I've completed my run through the Round 3 submissions and figured I'd check in for those following along and awaiting feedback. Just like last round, we had some good stuff as well as some stuff that didn't quite register. It's very apparent (to me anyway) that you're all growing as designers. I purposefully tailored my feedback to assess a variety of things tested in this challenge. Most specifically, the flavor and potential of the villain based on its concept and descriptive text, and then the execution of the stat-block itself and whether it can support a reasonably memorable encounter with such a villain.
Looking back across my commentary, it's apparent to me that there's a fair amount of it which focuses more on the negative than the positive. But don't let that alarm you. This is all meant as constructive criticism, not a reasoned attempt to sway the voting community one way or another. Instead, this level of detail results from my own OCD and need for perfection. I've just always been that way and only know one "gear" in which to work or provide feedback. So, I've tried to identify any defects or flaws that caught my eye. And I've raised them in an attempt to help everyone learn and grow that much more.
All that said, this was again a very difficult challenge...just like last round's archetypes. The 600-word limit really constrained many of you...and that was evident in some of the hard choices you had to make. I've done this type of assignment for real on an upcoming Paizo product and so I understand the limitations you were under. That said, take heart that you've all faced some very realistic challenges in RPG Superstar. Regardless of the outcome, you'll come out of this crucible a much better designer. And I'm very much looking forward to establishing the Top 8 who will go on to do even more.
My two cents,
--Neil
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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Neil, I for one am blown away by just how detailed you go in your analysis. I appreciate every piece of info and criticism I can get. Most of us expect a few lines of good and bad, not the novels you can produce. There's tons of advice out there, and you still find a way to add something every time.
I've been following this contest every year and am always amazed at just how much ground really hasn't been covered yet. There's so much to learn just going back reading the judges commentary on each entry.
Thanks for all your time on this, I know I'm learning from the experience.
It's actually a learning experience for me, too, Eric. Contrary to (semi)-popular belief, the judges don't know everything (except Sean!). But we have learned and lived a lot of this ourselves...and I'd say I've especially climbed a pretty big learning curve these past couple years. Now, we're all just doing what we can to "teach" some of this stuff because, frankly, the teaching of it reinforces it for ourselves. And, it helps pass on this game and hobby to a whole new generation of future designers. That's what's important.
Plus, on top of that, I gain a tremendous amount of design insight on every one of Sean's critiques. But don't tell him I said that. I'm secretly siphoning away as much of his rules-fu as my seek thoughts, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth checks will allow. ;-)
I can't wait to see the judges comments for all of the submissions.
Neither can I. I just keep coming back. "Is it Tuesday yet? No. Foiled again!"
It's a little nerve wracking though. Not to say I'm not looking forward to it, but I do wish that then and now were a little more the same.
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Star Voter Season 6
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It's a little nerve wracking though. Not to say I'm not looking forward to it, but I do wish that then and now were a little more the same.
Oh trust me, it *can* be a gut punch to the stomach to read the comments, even when you know you screwed up before you hit submit.
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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Star Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka JoelF847
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I've just always been that way and only know one "gear" in which to work or provide feedback. So, I've tried to identify any defects or flaws that caught my eye.
--Neil
Ah ha! Neil is trying to hint that we all had problems with the gear section of our stat block. I've cracked his code!
I have to admit, tomorrow would be easier to face if Neil's comments had been more along the following lines:
'Man, what a hard week. Every entry was so awesome, I couldn't find any real criticisms at all! Well, whatever happens, all contestants can console themselves knowing that Paizo was so impressed by this round that all 16 of you can look forward to receiving a fresh-baked pie delivered right to your doorsteps.'
What. A man can dream, can't he?
stuff in several posts
Dear Mr. Spicer,
I have yet to see much evidence that the judges are rating entries in terms of what matters to a demonic temptress with an impeccable sense of manners. Whilst maths is a science of the Abyss (I invite you to consider chaos theory and the catastrophic consequences negative numbers translated into real world situations can have if you have any doubts as to this) and any practise of such a dark art is thus a form of demon worship, it would be nice to see you occasionally pay some attention to the more practical aspects of all the hard work that your contestants are putting in.Hoping that you have found this post Helpful.
Yours,
Ask A RPGSupersuccubus.
Ah ha! Neil is trying to hint that we all had problems with the gear section of our stat block. I've cracked his code!
Perhaps you have. Some of the submissions did have problems with the Gear section of the stat-block. Go figure.
I have to admit, tomorrow would be easier to face if Neil's comments had been more along the following lines: 'Man, what a hard week. Every entry was so awesome, I couldn't find any real criticisms at all! Well, whatever happens, all contestants can console themselves knowing that Paizo was so impressed by this round that all 16 of you can look forward to receiving a fresh-baked pie delivered right to your doorsteps.'
My apologies. Somehow all those pies showed up at my address instead. What a coincidence! I'd "console" you, but I'm headed into a food coma in about five second--Zzzzzzzz...
And... I'm done now!
There were some good submissions this round, some poor submissions, and a decent spread from high-average to low-average. Voting this round will be interesting, I'm sure.
I didn't nitpick too many stat block issues--many minor issues are things that using our stat block spreadsheet would take care of for you, and all of our freelancers are required to use that now. My eye was looking for things that the spreadsheet can't fix for you--alphabetizing language names, wonky hand-typed spacing or punctuation, failing to properly capitalize feats/skills or italicize spells/magic items, and so on, things that the writer needs to be diligent about. Stephen and Neil do a more in-depth review of the stat blocks.
I also didn't give a concrete "I recommend this one" or "I do not recommend this one" for any of them, I just stated some facts, opinions, and things for the voters to think about.
I look forward to seeing the results. A couple competitors took interesting risks that IMO paid off.
I didn't nitpick too many stat block issues--many minor issues are things that using our stat block spreadsheet would take care of for you, and all of our freelancers are required to use that now. My eye was looking for things that the spreadsheet can't fix for you--alphabetizing language names, wonky hand-typed spacing or punctuation, failing to properly capitalize feats/skills or italicize spells/magic items, and so on, things that the writer needs to be diligent about. Stephen and Neil do a more in-depth review of the stat blocks.
I thought I'd come back to this thread and also add that you guys are in for a real treat on the judges' feedback this round. You're getting the opinions and advice of six different judges this year. Maybe even seven if we can entice Clark to poke his head back in here. And, what's more, I think we all came at it from different directions based on our individual experiences.
Ryan approached it from a brand manager's point of view.
Dave approached it from the perspective of an author/designer concepting a villain.
Mark approached it as a developer who would eventually work with you on a project.
Sean and Stephen have their own unique insights as veteran designers, developers, and editors.
And, as usual, I went way overboard on the feedback and number-crunching as someone who's lived this before.
Regardless, this is some of the most awesome, varied, constructive criticism you're likely to ever receive on something you design. For some of you, there may be some hammer blows to the ego if we universally panned some element of your work. For others, this kind of critique may serve as a real edifying moment on the way to a future career in freelancing. But, no matter what, cherish this experience and the feedback you receive. It's all meant to improve your abilities as designers. If not for Paizo, for someone else...even if it's just your own games and players at home.
Looking ahead a bit, I also want to encourage all of you to really bring your best for Round 4. This next assignment is where the rubber meets the road, folks. You bring your A-game at this stage or you go home...and without a chance to compete again next year. So, you want your Top 8 submission to take you to the final round, a place where everyone's a winner this year, with even those who don't take the final prize still getting a chance to write a Pathfinder Society Scenario. That's no small potatoes. So, go for it! If there's ever a time to maximize your creativity and demonstrate you're ready for this opportunity, it's now.
Good luck everyone,
--Neil
Director of Brand Strategy
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The largest surprise for me was seeing that, out of 32 portraits, and with 16 contestants, there were 5 portraits chosen by two people, meaning that only 11 total portraits were used at all.
I found it much easier to separate two entries with the same image than I thought I would, and think that each stands or fails on its own merits or faults, rather than a comparison to other entries.
In all, I think there are several villains here that really stand out, some of which are from contestants I didn't expect to wow me, as well as some that were big disappointments. The range of time it would take to develop a villain from this round for publication ranged from very little to quite extensive, so the quality of submissions really ran the gamut.
Regardless of who moves on to the next round, I'm curious to see what the last two rounds hold for this competition! Exciting stuff.