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Congrats, Steven. From one Superstar to another, well done and well-deserved.
I also think the tea leaves were kind of pointing to this outcome based on your performance in prior rounds and the professional approach you brought to your designs. Now that it's official, however, I also want to remind you of a few things I recalled from your postings in the Superstar forums in 2010 when I put up a thread called "Advice For Those Who Missed The Cut"...
I think maybe several of us submitted items we thought were great, and it's an awkward place to know you need to be polite and give the Superstars their due, while reading some items and thinking "really?"....I speak only for myself when I admit I read some items, I get locked out of the contest three years in a row, and I start to wonder if I just don't understand what a Superstar item even looks like....However - this contest is great for Paizo, great for the hobby, and really demonstrates the passion a lot of people have. It sucks to be balancing, "I deserve to be there" with "Obviously the judges didn't think so," but what is redeeming is that there are other ways to pursue work, and there is a great commuity here to join with and help cultivate Superstars this year and beyond. We are told over and over, it isn't about us....it's about one item at one time. It might be hard to remember that, but it's true. All you can do is be a good sport, wish everyone luck, and be a good-natured critic of ideas in coming rounds to sharpen the remaining contestants. And - design is fun. Talking about design is fun. Thinking about design is fun. Losing ourselves in that cheerfully makes the competition better for everyone.
So, now that you find yourself on the other side of all that, how do you feel now, man? :-)
Nothing worth doing (or accomplishing) comes easy. You paid your dues. You learned and adapted. Guys like you and last year's winner, Mike Welham, continue to serve as examples of what happens when you don't give up hope, keep trying and working hard, and bring your A-game when your opportunity finally comes. I was thrilled when I saw you'd made the Top 32 this year. And now I'm doubly so at seeing you take the prize. Hat's off, man. Well done.
My only challenge for you now is to see you take it to the next level. This is when the real game begins. And unlike RPG Superstar, it never has to end. You can keep it going for as long as you want it to...
Best wishes,
--Neil
Well done Steven, I had a suspicion you'd be a strong competitor this year. As always, it always comes down to the final round and that adventure proposal, which you really nailed.
I'm looking forward to playing your adventure and seeing what else you create in the future.
Congrats Steven!
Good job, congratulations, and I can't wait to see what you come out with in publications!
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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Neil - fantastic feedback and I hope encouraging to those who thought this could have been their year, as well. I hope my footprint on Superstar is one of passion for the hobby and love for the players and contributors. You're totally right that the real journey begins now. I hope the next few years see me designing game worlds, adventures and maybe even a game project. I hope I get to follow in Boomer's footsteps and knock out a few novels. But that's down the road, and the next step for me is to pour effort into an awesome adventure, using everyone's feedback and a few surprises. Can't have the players thinking I've spoiled the whole thing for them.
Thanks for everyone's support. I thank God for his grace and the gifts of imagination and great friends. And I look forward to a long and anguished obituary once the adventure comes out.
Thanks for finding that quote Neil. I remembered it, though I couldn't find it.
Congratulations again Steven.
( now the Blog is up you will get it in three places but, you deserve it. :)
Well done Steven, looking forward to seeing you in print!
Great job man you deserved the win. To the other top 4 chin up there was allot to like from all of you.
Well done Steve!
Heartiest congratulations!
You, Neil, and many of the other superstar finalists who regularly pop in each year are an encouragement to us all.
Enjoy your well earned win!
Well done, Steven! Congratulations, Superstar!
Congratulations!
Congratulations Steven!