Didn't work :P
Yes, but your dedication to feedback is legendary (and commendable).
Ziv, I'm still up for playing, and playtesting after Thursday.
Well, I'm planning my game only after the playtests are done (because I really need a least a teensy-weensy bit of experience before I run one).
Playtests, OTOH, I'll play in as many as others are willing to throw me. I'm in curaigh's now, and motteditor seemed like he was going to start one, but that didn't get off the ground - I'm not sure he got more participants than you and I.
Top 8 Contestants should have the Round 5 pitch information in their inboxes now.
Yep, got it thanks Chris!
Yeah, I don't think I ever got a fourth person expressing interest so never got started, and then I ended up spending the weekend in New York...
Oh hey, now that the voting window is open, is there somewhere I can go to see playtest reports? Or was that only last year? It'd be nice to have some of that kind of data when deciding for whom to vote! :)
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
This year, we're adding a step for the competitors where they have to submit a "pitch document"--a very short summary of what they'd like to do for their adventure proposal. James Jacobs will read these pitches and determine if anything about the pitch needs to be changed so as to avoid conflict with future products or any other issues. For example, James might say "don't use giants or Leng," or "don't go to the Plane of Fire," or even "goblins in Golarion wouldn't do that."
This is such a great idea. Too bad this process wasn't in place for last year's contest. It was such a close vote ...
::Tom shakes his fist at parallel design::
Oh hey, now that the voting window is open, is there somewhere I can go to see playtest reports? Or was that only last year? It'd be nice to have some of that kind of data when deciding for whom to vote! :)
Folks should post them as comments on the encounter itself. Your ooze is being used in the PbP we're doing if you want to take a look. :)
Might playtest some tonight for giggles, definately doing 1 or 2 over the weekend
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
It's so quiet in here you could hear a drow stalk...
--Vrock'em Sock'em Robots
I blame the no comment rule. This year diifers from previous years in the number of comments. Or, maybe the competition's biggest supporters are now its competitors ;-)
But we can talk about totally unrelated things, right? It's been sunny here.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Honestly, if the competitors were able to comment and maybe sell themselves a little it prolly wouldn't make more more prone to vote for them, it might infact make me vote against them if they were too obnoxious about it. I personally think you guys should be able to clarify and defend your work with the judges, and I think you'd get to in real life. How you handle criticism is just as important as anything else in this game.
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 8, RPG Superstar 2011 Top 16
,
Dedicated Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7
aka primemover003
|
I say more custom titles for spectators who stay involved in the process throughout might help. Besides the Voter titles, a Playtester title could be given to folks who provide a well written review of the R4 encounters. Perhaps someone should come up with a template similar to the one's in the AP Obituary threads for encounter playtest reviews?
Something to keep the community involved as much as they were in R1.
--Vrockstar Energy Drink
I personally think you guys should be able to clarify and defend your work with the judges, and I think you'd get to in real life.
Except when freelancer-Chris writes a book, the book doesn't include a copy of freelancer-Chris to answer the GM's questions and provide corrections. Freelancer-Chris's work has to stand on its own.
Yes, the GM can go to the messageboards and hope that freelancer-Chris is on watch looking for questions about the book, but that is a hopeful assumption. The truth is: Chris's work has to stand on its own 99% of the time, so it has to be clear.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
We could talk about how Scott always seems to have a punny catchphrase. Does he have a database with usage stats? Are they all made up on the spot? What are some other ones?
That'd kick up discussion a bit.
|
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 8, RPG Superstar 2011 Top 16
,
Dedicated Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7
aka primemover003
|
I have a few set for certain topics, the others are generic and I rotate them around. For example in the Rules forum I generally end with School of Vrock or Schoolhouse Vrock. If it's winter and there's a ton of snow or I'm talking anything cold related it'll be Vrock Salt.
As it is now March, one of my favorite times of the year, I will be ending quite a few posts with:
--ShamVrock
Yes, the GM can go to the messageboards and hope that freelancer-Chris is on watch looking for questions about the book, but that is a hopeful assumption.
Tell that to Spicer. : )
While I certainly understand the policy and the reasoning, I think it is one of the beautiful things about the age we're living in. Back in the old days, there wasn't a way to easily communicate with RPG designers (or authors or comic book creators or what have you), but now it's almost more surprising when you CAN'T get in touch with them, IMO.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Yes, the GM can go to the messageboards and hope that freelancer-Chris is on watch looking for questions about the book, but that is a hopeful assumption.Tell that to Spicer. : )
I think I'm more of an aberration in that regard.
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 16
,
Star Voter Season 6
|
Hey folks, sorry I haven't been around much lately. I just got back from a two week field problem (Army). It's kind of a mixed blessing I didn't advance, because I probably would have had to bow out anyways or submit a half-vast (:D) encounter.
If anybody is interested, I posted the other three monsters I made for Round 3, but didn't submit, over in the argopelter thread. I'd be curious to hear anybody's thoughts on them, either how they compared to the argopelter or in general.
Voting finally closed and we can talk :)
Yes. :)
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Well personally I'm waiting to see the results before I post in my thread. But I'm always excited to see the thoughts of the other contestants on their own work, and I guess if people want to ask questions or discuss things it previously would have been bad form to discuss (such as alternative ideas for this round), they now can. But maybe everyone's busy working on their round 5 entries :)
Oh! Though while I have your attention, Wolfgang, and since this isn't particular to a single entry of mine, I was wondering what your thoughts are on terms/concepts that are "too modern." Two rounds in a row you got on my case for it -- "cocktail," "board of directors" -- yet in both cases I was using terminology employed in Pathfinder's rules and setting materials. The board of directors in particular was just a reference to established Golarion canon. So I understand that there are simply elements of the rules/setting that you don't like, is that correct? And if so, is there some rubric that we should use to guess which parts of Pathfinder you judges don't like such that we might avoid them?
Well, good luck everybody. You guys had some great entries. I am sorry I did not allow myself more time to do a better job on that last round.
Darn, my one fan :P
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 8
,
Dedicated Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 8
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
In the last few minutes before the reveal I just wanted to wish everybody good luck! It has been a wild ride, and one that I did not expect to take nearly as far as I have. Everybody has been great, and it has been a wonderful experience.
Once again, good luck! Fingers crossed...
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Best of luck to you too :)
Fingers crossed is a good idea; I'm actually biting my nails
Congratulations to the Top 4! It's been a great trip, and I've had a great bunch of fellow travelers.
Now do us proud!
Congrats to Pedro, Matthew, Scott, and Steven. I look forward to seeing your adventure proposals.
It's been an honor to make it this far and hang out here in the clubhouse.
In case you didn't see the rules thread, entries from the earlier round may show up in the Superstar Module in the supplemental material. So all of us might have a chance to be in print! I'd like to see some of those cool alchemist archetypes.
Contributor; Publisher, Kobold Press; RPG Superstar Judge
|
Oh! Though while I have your attention, Wolfgang, and since this isn't particular to a single entry of mine, I was wondering what your thoughts are on terms/concepts that are "too modern." Two rounds in a row you got on my case for it -- "cocktail," "board of directors" -- yet in both cases I was using terminology employed in Pathfinder's rules and setting materials. The board of directors in particular was just a reference to established Golarion canon. So I understand that there are simply elements of the rules/setting that you don't like, is that correct? And if so, is there some rubric that we should use to guess which parts of Pathfinder you judges don't like such that we might avoid them?
Excellent question, and yes, this is largely a pet peeve of mine. I find that reading a high-fantasy sort of monster, locale, or adventure when it contains a clearly modern coinage throws me out of the reading. I fully admit it's more a pet peeve than a rule of style (clearly Paizo is ok with it), but it comes from the same instinct that makes some gamers recoil at the inclusion of machine guns, tanks, gunpowder, robots, lasers, etc.
At its root, I think there are some gamers who don't like crossing genres, and who see fantasy a genre that is frequently abused by the inclusion of modern terminology, technology, and habits of thought. Part of the fun for these gamers (and I probably count as one, most of the time) is the sense of visiting an older time. So, "cocktails" doesn't bother me one bit when I am playing Call of Cthulhu or Shadowrun, but it grates in Pathfinder.
Golarion has a number of places where it is "much too modern" for my tastes, but other players like that or simply don't notice it as out of place. And that's ok, but part of the role of a judge is to call out elements that might especially appeal to a gamer (such as the use of drakes and dragons as a monster type, always popular) and those things that might rub some the wrong way (gunpowder, cocktails, etc).
So... Yes, you were calling out a board of directors from canon. To me, it's still weird enough to comment on, and I will just say that I would prefer not to have 20th or 19th-century terms crop up in Golarion. Total personal preference.
Congratulations, Pedro, Matthew, Scott, and Steven. A very strong field. Can't wait to see what you have in store for us to vote on.
Congrats top 4! Looking forward to your round 5 entries. :D
Excellent question, and yes, this is largely a pet peeve of mine. I find that reading a high-fantasy sort of monster, locale, or adventure when it contains a clearly modern coinage throws me out of the reading. I fully admit it's more a pet peeve than a rule of style (clearly Paizo is ok with it), but it comes from the same instinct that makes some gamers recoil at the inclusion of machine guns, tanks, gunpowder, robots, lasers, etc.
At its root, I think there are some gamers who don't like crossing genres, and who see fantasy a genre that is frequently abused by the inclusion of modern terminology, technology, and habits of thought. Part of the fun for these gamers (and I probably count as one, most of the time) is the sense of visiting an older time. So, "cocktails" doesn't bother me one bit when I am playing Call of Cthulhu or Shadowrun, but it grates in Pathfinder.
Golarion has a number of places where it is "much too modern" for my tastes, but other players like that or simply don't notice it as out of place. And that's ok, but part of the role of a judge is to call out elements that might especially appeal to a gamer (such as the use of drakes and dragons as a monster type, always popular) and those things that might rub some the wrong way (gunpowder, cocktails, etc)....
Thanks for the response, makes some sense :)
|
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2011 Top 16
,
Dedicated Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7
aka primemover003
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Wow this is it... the Big Show! Thanks for the words of encouragement all. It's been a pleasure to compete with you and see what Pathfinder is through your points of view. I can tell you I've learned a lot from you and our comraderie has been fantastic in the 2013 Guildhall. Even the extended community has really stepped up their participation this year, especially in the early rounds with great comments, critiques, and discussions.
Wow, just wow.
--Vrock and Awe
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 16
,
Star Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka burrahobbit
|
Congratulations, Top 4! I'm sorry I didn't have the chance to playtest and comment on the encounters, but I was really impressed by all of them, and I'm eager to see what you folks have up your sleeves.
Congrats top 4 - some really great encounters!
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Congratulations to the top 4, and to the top 8, I feel your pain. However, and this goes for all the competitors, if you got bitten by the design bug while competing in the contest, be sure to regularly check the Compatible Products from other Publishers forum for freelancing opportunities. Also, joining patron projects or Kickstarters that offer some design opportunities are also good ways to get started if you want to do some freelancing.
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 4
,
Dedicated Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka Steven T. Helt
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
After dealing with the wifi connection from a hotel in Bangalore, I am finally submitified. Good luck to everyone and may this be a tough great round for everyone to enjoy!
So here's the question: Did India inspire a Jalmeray/Vudra adventure? It's won Superstar once before, but could it do it again? (I'm assuming no and maybe...)
Well, it's in. Alea jacta est.
Yikes. That was a long final edit. Done now and submitted!
Off to PAX East bright and early. Should take my mind off the horrible waiting. :)
Best of luck everyone!
|
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2011 Top 16
,
Dedicated Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7
aka primemover003
|
I had to sleep one more night on it. I needed to look at my submission with fresh eyes one last time. This has definitely been the most agonizing round in terms of second guessing and triple checking everything.
Good luck gents, may the best adventure prevail!
--Vrock'em Sock'em Robots
Looking forward to seeing what you come up with guys. Somehow I convinced myself it was supposed to be 9.00 am GMT rather than pm, and came home from work all eager to give your proposals a once, twice or thrice over. Now it seems like I'll have to wait until tomorrow.
I'm curious to know where everyone else is planning on going from here. I'm amazed and tremendously grateful to have made it this far, and I'd like to know how other people are planning on moving on after this. I'm still a bit in shock to be here, and I've had no thought for the big picture. This is really the first time I've had a chance to think beyond what to do for an upcoming round.
Also, regardless of how things play out, it's been a real privilege to make it this far. Best wishes to everyone. Hopefully the judges will be kind. :-)
|
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 4
,
Dedicated Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka Steven T. Helt
|
I'm already pitching to Paizo, have a pitch planned for Frog God, I'm entering the Wayfinder contest in order to get to take my Drow mojo to print. Long term, I'd like to write a few novels, design one fantasy game world, and design a comic hero game.
Probably only a THOUSAND rejections to go to get there!