I have been working on entry and trying to figure out when they start. 12/10/2014 ?
I can't wait for to start, I have been gaming for the last 22 years, I hope my knowledge brings forth a wonderful concept.
I think the masses' expect they'll put up the open call and rules Dec. 9. Historically, that happens on a Tuesday.
Good luck!
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I can't wait for to start, I have been gaming for the last 22 years, I hope my knowledge brings forth a wonderful concept.
First time entering? Many first time entrants really misjudge the contest and often enter something that breaks one or more of SKR's advice rules.
As a veteran from the start of the contest I recommend reading that thread thoroughly and learning from past years of the contest. Read ALL round one winners of past years so you know what has won before and make sure you are not entering something similar. Pay close attention to the template and all auto-reject criteria.
And lastly, get lucky. Because even if you have a top 32 quality item, you have to beat out a hundred or so others (out of the close to 1000 entries) who also have that level of quality. At this level there is something to be said for shear preference of this year's batch of judges. Part of liking a magic item is subjective and you've got to be lucky as well as good.
That being said, there is something to say for first time entrants who are able to create something completely different and outside the box on their first try.
Good luck in the contest.
It's that time of the year already?
Yay! I'm curious to see this year's batch. :D
Remember that the goal of this competition is to show that you're a great game designer.
Remember that the goal of this competition is to show that you're a great game designer.
Not exactly, it's to show you'd make a great module author (as the grand prize is a module freelancer gig, rather than a design freelancer gig). The two are often fairly intertwined, but not always.
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The challenge I set for myself during RPG Superstar () was to show I could be a trustworthy, capable freelancer across every type of assignment which the competition tests you on...i.e., item design, character/monster concepts and worldbuilding, monster design and stat-blocking, map-making, encounter design, adventure outlining, and storytelling. All of those things certainly feed into crafting an adventure module, however, there's also a reason quite a few folks who fall short of the Top 4 still go on to prove themselves as capable designers of monsters, feats, archetypes, and so on.
Thus, while the final round of the competition does boil down to "Whose adventure would you like to see published?" and "Who do you trust to write it?"...I believe the actual goal for anyone competing in RPG Superstar should be to demonstrate you can be an awesome freelancer across as many different potential assignments as possible. Why? Because the true, underlying purpose of RPG Superstar isn't just to find another adventure author--it's to restock Paizo's pool of freelancers. They need all kinds. And the various rounds of the competition help identify (and showcase) which skillsets you have. From there, it's up to you make yourself available to Paizo so they can avail themselves of your talents. Or, if you're lucky (and good), they'll invite you into a writing opportunity because of your demonstrated skill in the competition (and elsewhere if you go on to freelance for 3PPs).
Despite all that, however, competitors should definitely keep in mind that the final prize is to write an adventure module. And, even the Top 4 are generally counted upon to contribute PFS scenarios, and so on. Thus, go into the competition with your eyes open. If you're strong in one element of design, but weak in others, use the competition as a learning/growing opportunity. And, if you make it to the end, and you get that chance to write an actual adventure, don't pass it up. Try your hand at it, and keep on learning. That's what being a good freelancer is all about anyway. Learn, adapt, and roll with the punches. But, above all, create cool stuff, on-time, to spec, and be awesome while doing so.
My two cents,
--Neil
RPG Superstar 2014 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Dedicated Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
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I'm going to go out on a limb and say that for the majority of the people who enter each year, the goal of this competition is to get a cool messageboard tag and/or to have fun, and there's absolutely nothing wrong about it. That's how it started out for me back in 2008, anyway. Over the years the purpose has gradually changed for me, though.
The second time I entered in 2011, I wanted to prove myself I could figure out what makes a good wondrous item if I made enough research, and that it'd be possible to make the top 32 if I used that data with almost scientific precision to create an item. And it almost worked; I was an alternate that year. The following few years I was able to prove myself that it was indeed possible to make the top 32 quite consistently (75% success rate in 2011-2014 if being an alternate counts).
The major difference between 2012 (top 32) and 2014 (top 4) was that in 2012 I had only prepared myself for the first round, while in 2014 I knew what I was doing and wasn't caught with my pants down.
When did I decide I wanted to be a freelancer, then? I'm sure I had already thought about it in 2011-2013, but during RPGSS 2014 the feeling got stronger and stronger with each passing round. I knew for sure I wanted more than "just a cool tag".
When RPGSS 2014 concluded, I learned the hard way that the top 4 tag wasn't exactly a VIP pass, it was mostly just a messageboard tag. The only gig you're guaranteed to get is the PFS module (or 64-page module, if you win). Up until then I had had this silly notion that I would get a lot of job offers from 3PPs and maybe some from Paizo, too. I think I did do pretty well in rounds 1 and 2, and especially round 3 - which was by far the most brutal round in last year's RPGSS- and I thought that would be enough to get me noticed. But no, the only freelancing opportunity I've been offered so far simply by virtue of making the top 4 is the PFS module.
It was tad disappointing, but I'm probably better for it. Had I become a popular freelancer without too much effort, I might have grown complacent. Instead, I learned that in freelancing, too, only hard work gets you what you want. Although I've designed monsters and player options for three of Paizo's product lines and I'm currently writing a PFS module, I realize I'm still very much a "new guy" and must continue to work hard, do my research, network, communicate, gain visibility, be active, and do a lot more things to be successful.
If you only want the cool tag, then you only need to advance each round. If you want publishers to acknowledge your game design / adventure writing skills, you got to do a lot more.
Very insightful posts above. Thanks guys.
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You don't have to get the tag to start getting work, you have to be serious about wanting the work and being committed to doing it.
I have entered every year so far and haven't made Top 32, or even Top 100 to my knowledge. I have been published in Wayfinder in recent issues, soon to be four times with the imminent next issue.
I have learnt from every beating my submission have taken both from judges feedback and public feedback. I have learnt from failed proposals and submission editing stages. I have worked hard and learnt every year, practising, bettering myself and my craft.
Where am I today?
I have some credits, I was asked by Sean K Reynolds to trial his on line games design course, I am an active member of Freelance Forge and I have a few possible real freelancing opportunities as irons in the fire as they say. So much so, that this could be the last year I enter - I am in great "danger" that I will disqualify myself from future competition by being published in printed product!
I got to this point because I found I desired to write, and I wanted to do so in the field of my hobby. It's not easy, it's taken me a good 3 or 4 years of learning how to write fantasy instead of technical manuals. Breaking bad habits and learning the language and structure of those systems I dearly wish to write for.
I treat RPG Superstar as my "Christmas Part Time Job", reviewing in depth the successful entries, discussing designs on the forum with all of you, continuing to work at improving my skill even now, seven years on.
I am on the cusp of becoming a real freelancer. I got to here by hard graft and taking critique on the chin, learning from every snippet of discussion and feedback.
I may not be the worlds best writer, but I have confidence that I can write to a good and consistent standard, that I excel in following publisher specifications and requirements, that I honor every NDA and act professionally at all times.
RPG Superstar isn't the magic pill to a writing career, as alluded to in the posts above. It is possibly you could make the finals, or even win and end up just writing one module.
To be a freelancer, it's not what you do in the competition that's important, it's what you do before, during, after, every day of every week of every year.
Work hard and you can break in to the industry. RPG Superstar is a fantastic opportunity for contestants of all levels of skill to practice and hone their craft however far they go.
In short, enter, learn, expand your skill set, enjoy the ride but remember, if you really want it, you are going to have to commit fully to a regime of hard work interspersed with moments of "I've been published!" joy.
Above all though, enjoy the contest, it is a great experience and you will find you grow in so many ways, some unexpected!
See you all in the public vote, now, go make something shiny for me :)
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Erhem. Hi everybody. I've uh... been busy. But I'm back now. :)
I would think the value of the tags depends a lot on what else you have on your freelance resume. My admittedly light experience as a 3PP freelancer (6 companies, 13 products, and a few blogs/honorable mentions) would be further validated and possibly help open a few more doors with even a top 32 tag.
My name recognition would go much higher with a Paizo product or two, which would help other products containing my name sell better. This would translate to more money for me on stuff I have actually written.
I do it chasing the tag, and because I'd really like to write a scenario for PFS. Don't get me wrong -- writing a module would be fantastic -- but game designer isn't a viable full-time career, at least for the time being. I've got five (okay, three) kids to feed!
Modules Overlord
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Certainly it's important we make sure the winner be able to write an adventure, since that's the prize for winning! But I think the skills we look for are equally applicable to a good setting book, and many of them relate strongly to making good rules that tell a story.
Like Mark I've done more rules crunch in my career than background or adventure writing, but I have done enough of both to know that the ability to be flexible is a HUGE help to making RPG writing a career, or even a profitable side-venture.
After all, I hope an RPG Superstar would have the talent to be good at all aspects of RPG writing and design. :)
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Dedicated Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
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I would think the value of the tags depends a lot on what else you have on your freelance resume. My admittedly light experience as a 3PP freelancer (6 companies, 13 products, and a few blogs/honorable mentions) would be further validated and possibly help open a few more doors with even a top 32 tag.
My name recognition would go much higher with a Paizo product or two, which would help other products containing my name sell better. This would translate to more money for me on stuff I have actually written.
Yes, I also think the value of the tags depends a lot on what else you've achieved (and how much effort you're willing to put in your freelancing career). My success in RPGSS has enabled me to do things I otherwise wouldn't have done - both because some people recognize my name but also because I feel more confident about my skills.
Anyway, Frank, best of luck in this year's RPGSS! :-)
Yes, I also think the value of the tags depends a lot on what else you've achieved (and how much effort you're willing to put in your freelancing career). My success in RPGSS has enabled me to do things I otherwise wouldn't have done - both because some people recognize my name but also because I feel more confident about my skills.
That's a good point. I remember always thinking it would be cool to submit something to Dungeon magazine but never really knowing exactly what to do/how to do it. Going through Superstar that first year, even though I wasn't ready, gave me the tools I needed -- and the confidence -- to rack up a handful of credits.
Having the chores broken up into piecemeal sections is a great learning experience. It's not that hard to make a magic item. Well, then the next step is make a monster. Put those together and add in a little more and you've got an encounter.
Then you just need to be ready and willing to look around for other opportunities, and there are plenty of 3PPs willing to give them.
(Not to mention I find the Superstar forum to be really supportive for the most part. People here want to help others succeed.)
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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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Not to be the serious, dramatic guy (which I admit I totally am), but working to win this contest can teach you things that are useful outside of being a game designer. Organizing your thoughts, becoming a better writer in general, learning to take directions, working on a deadline, practicing sportsmanship—all of these things can make you more successful no matter what you do with your home life and day job.
So what I'm really saying is: enter the contest, and enter to win! There are nooooo excuses! : )
Not to be the serious, dramatic guy (which I admit I totally am), but working to win this contest can teach you things that are useful outside of being a game designer. Organizing your thoughts, becoming a better writer in general, learning to take directions, working on a deadline, practicing sportsmanship—all of these things can make you more successful no matter what you do with your home life and day job.
So what I'm really saying is: enter the contest, and enter to win! There are nooooo excuses! : )
Actually some people can't enter because they got too far into the contest in past years. That's an excuse, right? :P
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Dedicated Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
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Actually some people can't enter because they got too far into the contest in past years. That's an excuse, right? :PNot to be the serious, dramatic guy (which I admit I totally am), but working to win this contest can teach you things that are useful outside of being a game designer. Organizing your thoughts, becoming a better writer in general, learning to take directions, working on a deadline, practicing sportsmanship—all of these things can make you more successful no matter what you do with your home life and day job.
So what I'm really saying is: enter the contest, and enter to win! There are nooooo excuses! : )
Heh, yeah Steve (and me, too) have an excuse. Or three, actually - being one of the judges this year, making it to the top 8 and beyond in a previous year, having designer credit in three or more of Paizo's Pathfinder products. So, we're triply ineligible!
Anyone who doesn't have an excuse should enter, though!
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Modules Overlord
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Actually some people can't enter because they got too far into the contest in past years. That's an excuse, right? :PNot to be the serious, dramatic guy (which I admit I totally am), but working to win this contest can teach you things that are useful outside of being a game designer. Organizing your thoughts, becoming a better writer in general, learning to take directions, working on a deadline, practicing sportsmanship—all of these things can make you more successful no matter what you do with your home life and day job.
So what I'm really saying is: enter the contest, and enter to win! There are nooooo excuses! : )
Yes. Yes, it is.
Heck, I was never eligible to enter the contest. :)
RPG Superstar 2015
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka mamaursula
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I have been working on entry and trying to figure out when they start. 12/10/2014 ?
I can't wait for to start, I have been gaming for the last 22 years, I hope my knowledge brings forth a wonderful concept.
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
Since it is no longer wondrous items this year, are cursed items allowed for submission?
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"I'm ineligible because i have to much design credit" should always be followed with a #firstworldproblems
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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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Owen's advice is the best on this: check out the CRB and count how many items in the weapons, armor, staff, rod, or ring categories are cursed. If you see any, it's fair design space.
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this is not the time to correct my formatting...
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RPG Superstar 2015
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka mamaursula
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It's the most wonderful time of the year!That's what I said! :D
And you said it very well!
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Dedicated Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
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"I'm ineligible because i have to much design credit" should always be followed with a #firstworldproblems
Totally not a problem but a great relief. ;-)
(Though I do miss the excitement of waiting for the results... and seeing you made it through.)
Owen's advice is the best on this: check out the CRB and count how many items in the weapons, armor, staff, rod, or ring categories are cursed. If you see any, it's fair design space.
So I should assume that since they are listed separately in the CRB that means no? Cursed items are in the CRB but their own section even though they are in many cases the appropriate type, like Ring of Clumsiness.
Thanks for the help regardless