Looking for constructive criticism and ideas on what makes a good entry into the first round of superstar. So what really makes a good wonderous item? Great name? Clarity? etc.
I would say creativity and knowing how to keep things balanced.
If that fails, deep pockets and a fat wallet along with the judges address might work.....;) J/K!!!!!!!
I'd say it starts with knowing the difference between a wondrous item and a wonderous item. ;-)
That became a major pet-peeve of mine in reviewing stuff this year. You'd be surprised how many people missed that simple thing.
After that, I have no idea what Charles is asserting about "showmanship"...as that implies to me that someone's putting on a show by trying to go over the top or gonzo. And I don't think that's what it takes. However, how you comport yourself over the later rounds of the competition is certainly a factor in your advancement. But it seems to me you're only asking about the first round. And, an anonymous 300-word wondrous item isn't going to demonstrate anything about your behavior or showmanship.
Thus, to me, what you want to do is propose an item with creative spark and mojo. That means getting inside the mechanics of the item to have it draw on some under-used element...or an existing element that allows the item to do something more than a simple Spell-in-a-Can could accomplish. It's got to be innovative in this regard to avoid (or override) the auto-reject categories. Wrap some really compelling flavor around it that also speaks to its innovative nature and inspires the reader to envision that item in use, whether by their PCs or the GM's NPCs. Next, you've got to show that you can write well. You also need to show a good eye for detail in your presentation and how you use the template...i.e., show that you can make an item that looks like it's ready for publication, using the exact same format as what appears in the Pathfinder Core Rulebook. Lastly, give your item a great name to standout and inspire the imagination.
You do all those things and your item should have a strong chance to catch the judges' eyes. It should stand a reasonable chance of quickly going into the Keep pile. And, from there, an item that's strong in all those key areas should stand the fire of the crucible and come out as a Top 32 vote-getter among the judges.
Just my two cents,
--Neil
Hmm. Apparently Showmanship has different cultural connotations/implications over on the other side of the Atlantic... d'oh. Personally I'd say it covered creative spark, flavor, writing well, presentation, and a great name.
I by no means speak for the average American, but when I hear "showmanship" I think of dog competitions. But that could just be me. ;-p
I'd say it starts with knowing the difference between a wondrous item and a wonderous item. ;-)
wow what a time not to spell check :( oh well time to go into hiding. lol
Hm. I think I'm going to make a list of the best posts of advice that have been posted over the years. There is so much valuable information, which gets harder and harder to find as they get buried deeper and deeper.
So, whenever a question like this comes up again, I can easily point them to all the relevant information.
Neil, your last post will definitely get added to said list. (like so many others of you)
If anybody knows some posts that definitely should be added to such a list, point me right at them :)
I think this is actually a difficult question to give a definitive answer to. All we can do is give you food for thought.
There is already a lot of advice on following and reading the rules, formatting, auto reject obvious flaws and so forth.
So lets say you have practiced all those so you have a tight, well formed, non auto rejectable entry that follows the rules.
That of itself doesnt make it superstar, it just gets you on the right path.
Superstar, I think is much more than that.
Your item should aim I think for mass appeal. By this I mean, is the DM crying out to see it in use in his game, do the players really desire the item.
Originality is also a good thing but it can also be a bad thing. With this I am talking about the item itself, we'll get into lands not trodden next.
An example to use here would be that attention grabbing name. You started out with a Bat of Bash and eventually work your way to submitting Bouncing Battling Bash Baton. You now think it's a cool name and there lies the rub. What is cool to one is "oh my god no" to another.
If you look at previous top 32 years, you will find items that you really like and there will be items, even in those superstar entries that you arent kean on.
So you then look at trying something different that hasnt been seen before - you know, the Flying Fire breathing Zombie Paladin of SKR. Again, going into new ground is good and gets noticed but depending on how far you go, can probably get you rejected even faster.
It's all about balance I think (but I havent made top 32, so I may be wrong too), Superstar not only is technically correct, with competent writing, original ideas and cool names, Superstar is also about recognising when to stop, where to tread and how.
Unfortunately, that can only come through the wonders of trial and error, putting your stuff up for feedback if you dont get through and trying again.
I think for me, that's probably the best part of defining Superstar, someone who keeps trying, learning and improving (and I hope someone who just may get there one day).
So if this waffle helps, brilliant! If not, ah well, we'll all know in less than a week and will have 32 more examples of Superstarness to learn from.
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32
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Hard to say. I didn't expect my entry last year to make it since I felt it was really risky. I knew I was traveling well-treaded ground, but I felt there was some room there for something I thought was really cool. It was a gamble for sure, but it was also the item that excited me the most, and the one I wanted to have in my game. And now it IS in my game, since it's been published by KQ as an official Pathfinder item, which is the most awesome thing in the world.
This year I had several ideas I really liked (I threw one of them into the auto-reject thread). Neither of them was the clear winner in my mind, so I'm wholly uncertain if I will make it this year. I really like the item I submitted, though it was completely transformed from my first concept. If I don't make it I'll still be proud of what I did, but I have no earthly idea if it's good enough for the top 32.
It's difficult to guarantee your item is one of the best 32 of the thousand or so that are submitted. You can try and come up with your best idea, and work hard to get the rules, costing, etc right, and think through as many exceptions or confusing rules to eliminate as possible. But in the end, you're pitting yourself against a lot of really creative people. And you're hoping your idea is new enough and interesting enough that the judges will want to choose that one.
If you do everything right and don't hang yourself with sloppy design, you SHOULD get noticed, and make the keep pile. You might not make the top 32, or even an alternate slot, but that doesn't mean you did something wrong. Just that someone did something better. But if you dig deep into the existing rules and items, and make sure you get the design right, you're in a good place.
Study the existing wondrous items, and read every item from previous years, and the judges' and everyone's comments. And read Neil's and Sean's and Clark's posts. The auto-reject, pitfalls to avoid, and my two cents posts are solid gold. Then keep chipping at it each year, and try to think about those places where you can add a new rule or a new twist on a classic rule, and you will come up with an idea that really is cool enough, smart enough, and unique enough that the judges want to champion it.
I'd say it starts with knowing the difference between a wondrous item and a wonderous item. ;-)
That became a major pet-peeve of mine in reviewing stuff this year. You'd be surprised how many people missed that simple thing.
W-o-n-d-r-o-u-s, sorry a definite grammar mistake and I am sure that you see them all the time. I graduated college two and half years ago and have written little other than reports since that time. So this competition has revived my interest in writing and I hope to get back into the groove soon lol.
Wrap some really compelling flavor around it that also speaks to its innovative nature and inspires the reader to envision that item in use, whether by their PCs or the GM's NPCs.
Best advise I was given while writing in college and in my profession is to write for the reader. Answer any question you think the reader may have. Also when writing, give vivid descriptions that make the words come alive. You want the title or name to stick out and you want your writing to grab the attention of those reading it. Lastly, proof read and avoid the grammar pitfalls, like wond-e-rous, that will make your writing look like a rough document that is hurried and unfinished.
BTW, Seth, I think you (and anyone else who's made it into RPG Superstar) should add links to your entries in your Paizo.com message board profile. :)
the list is up and growing. if I missed something valuable point me right at it ;)
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BTW, Seth, I think you (and anyone else who's made it into RPG Superstar) should add links to your entries in your Paizo.com message board profile. :)
or you could just make this post a sticky:
http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/paizoPublishing/rpgsuperstar/general/p reviousEntries
Pillows of Deep Slumber. They have an in-world use (insomnia cure) for well-to-do people who have *highly trusted* servants to wake them up before they die of dehydration.
Plus, they're the perfect excuse to have your two weapon Ranger staring down an Ogre with a pillow in each hand. Looking Very Dubious.
Consider this an example. Or perhaps a cautionary tale. :)
I know I am not a judge, but for me it would have to be useful. The cool item that I never use is just a money sink. If it is not something someone in my group would buy or I would use as a DM then it does not get submitted by me. I submitted an item last year that I have not used in my own games yet. Now in my second attempt I made something I would buy. I just hope I make it to round 2.
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RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32
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BTW, Seth, I think you (and anyone else who's made it into RPG Superstar) should add links to your entries in your Paizo.com message board profile. :)or you could just make this post a sticky:
http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/paizoPublishing/rpgsuperstar/general/p reviousEntries
I agree that this excellent resource would be awesome stickied.
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RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32
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I know I am not a judge, but for me it would have to be useful. The cool item that I never use is just a money sink. If it is not something someone in my group would buy or I would use as a DM then it does not get submitted by me. I submitted an item last year that I have not used in my own games yet. Now in my second attempt I made something I would buy. I just hope I make it to round 2.
Yeah I agree that this is key. If you don't think the item would be awesome as loot, or you can't picture an encounter built around the item for a DM, then it probably isn't superstar. Of course, it still needs to be balanced and priced right too. Nothing is awesome if it's too powerful or gives you bonuses you don't deserve; it's broken.
BTW, Seth, I think you (and anyone else who's made it into RPG Superstar) should add links to your entries in your Paizo.com message board profile. :)or you could just make this post a sticky:
http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/paizoPublishing/rpgsuperstar/general/p reviousEntries
No, I want to be able to click on Seth's profile when I see his title and quickly jump to his entries, not have to click over to that year's Top 32, then look for his name, etc.
GIVE ME WHAT I WANT!!! :)
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BTW, Seth, I think you (and anyone else who's made it into RPG Superstar) should add links to your entries in your Paizo.com message board profile. :)or you could just make this post a sticky:
http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/paizoPublishing/rpgsuperstar/general/p reviousEntries
No, I want to be able to click on Seth's profile when I see his title and quickly jump to his entries, not have to click over to that year's Top 32, then look for his name, etc.
GIVE ME WHAT I WANT!!! :)
lol I actually agree. The winners from all rounds should proudly display their winning entries in their sigs on the Forum (I know that if I win I will definitely do it). But, having that post stickied would be nice also. :D
YESSIR!!
Oh, man, Vessel of the Deep? They shouldn't let this guy compete again -- I didn't make anything that cool!
GIVE ME WHAT I WANT!!! :)
ONLY IF I GET WHAT I WANT!!!!.......lol
the list is up and growing. if I missed something valuable point me right at it ;)
Where?
I am creating something similar to post as a thank-you gift or as part of my acceptance speech :)You probably have these already:
2010 Neil did a blow-by-blow of each of the rounds.
2010 (&2009) Clark's tired of seeing these threads.
the list is up and growing. if I missed something valuable point me right at it ;)Where?
I am creating something similar to post as a thank-you gift or as part of my acceptance speech :)You probably have these already:
** spoiler omitted **
Umm, Sean: the Paizo messageboards do have this nifty 'wishlist' feature which you can use to collect long lists of posts. You can even make comments about the posts you've collected. :)
I've already explained that I know how to find who's written what in a few convoluted clicks. I'm saying that these people should put their links in their profile for *everyone* to see, as my wishlist doesn't help everyone else. :)
Basically (as I understand it), Sean's saying that if you're in the running this time around, people may click on you and check you out, and it's to your advantage to make it easy for them to see previous efforts of yours that they may like.
I'll add that one of the first things a Top 32 competitor should work on (aside from their Round Two submission) is to develop an online personality. You've got to sell yourself to the voters (without commenting during voting rounds, of course). But don't go over the top either. No one likes a showboat.
Rather, you've got to start giving people an idea of what you're all about...where you came from...how long you've been gaming...how you view the game and the contest...and what you intend to bring to it. If you start painting that picture for everyone, it helps them view your designs in an associative way that pays dividends down the road...whether later in the competition or when you start writing material in actual published products.
Therefore...given the importance of all that...you should take Sean's advice and fill out your profile. Let people know a little bit about what you've already done. And that includes prior submissions to RPG Superstar that made Top 32 or maybe an alternate. It never hurts to let people learn those kinds of things about you. They'll quickly see that you take the contest and your designs seriously. And that you take pride in your work.
Just my two cents,
--Neil
Gotta say Liz, that avatar scares the crap outta me.
Nobody messes with Paizo Customer Services.
And I mean nobody.
Gotta say Liz, that avatar scares the crap outta me.
Nobody messes with Paizo Customer Services.
And I mean nobody.
If you think that's scary, wait for Neil's rage at the title spelling. :)
Gotta say Liz, that avatar scares the crap outta me.
It's a bit more overtly "RAWR" than this one. This one requires a bit more ranks in Greyhawk lore to be scary or intimidating. :P
I'll add that one of the first things a Top 32 competitor should work on (aside from their Round Two submission) is to develop an online personality. You've got to sell yourself to the voters (without commenting during voting rounds, of course). But don't go over the top either. No one likes a showboat.--Neil
OK up for bids is me a new writer with a great sense of humor, lets open the bids at $0.10 shall we.
lol
lol
I really need to get some sleep. I couldn't sleep last night as my brain just wouldn't stop thinking of my round 2 entry if I make it in. I wrote my Archetype up and almost changed everything I wrote. Now Im looking at it wondering what I can to to cut the word count down a bit more and still have it make sense. I think I really need to leave it alone until tomorrow.
Thank you! lol
ok, I'm done with my first pass over the Archives, might have missed some of the advice, but its already a long list.
You can easily find it by clicking on my name,getting to my profile and then looking at my lists.
(or simply clicking my lists )
hope you enjoy it :)
ok, I'm done with my first pass over the Archives, might have missed some of the advice, but its already a long list.
You can easily find it by clicking on my name,getting to my profile and then looking at my lists.
(or simply clicking my lists )hope you enjoy it :)
That's a great list. Kudos to you yet again, sir.
Quick question if I may...
Say you have a skill that provides a bonus in some situations but is a penalty in others (e.g. +1 to a skill check in situation A but in the opposite situation Z, it's a penalty of -1)
Then in a subsequent skill, you decide that the bonus and penalty increase by 1 each, would you say something like
"the bonus/penalty to skill xyz increases by +1/-1"
or
"the skill modifier for xyz increases by +1" and assume the players and GM treat this as an ordinal increase to the bonus and the penalty?
or something else?
So you're saying basically that gunning for Superstar has all of the political game of the Oscars?
Hmmm, lets see... I wonder if a profile entry of...
"My real name is Steven Seagal. Vote for me and I will stop making movies."
... might work.
So you're saying basically that gunning for Superstar has all of the political game of the Oscars?
I'm saying that this is both a design contest and a popularity contest. There's no denying that it has that element to it. And quite frankly, that's okay. Paizo (and any game company) wants freelancers who energize their customer base...not someone who does great designs, but ticks off everyone...or remains a reclusive hermit, either. There's a business side to designing great products. And even a freelancer should be cognizant of the professional considerations of things like that. How are you going to conduct yourself? How are you going to work on popularizing your stuff? How are you going to help a game company sell your work? First and foremost, it's by designing awesome stuff. And, after that, it's by putting yourself out there in the most accessible and friendly way that you can.
It's not so much political as just good commonsense. Give people an idea of the designer behind the design. Work on making that guy just as appealing as your work. And, if you combine those two elements, it makes you that much easier to support...whether with a vote in RPG Superstar, or a purchase of your product off the shelf. Both of those things help Paizo (or the company you're working with). And, a good freelancer should always be focused on helping the companies he or she works with. That's why a freelancer is called in on a project anyway. And, it's a great way to get sustainable work in the industry. So, if you want a shot at doing some freelancing, start conducting yourself like a freelancer. Be that which you wish to become. And embrace the role.
My two cents,
--Neil
The "reclusive hermit" bit is actually a dig at myself.
For instance, as active as I appear here online, I'm the exact opposite in person. It takes me awhile to get comfortable and warm up to large crowds and gatherings at various events where I don't know anyone. I have a tendency to make friends in small groups with individuals in very limited engagements.
At my first PaizoCon, I got a good wakeup call and pep-talk from none other than Lisa Stevens herself about that. So, the next year, I went all-out by running not one, but two open games. I dropped by to meet and discuss a just-released PFS scenario I'd written with an active table that was running it. I purposefully took a tour of Seattle with a large number of other folks guided by Tim Nightengale as a way to socialize a bit and get to know the town and the other PaizoCon attendees. And I organized and moderated a large panel discussion about this very contest, while also sitting in the audience a few others and offering some comments and asking questions.
In other words, I stopped being a wallflower and used the opportunity before me to give back as much as I could. And also to open myself up a bit more to other people. So, the point I'm making here is that potential RPG Superstars should start developing the same mentality now. Put yourself out there. Let people get to know you. Don't just hide behind your designs.