This will be my 4th year entering. I'd considered giving the contest a rest for this year but seeing this "call to arms" thread changed my mind.
I can't say enough how much I am continually impressed by the support and encouragement I see from the people at Paizo on these boards. It really isn't often that you see such a successful company whose employees not only read their own boards but take the time out to reply and engage people. As much as I love the Pathfinder product line, it's that commitment and involvement with the community that I think is truly awesome.
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As a female gamer myself, I've submitted for the first time this year. While my rules-fu is indeed not as strong as it could be (I've never GM'd beyond level 3 or played beyond level 7), I rather liked getting down and dirty with formatting and phrasing in such a way that my item can only be exploited in ways I intend for it to be exploited. So what if I don't know what suits a twelfth level adventurer's needs? I just made a low-level item and kept it a cute and simple concept. :)
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I can't win, wheee! :pKeep fighting the good fight, Sean. :-)
Speaking as someone who both is a woman and has been employed as a game designer, there are lots of reasons why women don't enter design, or even when they have, are reluctant to put themselves forward, but that's a different and long post.
Share your thoughts about that, if not here then we'll start anew thread for you.
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Share your thoughts about that, if not here then we'll start anew thread for you.I can't win, wheee! :pKeep fighting the good fight, Sean. :-)
Speaking as someone who both is a woman and has been employed as a game designer, there are lots of reasons why women don't enter design, or even when they have, are reluctant to put themselves forward, but that's a different and long post.
Oh man, that's a long and exhausting post, and most of those reasons aren't things you'll have to deal with in working with Paizo, thank heaven (Paizo is an impressive sanctuary from most of them, and the RPG industry in general seems a lot gentler than the videogame industry from whence I came), and I don't want to distract people from having fun with RPG Superstar. :-)
Tell you what -- after RPG Superstar is over and we've celebrated the winners, male or female, if you're still interested, I'll tell you a bit about it.
But the point here is: anonymous first-round submissions, awesome judges, and the chance for professional critiques make this a great way to get into the industry, whether you're male or female. :-)
Tell you what -- after RPG Superstar is over and we've celebrated the winners, male or female, if you're still interested, I'll tell you a bit about it.
Deal.
Tell you what -- after RPG Superstar is over and we've celebrated the winners, male or female, if you're still interested, I'll tell you a bit about it.Deal.
Yeah, I wanna read that too!
Tell you what -- after RPG Superstar is over and we've celebrated the winners, male or female, if you're still interested, I'll tell you a bit about it.
Me three!
What they said. :-)
Well this will make it five votes for that post. Sounds interesting!
I think a lot of us look forward to reading what you have to say. :)
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Oh man, that's a long and exhausting post, and most of those reasons aren't things you'll have to deal with in working with Paizo, thank heaven (Paizo is an impressive sanctuary from most of them, and the RPG industry in general seems a lot gentler than the videogame industry from whence I came), and I don't want to distract people from having fun with RPG Superstar. :-)Tell you what -- after RPG Superstar is over and we've celebrated the winners, male or female, if you're still interested, I'll tell you a bit about it.
But the point here is: anonymous first-round submissions, awesome judges, and the chance for professional critiques make this a great way to get into the industry, whether you're male or female. :-)
As a woman just starting school to study game design with the express intent of eventually ending up in the video game industry (and the RPG industry -- I like diversification!) I'd be interested in reading this, too. But waiting until Superstar is over sounds fair. :)
Re: the anonymous first-round submissions -- THAT is exactly why I entered. When I initially heard about Superstar (way later than I would have preferred), I wrote it off initially upon hearing about the public voting. I'm glad I investigated long enough to find out it was anonymous, or I wouldn't have bothered.
I admit, though, I don't know how much of that was influenced by being female (I hate the idea of either advancing or being held back solely on basis of anatomy) and how much of that decision would have been out of a feeling that, since I am Jane Nobody on the message boards, no one would have even read my entry, let alone voted on it. XD
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As a woman just starting school to study game design with the express intent of eventually ending up in the video game industry (and the RPG industry -- I like diversification!) I'd be interested in reading this, too. But waiting until Superstar is over sounds fair. :)
Do a twitter search for #1reason and #1reasontobe, both tags from just a while ago touching on being a female game designer in the video game industry. Specifically the latter.
Woah, thank you for pointing me to those tags. I'm not on Twitter, so I completely missed this (and am now re-thinking my Twitterless...ness). Found lots of good reading to pore over, good, bad and rage-inducing.
A co-worker told me about the contest but 'twas too late for me to have time to finish my item... well there's always next year right? And at least I'll get to vote. Anyways, I'll be rooting for all the female contestants, the best of luck to you! :)
I know I'll be slightly biased towards any items, archetypes, etc. thematically suited for female PCs. Bonus points to anyone who referred to the user of their item as "her" - why's it always his this and his that... ;-) But I guess what matters most is a name and description that makes me go "wow", and that it's something useful for my PCs and villains alike... well that's all for now I guess, holding my breath here, can't wait to see the items! I'll be sure to list my favorites if it's allowed...
Over and out,
Katerin
Belladonna, twitter is a great place for networking for the introverted. Like myself for instance, you can follow me at @ronarcorruption (stupid character limit). ;)
Well, there certainly are a high number of items using the feminine pronoun in their descriptions.
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Just read this thread, but I hope that Sean sends out a similar call for next year's contest. I would be great to see more women designers!
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Perhaps a panel directed at women interested in game design at PaizoCon? That is assuming the events aren't closed. I'm going to find out.
RPG Superstar 2013
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Dedicated Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka Steven T. Helt
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You know a company showcasing the inarguable talents of women designers? The Unhallowed. Our fantasy horror setting features Gillian Fraser as a leading designer, focused on mechanics and combat encounters. She is also invaluable in the art of Kickstarters, having experience as Lead Designer on the Wicked Fantasy project as well.
Not only is Jill a full time Horseman working with myself and Steve Rowe to develop the adventures and setting, she's also an Iron GM competitor. I am choosy about my GMs and she brings a great game.
We also are honored to have Christina Stiles working as one of our stretch goal contributors, and working with our design team to create some crossover material between her awesome Bite Me line and our horror fantasy setting.
Support women designers who bring you a great game, with great taste. Head on over to The Unhallowed Kickstarter page and consider supporting us. You'll get a great adventure series, as well as fun options for GMs and palyers for enhancing your horror games. Moreover, after this we are aimed at developing the full setting, and I think you'll be very happy (in a hopeless, violent kind of way) with what we have in mind.
And of course, I am trying to convince Jill to enter the RPG Superstar contest this year to strut her stuff. Go to theunhallowed.com and DEMAND she bring her best game!
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I hope some ladies are starting to consider entering the upcoming Superstar contest!
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My wife is - OMG, I am so under pressure to make the cut before she does >.<
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I sure hope we see a massive contingent of female gamers submitting to Superstar 2014. I am getting all geeked for Superstar 2014. I've volunteered to judge again (whether they accept my offer and in what way is up to them, of course). No matter what my role, I can't wait for the contest! Ladies, get your design hats on and start polishing up some ideas. The more women the better!
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I hope some ladies are starting to consider entering the upcoming Superstar contest!
This! Don't talk yourself out of trying because you aren't confident of your rules-foo, or are newer to gaming than others in your group, or whatever—give it a go! You'll learn so much just by wrestling with the challenge, picking apart examples, and getting constructive, impersonal feedback. As Christina says: Butt in chair! And good luck!
Gaming isn't the boy's club it used to be back in the 1980s and 1990s. There are a LOT of women gamers out there, and they can be just as hardcore as the men gamers. They can design cool magic items, too.
I'm taking a guess though that a lot of the winners we are seeing now are the 'guys' from back then.
Do we have some stats about when the current crops of 'top 8's' started playing, and their general demographics?
What %'s of current entrants are women, and how does that line up with the broader player base? Do we know who is a female entrant and who isn't? There isn't any icons so we can tell, and names aren't always an indication :)
I reckon perhaps you could start now with a 'Junior Superstar', maybe some other way for the young girls entering gaming to get the design bug from the get go... dunno, just thoughts, but pretty convinced we need to start seeding the talent young so that we have the best possible crop for tomorrow.
Story factory - can we build something similar for gaming?
I'm taking a guess though that a lot of the winners we are seeing now are the 'guys' from (the 80s-90s roleplaying communities).
Do we have some stats about when the current crops of 'top 8's' started playing, and their general demographics?
You can take a look at past entrants' profiles. Last year's top 8 list their ages as 22, 25, 31, 33, 36, 37, "north of 40", and (unmentioned but played back in the 80s), and the two youngest have been playing since they were kids. It's possible that it might take a while for the demographic shift to percolate from the gaming population at large to entrants of design competitions.
Cheers, so we're still looking at 90's gamers in the main.
Thanks for the info :)
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Oh dear me, if I make it , I will skew that terribly - let's just say "played in the 70s" shall we?
Oh, my wife entered this year. I knew she would eventually.
I am not under any pressure now...
no sir, everything is fine here, move along now.
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I hope some ladies are starting to consider entering the upcoming Superstar contest!
Welp, I ain't no "lady" so I guess that counts me out.
Some women did enter last year; they identified themselves as such after the round was over. None of them made it into the top 32 (though I believe several were in the unofficial top 100). I'll be interested to see if anyone does this year.
You are in fact proof that women can both enter and win. I think that speaks volumes more than anything anyone can say in this thread.
This! Don't talk yourself out of trying because you aren't confident of your rules-foo, or are newer to gaming than others in your group, or whatever—give it a go! You'll learn so much just by wrestling with the challenge, picking apart examples, and getting constructive, impersonal feedback. As Christina says: Butt in chair! And good luck!
I don't think you meant to do this, but this manages to imply all women are new to gaming. Which is not true. It also seems to imply that women who are new gamers will talk themselves out of entering when a man who is a new gamer will not, which in turn presumes a lack of confidence defined solely by gender.
Tho, personally, for anyone new to gaming regardless of gender, I have trouble seeing how one would want to enter a contest that lands them a gig writing games, when they're still only learning gaming.
If you want to encourage new gamers to enter, a more newbie friendly contest would be in order, not something that lands you a commitment and a contract, especially as you do become pressured to perfect your rules fu VERY quickly on the commitment you have made.
This is something that's often bugged me about Superstar, even the Paizo staff talk about it like it's just some fun little contest that everyone should try, but then they turn around and remind everyone it's serious business and is in effect a job interview. There's not a prize at the end, there's a contract. A much coveted one, but something you have to be seriously sure you can commit to and once before you get involved. I wish Superstar was discussed more consistently as to what kind of gamers/writers (gender aside) were desired.
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Ultimately, this industry is about gaming and entertainment with your friends around a table. It *is* a fun contest, but even fun can be hard work some times (as any GM knows quite well). The fact that we're offering a contract, for pay, to write an adventure module, is definitely the end goal, but "fun" and "hard work" aren't mutually exclusive.
What kind of writers (who need to be gamers) are we looking for? Here's what I can think of off the top of my head:
- Able to keep a deadline
- Can take feedback
- Creative
- Easy to work with
- Maintain a professional and positive attitude
- Communicates with their developer and keeps them updated
- Keeps to the outline (word count, other technical details)
All of these points are covered in the RPG Superstar contest (with maybe the exception of points 4 and 6). Not surprisingly, these are also the kinds of people that we like to give contracts to, and also occasionally hire as full-time employees.
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This! Don't talk yourself out of trying because you aren't confident of your rules-foo, or are newer to gaming than others in your group, or whatever—give it a go! You'll learn so much just by wrestling with the challenge, picking apart examples, and getting constructive, impersonal feedback. As Christina says: Butt in chair! And good luck!I don't think you meant to do this, but this manages to imply all women are new to gaming. Which is not true. It also seems to imply that women who are new gamers will talk themselves out of entering when a man who is a new gamer will not, which in turn presumes a lack of confidence defined solely by gender.
Ack! Indeed, I absolutely didn't mean to imply that women are newer to gaming or lack confidence—I listed these possibilities only as examples of why people might not try. :S Lack of confidence in particular is something that's held me back in the past, and I'm now trying to stomp it down into its grave; that's definitely not universal experience, though (my partner is the opposite).
Let me rephrase, then: If you're considering entering but are hesitating or reluctant, give it a shot anyway! ;-)
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Judy, that is much clearer. :) I think it was how it followed after the quote that made it read funny. Thanks.
Liz, thanks for the list.
Ok so, I play pathfinder and I'm kind of new at it still. One of our players said he was doing this contest so I started looking into it the other day and after reading this thread I decided to give it a shot. So there ya go, another female in the rpg superstar :D
Go for it. I had been playing PF for less than a year when I made top 32 in 2010. I also completely skipped 3.5 so I was studying mechanics as I went. It was an awesome experience and goes to show if you have creative ideas you can make it.
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Tell you what -- after RPG Superstar is over and we've celebrated the winners, male or female, if you're still interested, I'll tell you a bit about it.
I asked jessica about this after RPG Super Star was over. This is what what she said. :)
EDIT: fixed link, thanks Feros :)
I asked jessica about this after RPG Super Star was over. This is [what she said] :)
Tell you what -- after RPG Superstar is over and we've celebrated the winners, male or female, if you're still interested, I'll tell you a bit about it.
Go for it. I had been playing PF for less than a year when I made top 32 in 2010. I also completely skipped 3.5 so I was studying mechanics as I went. It was an awesome experience and goes to show if you have creative ideas you can make it.
Pathfinder, sure, but how long had you been playing variants/other RPG's for before this? Trying to get a handle on overall history.
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I will be officially entering my submission sometime today, but as green slaadi possess change shape, I may only qualify as female depending on the coin flip. :)
RPG Superstar 2015
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka mamaursula
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You know what I'd really like?
I'd like to see many women in the Top 32 of this year's competition. We've had a few women in past competitions (yay!) but it would be really nice if we had more (yay!).
Gaming isn't the boy's club it used to be back in the 1980s and 1990s. There are a LOT of women gamers out there, and they can be just as hardcore as the men gamers. They can design cool magic items, too.
If you know a female gamer—and especially if there's a female gamer in your group—please, please, pretty please, encourage her to submit a wondrous item to RPG Superstar.
There's still plenty of time, the deadline is December 18 at 2 p.m. Pacific Time.
Thanks.
I want to thank Paizo for being a rock solid supporter of women in gaming. Last year the outpouring of support from both the company and it's fans was amazing.
While I won't be entering this year, the positive encouragement I received has led to some great changes in my life, including convincing me to run my first campaign. I will be GM'ing for our crew soon and if things go well, who knows what could happen.
If you are afraid you don't have what it takes, you do. Entering is free. The back end supports and critique threads are great. Both Paizo staff and her fans will help you, all you have to do is open yourself up to the possibility of "Yes I can".
Good luck to all contestants, regardless of gender!
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I have an item I'll be submitting this year, too. My only goal is to get it into the contest right now.
Starting small! Heh :)
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RPG Superstar 2015
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka mamaursula
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I'm guessing you didn't have older sisters?Nope. Only one brother. However, I don't base that statement about my daughters spoiling their baby brother on my own assumptions. That's what everyone else has been telling me will happen (and that includes those who grew up in such families). Sure, I expect they'll fight and annoy each other just like all siblings do. But, you have to understand the personality of my daughters to get where I'm coming from. They're all pretty strong "caretakers" and they model that behavior from my wife. So, at least in the early going, they're likely to help quite a lot in looking after the boy.
If by "spoiled" you mean clothed in all manner of whatever dress ups, regardless of gender, or species, wearing sparkly jewelry, nail polish, lipstick and glitter, "forced" to play Red Box D&D and then beaten within an inch of his life from time to time, sure, he'll be spoiled. At least, that might have been how my baby brother was spoiled. YMMV ;-)
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If by "spoiled" you mean clothed in all manner of whatever dress ups, regardless of gender, or species, wearing sparkly jewelry, nail polish, lipstick and glitter, "forced" to play Red Box D&D and then beaten within an inch of his life from time to time, sure, he'll be spoiled. At least, that might have been how my baby brother was spoiled. YMMV ;-)
I am suddenly eternally grateful that I was the oldest of two sisters and a brother. And I suddenly understand what my little brother must have dealt with... No wonder he could be so loud! (Good lord, that was almost 25 years ago... yikes!)
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If you are afraid you don't have what it takes, you do. Entering is free. The back end supports and critique threads are great. Both Paizo staff and her fans will help you, all you have to do is open yourself up to the possibility of "Yes I can".
This times a million, the only thing that is stopping anyone from entering, is the person in the mirror.
I hope some ladies are starting to consider entering the upcoming Superstar contest!You are in fact proof that women can both enter and win. I think that speaks volumes more than anything anyone can say in this thread.
I think you have me confused with Christine Schneider. I'm just an old freelancer who is interested in seeing more women get into the tabletop gaming industry. :)
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I think you have me confused with Christine Schneider. I'm just an old freelancer who is interested in seeing more women get into the tabletop gaming industry. :)I hope some ladies are starting to consider entering the upcoming Superstar contest!You are in fact proof that women can both enter and win. I think that speaks volumes more than anything anyone can say in this thread.
Whoops! I'm terrible with names, I should have double checked, but the Christin... S... with the "contributor" tag sounded right... *sigh* Sincere apologies, to both of you. Vocal female freelance writers in the hobby are a welcome and encouraging sight regardless.
Oh dear me, if I make it , I will skew that terribly - let's just say "played in the 70s" shall we?
Oh, my wife entered this year. I knew she would eventually.
I am not under any pressure now...
no sir, everything is fine here, move along now.
Its good to see I'm not the only old-timer here. There's probably not many of us who played in the 70's.
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This is something that's often bugged me about Superstar, even the Paizo staff talk about it like it's just some fun little contest that everyone should try, but then they turn around and remind everyone it's serious business and is in effect a job interview. There's not...
While I understand your concern about the dichotomy, please don't lose track that the contest is also a LOT of fun. I'd argue in some ways it's the most fun I ever had in gaming, with just these intense periods of seeing what I could design, plus more feedback than I'd ever gotten (and the feedback from the voting public is as exciting as the feedback from the professionals). Even as I play less and less IRL due to conflicting schedules and whatnot, I've been as into gaming, if not moreso, in the two years since then than at an other point in my life.
While I know Paizo is looking for freelancers (as are other companies), any freelancer knows they shouldn't sign up for more than they can handle. Maybe for you (that's a generic "you"), that's one thing a year or maybe it's Neil Spicer/Jim Groves lvel of work. Whatever you choose to do with the work you earn via the contest (and I got one offer, which I didn't take, and didn't start going out to look for more work until after last year's contest), I guarantee you'll find Superstar itself a lot of fun.
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Meh. Looks like one of my players won't submit this year, yet. She started GMing Pathfinder recently but she stated that she knows too little about magic items to participate this year.
Its good to see I'm not the only old-timer here. There's probably not many of us who played in the 70's.
81-82 here...
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RPG Superstar 2015
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka mamaursula
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Meh. Looks like one of my players won't submit this year, yet. She started GMing Pathfinder recently but she stated that she knows too little about magic items to participate this year.
But she's going to run! Yay!
Seriously, encourage her to follow the contest. I learn more every year and become more inspired to try things by seeing others who are in the same place I am in gaming. Most importantly, I have met some great people here who are wonderful and happy to help explain things. One day I am going to bust out my gaming-fu and win! (And then die laughing).