I'm still reading Guide to the River Kingdoms for ideas as well as working out what boxes need to be ticked to make an archetype superstar-worthy.Same boxes as always, I'm afraid:
1. Have a really cool idea.
2. Don't make any—silly—mistakes.
Fixed it for you. :)
Yikes! I need to get cracking. Sadly, I didn't know about the River Kingdoms twist until today, which negates most of my work. My archetypes probably don't fit it at all.
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I'm currently working on two archetypes, both of which fit the River Kingdoms to a tee without being any of the obvious ones (pirate, bandit, poisoner, assassin).
I have to admit I like the fact that it's an archetype round and that it's the same region Kingmaker is set in. So many fun ideas come to mind when I think back to my group's Kingmaker sessions.
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I've got maybe a half dozen idea seeds, but I won't be developing any of them until the Round 1 victors are named.
Certainly I could be fine-tuning my Round 2 entry now, but it seems to me a little counter to the spirit of the competition to so thoroughly front-load my entry: for example, I don't expect that the folks who actually write these supplements have the luxury of fine-tuning a single archetype for a month before publication. Moreover, I tend to do my best work under a deadline, so I'm waiting, and jotting down any interesting flotsam that occurs to me while familiarizing myself with the River Kingdoms in the meantime.
Owch, following the playtest and last few reviews, my word count has crept up alarmingly.
I need to shave 160 words now to get back in limit.
The pain. It smarts.
I am truly the master of extraneous wordage - lol.
I have elimiinated things like "additionally", "personally" and lots of other extraneous prefixs.
Only 91 more words to eliminate - looking much more manageable now :)
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I've got maybe a half dozen idea seeds, but I won't be developing any of them until the Round 1 victors are named....
I tend to do my best work under a deadline, so I'm waiting, and jotting down any interesting flotsam that occurs to me while familiarizing myself with the River Kingdoms in the meantime.
This is the approach I used and it worked out pretty well. You've just got to be very nimble in your design adaptation and quick with your turnaround speed. The good news is that my run only gave us 3 days to process each round's rules and turn in our next submission. You guys get at least a week now, I believe.
This is the approach I used and it worked out pretty well. You've just got to be very nimble in your design adaptation and quick with your turnaround speed. The good news is that my run only gave us 3 days to process each round's rules and turn in our next submission. You guys get at least a week now, I believe.I've got maybe a half dozen idea seeds, but I won't be developing any of them until the Round 1 victors are named....
I tend to do my best work under a deadline, so I'm waiting, and jotting down any interesting flotsam that occurs to me while familiarizing myself with the River Kingdoms in the meantime.
Ah, but Neil, you set impossible targets to emulate you know...
You combine quick speed with word output.
Me? I can't type like a demon like you can :P
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Ah, but Neil, you set impossible targets to emulate you know...
Everyone else advanced under the same constraints, round by round. So, this isn't an impossible target...and no one has to emulate anyone else. Just be yourself, focus on your task, and it'll go just fine.
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This is the approach I used and it worked out pretty well. You've just got to be very nimble in your design adaptation and quick with your turnaround speed. The good news is that my run only gave us 3 days to process each round's rules and turn in our next submission. You guys get at least a week now, I believe.
Honestly, I think I'd prefer the shorter turnaround time. My experience with fellow freelancers in the past has shown me that many of them - many of us - don't have the flexibility, adaptability, and discipline to meet a tight deadline. Whether or not one can is often a good indicator of whether they have the chops to work. Which doesn't indicate, necessarily, that anyone who can meet a deadline should work for Paizo, or write for Pathfinder. But creativity is a common commodity; professionalism is rare.
Anyway, for all I know I won't even break the Top 32, but it's heartening to hear from a former winner who adopted similar methods. Thanks!
This is the approach I used and it worked out pretty well. You've just got to be very nimble in your design adaptation and quick with your turnaround speed. The good news is that my run only gave us 3 days to process each round's rules and turn in our next submission. You guys get at least a week now, I believe.
I'm curious, what actually is the typical turnaround for a Paizo assignment?
I'm curious, what actually is the typical turnaround for a Paizo assignment?
It depends on the assignment. And that's really a question for Paizo to answer moreso than a work-for-hire freelancer anyway.
Honestly, I think I'd prefer the shorter turnaround time. My experience with fellow freelancers in the past has shown me that many of them - many of us - don't have the flexibility, adaptability, and discipline to meet a tight deadline. Whether or not one can is often a good indicator of whether they have the chops to work. Which doesn't indicate, necessarily, that anyone who can meet a deadline should work for Paizo, or write for Pathfinder. But creativity is a common commodity; professionalism is rare.
I think you've hit upon one of the great separators when it comes to working in this industry. Creativity gets you in the door. Professionalism establishes a lasting presence if you want to keep getting opportunities. That's why, for me, I spend a lot of time quibbling at times over the p's and q's of these assignments in RPG Superstar. Mojo certainly helps to get everyone excited about a competitor's potential. But the professional polish and ability to hit your marks makes a big difference in demonstrating who's ready to go the distance. Not just to the final round of the contest, but long after when you're hopefully a trusted resource in a publisher's pool of freelance talent. Strive for that and you'll be on the right track.
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Honestly, I think I'd prefer the shorter turnaround time. My experience with fellow freelancers in the past has shown me that many of them - many of us - don't have the flexibility, adaptability, and discipline to meet a tight deadline. Whether or not one can is often a good indicator of whether they have the chops to work. Which doesn't indicate, necessarily, that anyone who can meet a deadline should work for Paizo, or write for Pathfinder. But creativity is a common commodity; professionalism is rare.I think you've hit upon one of the great separators when it comes to working in this industry. Creativity gets you in the door. Professionalism establishes a lasting presence if you want to keep getting opportunities. That's why, for me, I spend a lot of time quibbling at times over the p's and q's of these assignments in RPG Superstar. Mojo certainly helps to get everyone excited about a competitor's potential. But the professional polish and ability to hit your marks makes a big difference in demonstrating who's ready to go the distance. Not just to the final round of the contest, but long after when you're hopefully a trusted resource in a publisher's pool of freelance talent. Strive for that and you'll be on the right track.
That is true not just of game design, but pretty much every job you could want to go for.
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I think you've hit upon one of the great separators when it comes to working in this industry. Creativity gets you in the door. Professionalism establishes a lasting presence if you want to keep getting opportunities. [...] the professional polish and ability to hit your marks makes a big difference in demonstrating who's ready to go the distance. Not just to the final round of the contest, but long after when you're hopefully a trusted resource in a publisher's pool of freelance talent. Strive for that and you'll be on the right track.
Couldn't agree more, Neil. I'm far from perfect at this, but I'm thankful in retrospect for the years I spent writing ad copy for hire. It was in no way stimulating, but knowing your paycheck is on the line learns you some good habits right quick. A competition like this is a hell of a gut check, I imagine, especially in the later rounds. Thanks for the sage advice.
As someone who's used to project-oriented work where the deadlines are sometimes "two months from now", sometimes "yesterday", I'd like to offer another way to look at it. I'm sure three days is enough to write a good archetype. But since the contestants were given the details of the archetype round several weeks in advance, it wouldn't make sense to not start working if you think you have even the slightest chance of advancing. (And even if you don't, writing archetypes is good practice.)
As Neil said, when working as a freelancer, the turnaround depends on the assignment. For this particular assignment, you got lots of time. This time around, you do have the luxury of polishing your work. There's nothing unprofessional about using the resources you're given.
Turnaround?
So the normal turnaround is "every now and then" or when "you need me now more than ever"?
Well, I guess that could have been worse.
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As someone who's used to project-oriented work where the deadlines are sometimes "two months from now", sometimes "yesterday", I'd like to offer another way to look at it. I'm sure three days is enough to write a good archetype. But since the contestants were given the details of the archetype round several weeks in advance, it wouldn't make sense to not start working if you think you have even the slightest chance of advancing. (And even if you don't, writing archetypes is good practice.)
As Neil said, when working as a freelancer, the turnaround depends on the assignment. For this particular assignment, you got lots of time. This time around, you do have the luxury of polishing your work. There's nothing unprofessional about using the resources you're given.
I didn't mean to indicate that it was unprofessional to start writing your archetype now. Conversely, I don't think it's an especially realistic representation of actual turnaround as a contract writer. Your experience is similar to mine in terms of meeting varying deadlines for a variety of work, but speaking for myself, I've never been asked to produce so little work so far in advance.
That being said, again, I'm not disparaging anyone who's been working on their entry for a long time. It's just not how I prefer to work.
Argggggh. I say again, argggggh!
Come up with archetype theme
Come up with tightly integrated set of abilities
Over WC by 34 words after fat trimming.
And you don't want to remove any abilities because they are integrated and tightly themed.
Argggggh. I say again, argggggh!
This is worse than item design >.<
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That being said, again, I'm not disparaging anyone who's been working on their entry for a long time. It's just not how I prefer to work.
In other words, pressure can sometimes lead to your best work. Too much time can lead to second-guessing, over-thinking, and even result in procrastination anyway. Turning the screws on yourself can sometimes kickstart you into a better process. As a writer, it keeps you nimble rather than lethargic.
That said, it's also unwise to look a gift horse in the mouth. If you're given more time than you feel you need, use it to the best of your ability. There's nothing wrong with writing a quick draft under a tighter, self-imposed deadline...then leaving your work alone for awhile...and finally coming back to edit it with fresh eyes after your subconscious has continued working on it while you were away. As long as you can do something like that before you finally submit, your work will likely be stronger, more polished, and more effective.
But that's just my two cents,
--Neil
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Just think, back in the day, we didn't even know what the challenge was going to be until the new round was announced.
Kids these days... expecting to know what the challenge is... getting to practice... Fargh!
... and get off my lawn! :-)
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In other words, pressure can sometimes lead to your best work. [...] There's nothing wrong with writing a quick draft under a tighter, self-imposed deadline...then leaving your work alone for awhile...and finally coming back to edit it with fresh eyes after your subconscious has continued working on it while you were away. As long as you can do something like that before you finally submit, your work will likely be stronger, more polished, and more effective.
Very much this, yes. Like I said a few posts back, I tend to work better under deadlines, but I don't mean to give the impression that I don't pay attention to a project until I'm under the proverbial gun.
Since the cull, I've jotted down ideas for eight archetypes, researched archetype models, done a lot of thinking about gaps in the existing lineup, written up model archetypes unconnected to this competition, and have been researching the River Kingdoms as best as I can with the materials I have. But I'm reticent to put anything down just yet. I know myself, and I know I'm prone to second-guessing my own decisions and frequently end up with something totally overwrought if I don't force myself to stop.
I think it's important, as a writer, to be able to walk away from a piece and call it finished. The best way for me to do that is to not give my own sense of doubt time enough to get its hooks into me.
But seriously, the more research and brainstorming you do now, the less you have to do under really tight deadlines. And as Neil said, if you can leave something so that you 'forget' it and can then come back to it with fresh eyes, the better.
Also useful advice, if you think you have a chance at Top 32, arrange to be able to get time off work. I find I need time in big blocks to really get the brain focusing on a piece of work.
To paraphrase Neil from around 2009: 'for round 2, time is a luxury you will not have.'
I set my archetype down for a good week and a half and just came back to it. Fresh eyes helped with a few tiny adjustments but I still love it. And I really hope I get to round 2 to share it :)
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Also useful advice, if you think you have a chance at Top 32, arrange to be able to get time off work. I find I need time in big blocks to really get the brain focusing on a piece of work.
There is zero chance I can afford to do that. Missing a day of work means not being able to pay my bills. I'm sure a lot of my fellow contestants are in similar situations.
Also useful advice, if you think you have a chance at Top 32, arrange to be able to get time off work.
I certainly did this during a couple of the rounds in 2009. I didn't take three straight days of vacation or anything. Just a single day...usually the one where I was putting a design down on paper, so to speak. I usually didn't need days off to brainstorm or to edit/polish before I submitted something. Instead, it was the "between time" where I felt I needed to withdraw from the world for a bit so I could focus on the task at hand.
Interestingly enough, I still do that with my actual freelance writing assignments even today. I'll take a few days of vacation to create a longer-than-normal weekend. Or, I'll fill out a long vacation around a holiday and use some of that time to write. Of course, sometimes, that doesn't buy me anything at all, since three small children and a wife at home can be just as distracting as my day job now. And soon, we'll have another newborn to care for...
Regardless, it's certainly useful to take time away from everything to bring clarity to your design process. During a pressure-filled competition like RPG Superstar, that may take on even more importance. I know it helped me. And, thankfully, I had a really supportive workplace (and boss) who was just as excited to see me advance in the competition as anyone else. Her exact words to me when I told her I'd made the Top 32 and had just 3 days to turn around my next submission were, "Well, what are you doing here? Go home and write!"
Yet another reason I love the people I work with...
They're not hiring, are they Neil? :)
Thankfully my boss was similarly generous for most of the rounds in 2010, especially the final round.
But given people know the challenge earlier this year, use the extra time to your best advantage.
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I set my archetype down for a good week and a half and just came back to it. Fresh eyes helped with a few tiny adjustments but I still love it. And I really hope I get to round 2 to share it :)
You and everyone else (including myself) should consider that even should you not make top 32, it is still shareable work.
We the community just love seeing all manner of goodies like this shared.
One place you can consider is the ineveitable "what would you have submitted thread" that appears after round 2 voting is done and round 3 begun.
Then there is also the marvellous Wayfinder community magazine. Watch for the calls for submissions and theme for each edition and if your archetype works for that edition's theme, you should be golden. :)
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Then there is also the marvellous Wayfinder community magazine. Watch for the calls for submissions and theme for each edition and if your archetype works for that edition's theme, you should be golden. :)
Great reminder for everyone Anthony! Here is the link for the current Wayfinder call for submissions. The focus topic is the Darklands, but I bet some of you who had ideas knocked out by the River Kingdoms twist might have something that fits. And, with a little further twist you might be able to make your draft archetype for RPGSS fit too if you don't make the top 32. You have until March 31, but I know early entries are always appreciated.
I've got two.
The first one was kinda ... safe. boring? Solid, but not Superstar.
The second one I like. A Lot. I think once I wring out all the mistakes it has the makings of a Superstar entry.
I hope I make the top 32, if only to show this off.
Only concern now is this River Kingdoms curveball. Does it specifically have to be River Kingdoms flavored, or does it just have to be able to work there? Just not specifically flavored for anywhere else good enough?
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So, I am debating between a Barbarian who specializes in making balloon animals and a Ranger who specializes in hunting Barbarians who specialize in making balloon animals...
Working on a couple so I can choose the one I like best. Sadly I have tossed out many many ideas so far... Bah!
From the rules:
The archetype must be suitable for the River Kingdoms of Paizo's Golarion setting.So if you're creating a desert warrior, for example, even if it's not specifically Osiriani, it's going to get disqualified.
My guess is, if you don't put something relating to the River Kingdoms, or perhaps one if its neighbors, in your archetype description or in its abilities, you will get "don't vote" suggestions from the judges. That doesn't mean that the public won't vote for you, but it can't help.
I have a really cool idea that I'm thinking about throwing away just because it doesn't fit in with the River Kingdoms. It fits a neighbor well enough, but there's no point in taking the chance if you don't have to.
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I have a really cool idea that I'm thinking about throwing away just because it doesn't fit in with the River Kingdoms. It fits a neighbor well enough, but there's no point in taking the chance if you don't have to.
Don't throw it away. Hand onto it, maybe develop it a little bit, and submit the archetype to Kobold Quarterly or something. Just because a concept doesn't fit into Superstar means it's worthless.
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Hand onto it, maybe develop it a little bit, and submit the archetype to Kobold Quarterly or something.Sadly, Kobold Quarterly is no longer with us.
But we DO have Wayfinder
I have come to a point where the archetype is writing itself. The only thing to worry now is balance.
I'm on my 5th draft of the archetype now. It fits into the theme of the area and finds a niche for itself, but making it worthy of superstar is what's holding it back.
Yeah, balance can be hard, especially when you're trying for SUPERSTAR and not just solid!!!
I'm having trouble writing up abilities that I think are SUPERSTAR while remaining under the word count - it's difficult to get inventive with archetype powers without requiring a decent amount of description. Re-using other mechanics saves a lot of space, but it makes for a very boring archetype.
Just finished a first draft on the very outside chance I get to R2. Not sure if I should be worried that I am well under 400 words.
My advice is to stray towards caution with the mechanics. I offered an unbalanced archetype in 2011 and got steamrolled. Should I make this year, I have a far more modest (yet flavorful!) archetype planned.
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So, I am debating between a Barbarian who specializes in making balloon animals and a Ranger who specializes in hunting Barbarians who specialize in making balloon animals...
This made me laugh! Simple things for simple minds...