Joshua Kitchens RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7 aka Draconas |
Jim Groves Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 4 |
Dennis Baker Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16 |
What I've come away thinking is that it is good sportmanship, just as Tom says. However, I'd make it short and positive. I wouldn't do a lot of analysis. We're also dealing with pubic perception of us, and people *can* (but not always) read all kinds of motives into anything.
Short, sincere, and positive.
This is what I tried to do. I screwed this up last round.
In general all the entries in this round are awesome, it's very tough to pick our the winners and I feel privileged to compete with you guys.
Richard A. Hunt RPG Superstar 2010 Top 8 aka AWizardInDallas |
In general all the entries in this round are awesome, it's very tough to pick our the winners and I feel privileged to compete with you guys.
Here, here <banging goblet on table>. I'd also be glad to collaborate with any of you guys, bar none. Doing so in this round has really been one of the greatest things about this! :)
Jason Schimmel RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16 , Star Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7 |
Dennis Baker wrote:In general all the entries in this round are awesome, it's very tough to pick our the winners and I feel privileged to compete with you guys.Here, here <banging goblet on table>. I'd also be glad to collaborate with any of you guys, bar none. Doing so in this round has really been one of the greatest things about this! :)
Yeah I had this notion that I would stat up like 4 different monster (then my own after submitting) and then pick the best one. The outage on the Paizo site put a cramp in that(lousy deadlines), but I've really liked seeing what someone else did with my description. The collaboration thing has been fun. I'm thinking of starting a thread of "practice" creations when the contest is over just to see what people have to say as far as input and feedback. Oh why couldn't this crazy storm have come LAST week.
Matthew McGee RPG Superstar 2010 Top 4 |
Matthew Morris RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8 , Star Voter Season 6 |
Yeah, my concern is twofold,
The first is to have a negative impact on anyone who statted up my creature with a 'That's not what I meant' or 'How did that get taken from my text?'
Secondly, I don't want to appear to overly flattering someone who took the challenge of my critter.
I think I'll just shut up ;-)
Dennis Baker Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16 |
Matthew Morris RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8 , Star Voter Season 6 |
Jim Groves Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 4 |
I'm really sick. I mean physically ill. Either have a bad sinus infection centered behind my right eye and ear, or I'm beginning to wonder if it's an absessed tooth.
Anyway, I started the antibiotics yesterday around lunchtime.. and they're starting to kick in and the pain is tapering off now. But haven't slept more than 3 to 4 hours since Sunday night, and now I anticipate sleeping all Tuesday afternoon long. Which is a good thing, because I'll get my strength back in time for the next Round.
Not going to let this stop me. That's why I found a Doctor bright and early Monday morning.
Honestly though, regarding the silence, the voters have really let their will be known. I stopped the 'thank you' posts and only plan on doing one mass generic thank you later this afternoon. I'm not surprised the posts have tapered right off.
Neil Spicer Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut |
Things really start to tighten up at this stage. The drama increases. And, what may have been viewed as a fun exercise in freelance design in the first couple of rounds, suddenly turns into one of the greatest opportunities anyone could have. So, the tension starts to quell a lot of the banter as everyone focuses that much harder on their designs. The competition gets tighter due to the obvious talent level of everyone who advances, as well.
Also, this is the cut-off point where we learn who's out (but still eligible to participate next year) and who's in (with a chance of going all the way, despite becoming unable to participate in future competitions). So, the stakes go up a bit. Knowing you made the Top 8 is a great feeling. Then, the pressure of wanting to make the Top 4 (and fearing you won't) kicks in. This next round will determine who gets to take their shot at the brass ring. And it'll be interesting to see how everyone handles that.
James Martin RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16, 2011 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8 |
So far I've seen a great deal of professionalism, creativity, innovation and chutzpah from all the contestants so far. No matter how high the drama, no matter who advances, I have every confidence that the final product will be excellent. Chance of a lifetime or not, from what I've seen, if these contestants want to make this their avocation, there's not much that can stop them.
Neil Spicer Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut |
Agreed. As Daigle once put it, there are many ways to get into professional game design. RPG Superstar just happens to be one of the coolest doors to walk through. And that doesn't just mean for the winner. Making the Top 32 alone is big mojo. And there are plenty of other great designers who didn't get accepted into the competition who can write and create just as well. So, yeah...the world is everyone's oyster...or...something like that. ;-)
Benjamin Bruck Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 8 aka Benchak the Nightstalker |
Joshua Kitchens RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7 aka Draconas |
Chris Mortika RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16 |
Jason Schimmel RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16 , Star Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7 |
Tom Phillips Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16, 2011 Top 32, 2012 Top 4 |
Matthew Morris RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8 , Star Voter Season 6 |
Joshua Kitchens RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7 aka Draconas |
Seth White RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32 |
Congratulations to the Top 8 for making it to the next round!
All the Top 16 entries were great. The level of design here is awesome, and everyone should be proud of their designs. As a voter this round, it was a challenge narrowing it down to 6 choices.
Best of luck to the Top 8 in the next round. I can't wait to see some awesome cartography, because that's something I really enjoy dabbling with.
Matthew Morris RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8 , Star Voter Season 6 |
Seth White RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32 |
Seth White wrote:Best of luck to the Top 8 in the next round. I can't wait to see some awesome cartography, because that's something I really enjoy dabbling with.No pressure there... ;-)
haha I'm confident you guys will blow me away again next round. I'm really pumped to see the location/map/encounter. This should be really fun to read!
Jason Nelson Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games |
Seth White wrote:Best of luck to the Top 8 in the next round. I can't wait to see some awesome cartography, because that's something I really enjoy dabbling with.No pressure there... ;-)
Hey, don't get worried about whether you have "l33t mapping sk11z" - I still draw my maps in pencil on graph paper and ink them over with a ball-point pen. If you've got the skills, by all means use them and be thankful for having them, but don't get you down. The key point is to make your map clean and readable. Then Corey, Rob, and the pro mapper geniuses can make it look oh so pretty...
Charles Evans 25 |
I was going to post these on the thread of one particular contestant, but it occured to me that for what they're worth, they might be of (possible) interest to all the top 8.
Some thoughts on Round 5:
With regard to Round 5, my thoughts are to tell a story which leads, rather than railroads, and present interesting NPCs. (Neil Spicer, famously last year, had a drunken treant, which drew some flak from the judges, especially over the name, but which certainly got attention.)
You won't be presenting an idea for an adventure for your home group who know your style of play, how you think, what to expect, but for a Paizo module, which will be for groups around the world that may be widely different to your own.
Look at the three submissions which didn't make it last year, if you have the time, and look at Neil's which the judges reported won by a landslide, and try to understand what did and didn't go down well with the voters.
If you make the last 4, you will be throwing your concept in the ring with some potentially very strong concepts from the other three.
My recommended reading (although they are obviously adventures for longer formats) are Burnt Offerings by James Jacobs, The Skinsaw Murders by Richard Pett, and Howl of the Carrion King (the main adventure that is to say) by Erik Mona. (These are ones I can recommend from those which I have read; there may be others as good or better outside my collection.)
But first of all, you have to nail Round 4, of course.
Best of luck to the top 8, and for Nethys' sake, use your pdfs of the Campaign Setting to check things as necessary.
Oh, and try to keep level heads... ;)
Joe Wells RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 6 |
James Martin RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16, 2011 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8 |
Matt Goodall Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 , Dedicated Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Dedicated Voter Season 9 |
Sean McGowan RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32, 2011 Top 4 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9 aka DankeSean |
Richard A. Hunt RPG Superstar 2010 Top 8 aka AWizardInDallas |
Gentlemen, start your engines! :)
I just wanted to wish you, my fellow contestants, much luck in the coming round. May the pencil you map with never burst into flame from the ferocity of your fevered machinations. :)
Also, to the gentlemen not joining us this round, I also wanted to say again that you are all winners. I really, sincerely hope to see you guys contributing elsewhere and in next year's contest. Your imagination and skill speak for themselves! Cheers, lads! :)
Matthew Morris RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8 , Star Voter Season 6 |
Jim Groves Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 4 |
Jim Groves Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 4 |
Matthew Morris RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8 , Star Voter Season 6 |
Jim Groves Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 4 |
Jim Groves wrote:The ardorwesp Q & A has been posted if any one is interested.Very illuminating. I will say that your statblock was my second favourite this last round (mine was my favourite of course)
If you've time, I'd love to get your thoughts on my posts on the lahamu and the caltrop golem.
Sure! It might take me a bit to reply but I'll do it later today and tomorrow. I've got a MapTools game later this afternoon that I need to get ready for (as a player), but I'll pop over and have a look right now.
Richard A. Hunt RPG Superstar 2010 Top 8 aka AWizardInDallas |
Matthew Morris RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8 , Star Voter Season 6 |
Jim Groves Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 4 |
Thanks for the comments Jim!
I'll be honest, were I a betting man, I'd put my money on you or Ben to win this.
I'd be dishonest if I said that isn't pleasing to hear, but *I* really have to see the Round Four entries before I let myself feel that confident. I've gotten over-confident before and been really disappointed.. and not to sound all 'sensitive' but it hurts when it happens. What has served me well has been looking at each Round as if it might be my last. That keeps me honest and in search of excellence.
I agree Ben Bruck is one of the strongest semi-finalists. I have a lot of respect for everything Ben has done in this competition. That being said, every one of the surviving 8 has shown a lot of potential. All one needs is one strong hit in a Round for things to change quickly.
But let's talk about YOU. Matthew sometimes you don't give yourself enough credit. Humility is important, because nobody likes a self-centered and self-absorbed jerk. I get that. On the other hand, all of us have made it to the Top 8 because people have liked what we've done and they believe in us. We shouldn’t try to practice humility by telling them that they have bad taste because they like us.
Woody Allen goes in for that level of self-deprecation with his famous line about, 'I wouldn’t want to be a member of a club that would have me as a member.' That works for him, I guess. He's rich and famous, but I'm not a huge fan. Allen had his moments but those have passed (IMO).
When people vote for us, certainly we should be humble, but at the same time we shouldn't try to convince them that they made a mistake. We need to show them that they didn't! Understanding that, I think, is as every bit as important as winning the contest.
Granted winning the contest is a whole lot more exciting and sexy than just being wiser for the experience. Lol.
You're here at the Top 8 for a reason, Matthew Morris. And YOU got what it takes to win just as much as I do. Start by telling yourself that, and then turn around and show the rest of us. :D
‘Cause that’s when the magic and the excitement starts.
Matthew Morris RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8 , Star Voter Season 6 |
Jim Groves Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 4 |
I want to win this, and am going to do the best I can do. Just know it's an uphill battle :P
Attaboy!
Edit: And sometimes the only way I can really tell myself something something that *I* need to hear, is by saying it somebody else. Lol. My regrets if it sounded preachy. I meant it to be uplifting.
Seth White RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32 |
Oh beleive me, it's not false modesty on my part. This is the round I'm most nervous about. Well this and round 2. Stats I can handle. I analyse our call results and graph them for fun.
I want to win this, and am going to do the best I can do. Just know it's an uphill battle :P
Well, for what it's worth, I've voted for you both rounds because you came up with some awesome stuff. I'm looking forward to see what you come up with this round.
Benjamin Bruck Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 8 aka Benchak the Nightstalker |
Oh beleive me, it's not false modesty on my part. This is the round I'm most nervous about. Well this and round 2. Stats I can handle. I analyse our call results and graph them for fun.
I want to win this, and am going to do the best I can do. Just know it's an uphill battle :P
Honestly, I'm nervous as hell about this next round too. :)
Neil Spicer Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut |
I'm nervous for you guys! This round last year was the most nerve-wracking of all for me, too. It's the break point that determines if you get a shot at the brass ring or not. And much like Jason Nelson has described before, when I made the Top 32, I just wanted a chance to compete in every round. The contest is so cool that you just want to stick around and keep producing stuff round after round.
Best of luck,
--Neil
Jesse Benner Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 8 |
Well, I quote the violinist on the Titanic:
"It has been an honor playing with you gentlemen."
Seriously, I'm just so grateful to have made it in. And I'm almost relieved that I won't be able to compete again in case I've used up the equivalent of "everyone has one novel in them" this year and now the well's dry!
I wonder, has there ever been an attempt to get all of the top 8 or the top 4 or any denomination of the semi-finalists together for a game?
I mean, top 32 would be numerically and logistically prohibitive, but I personally would love to meet everyone face to face over some rolled dice and some Mountain Dew and Cheeeeeeetos.
[Watcher] I CAST MAGIC MISSILE ON THE DARKNE-[/Watcher]
[Benjamin Bruck] You're NOT THERE YET! [Benjamin Bruck]
Like THAT wouldn't be AWESOME!?!
I'm totally willing to host.
-QGJ
Jim Groves Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 4 |
I'm totally willing to host.
That would be awesome!
And actually... I don't know if Ben will mind me saying this or not, but we're meeting for lunch on Thursday. This Thursday. Asian food.
By then we'll have seen Round 4 and have something really good to talk about.
If you can make it to the Boise area, I'm sure it would be cool for you to join us!
Neil Spicer Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut |
I don't know about Superstar gaming, but show up at PaizoCon and you'll bump into plenty of folks from the Top 8 of previous years. Last year, we had Rob McCreary, Jason Nelson, Clinton Boomer, Russ Taylor, Joshua Blazej and me. So, don't be shy if you're coming out to Seattle. You'll find many of the same faces, I'm sure.
Matthew Morris RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8 , Star Voter Season 6 |
Benjamin Bruck Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 8 aka Benchak the Nightstalker |
If you can make it to the Boise area, I'm sure it would be cool for you to join us!
Most definitely they'd be welcome, the more the merrier.
If you're in the Boise area and free Thursday afternoon, shoot me a line at brazenhead@hotmail.com and I'll fill you in on the details.
As for Paizo Con, I'll probably be attending this year as well!