I just stopped by to beat my head against the filigree.
STUPID! (thud)... STUPID! (thud)... STUPID! (thud)
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka Boxhead
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Sorry I've was MIA through round 2's writing. I'm just going to stop in and drop some quick advice- never let off the gas! It doesn't matter if you had the best or the worst item in round 1, this is a new game. The same goes every round- the best you'll get from a strong performance early is the advantage of tie-breakers later. A bad round is still a bad round.
Always shoot for mojo, no matter how odd it seems. Some people will love it, some people will hate it, but you'll get everyone's attention. If you put in a bland entry, get ready for it to drop out of the sight of the average voter...
I remember round three last year. I submitted literally 3 minutes before the deadline. Never again. That entry was still in the "had a way too much going on and haven't pared it down yet" phase.
My goal this year is to be ready to submit the day before the deadline every time.
And here we go, it's in.
Something I've learned over the past few days is that being top 32 is not the same as wanting to be top 32. I feel a lot of pressure to not f~&! it up.
Anyone else feel the same way?
It's a lot of work for sure. I entered without really thinking about what would happen if I actually made it (even though I was still working under the assumption that I would make it).
But what did it is that I may never get this opportunity again, and if I don't do my absolute best, and work harder than I've ever worked, then I'll regret it.
Guy, my suggestion? It's *awesome* that you're doing critiques, but I'd stop. Do them after the contest is over. Unless you've got way more time and stamina than I did, spend your time now on getting ready for the rest of the rounds. Your archetype's already done obviously, but start working on your monster and even your Round 4 and 5 entries. That monster turnaround especially is incredibly quick if you don't get the twist in time. I was doing practice for this year and still can't quite believe I turned mine around (of course, mine sucked, but still).
I know I had no expectation of getting in last year and hadn't done any prep work, so I felt like I was behind constantly. I looked briefly at the critique thread when I needed a break, but I didn't even come close to being able to give it my full attention.
As you said, this is the only opportunity you may get at this, so I'd devote all your attention to it.
(Feel free to ignore this if you feel like you're ready for the other rounds, of course. This is just my friendly advice based on my experience.)
I plan to start working on round 3 early, on the chance that I make it.
I didn't really think I'd make it to the Top 32, since it was the first proper Pathfinder wondrous item I have ever designed, and I've only been playing Pathfinder for about a year and few random sessions of D&D years back (though I have been playing and running other games for quite a long time).
So when I heard the news that I had made it, I had only been bouncing some vague ideas about the next round. That made this week quite hectic as you might imagine.
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...It's *awesome* that you're doing critiques, but I'd stop. Do them after the contest is over.
I'd agree with this statement. When I competed, I purposefully stayed away as much as I could from jumping in to provide item critiques, both for the other Top 32 competitors and for the "Critique My Item" thread. And I chose to do that for two reasons.
One, as Jacob mentions, you've really got to make sure you're focused on making your work shine each round. And, once you've turned in your submission, I think it's important to then start absorbing as much of the voting public's commentary and feedback as you possibly can, because that'll serve you well in getting a "read" on the voters and what they're looking for. I also made sure to go back and review all of the judges' commentary on anything and everything round-by-round to determine what they were looking for. And then, I did everything I could to incorporate all of those lessons into my next assignment, provided I made it through the voting for that round.
Secondly, I think you've got to be really careful with critiques of any kind whatsoever if you're a competitor in the Top 32. Even if you have a naturally critical nature (as I do), you have to rein in that impulse to avoid coming across like a jerk to someone who literally holds the power to vote you through or vote you out. So, I was always super-conscious of what I'd post during this time. Encouraging stuff? Absolutely. Entertaining and humorous stuff? Sure, as long as I believed it'd be taken in the right spirit. Appreciative stuff for a fellow competitor's work? Definitely. Critical stuff about where someone went wrong? No way. I'd stay away from that as much as you possibly can and let others point that out instead. For some people, that means it's best to stay away from overly commenting on just about anything during the competition and letting your work speak for itself. Obviously, that's always the case while voting is going on in any given round. But, even outside of the voting, I think you have to be really careful with it. Not just to avoid a DQ, but also to avoid DQ'ing yourself as a worthy Superstar in the eyes of the voters.
Now, all that said, it is still important to start establishing a good persona and image for yourself as a Top 32 competitor and, hopefully, as a future freelancer. And, obviously, you want that persona/image to be the most positive one you can muster. But it also needs to be sincere. If it's not, people will pick up on that and they'll hold you just as accountable for it. Make sure you give them reasons to like you in how they perceive your conduct here on the messageboards and eventually in-person. That's true in life as well as RPG Superstar. But it's a habit that sadly not everyone ever seems to have. It's called professionalism and common courtesy...and it's a lost art sometimes.
So, just some friendly advice from a former competitor. I know the enthusiasm of wanting to immerse yourself in every possible Superstar thread and activity is there. I felt it, because I thought I needed to be involved in everything to call attention to myself. But, you should only allow yourself to jump into that if a) you've polished your current work to a high, professional sheen which you're confident will go over well with everyone, b) you've applied yourself to learning all the available lessons in the postings of the voters and judges, and c) you're capable of conducting yourself in a super-respectful, non-threatening, less critical fashion while being prepared for any subsequent backlash if you fail to come across that way in your interactions.
My two cents,
--Neil
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Star Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka burrahobbit
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Finally back home and duly relaxed after a juicy ribeye steak and an episode of Being Human. My wife is proud of me. That's all that really matters.
Now that, sir, is superstar.
Jacob, Neil, thank you for the advice.
The main reason I reviewed items last night is that I needed a day to mentally separate myself from archetypes and relax, and I wanted to spend that time engaging the community in a meaningful way. I lurked the boards heavily last year during the competition, so while I recognize many of the regulars, I'm basically an unknown quantity. I really wish I had posted a little bit more before I entered this contest, as I feel like all my interactions are "tainted" with a weird power imbalance since getting into this contest is the first anyone's ever heard of me here.
While risky, I felt that reviewing items was beneficial for the community and the Superstar contest, and at the same time revealed a little of my design philosophies.
If I hadn't been at work last night, I probably wouldn't have reviewed them at all. While my job doesn't require my constant attention, it does require enough that doing research and brainstorming for future rounds is extremely difficult (especially due to internet firewall restrictions) Review was something I could do in the moments between.
I'm no politician, but I know I can't please all the people all the time. I'm proud of my work, and I'm going to do the best I can to win this contest.
I really do appreciate your comments. I feel like I'm having a difficult time transitioning into being a member of the community vs. being a lurker, since "message board small talk" isn't something I'm particularly good at. Conversations like this are encouraging.
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FWIW, I was in the exact same situation as you last year. I definitely felt like some johnny-come-lately especially compared to message board luminaries like Taig and Eric Meepo and Tom Phillips (even now, other than my few PBPs, I have almost no posts outside the Superstar forum, but rely on my fellow Jacobs to post a lot and hope people get confused who is who). : )
One of the beautiful things about Superstar, though, is I think most people do tend to vote primarily on the strength of your submissions. Sure, they may use some of the factors Neil mentions as tie-breakers, but your work will either get you to to the next round or send you into a deep spiraling depression that requires long hours of drink until you end up in AA (er, not that anyone can prove that that happened to me).
As long as you're doing what you need to do for you, go for it. I remember wanting to read the critique thread last year and being too slammed to, and mostly wanted to make sure you didn't feel obligated to do reviews.
Yeah, I definitely didn't feel obligated. It was just something I wanted to do.
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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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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I don't know about you dudes, but I am jonesing for some monster rules. Sunday School lesson is ready...I worked productively at the office today..and now it's time to design ideas until I get sleepy.
Staring down the barrel at the location/encounter/map, I better be drawing some basic ideas for that. Last year's round 4 was the hardest thing I've seen in RPG Superstar.
I don't know about you dudes, but I am jonesing for some monster rules. Sunday School lesson is ready...I worked productively at the office today..and now it's time to design ideas until I get sleepy.
Staring down the barrel at the location/encounter/map, I better be drawing some basic ideas for that. Last year's round 4 was the hardest thing I've seen in RPG Superstar.
Yeah, I feel the same way. I'm doing monster research to make sure my ideas for next round haven't been done already.
Sunday School lesson is ready.
I love to see things like this slipped in between Monster Rules and RPGSS future round planning.
What are you teaching on?|
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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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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Well..we used to choose a book and teach verse by berse expositorilly. We started the Gospel Project curriculum, though and this week we're covering the ENTIRE book of Psalms. Class will last approximately four years, six months and three weeks, not counting Easter and Christmas services. :b
Well..we used to choose a book and teach verse by berse expositorilly. We started the Gospel Project curriculum, though and this week we're covering the ENTIRE book of Psalms. Class will last approximately four years, six months and three weeks, not counting Easter and Christmas services. :b
That's very ambitious. Same group for the whole 4 years?
Me, I just finished doing some lesson planning of my own. Photosynthesis. And I expect it's just going to take a week or two.
Me, I just finished doing some lesson planning of my own. Photosynthesis. And I expect it's just going to take a week or two.
I've probably got about 1 week to teach photosynthesis and respiration to year 11s - starting on Friday this week.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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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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Well..I was kidding about teaching the whole book. The curriculum tends to favor topical study over expository study, so we're redaing excerpts from Psalms and talking more generally about the book. The lessons really just have the purpose of illustrating tbe Jesus story in the Old Testament.
If I could get on the photosynthesis plan, I'd probably lose a lot of weight. Can I get sunlight that tastes like Mt. Dew?
Heya all,
I'm really not going to have time to sweep through all the Top 32... But I did want to say I think we've got an incredible batch of talent this year. The Top 32 is chock-full of favorites of mine from the voting, and it's all great, colorful, fun material. Kudos to you all.
I am also not going to do an extensive critique of every item in the top 32. Who has time? However, I did vote for all of these items at some point. In each case, there was something about the item I liked.
I thought it was important to let you what I liked so I am going through the exercise of letting each you know what gave your item mojo to ME.
Hope it helps.
Well..I was kidding about teaching the whole book. The curriculum tends to favor topical study over expository study, so we're redaing excerpts from Psalms and talking more generally about the book. The lessons really just have the purpose of illustrating tbe Jesus story in the Old Testament.
If I could get on the photosynthesis plan, I'd probably lose a lot of weight. Can I get sunlight that tastes like Mt. Dew?
Psalms would take a long time if you went through every verse. I guarantee you had more fun than I did picking up kids for an inner city church today.
Heya all,
I'm really not going to have time to sweep through all the Top 32... But I did want to say I think we've got an incredible batch of talent this year. The Top 32 is chock-full of favorites of mine from the voting, and it's all great, colorful, fun material. Kudos to you all.
Yeah, I basically feel the same.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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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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I'll try to make it to each of our items in a bit, but working on the next rounds plus getting ready for India is taking up all my time outside of work. Once I feel I have a handle on two adventure proposals, I'll feel more freed up. And maybe get to paint those Tomb Kings.
Fortunately, my players are really supportive and for the next several weeks, we are running Iron GM scenarios to get some practice under some other GMs' belts. So all I have to do is make characters and play.
Who's working on round 4?
Round 4? That's like, not even this month bro.
Well..we used to choose a book and teach verse by berse expositorilly. We started the Gospel Project curriculum, though and this week we're covering the ENTIRE book of Psalms. Class will last approximately four years, six months and three weeks, not counting Easter and Christmas services. :b
Funny, while you are teaching the Psalms I was studying them. Friday I am taking an Ordination exam covering the whole Bible, but Sunday was my day scheduled to review the Psalms and the rest of the Wisdom Literature. Seven sections to the test, seven days of cramming. :)
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Gag rule starts tomorrow. I foresee a lot of anxiety as people discuss the archetypes.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Star Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka burrahobbit
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I'll try to make it to each of our items in a bit, but working on the next rounds plus getting ready for India is taking up all my time outside of work.
India? Very cool - where are you going? I've never been, but would love to one day.
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All right, my fellows!
As of right now, I'm gonna be a bit of a ghost. Stick in there, use the criticisms as spices in your creative soup, and for the love of all that's holy, don't comment on your own or anyone else's archetype. Also don't try to entice people on the boards to vote. They know already. ;)
Remember though! We here in the guildhall are here for each others' emotional support! Just don't utter anything along the lines of "my/your entry/archetype."
I think we're all planning to ghost this round. I hope so, at least. I'd hate to see any of this year's contestants flame out as some have done in years past. I want this competition to be fair and honest, and that the victor clawed his way to the top square, rather than having some of the obstacles removed by poor behavior.
Best of luck to you all! I'll catch you on the flip-side!
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Dedicated Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8
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Good luck, everyone! I too will be keeping quiet for the voting period. Can't wait to see the archetypes! I'll try to comment on all of them, and the items and other rounds, once all the dust has settled.... a few months from now....!
Good luck to all of you! May the best archetypes win.
Good luck to all of you! May the best archetypes win.
No, mine should w-- waitasec, that didn't come out right...
Yup, I'm going radio silent for now. See you guys on the other side.
Good luck everyone!... And now its quiet time.
Thank-you for those wise words Chris. Best of luck everyone! Very excited to see what archetypes people have come up with.
Good luck everyone - and radio silence is definitely the way to go. Just read the comments and apply what insights you can take away from them to your next submission.
Radio silence may be a bit much, the rules just state that you can't comment on your item. You can comment on the items of others (within reason).
Best of luck to my fellow contestants.
Bring on those archetypes and details of the monster round, the time is crawling along it seems (it's been the 29th for nineteen hours already where I am).
Anyone, just stitching my lips shut and chopping off my typing fingers until it's safe to communicate.
Maurice, I wouldn't comment on other entries at all (until after voting, of course). Someone did that last year -- with negative comments at times -- and my impression was it wasn't well received.
I've got a PBP player who's an alternate, so I'd love to see him advance, but not that way.
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2011 Top 16
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Dedicated Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7
aka primemover003
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Yeah I guess after reading our entries later today I'll just be kicking it in the rules forum or carrion crown board. Good luck all, can't wait to see what you came up with!
--Vrock-a-bye-baby
I wish I was able to work on my entry sooner. My last minute submission is nagging me.
Regardless, I consider my experience with this competition to be the ultimate reward and my true goal. What I did not expect was that the community would be so supportive. I cherish all of the feedback I got for Mantle of a Thousand Hands, and it motivated me to reiterate on it, despite that it will likely never see the light of day in any game.
Whatever happens in the archetype round, I want to thank everyone. As software engineer that aspires to be game developer (both tabletop and otherwise), this competition was a god-send.
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I'll be around, but I won't be posting to any of the archetype threads or commenting specifically on the archetypes elsewhere. But I also hate to lose the comradery and banter here in the guildhall and other threads. Just watch what you say. Preview before you post. It you question how it will be received, cancel it.
Good luck to everyone.