
Fantastic! You've made the transition from disappointment to "where do I go from here" and I believe you made the best choice in deciding to stay engaged with the contest. If you really think about it, cracking into the Top 32 isn't going to get any easier in the years that follow. Why? Because the people who follow along with this contest (especially from the very first year forward) have gleaned all kinds of information and insight into what catches the eyes of the judges, what constitutes a wondrous item, what pitfalls to avoid with their designs, and so on.
In addition, Paizo had hundreds more enter this year over last year. So the contest is growing. And the average level of quality is growing. To me, that means it's going to get harder and harder to get in. And those who crawl back into their shells and disengage from the contest...and who don't take advantage of the chance to understand why they didn't get selected...or who pass on the opportunity to observe the current contestants and how they successfully handle the upcoming challenges...will almost certainly do themselves a disfavor by not being as prepared as possible the next time this contest rolls around.
So, whether you want to look at my opinion on that as eternal optimism or just plain realism, either way, in my opinion, if you really do want a shot at the RPG Superstar contest, you have to follow along with it from beginning to end...even as a spectator and voter. Otherwise, you're making a colossal mistake by shooting yourself in the foot and immediately reducing your chances of making it in next time. And there's nobody to blame for that outcome but yourself if that's the choice you make.
But, I am anxious to learn what it was about my item that the judges didn't like enough to advance it.
That's exactly what everyone should do. And, if possible, push to the front of the line by getting your "please critique my item" request in as soon as possible. Each year, Clark gets so inundated he never gets through all the items. Instead, the insights he shares eventually become repetitive enough that once he's hit all the major examples, he leaves the rest of the requests alone. Because at that point, it's really up to the individual to read through Clark's critiques and figure out which pitfall claimed their submission on their own. But again, if you really want your item personally reviewed, try and get it posted as quickly as you can.
And then? Brace yourself. The criticism will come. And it might come as a pretty stiff blow to your ego. So, you'll demonstrate early on how well you can take criticism. It's a sign of a true Superstar that you can. And it's a clear sign of not being a Superstar when you can't. My advice would be to know that ahead of time.
(When my item gets posted, I wouldn't mind your opinion as well, if you find the time and feel so inclined.)
We'll see. I may not be able to do so even if I wished I could. I've got two assignments I have to complete relatively soon. So I may not have the time to follow along with the contest as closely as I'd like. Plus, if I provide feedback on one item, it's entirely likely others will make the same request. And I don't want to overextend myself trying to be helpful when the folks I need to help the most right now are the developers who entrusted me with some pretty cool assignments that have a pretty serious deadline.
Take care,
--Neil
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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've decided not to enter Superstar next year on the grounds I won't qualify to enter the contest. Thee's more than one way to skin a cat. Trust me. I've tried. : }
Off to work, and then to review magic items!
If you really think about it, cracking into the Top 32 isn't going to get any easier in the years that follow. Why? Because the people who follow along with this contest (especially from the very first year forward) have gleaned all kinds of information and insight into what catches the eyes of the judges, what constitutes a wondrous item, what pitfalls to avoid with their designs, and so on.
As I read over the items yesterday, in fact, it seemed to my trained editorial eye that many had almost exactly the same approach to how they wrote their item. Not that the ideas were the same - the ideas were different. It was the opening, with a short line of description, some well-written flavor text, and then a jog into some rules that fulfilled Clark's criteria as mentioned in the thread. This shows that many writers working independantly could come to the same conclusion, and format their items similarly. They still had to have the spark to win, but the winners clearly paid attention.
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Star Voter Season 6
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If I may add to Mr. Spicer's wonderful advice...
Continue to submit, practice, polish. On the forums, on Wayfinder, to Kobold Quarterly.
Read the items that made it into the top 32, and more importantly the criticism from them. See how they apply to you. Typos? Fix 'em. Letting your inner Clark Ashton Smith out to play?, Stuff him back in the box and let him only have a word or two.
I do not comment a lot, but I do read much on these messageboards.
Neil is incredibly generous with his time, knowledge and help.
We would be a lot poorer without him. Thanks for helping us!
Letting your inner Clark Ashton Smith out to play?
Argh, you fool!!!
I've decided not to enter Superstar next year on the grounds I won't qualify to enter the contest.
Is it nosy of me to ask why you won't qualify? I feel like I should congratulate you on something?
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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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Is it nosy of me to ask why you won't qualify? I feel like I should congratulate you on something?I've decided not to enter Superstar next year on the grounds I won't qualify to enter the contest.
To not qualify, you have to have a hardcover credit or otherwise become a recognized designing person. It's my hope that some collaborative efforts we're developing now, combined with a couple of soft-cover jobs and another large event at Gen COn, and I'll be on my way to working consistently and maybe building an audience so I can pitch a novel.
That's the grand plan. It isn't that I am there, it's that I choose to think "I can do this another way and enjoy Superstar" to "I suck at this and can't do it."
So..thinking of pitching Necro and Paizo, and waiting for an email from the Boss at Sinister.
It's not to nosy to ask me anything. This (and my Bible) is where I come to make a tough day better, so I am always excited about Superstar. If only Clark didn't wish I'd catch malaria! : }
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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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He's about to hit 10th level in his Prestige class and will be considered an 'Outsider' from this point forward, with all it's bonuses and penalties, such as 'Not eligble for contests for humans'..
There are penalties for being an outsider? Other than being smitable, I don't se it.
I think I have the Lawful, Good and Evil subtypes, so that does make more than averagely smitable...
Neil, once again thank you.
And I realize that you are incredibly busy... and I probably shouldn't have asked, but judges opinions notwithstanding, your opinion is one that I would value highly as well. But I can certainly see where this might become problematic, and I'd rather you get your assignments completed, than worry about looking at my item. There are plenty of other paizoians that will likely fill that request. ;)
Regards,
Dean; The_Minstrel_Wyrm
... and waiting for an email from the Boss at Sinister...
That can be a very long wait. ;D
-Ben.
[Who knows Nic is good people. ;) ]
Great advice Neil. Honestly, I'm going to follow through with each round for my own edification, as practice for next year.
Contributor
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Star Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 9
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Thanks for the advice, Neil! You've been quite the presence in all 3 years of SuperStar, and, where one might walk away from the contest after having won it, you've stayed around and given advice and encouragement to everyone. If there were a RPG SuperStar Hall of Fame, you'd get voted in unanimously. :)
After reading your advice and the top 32 items from this year, I'm already working on my 2011 item. 4th time's the charm, right?