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Good job everyone. From us submitters, to us voters, especially to you winners, and very especially to you judges.
The rest of us (now) spectators, let's apply our voting work ethic to giving good feedback to each of the 32.
I know I've made sure to hit each one, and even if it is just a pat on the back it shows support to the process. It might be you in that forum next year!
I got through most of them tonight and will get the rest tomorrow. I'll also voice my encouragement for others to do the same. It's good sportsmanship and frankly, they deserve it. Reading the comments is also very informative.
Thank you for this, theheadkase, it's a very kind gesture. I saw comments from both you and agirlnamedbob on my item, and honestly the attention alone is encouraging at this point. The specifics of the comments are useful as well, obviously, because they give an idea of what you're looking for, and to which particular pitfalls we as individual designers may be prone. :)
I agree! It's important for aspiring designers to see, and try to understand (or even critique) good design, like the top 32. More so than people realize.
Also, my hat tips to all the voters. You all did a ton of work.
Template Fu reviews have begun, They are taking about an hour per item as I am really going into depth for both the winners, and also hopefully t o help others for next year.
This also means it will probably take 3-5 days to get through all of the items. Hopefully some of what I say may even be right :P
The first two are up Goblet of Elements and Spell Winding Timepiece.
Do please let me know if you find these reviews useful in any way.
A couple more detailed reviews are now up for your delictation.
Cloudwrangler's Gloves and Icon of Aspects
So I've now done four and the scores so far are really reflecting how good this year is.
Cloudwrangler's Gloves 24/25
Spell Winding Timepiece 22/25
Icon of Aspects 19/25
Goblet of the Elements 16/25
Wow, this is tight this year.
And for you old hats who may be wondering, yes, the Template Fu IS getting fed.
Back on a PC now - don't trust iPad silently auto correcting words to the wrong ones >.<
Another review has gone up... and there is a reason I'm pinging these.
Anyone following my reviews will likely have spotted it but just in case you haven't, I am taking the opportunity to incorporate as appropriate in each review a refresher on lots of real gem advice and feedback from older competitions that still apply today.
The most recent one (Cobra-Hood Cloak) for example (and this is no way intended to single any review out, they all have gems in them), has an example of writing stronger and not passively and runs through the old adage of BEST power FIRST!
Feel free to let me know if these reviews are helping you in any way :)
Cloudwrangler's Gloves 24/25
Spell Winding Timepiece 22/25
Icon of Aspects 19/25
Cobra-Hood Cloak 18/25
Goblet of the Elements 16/25
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Anthony, just want to thank you for your in-depthness. I've thoroughly enjoyed your Template Fu reviews, from this year and from previous. Wish I would have known and read the previous years before getting too schoolboy excited and submitting so early!
he he, anything I can do to help everyone do better.
It is my new goal - to give Sean, Clark and whoever else they have at the time a year in December where there first post is...
"Our keep pile is - ummm - all of them"
And the second one is...
"Oh dear, we have a 1000+ strong top 32 - uhhh, Top 1000+"
How did Cheapy put it? Oh yeah... I'm nuts, man!
Heh heh - could you imagine the judges chamber...
"What do you mean... we have to review 1000+ archetypes now... in 4 days!"
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Hit all the winners with a good, bad, and ugly review. Took hours but I would want someone to give me feedback were I in their place so there you have it.
Now I'm prepping myself for the pounding I'm like to take on the Critique my item thread in a few days.
I enjoyed your critiques as well GM_Solspiral!
Everyone else reviewing the Top 32...I've enjoyed reading and learning from your commentaries as well.
Even when it was contrary to my personal feelings towards the item (which I am glad Clark/Sean/Neil have pointed out is NOT what to look for...should look at the DESIGNER).
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
,
Star Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka burrahobbit
|
My thanks, too, to everyone who's taken the time to share their thoughts and feedback on my item (and all the items!). This is really just an amazing community, and I've gotten some good lessons in design in just the last 24 hours or so.
Thanks to all of you who are spending your time writing reviews. It really is VERY much appreciated!
The next one is up - Skipping Stone - a very, very useful piece of advice on this one which applies to EVERY round - right at the start in the template section - don't miss it!
Note the revised score below on one other item below is due to a foo bar in my own review.
Template Fu reviews done so far:
Cloudwrangler's Gloves 24/25
Spell Winding Timepiece 22/25
Icon of Aspects 20/25 * corrected score - I'm a doofus!
Skipping Stone 19/25
Cobra-Hood Cloak 18/25
Goblet of the Elements 16/25
It would seem that some people are reacting adversely to my detailed reviews. I thought I was attempting to help by saying what is good and bad in each to allow entrants to play to their strengths and to work on their weaker areas.
Rather than become embroiled in so called flame wars, I shall offer my in depth review to those top 32 and alternates who would like one.
Please pm me if you would like your work reviewed and whether you would prefer that review to be private or posted with your item for others to see.
I apologise to any and all I have upset in any way - it was not my intention.
If you would prefer any review I have currently placed to be withdrawn, I offer no objection to you requesting that post being deleted by the forum admins.
I will post again when I feel that I have completed those reviews and open up the same to anyone else who would like a review of their item, again offering private review rather than public dissemination.
Thanks to those of you who have already said my reviews were of help, your appreciation is gratefully noted and respected.
Stick to your guns Anthony! It's part of being a professional writer...taking criticism. Especially when it is as constructive as yours is.
Stick to your guns Anthony! It's part of being a professional writer...taking criticism. Especially when it is as constructive as yours is.
Thanks, it just rubs the grain a bit when trying to be helpful, that's why I backed off rather than risk fanning the flames.
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Sorry to hear that, Anthony :-/ I'm not really dipping much into the other Top 32 'till my R2 entry's done, so I haven't seen what you're talking about... but public critique is so much of what this contest is about; I'm sorry to hear you're getting any guff at all over your hard work.
IMHO, any criticism is helpful criticism (though knowing how to address criticism is a skill in and of itself...). You're more than welcome to assail my veil, although I already got your initial reaction to that before submission :D
I will say, though, that while I've enjoyed the reviews of yours I've peeked at, the Flesh Reading Ease and Flesh-Kincaid scores feel kind of misplaced to me. I don't really know how good of a scoring system that is; I don't know how well these measures work on a mere 300 words; I don't know how this score might be affected by common game terms like "bard," "grappling," and "doppelganger," which I think a lot of average teens wouldn't know or certainly wouldn't use in everyday conversation - let alone "moderate transmutation and abjuration".
But back to the point - you know RPG Superstar really really well. You want to review all of the items - then by damn, review all the items; that's what we do here :D You've developed a rubric, including all kinds of stuff most others aren't paying attention to? GREAT, that's shining some light where others haven't reached; worst comes to worst some people disagree with your criteria. You don't need to announce your project and you don't need to apologize. And if you're worried you might have crossed some line accidently - ok, take a step back, see what it was that came across poorly, and take steps accordingly.
You've been brandishing Template Fu for months now. Don't let him go hungry :D
Ok, I'm convinced, I'll carry on as before :)
Glad to hear you're carrying on. The Template Fu reviews have been really great to read. Without fail, I feel like I learned something or at least saw something in a new light after reading them. I know if my item was in the Top 32, I'd just be thrilled someone took the time to give as much feedback as you do.
Godspeed, sir!
Why, the reading measures. That's me being my alter ego - Sneaky Fu
It goes like this, 32 reviews and people will wonder what they are.
So, as an exercise, copy the description only of your item to a new word document.
Now select it all and under the same menu that you find spelling, you will find an option set language.
Use that to ensure the text is US English
Then press F7 or choose spelling and grammar check.
When you complete that, you find these measures.
Master used them during his archetype development to flag his overly wordy sentences. He wishes he had used them on his item. They aren't perfect, but do flag up if you have potential problems.
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Anthony? Where's the flak you're taking for the item critiques? I haven't stumbled across anyone who's taken exception to it yet...whether that be an actual contestant or someone else posting in their item's thread.
Regardless, here's my take on it.
First, I think it's vitally important that the voting public share their thoughts, feedback, and yes...even critiques...with the Top 32. And not just for their wondrous items, but in every round. How you do that is up to you, but it's really going to help them know where they stand (whether they realize that yet or not). Also, it's not on anyone else to say you can or can't...or should or shouldn't...do it. It's needed, because it mirrors how these would-be freelancers will face criticism and feedback from those who eventually buy their work from Paizo or some other third-party publisher.
Despite that, it's also important that you provide useful and meaningful feedback to the competitors. You've got to be clear and constructive with it. Don't just lob a bunch of firebombs and torch their design. Additionally, tearing something down for the purposes of showing off your own design skills/knowledge might assuage whatever burn you might be feeling by not making the Top 32 yourself, but you should never take that out on others. It's not constructive criticism. Instead, it's destructive behavior...both toward them, and for yourself. (Note: I'm not saying you're doing this with your Template Fu analysis. I'm just saying those providing feedback need to check themselves before they offer up criticism.)
Additionally, I think it's important for the Top 32 to start developing good habits on how to receive and respond to criticism. If folks are taking exception to what you're doing (and you're not out of bounds with anything you've shared), that's going to be a problem on their end. Not yours. And, how they openly respond to you, will almost certainly be considered by the voters as they assess and analyze the designers and not just their designs. That's an element to this contest, as well. And, if the Top 32 didn't realize that when the judges were looking beyond their wondrous items to assess them for what kind of potential they'll have as a designer, they should swiftly find out when the voters start to lift up and support their fan-favorite designer just as much as the work the they do in the competition.
Lastly, also keep in mind that every Top 32 competitor is going to have fans and supporters. Some may or may not know them outside the competition. Either way, they're going to feel protective toward them. Thus, if you're not clear and helpful with your commentary, they may feel compelled to defend their favorite items or designers. Also, keep in mind they may not be a fan of you and however you've come across either in your commentary here...or how you've portrayed yourself elsewhere on the messageboards. So, you have to prepare for that. (Note: Again, I'm not saying you've conducted yourself inappropriately or anything. I'm just noting how some people might view things through their frame of reference as they read feedback from those commenting on the items/designers.)
So, my advice would be to assert your rights as an equal voter in sharing your opinions and feedback. Be courteous with it. Make sure any humor you're trying to convey is received as such. And be prepared for others to disagree or even critique your criticism. That's the same approach I think the judges have always strived for in this competition, too. And, for this round, all of you are essentially "judges" as well. So, conduct yourself in that manner as best as you can.
Just my two cents,
--Neil
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I don't want to point anyone out, I had a couple of messages that I chose to rise above.
They are long gone, deleted and I am not giving any names, it just isn't done. Maybe I'm old fashioned in that, but that's me.
I have had a few hours rest, and some very supportive other messages, so as far as I am concerned, it's all water under the bridge now.
I haven't posted a new review recently simply because I want to be sure of maintaining my impartiality. I am about to start up the next few as soon as I finish this lovely cup of morello cherry dark hot chocolate by twining s. it's very lush.
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I agree with Neil (I know, shocking!). I only saw one person, who wasn't the designer, seem to criticize the review. Some people may have defended their item -- which I'd certainly expect them to do -- but I didn't see anyone publicly objecting.
Personally, my feeling is if they can't take criticism -- and I think yours tend to be fair -- that's a problem on their end. They can choose to disagree with it or simply feel it's not applicable (I'd probably ignore the ease of reading section, FWIW), but objecting to having criticism IMO doesn't bode well for them.
@ Neil he's referring to a reaction on This thread if I'm not mistaken. LEt me rephrase that he's slightly overreacting. I don't think AA's got a mean bone in his body and generally backs away from anything resembling a confrontation. He's just that polite.
I don't want to point anyone out, I had a couple of messages that I chose to rise above.
Anthony, if you're talking about my response to your feedback then I feel really bad. I was not, and am not, in any way upset by your review and I hope that you keep giving everyone feedback.
Criticism is always welcome - but sometimes the people you critique will disagree. With luck this leads to discussion and debate (not flame wars) from which everyone benefits.
Please (all) feel free to critique my item! But be willing to accept a critique of your critique in return if I disagree!
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"I'm coming in last! I'm coming in last!"
:)
Ummm, I think I'll Ninja the Clark SLAP!
How can you be last when you are, at worst, 32nd out of 1,000+! And even that has yet to be decided!
To put it in persepctive, if your score is the lowest this year, then oh my god what a year! Your score in prior years would easily have been near the top, so I wouldn't pay too much attention to that.
What I want you to pay attention to is anything you can learn or glean from my comments.
( I'm only scoring really to provide visibility to Template Fu's voracious appetite :) )
So everyone is at ease, I will reveal the two messages I received were to my email address (I have an awful big review circle going back years, so is probably widely known in Superstar circles by many now).
I simply deleted them and moved on. The reason I made the offer I did was more to protect the entrants and winners than myself.
Please everyone rest assured that I protect this contest and it's integrity very strongly and that extends to every contestant and entry they make.
I treated those two mails with the contempt they duly deserved, and set the rule on the senders to auto junk mode.
I then took the time to get back to a neutral feeling so I can continue reviewing fairly.
George, I responded to your post hopefully in polite manner - I can confirm that the latest versions of open office and word (2007 & 2010) still insist on that space :D - Word even insisted on the space using the UK dictionary too!
Sorry man. Template Fu will keep his dinner :p
Is it just me or is there a rush of archetype entries happening causing the web site to keep crashing out when posting to the forums ?
Finalists take heed - don't leave it too late!
I have tried 5 times now to post this as a new post, on the entry page, so I will try here... sorry for the derailment.
PAIZO WEB MASTERS/MISTRESSES - This is for you!
Please can you correct the Swarm Slurper link on the main Superstar page, the entrant deserves his entry name to include that r in slurper!
p.s. Template Fu wants a rare web-meister provided point for his supper :P
Hi guys,
I wont be posting the next two reviews tonight, it's just way too flaky for A4 page sized posts :(
I'll have another try later.
I will get to you all, that's a promise, it's almost the weekend, so I am dedicating the whole weekend to you all for reviewing to try and catch up.
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Please can you correct the Swarm Slurper link on the main Superstar page, the entrant deserves his entry name to include that r in slurper!
...and while you're at it, I would not be displeased to see Mike Kimmel's Glose and my own humble Viel restored to a more respectable spelling.
Remember, kids! I before E, except after C, and in 'weird' because it's a weird word, and in 'veil' because-- because-- OH LOOK A SQUIRREL!
Then it took another twenty minutes to actually load the page and soothe what little remains of my sanity :)
They have been fixed now by a nice web person called Chris - it appears my earlier attempt did eventually get posted even though it said it timed out >.<
Anthony, others have said it already, but I wanted to chime in with my support for your critique work. Your criticism seems helpful to me, and even if some of the Top 32ers don't want to see it on their items, I want to see it on their items! I think we can learn not just from our own mistakes but also from those of our fellow contestants, and I am grateful that you (and others) are taking the time to enable that.
If you can't take constructive criticism get otta the top 32 and make room for an alternate I say!
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
aka Fatespinner
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...and while you're at it, I would not be displeased to see Mike Kimmel's Glose and my own humble Viel restored to a more respectable spelling.
Yeah, once I settled down and pulled my heart back down out of my throat, I also noticed a spelling error in my title: Spectal Lampblack.
Fortunately it was not my own error, but rather that of whoever wrote the blog post. It has since been corrected. :)
We do like to look after our winners :)
Back to a reasonably stable net work, so far, so I risked a post for Rat-Tread boots, a new in depth review for you all to enjoy - with some unusual things to watch out for - the entrant did, so I commented on how well the entrant did to point these out for everyone else.
I have now posted
Cloudwrangler's Gloves 24/25
Rat-Tread Boots 23/25
Spell Winding Timepiece 22/25
Icon of Aspects 20/25
Skipping Stone 19/25
Cobra-Hood Cloak 18/25
Goblet of the Elements 16/25
Yeah, I'm working down the left side first so I don't lose track, - sorry Ziv, you are going be last :D
Yeah, I'm working down the left side first so I don't lose track, - sorry Ziv, you are going be last :D
That means... I'm next. Nervously looking forward to it. Keep up the critiques Anothony! You're doing a valuable service for all of the Top 32.
No reason to be nervous - I always try to find both good and bad in my reviews, so your ego will get stroked but so will areas you need to work on, at least that's kind of what I aim for.
It usually ends up more like 70-30, 70 in praise and 30 in look at these areas or be aware of such and such.
It's also about a zillion times harder this year without the Spicer wall of reviews to guide me to things I should also be looking at - so I'm trying my hardest for you all.
That means... I'm next. Nervously looking forward to it. Keep up the critiques Anothony! You're doing a valuable service for all of the Top 32.
That's funny because when I was writing reviews I was nervous about creating hurt feelings ect when my intention was to help. Cuts both ways and prolly worse on your end. I hovered over the button on your review for like a few minutes worried about the last section in particular. I decided its better to give the feedback then to spare egos and decided were it me I'd want the feedback and hit the button.
Isaac had not a lot to worry about - his review was a kind of general tidy things up here and there but a few points in it that people might find of interest - especially about thinking about when your item is affected by it's immediate environment when it is an item that acts within an environment. Yeah, that's cryptic enough to send you all to look :P
I have now posted 8 / 32 - first quarter down... hup hup...
(note where scores match, the list is sorted alphabetically on item name - no ranking is intended - equal scores means equal rank in my book)
Cloudwrangler's Gloves 24/25
Rat-Tread Boots 23/25
Ethersnare Dust 22/25
Spell Winding Timepiece 22/25
Icon of Aspects 20/25
Skipping Stone 19/25
Cobra-Hood Cloak 18/25
Goblet of the Elements 16/25
I'm going to scan through my reviews to ensure I have maintained a reasonable consistency, catch up on a few threads and have a sleep - I'm getting tired now and want to review reasonably fresh for each item.
However, a quick analysis shows that it is passive writing/readability or template that are the main difference makers on these scores which means that you are all very even on the design / mojo aspects of your items, if this continues with the other items, the archetype round is going to be fiercely contested indeed.
It's interesting to see your scores shape up, Anthony. I look forward to the rest of your reviews as I'm sure many others do. :)
Wow. I realize now how commenting on every item is time consuming. Anyway, I'm going from the bottom up, just to be different. ;)
It's interesting to see your scores shape up, Anthony. I look forward to the rest of your reviews as I'm sure many others do. :)
I am a bit of a tortoise, but I will get there. I ave an empty house tomorrow and have all my reference materials laid out to continue :)