Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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I didn't want to clog up the judges feedback thread, so I thought I'd create a place to say thank you for providing the judge's comments.
Thank you.
Edit: and, now that I'm not rushing to finish typing to answer the phone, let me add that I value the feedback you provided and appreciate the level of thought that went into judging my item. What's always insightful about contests like this (or even the submission process for Dragon/Dungeon) is how much harder it is to do this for a living than it looks.
Thank you for taking the time to critique my item. It is much appreciated and I will take the comments presented and make use of them to improve in the future.
Yes, thanks for the critique as well as the contest overall.
I knew my item was too complicated to explain in 300 words but I loved it so much I couldn't stop myself from entering it. I must learn self control.
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Yes, thanks for the critique as well as the contest overall.
I knew my item was too complicated to explain in 300 words but I loved it so much I couldn't stop myself from entering it. I must learn self control.
Whoops, already clogged up the critique thread with a thank you post but wanted to give kudos to Sean for the speedy feedback. He's really churning out the comments pretty quickly. I'm sure it is greatly appreciated by all of us who didn't make it.
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Contributor
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka Boxhead
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I'll give a huge shout out to Sean, Neil and (maybe most all, because he really had no stake) Clark. There was so much great advice this to build on, I felt like it really elevated my game.
For all of you still playing at home, read this stuff. I've put an item into every competition so far (all 4, plus the spiritual predecessor- Flight of the Red Raven). The best advice I can give is this- read, read, read. If the judges are posting, it's worth reading. If some problems come up year after year, listen to those concerns. Make sure you're not treading on ground that's already been covered or rejected.
I didn't want to clog up the judges feedback thread, so I thought I'd create a place to say thank you for providing the judge's comments.
Thank you.
+1. Make that +1,000.
This is my first year entering, third year following. And the reason I love this contest is because of the judges.
I never realized how interesting and involved game design was until I saw how many considerations and constraints go into it. RPG Superstar leads by example, providing a gargantuan treasury of examples and feedback to learn and improve from.
It's your detailed, insightful comments that make that happen. It's your amazing dedication and effort that make that happen. And it's your kindness, devotion, and all-around awesomeness that make it so much fun.
Thank you.
--Ziv
Thank you for the feedback, you are doing a great job, really!
And congratulations to all winners, too!!! Well done all :D
I have not had my item critiqued yet...but I am truly amazed at the amount of extra miles the judges are willing to go to improve all us rejects. At least the process of snipping and pasting judge comments will probably get pretty streamlined I'd wager.
A Heartfelt thank you in advance!
Man just reading the commentary gives buckets of inspiration and aha moments. Hope ya'll are ready for a fight next year ;-)
Haven't seen my own remarks yet, but thanks in advance:
In just trying to read through and comment on nothing but the 32, nightmares and horrors of my brief stint as a teacher assailed me. "How do I explain to this sweet-eyed child that (s)he should stick to drawing?" The only way I can remain even remotely positive is by commenting only on those I like and pretending that the rest just don't exist; were I compelled to comment on them all, there's no way I could do it and not just be a dream-crushing overlord of doom.
My hat is off to you all, and thank you again for what you are doing.
I'm using a slightly different approach on the feedback (more akin to Clark's style) than the copy/pasted comments Sean and Mark are putting out there. I think it's absolutely vital that you see both, though. Sean and Mark will more quickly give you insight into what the judges thought about while discussing and...well, judging...your item. I'm taking it more "in stream" to go over each section of a wondrous item submission to point out small details and design insights where I perceive them that might improve your future work.
I have no illusions, however. I won't be able get to everyone. Much like Clark in prior years, I'll reach a point where it won't make sense to just go through each and every one of the requests for feedback. Eventually, I'll start repeating many of the same points I'll have made on other design critiques. The important thing is that everyone read the whole thread. Don't just sit on your laurels waiting for the judges to come to your specific item. You can learn a lot of lessons by reading the critiques of the other items and then educating yourself on how all that stuff might also apply to your item.
And, in all honesty, it's not so much about where your item for this year went wrong or didn't quite have enough oomph to it. It's far important for you to start building these design insights into your skillset for the next item you'll be working on. That's why all the feedback to all the designers is important to review. Your single item review isn't going to give you insight into anything more than just the individual pitfalls that took you down this time. You need to broaden your understanding rather than taking it in one personal item review at a time.
But that's just my two cents,
--Neil
I'm using a slightly different approach on the feedback (more akin to Clark's style) than the copy/pasted comments Sean and Mark are putting out there. I think it's absolutely vital that you see both, though. Sean and Mark will more quickly give you insight into what the judges thought about while discussing and...well, judging...your item. I'm taking it more "in stream" to go over each section of a wondrous item submission to point out small details and design insights where I perceive them that might improve your future work.
I have no illusions, however. I won't be able get to everyone. Much like Clark in prior years, I'll reach a point where it won't make sense to just go through each and every one of the requests for feedback. Eventually, I'll start repeating many of the same points I'll have made on other design critiques. The important thing is that everyone read the whole thread. Don't just sit on your laurels waiting for the judges to come to your specific item. You can learn a lot of lessons by reading the critiques of the other items and then educating yourself on how all that stuff might also apply to your item.
And, in all honesty, it's not so much about where your item for this year went wrong or didn't quite have enough oomph to it. It's far important for you to start building these design insights into your skillset for the next item you'll be working on. That's why all the feedback to all the designers is important to review. Your single item review isn't going to give you insight into anything more than just the individual pitfalls that took you down this time. You need to broaden your understanding rather than taking it in one personal item review at a time.
But that's just my two cents,
--Neil
+1 thats one of the reasons I picked up the habit of commenting on all items. that way I made sure I read and thought about every single one of them (and of course looked out for judges comments and compared them to mine to see how I was doing ;) )
One Question: When I start reviewing them again ( after I finished the Top 32) would you like me to provide links to or Copies of the respective items?
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32
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I'll give a huge shout out to Sean, Neil and (maybe most all, because he really had no stake) Clark. There was so much great advice this to build on, I felt like it really elevated my game.
For all of you still playing at home, read this stuff. I've put an item into every competition so far (all 4, plus the spiritual predecessor- Flight of the Red Raven). The best advice I can give is this- read, read, read. If the judges are posting, it's worth reading. If some problems come up year after year, listen to those concerns. Make sure you're not treading on ground that's already been covered or rejected.
+1
All the judges are awesome for the time they devote to this contest. And I can't wait until the next round.
Thank you to all of the judges for your thoughtful feedback and clear investment of time and consideration that went into it. I'm very happy that both the strengths and weaknesses of my item were identified and I feel confident that I will do better next year thanks to your guidance.
I love this competition.
Many thanks to the judges; their insights are eye-opening. I now clearly see that, although I had a good idea, I should have scaled it back and thought it through a bit more. It's easier to see where I went wrong, with such solid feedback. Thanks again, and I'll be trying again in a year! :)
I have to say I am overwhelmed by the dedication and thoughtfulness the judges (and others) have shown. Just reading these threads has helped me improve my game writing skills. Thanks doesn't begin to cover it. Awesome doesn't begin to cover it. Paizo is the real winner here- in the sense that they have certainly won my loyalty and respect. Congratulations, all of you!
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RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32
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The more I follow along in the "Judges critique my item" thread, the more I'm astounded by the amount of work the judges put into this, and the amount of rules-fu they have. What a valuable resource.
Just scrolling through that thread makes my eyes glaze over. It's amazing that they have dedicated weeks and weeks to reading through everyone's items - good, bad, and ugly -- and thought through the mechanics, pricing, innovation, and writing skills of all of them.
They really are all to be commended. Thanks Sean, Mark, Neil, and Ryan (and Clark, and any past judges reading) for everything you do to make this contest the hands-down best RPG contest ever.
Dear RPGSuperstar 2011 Judges,
After considering carefully, I have concluded that you are friends and/or associates of Lord Orcus, wheretofore a modicum of deference is appropriate, even from a CE aligned (very advanced) succubus. So I'll say thank-you, provide a little feedback, and then say thank-you again.
Thank-you for your efforts in judging this year.
There were, I note, even by a succubus' methods of counting a *lot* of new judges this year, which seems to have had an impact. The new configurations of judges appeared to take an almost collective decision at times to 'nalfeshnee belly-flop' posters and voters into submission with multiple Wall of Text TM commentaries. I do not say if this is a Good Thing or a Bad Thing - merely observe that this was what looked at times to be going on.
Anyway, if you're ever passing by my neck of the Abyss in the few months until the next RPGSuperstar contest rolls around, feel free to drop in for a cup of tea and crumpets. Mr. Spicer can regale us with tales of his epic fights with a spreadsheet after Jason Bulmahn was called away on Other Stuff in the stat-block round, and we (or rather I) can talk about whether excessive devil-worship in entries should be specifically targeted for harsh penalties.
And again, thank-you for your efforts. Someone clearly ought to do the dirty work when it comes to the arcane Abyssal formulae that is mathematics.
Yours,
Ask A RPGSupersuccubus. (24 Pharast, 4711 Absalom Reckoning)
Personnally, what I appreciated the most was Neil's exhaustive reviews combined with Ryan's straightforwardness. Everybody can learn a lot from both. And also what the judges and posters suggested to tweak the final four's adventures. Teamwork can really take a Superstar story and bring it to Supernova status. Congrats everybody.
I will add my voice to the multitude of well wishes for the hard work the judges have done this year. Before the competition I was not very active on the boards and naive about the competitions prowess. The contest has changed that for the better. The talent of the judges and others here on the site is staggering.