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To The Top 8 (And Anyone Else Interested In Reading Along):
I thought this might be a good time to reflect for a moment on just how far everyone's come in the contest...as well as the opportunity which lies before you. I'm not sure it's always readily apparent to everyone who's watching from outside the actual competition, but the RPG Superstar contest enters a much different phase when you make the Top 8. Look around at who's still standing there next to you. The field is a lot smaller than that long list of names you saw when the Top 32 first got announced. Recognize your brothers-in-arms, both those still standing there with you...and those who'll hopefully be back next year.
You're also going to notice that the pressure increases at this point, too. It's something you'll need to learn to deal with. A lot of those missteps and mistakes you made in prior rounds aren't going to be easily forgiven now. Everyone (the judges included) expects you to apply the lessons imparted to you...not just by the judges, but also the things the voters pointed out when commenting on your designs. This is also the place where the rubber really meets the road. You're doing encounter designs now, the basic building blocks in adventure writing. This is the round where everyone really gets a sense of how well you can put things together to create an entertaining, game-appropriate product they'd be eager to buy. So you need to put your best stuff forward now. There's no room for holding back.
I'd also like to point out that even as the pressure increases here, so too does the opportunity. Everyone's eyes are on you. That includes Paizo developer, Mark Moreland, the man who holds the key to granting you writing opportunities on future products. Other third party publishers are watching, too. And, even if you don't make it into the Top 4, a really well-designed encounter coupled with your prior work in earlier rounds can still serve as a compelling enough portfolio to give you an opportunity of your own making. Whether that's a shot at writing a monster for a future Paizo bestiary, a short PFS scenario, or a new PDF product from another publisher, you're standing on a field ripe with opportunity. What you do in this round can help determine how many of those opportunities come your way.
Some of us were reflecting earlier in the judges' chambers on how much stuff RPG Superstar alumni have gone on to write since the contest's inception back in 2008. It's quite a staggering list of accomplishments. Here are just the adventure-writing examples:
Adventure Path authors:
Clinton J. Boomer (1)
Matt Goodall (1)
Rob McCreary (3)
Jason Nelson (4)
Neil Spicer (5)
Pathfinder Module authors:
Matt Goodall (1)
Jim Groves (1)
Rob McCreary (2)
Christine Schneider (1)
Neil Spicer (1)
Sam Zeitlin (1)
Pathfinder Society Scenario authors:
Dennis Baker (1)
Jesse Benner (1)
Benjamin Bruck (2)
Matt Goodall (1)
Jim Groves (2)
Hal Maclean (1)
James F. MacKenzie (4)
Rob McCreary (1)
Sean McGowan (1)
Neil Spicer (1)
Russ Taylor (1)
Jerall Toi (1)
That's not even counting the myriad contributions of RPG Superstar alumni to the Pathfinder RPG line, the Pathfinder Chronicles Campaign Setting line, or the Pathfinder Player's Companion line. Folks like Jason Nelson, Russ Taylor, and a whole host of others have been contributing mightily to all those products for years now. Open up your Inner Sea World Guide, the Advanced Player's Guide, Bestiary 2, Bestiary 3, Ultimate Combat, and Ultimate Magic and check a few of the names for those contributing authors. Look at all the softcover books published for those lines, as well. You might be surprised at just how many of those authors came through RPG Superstar.
That could be you.
Exactly half of the upcoming adventure path for Skull & Shackles...the premier, flagship product line for Paizo...was written by competitors from RPG Superstar. The same is true for the award-winning Kingmaker AP. Additionally, two RPG Superstar alumni were actually hired by Paizo and work there still.
That could be YOU.
This contest opens doors. A lot of them.
And they're really cool doors, too. Jason Nelson and I have written for Legendary Games. Clinton J. Boomer, Trevor Gulliver, and Matthew Banach have all done work for Rite Publishing. John Bennett has done work for a third party publisher, as well. And many others have found their work accepted in Wayfinder or Kobold Quarterly or Open Design. And all of them didn't win the contest's ultimate prize. But all of them did get bitten by the design bug as a result of this contest. And, they parlayed their experiences here into having their work professionally published.
So, I'd like to remind everyone still competing in this year's contest...and even those of you who landed outside the Top 8 or Top 16 or Top 32...to keep your eye on the prize. Not just the chance to write an RPG Superstar Pathfinder module...or even a PFS scenario. That's not the prize I'm talking about. The prize you want to shoot for in this effort is a sustained presence as a freelance designer...someone with multiple opportunities to write in the industry, no matter where that might be.
This round of RPG Superstar is a great launching pad for that kind of opportunity. You're not just writing for the voters now. You're also writing for yourself and that entire audience of publishers out there. And you want to convince them you've got what it takes. That you can do this...dependably, professionally, to a Superstar-worthy level. So bring your A-game, guys. The encounter round has many great examples from prior years of the competition which you can follow. Do your homework. Then, do your best. That's all we can ask of you. And that's certainly what you should be asking of yourself. Just keep your eye on the prize!
Sincerely,
--Neil
He's absolutely right.
I've done two PFS Scenarios. The Haunting of Hinojai goes on sale this February 29th! Available at Paizo.com!
I'm half-joking with the self-promotion. The real message is be excellent and keep your wits about you.
Neil is 100% spot on. Be cool, be creative, and don't spin out now.
Don't go out easy. Go out fighting!
So noted, Jim. I've modified the count to include your additional scenario.
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So noted, Jim. I've modified the count to include your additional scenario.
I was being schmuck Neil!
What I really want people to see is that the opportunities don't stop. They can keep happening. People can build a real freelancing career out of the contest. It starts with your first project and it builds from there. But that first project can come from what they do RIGHT NOW.
Adding to your point. :)
I was being schmuck Neil!
Oh, I know. ;-)
I'm just being OCD.
What Neil said.
And competitors, let me add that I was really impressed with Round 3, and I'm really, really looking forward to seeing what you do for Round 4. Yes, our criticism is going to be sharp, and we're not going to hold back, but you've really shown quality work. Kudos for that!
Now quit reading the boards, you have a Friday deadline! >:|
Speaking of the Top 8 ... anyone else notice that 4 of the 8 are from North Carolina? That's kind of odd ... what the heck is in the water down there???
I blame Spicer, personally. ;-)
Good luck to all of you, by the way!
+1 to this. Well done, all!
Speaking of the Top 8 ... anyone else notice that 4 of the 8 are from North Carolina? That's kind of odd ... what the heck is in the water down there???
Good luck to all of you, by the way!
There's a wealth of gaming-related talent and innovation in our state, with some very active communities who are into sharing and expanding upon ideas. Take note, all you Northwesterners - because the greater Seattle area can't remain the only bastion of the gaming industry forever! =]
RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Champion Voter Season 6, Champion Voter Season 7, Champion Voter Season 8, Champion Voter Season 9
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Speaking of the Top 8 ... anyone else notice that 4 of the 8 are from North Carolina? That's kind of odd ... what the heck is in the water down there???
SHHH! My item submission was submitted from NC and I have since moved. Its all a secret plot to spawn a new Paizo office...
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It's all a secret plot to spawn a new Paizo office...
I'd offer to build one if Lisa and Vic are ready to expand operations to the East Coast. ;-)
As for all the NC competitors making Top 8, I'll just say I'm very proud of them and let it go at that.
Not one, but two ex-GMs of mine, two people from completely different eras of my life who don't know each other at ALL, ended their campaigns because they were moving to Charlotte. And are both still living there.
Yeah, it's a conspiracy.
FWIW I look to that list (or at least to those names) when I make a purchase. Like SKR said, I was impressed with round three and look forward to everything from all of you. Congratulations and good luck!
Director of Brand Strategy
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I can't even start to imagine what a bicoastal editorial meeting would look like, much less spitballing an idea with someone 3 time-zones away or double-checking continuity between two projects in development at the same time when one developer's already home for the night and the other is in the middle of his most productive office hours.
But hey, as a former east-coaster, I can totally feel for everyone who wants Paizo closer. But ultimately, where our office is doesn't change the fact that our freelancers can be from anywhere (including Germany, Prague, England, South Africa, Australia, New York, North Carolina, Italy, Oklahoma, Chicago, Oregon, and yes, even Seattle). But folks in Seattle don't, for the most part, have more opportunities to play Pathfinder than anyone else who has a subscription, a local game store, or a convention where Pathfinder Society is run.
So do well in this contest and you can be a part of Paizo's gaming empire no matter where you are.
I can't even start to imagine what a bicoastal editorial meeting would look like, much less spitballing an idea with someone 3 time-zones away or double-checking continuity between two projects in development at the same time when one developer's already home for the night and the other is in the middle of his most productive office hours.
It's not bad at all. Just a skype call or a G+ hangout. You become much more flexible in your hours and a lot more comfortable on your phone. It can definitely work. I'd be happy to test run it anytime you guys want to give it a try. :D ;)
-Ben.
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I can't even start to imagine what a bicoastal editorial meeting wouldBut hey, as a former east-coaster, I can totally feel for everyone who wants Paizo closer. But ultimately, where our office is doesn't change the fact that our freelancers can be from anywhere (including Germany, Prague, England, South Africa, Australia, New York, North Carolina, Italy, Oklahoma, Chicago, Oregon, and yes, even Seattle). But folks in Seattle don't, for the most part, have more opportunities to play Pathfinder than anyone else who has a subscription, a local game store, or a convention where Pathfinder Society is run.
Very true. I'm on the East Coast and I freelance for lots of people / companies all over the country.
Technology is pretty amazing :)
Oh, and for the record ... I'll second the Paizo-East start up! I would SO be there for a job interview :)
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Very true. I'm on the East Coast and I freelance for lots of people / companies all over the country.
Ditto. I did some work for White Wolf (yanno, back when they made games and stuff...), reporting to a guy who, I think, was in Oregon, who was himself reporting to someone in Atlanta.
Face to face is vital for design work and brainstorming, I feel, as I find that ideas or concerns expressed by email are easier to dismiss or gloss over or misunderstand than those being spoken aloud by someone present in the room, but for editing or whatnot, manuscripts converted into electrons travel across the country faster than my butt makes it to the office down the hall anyway.
Anywho, good luck to all on getting freelance opportunities, whether you win this years RPGA Superstar or not! The first time I got contributer's copies of something I geeked out so hard I saved the box they came in. It's a very cool feeling, to flip open a book from a company you love and see your name.
It's less cool when you see your first published typo, but the wound scabs over eventually. :)
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Star Voter Season 6
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We have some interesting teleconference trainings at work, and there are perks to multiple offices.
That said, yes, you're going to garner a lot of attention being in the top eight, even more in the top four. And if you win...
Then you can write wall of text posts and actually have people read them, like Neil's.
I could always build a wall-of-text out of:
Speaking of the Top 8 ... anyone else notice that 4 of the 8 are from North Carolina? That's kind of odd ... what the heck is in the water down there???
Good luck to all of you, by the way!
I just noticed that a few minutes ago.
I just noticed that a few minutes ago.Speaking of the Top 8 ... anyone else notice that 4 of the 8 are from North Carolina? That's kind of odd ... what the heck is in the water down there???
Good luck to all of you, by the way!
And designer Christina Stiles (who's working on the current Open Design project) is also from that area, iirc.
-Ben.
She's from South Carolina, but ventures up to Charlotte on occasion for conventions and such. She's also a member of my former gaming group from a couple years back. Very talented lady. With a penchant for playing bards.
Hmmm. Well, I went to school in South Carolina and lived there for a little over a decade. Plus, most of my family still lives in Columbia. Is that enough to qualify me as an honorary Carolinian? Even if I prefer mustard-based BBQ?
Hmmm. Well, I went to school in South Carolina and lived there for a little over a decade. Plus, most of my family still lives in Columbia. Is that enough to qualify me as an honorary Carolinian? Even if I prefer mustard-based BBQ?
Sacrilege! Put this man on... the APPARATUS. =]