Creative Director
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Trust me... I absolutely HATED having to point out that "The Scarlet God" stepped on the toes of some unannounced but still in the works adventures, because it IS an unfortunate circumstance.
I especially hated it because, as anyone who reads these boards even infrequently will know... I'm a huge Lovecraft fan. The majority of the Lovecraftian elements in Golarion are there because of my influence (with some help from Greg, Rich, and Wolfgang, of course!). When I saw that one of the proposals this year had such a big Lovecraftian element, I was DELIGHTED since it was, to me, confirmation and proof that I'm not the only one who likes seeing Lovecraft mixed with Golarion.
But I have to put the brand and the game and Paizo's integrity before the contest sometimes. And I decided I would rather let folks know IMMEDIATELY what was going on rather than remain silent and then let people think that we stole a bunch of ideas from "The Scarlet God" to put them into the AP coming out a few months before RPG Superstar 2012's adventure got published. I fear folks'll maybe think that anyway, frankly... which is really unfair to the authors of those two chapters of the Shattered Star Adventure Path.
In the end, though... you should vote for the adventure you want to see the most—take the judges' feedback in mind or ignore it as you see fit and focus only on the merits of the proposals as YOU see them. If enough folks feel that my comments were out of line and uncalled for... the votes will tell.
Because at this stage, the contest results are pretty much only about that one adventure. As far as I'm concerned, all four of the writers who made it this far are imaginative and talented designers that'll have PLENTY of opportunity to write for Paizo in the future.
Heck... Rob McCreary WORKS here now and he didn't win that 32 page adventure when he was a top-four finalist.
In a way... the four authors have already won is what I'm saying.
Doesn't make it any less of an unfortunate occurrence to see this level of parallel design rear its ugly head, though... and we'll be taking a few more steps next year here and there to try to prevent something like this from happening again.
Hmmm. So it's not about the most Superstar designer in the end, it's about the module that people most want to see? There is ultimately a difference between the two ideas there.
It would be worth being crystal clear in the future if that's the intent of the contest.
However, I voted based on my previous understanding of the contest, which is to vote for the designer, and in my case that was a vote for James.
James's adventure proposal had issues, which were all well detailed in the thread, but I did think he showed the most outside-the-box imagination in his proposal and throughout the contest. I had the feeling he has the most raw potential and that he would benefit the most from the molding process offered by a development opportunity. It's my belief that in the long run he'll produce the best, most imaginative work. So he got my vote!
Yes. Clarity. Because this is a contest and many people, regardless of reality, feel that the ranking is important.
The deliniation of changed content could be excluded with the inclusion of a disclaimer.
Hmmm. So it's not about the most Superstar designer in the end, it's about the module that people most want to see? There is ultimately a difference between the two ideas there.
I would think the two would go hand-in-hand. I guess I could see a case where someone who perhaps hasn't demonstrated the Superstar chops that others have somehow comes up with a pitch that wins everyone over.
Theoretically.
But many people (like myself, for example) don't just look at the final pitch but also at the contestant's full body of work.
So I'm thinking it all works out.
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Just to offer my two cents, I tend to look at the RPG Superstar contest as a job interview. I always have. It's not so much about finding a single RPG Superstar. It's about finding as many awesome freelancers as Paizo can leverage on future projects. Yes, the reward for the perceived "winner" at the end is the larger, initial opportunity...i.e., a 32-page adventure module...but, most contestants who make the Top 8 in any given year (and especially those in the Top 4) also receive opportunities, which, when viewed in the greater scheme of things are all equally as important to those wannabe freelancers' careers. They've each got to make the most of it if they want to continue working for a publisher like Paizo.
Additionally, I think it's important for competitors to get a "read" on the overall contest. There's a game within the game. And, to take the final prize, you really have to recognize it and tailor your ideas and submissions accordingly. Through the early rounds, there's very much a focus on your body of work to help carry you forward. But, knocking your assignment out of the park in any given round goes a long way towards advancing you, too. And it builds up an impression in the voters' minds as to who you are and what type of designer you would be.
But...and this is really important...I think the final round changes things. There's a contingent of voters who will still vote for their favorite designer to take the prize, but there's a much larger one which will vote for the adventure proposal first and foremost. And, honestly, that's completely understandable. The voters include subscribers to the Pathfinder Modules product line or other general consumers/gamers who have an interest in buying the Superstar module when it comes out...especially if a particular proposal really appealed to them or if it touches on some part of Golarion that they've always wanted to see done in greater detail.
As a competitor, you can't fight this. The voters want what they want. And, more often than not, they want the proposed adventure much moreso than a single designer. I believe the trick to winning the ultimate prize is to appeal to both groups. Build up a complete enough body of work that you're seen as a strong, consistent designer worthy of the votes which people will cast. And, more importantly, make sure your final round proposal really rocks the house. That way, you also win over the folks who vote for the adventure over the designer.
In other words, you've got to satisfy "most of the people, most of the time" throughout the entire contest. If you can pull that off, it not only gives you a solid chance at writing the 32-page adventure module...but it also gives you an idea of what it's like in the real world of freelance writing. You should always strive at making your work appeal to greatest number of gamers out there. Why? Well, aside from the ego boost of the maximum possible number of accolades from the buying public, it also serves to support your publisher, who needs to sell as many copies of your work to the maximum number of consumers.
So, this strategy isn't just important for the RPG Superstar contest. It's important as you go forward in your future freelancing career, too. Maybe that's obvious to everyone. Maybe it's not. But I think it's worth saying here, because it hopefully serves as a message to all these competitors. Remember, they'll all get a shot at producing something for the gaming community. But they need to learn how to maximize their chances at continued success. And I really like how the whole experience of the RPG Superstar contest prepares people for that.
Anyway, that's just my two cents,
--Neil
P.S. Best wishes to all these future freelancers. The next phase of RPG Superstar moves beyond this year's contest. To advance to the "next round" you've got to keep bringing the awesome work and find ways to appeal to the maximum number of people in your audience.
I voted for Tom because over the course of the competition is was very obvious to me that he could provide Paizo with the most consistently high quality work of the bunch, including the writing of an awesome adventure.
That The Scarlet God will have to be tweaked is irrelevant to me. The PRIZE of the competition is the opportunity to write a 32-page module for Paizo. The GOAL of the competition is to pick an RPG Superstar.
I agonized over who to vote for until literally the last minutes. But in the end, my vote went to Doom comes to Dustpawn
All four submissions had qualities I thought were great and some I didn't care for. But all things taken into account, I felt Mike's proposal appealed to me the most.
I've had such a busy 7 days that I have only managed to read 3 of the 4 submissions and comments and didn't get round to voting :(
Scarlet God.
I've had such a busy 7 days that I have only managed to read 3 of the 4 submissions and comments and didn't get round to voting :(
That's too bad. This is a year where every vote carried a lot of weight in deciding the final outcome.
How close was it?
Well yea, but you know me always trying to get as much info out of people as possible. :)
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I'd be remiss if I didn't take advantage of the tension.
As for the voting itself...
Just be glad I didn't invoke my usual explosive runes gag on you.
Boom! Oh. Too late.
Boom!
You've just been Neiled!
When do we find out who won?
Not that he's counting, or anything.
I voted for Tom in the end, after much umming and ahhing. He's had the best overall run in the contest and deserves the break the most of everyone.
Mike's proposal may be the best but it was close and Tom's body of work just tips it in his favour, for me.
It's been a mighty fine contest, whatever happens, and these guys have all earned themselves a shot in the industry. Good luck to all four of them.
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Don't write yourself off either, Daniel. Making Top 8 is no small badge of honor. Just ask guys like Dennis Baker and Jesse Benner. If I were in your shoes, I'd make sure I had all the contact information for the Paizo developers. Let them know you're still interested in being a contributing author on something...whether it's a PFS scenario, a monster writeup for a bestiary (hardcover or AP back matter), or just some rulesy bits for another sourcebook in the Pathfinder RPG product line. At this point, the initiative is on you to go translate this experience into something more.
So, don't sit back on your laurels waiting for Paizo to come to you. Let them know you're 1) interested in freelancing for them, and 2) available. After that, if they've got an opportunity for you, you had darn well better knock it out of the park and deliver on time, on spec, if you want those opportunities to keep coming. That's what the round-by-round advancement in RPG Superstar helps simulate. The minute you fail to deliver on a real freelancing assignment is the minute when you fail to advance to the next round...i.e., stop receiving work. So, challenge yourself every time to bring the awesome. Not just in RPG Superstar. But on every assignment you're ever given, whether it's for Paizo or a third-party publisher.
I'm real curious to see how far the other seven people in this year's Top 8 take things from here. That's my personal challenge to all of you. The sky's the limit. But you've got to step off the branch and make a conscious choice to fly first.
Just my two cents,
--Neil
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@Daniel Rust- Neil definitely has good advice. Like me, you are in Superstar Purgatory in that we can never compete again. But that doesn't mean we go away! :) A couple of tips that have worked for me since my run last year- scour the 3pp companies until you find one you connect with and see if they'll take a pitch from you (and yes, your Superstar tag does help!). Also, check out patron projects when they arise, not only do you get to pitch ideas and work on things there, you may also get to talk with industry vets (I'm a patron of Zombie Sky Press's "It Came from the Stars" where we've been fortunate to be able to pick Colin McComb and Richard Pett's minds on adventure design). Finally, if at all possible, find yourself a mentor in the field. I've been lucky to work with Creighton Broadhurst at Raging Swan Press (and past contributor to both Paizo and Wizards of the Coast) and hopefully by the end of the year, he'll have helped me sharpen my encounter design skills to make up my poor showing in last year's Round 4. So like Neil says, "The sky's the limit."
Neil and John - Thanks for the advice. I have no intention of disappearing just yet! I've got a couple of irons in the fire already and plan to start putting myself around a bit more. As the actress said to the bishop.
I've really enjoyed the thrill of the deadline and the feedback, both positive and negative. There's nothing better than putting something out there you've created and people enjoying it. I dropped the ball in round 4, but it's made me even hungrier than before. I think I can learn from my mistakes.
So, consider me interested and available. I hope to see others in the Top 32 take up Neil's challenge and get themselves in print. There are a few guys outside the Top 4 that I'd love to see do more.
For now though, I can't wait to see who wins.
For now though, I can't wait to see who wins.
Are you sure? Because drawing things out another day could really heighten the suspense, don't you think? ;-)
Nope.
Ha! You're a bad, bad man, Spicer.
I know how I felt a few weeks ago and I can't imagine how the guys are now. The tension is unbearable when you're waiting for the reveal. I was lucky in that I was gaming on reveal night for the last few rounds so I was distracted with role-playing shenanigans.
I hope the final four aren't just staring at the boards all day today. I'm sure they are though.
... I hope to see others in the Top 32 take up Neil's challenge and get themselves in print....
Not to worry...some of us are paying very close attention to all the advice being doled out here.
For now though, I can't wait to see who wins.Are you sure? Because drawing things out another day could really heighten the suspense, don't you think? ;-)
Bad things happen to teases.
Just saying.
Does anyone else get the feeling Paizo is going to pull a late April Fools with the reveal? Like at the pre-appointed time, the website 'mysteriously' crashes?
... I hope to see others in the Top 32 take up Neil's challenge and get themselves in print....Not to worry...some of us are paying very close attention to all the advice being doled out here.
Indeed.
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It won't be so mysterious. It'll crash from all the people trying to see who won :p
All set with the bubbly. :D
That's not very ironic...
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That's not very ironic...
"Ever since that song came out people keep getting it wrong."
not an exact quote, but credit to Richard Castle for that line :) Congratulations Eric!