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Hi everyone!
Sorry if my recent posts have been of the "I can't believe this" variety.
We've gotten a bunch of good items but this thing is still WIDE OPEN. Our keep folder isnt full yet and there is plenty of room for more good submissions. There is no advantage to submitting early (nor is there a penalty for coming in just before the gun). And believe me, while we have a great batch of submissions there is always room for more!
On behalf of all the judges, I want to encourage you to take a shot. Submit an item. If you just want to try and are worried about not making it, remember its confidential. You don't ever have to tell anyone you entered. So there is really no downside. And if you don't make it, no one will criticize your item unless you ask us to. On the flip side, if you enter and make it, well then you are in!
I just dont want anyone to think that there is no chance to make it or there are too many good ones already. That is not the case. Yes, we have good submissions, but this thing is still wide open.
YOU could make the cut.
*I* believe in YOU. Now YOU need to believe in YOU. Take a shot!
And if you need proof, just look at me. I was a nobody designer. I started a little company with a friend and look what happened. I had a ton of help along the way, much like you all have here from all the feedback.
Perhaps you are overwhelmed by the "research" you have to do. Don't be. Just do these 3 things:
1. Read Sean's bad item stereotype thread.
2. Listen to the audio from ALL THE CURRENT JUDGES at the recent PaizoCon seminar about item design.
3. Read the top 32 entries from the past 2 years contests to get an idea.
Thats it. You dont have to read every "Clark Critique My Item" thread or all the many posts. Just do those two things, polish up your mojo and take a big swing for the fences.
Believe me, you will be glad you did. And we will, too. Because we love good items and we love reading them.
This thing is far from over.
So please, in the immortal words of AC/DC:
"Hey there all you middle men
Throw away your fancy clothes
And while you're out sittin' on a fence
So get off your arse and come down here
Cause [RPG Superstar] ain't no riddle, man
To me it makes good good sense!"
Take a shot. You really have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If you have ever had the dream to be a freelancer, now is the time. The holidays are over, parties are out of the way, set aside a couple nights and get an item in! :)
Pardon me while I take the guitar solo...
Clark
*I* believe in YOU. Now YOU need to believe in YOU. Take a shot!
No! Don't believe in yourself. Believe in me, who believes in you!
Pierce the heavens!
No! Don't believe in yourself. Believe in me, who believes in you!
Pierce the heavens!
Hey, whatever, so long as you submit an item! :)
I say this stuff over an over because I truly feel that self-doubt stops many potential freelancers from achieving their goals. There are a TON of smart, talented, creative people on these boards. Way more talented than me. But lack of belief in themselves gets in the way.
So I figure if I can motivate a handful of people to take a try when they otherwise would not have, then I've helped enrich the whole experience--they submitted, we got more good items to consider, and who knows maybe a new freelancer will be found who otherwise would not have been found.
Say no to self-doubt. Say yes to submitting an item!
Also, don't worry about submitting an item that doesn't make it - RPG Superstar is very much a learning experience; I'm certain that with each passing year my submissions have grown in credibility and awesomeness. It is only a matter of time before the steady knocking will burst open the gates of judgment!
I liked the little robo-dinosaurs.
Seriously though, I really hope people take a chance and enter.
You two better have submitted...
Maybe next year.
Come now you say maybe next year but there is no time like the present. So why procrastinate, enter today. I mean Clark even came back to be a judge this year what more can you ask.
What more can you ask?
To know if I did okay?
Also, people shouldn't think that it's too late to enter because the judges found their Top 32 already. I submitted the very last day and made the cut. There is still time and entering the contest was probably one of the best decisions I've made. Because of RPG Superstar, I'm freelancing for some respected 3PPs right now and loving it!
Come now you say maybe next year but there is no time like the present. So why procrastinate, enter today. I mean Clark even came back to be a judge this year what more can you ask.
Mostly because I feel like my proficiency in design has yet to mature to the appropriate level. My forte has always been character development and world-building, so I'm going to just sit back and watch this year, take some notes, and see what I can learn about rules design and balance.
Come now you say maybe next year but there is no time like the present. So why procrastinate, enter today. I mean Clark even came back to be a judge this year what more can you ask.Mostly because I feel like my proficiency in design has yet to mature to the appropriate level. My forte has always been character development and world-building, so I'm going to just sit back and watch this year, take some notes, and see what I can learn about rules design and balance.
Submit! Should the Mayan Prophecies be true, this will be the last Superstar anyway... [/JINX]
Star Voter Season 6
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So please, in the immortal words of AC/DC:
"Hey there all you middle men
Throw away your fancy clothes
And while you're out sittin' on a fence
So get off your arse and come down here
Cause [RPG Superstar] ain't no riddle, man
To me it makes good good sense!"
"Heavy decibels are playing [RPG Superstar]
We got [items] coming up from the floorWe're just listening to
the [magic horn] that's giving too
much noise
Are you deaf? [we] wanna [see] some more!"
To be honest it was the auto reject thread that was putting me off the most entering this year. I understand the rules and understood the logic behind them all but it sort of made all my ideas feel limited and boxed in. I even uttered many horrid complaints about unimaginative writers, no new passion and same old ideas being seen every year but figured I could get past that and sent over what I eventually conjured up. Whether it gets through or not is now up to the judges.
I think people should just try and cease the day with it but damn that thread made it difficult. What have people got to lose anyways by sending it over. :)
Bon Scott would have submitted.
So would Angus.
Come on, rockstars. Let your mojo loose upon the judges!
To be honest it was the auto reject thread that was putting me off the most entering this year.
I hear what you are saying and I appreciate you posting.
That is exactly why I started this thread--to make sure people are encouraged to create not discouraged from creating.
Thanks for your post and good luck!
You can admit to having submitted, as long as you don't say what you submitted or are too specific about when.
Submitted...now the nerve racking wait to hear if I made the cut. Proofread the darn thing like fifteen times for flow and grammar/spelling. Can only think of one thing I'd change, but it was well thought out and developed I feel. And its utility is broad enough that it isn't pidgeon-holed into one class versus another, so I think after the monumental volume of information I poured through in three days, I got the jist of all of the guidelines/formatting, etc. I would certainly love this item for my character or as a treasure item for the players to fight over. I was even so inspired, I drew up some art for it so I can use it when I DM for my buddies next week! Cheers and good luck all!
AMQ
Just submitted... now I sit on pins and needles for the remainder of the month worrying that my item didn't have enought 'zazz' to make the cut.
I'm thinking of submitting, but one question about the rules, I remember a few years ago you had to be American to apply, or that's changed?
I'm thinking of submitting, but one question about the rules, I remember a few years ago you had to be American to apply, or that's changed?
We've never placed a limitation on where you live (our 2009 RPG Superstar, Christine Schneider, is from Germany), but your country of residence may have limitations on entering contests. A strong command of English will be necessary, though.
I'm thinking of submitting, but one question about the rules, I remember a few years ago you had to be American to apply, or that's changed?
Jerall Toi is one of the guest judges this time round and one of the 4 finalists in RPG Superstar 2011. He also happens to be South African. I think you're safe :)
I'm thinking of submitting, but one question about the rules, I remember a few years ago you had to be American to apply, or that's changed?
Matt Goodall (RPGSS 2010) is Australian. He even managed to share a few tips about word processor dictionaries (US English versus Country X English).
I've already submitted my entry, so there will be at least one foreign competitor this year. :-)
Thanks to this thread, I decided to submit my entry.
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32
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Thanks for the encouragement Clark.
Your comments got me a little more excited and motivated than last year. I even took your advice and reread all the auto-rejects and the top 32s. And I listened to the podcast again.
I had a lot of fun creating my item, and I'm proud of the work I did. Even if it doesn't clear the high bar for this year, I'm hoping you guys enjoy reading my entry.
I'm looking forward to seeing what makes the cut for this year's Superstar. This contest is a ton of fun, and something I look forward to every year.
I've already submitted my entry, so there will be at least one foreign competitor this year. :-)
Make that two!
Glad you all are entering.
Seriously, it is still wide open. Yes, our keep pile is looking good, but its not like its full of 32 keep items that are without flaw. Its the same way every year. There are NEVER 32 perfect items.
I think people get the impression that there is this huge mass of items that are so great that yours doesnt stand a chance and that is just not true.
Even today, with only a couple days left to submit, there is room for a bunch more great items.
So go listen to the seminar audio (linked in the first post) and it walks you through the process Neil used to design his winning item. There is still plenty of time!
Good luck everyone! And submit an item!
I've read all the previous entries. Turns out most of the ideas I had were already done before. Curses! Not that that will stop me. Guess it just means I come up with good ideas a year or two too late :)
I've read all the previous entries. Turns out most of the ideas I had were already done before. Curses! Not that that will stop me. Guess it just means I come up with good ideas a year or two too late :)
I think most of us can relate to that feeling - and it is also getting increasingly harder as more books are being released.
I thought I had a pretty interesting idea for my item to begin with, until my research showed that one of the archetypes from Ultimate Combat did almost exactly what my item would allow the user to do - so I scrap that and flex those creative muscles a bit more.
I was all set to participate this year but none of the rounds save the first interest me much.
Oh well, there's always next year.
Last year, I really thought that I would be completely satisfied by just making it to round 2. However, once I found out that I made it to the top 32, I also found that I really wanted to make it to round 3 and so on.
Even if the later rounds don't interest you now, that may change if you make it into the top 32. Give it a try, the contest might pleasantly surprise you.
Developer
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Dedicated Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8
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I was all set to participate this year but none of the rounds save the first interest me much.
Oh well, there's always next year.
Last year, I really thought that I would be completely satisfied by just making it to round 2. However, once I found out that I made it to the top 32, I also found that I really wanted to make it to round 3 and so on.
Even if the later rounds don't interest you now, that may change if you make it into the top 32. Give it a try, the contest might pleasantly surprise you.
On the other hand, if writing material for Pathfinder doesn't excite you, then it may be a sign that you shouldn't be trying to land a gig writing material for Pathfinder. :)
There! Done! It's submitted!
Now it's in the hands of God, and the Judges. Neither of whom I'm above bribing...
-Kcinlive
Seriously, it is still wide open. Yes, our keep pile is looking good, but its not like its full of 32 keep items that are without flaw. Its the same way every year. There are NEVER 32 perfect items.
I think people get the impression that there is this huge mass of items that are so great that yours doesnt stand a chance and that is just not true.
I really hope this is true. It is rather disheartening hoping to enter the hallowed ranks of Those Who Have Gone Before :)
I guess we'll see on the 24th, eh? :)
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 thought we were supposed to wait until the last possible second so that the judges had something to do right up until the 24th... Kidding, of course, my items been in for <redacted time measurement> anyways. I just like to let it mull for a bit in case I have a great last minute idea.
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As I sit here drinking my third glass of wine, I find myself thinking back on all the items I have submitted. Of course, the ones that made the top 32 the past three years were way better than mine were (by far). But I am feeling a bit nostalgic right now, and thought I would just jabber a bit.
One of the things I do when the top 32 posted on the website is I launch my copy of Allied Forces from Triumph and listen at the 3:18 mark right after the guitar solo when the lead singer screams Yea!!!!!
I basically load the screen that shows the top 32, close my eyes, and start the song from the begining, and when the "Yea!" is yelled, I look for my name.
If anyone knows that song, you know it is bad ass, and a very "Pump me up" kind of song.
Unfortunately, I have not been able to yell "Yea!" when I look at the top 32 each of the last three years.
Maybe, this year, I will yell Yea! and talk to Clark mano-e-mano about how pathetic my last several entries were.
I love how Neil has integrated himself into the fold with Paizo as compared to the other winners of the superstar competition.
I am not saying they weren't good, but Neil has taken the path that many of us hope will happen to us if we were to win and become the next superstar.
And as Neil knows, (mainly because I posted so much on his realm of the felnight queen thread), I loved his module, and I also look forward to all the projects he is involved in.
Just like Sean K and David Noonan back with Wizards, I have bought all his products and look forward to the next ones with anticipation.
I raise my glass of wine to all those that are competing, and to Neil, Sean, and Clark. If I do get in, I am sure I wil be ripped a new one by your expert eye for quality. But I wil have fun doing it, and alot of wine will be drunk in anticipation and celebration of each rounds success or failure.
A toast to Superstar 2012.
CC
A toast to Superstar 2012.
+1
I submitted something at some time prior to this year's contest deadline but after last year's contest deadline.
There. Happy? =]
I launch my copy of Allied Forces from Triumph and listen at the 3:18 mark right after the guitar solo when the lead singer screams Yea!!!!!CC
I've seen Triumph in concert. I was at "heavy metal day" at the US Festival. They were awesome. One of the few bands I've ever seen that actually sounds like the record when they play live. Rik Emmett is so talented. And you are right, that whole album rocks!
I've seen Triumph in concert. I was at "heavy metal day" at the US Festival. They were awesome. One of the few bands I've ever seen that actually sounds like the record when they play live. Rik Emmett is so talented. And you are right, that whole album rocks!
I will have to look this up, personally i will be going to see Rammstein in April here in Florida, so heavy metal and hard rock is in my alley way, so to speak. So Clark, do you like Rammstein or have you heard of them? Also, I know its too late to change anything on submissions that have been submitted, but I KNOW I would definately add a hard rock band emblem on my item some where...so long as it wouldn't be too "modern" to get it kicked.
Maybe a bonus to concentration checks...since it would provide music through the emblems enchantment..I clean at home well with music on..
So Clark, do you like Rammstein or have you heard of them?
Du Hast? Come on, its one of my preset guitar sounds on my amp downstairs.
Du Hast? Come on, its one of my preset guitar sounds on my amp downstairs.
I thought you would, St. Pete Times Forum will be a home for about six hours or so in April. So maybe then a wondrous item that gives you a metal head? *Raises a beer to that*
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And if you don't make it, no one will criticize your item unless you ask us to.
Except where Clark makes a post a few hours after your submission with two examples, one of which is a succinct (if derisory) description of your item.
Or that could just be coincidence ;)
So Clark, do you like Rammstein or have you heard of them?Du Hast? Come on, its one of my preset guitar sounds on my amp downstairs.
Seen them live? Best Gig ever.
