Modules Overlord
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So, all the submissions for round 1 of RPG Superstar 2015 that are going to get considered are now in! Here’s some next steps.
1. STILL DON’T TALK ABOUT YOUR ITEM. Wait until the Top 32 are announced, on January 20th.
2. Look for the early voting to begin. That’ll be this Thursday!
3. Make a map! No, we don’t have the rules posted for that yet, and you likely won’t be making a map you’ll submit. But the experience is good for you! Look at what was turned over for various “Encounter” rounds in previous years, and use those as your guides for now.
4. Feel free to talk about the experience in GENERIC terms, and keep the community going. You don’t want to risk revealing your item or DQing yourself, but you could certainly share items you didn’t submit and your thoughts on the new format.
5. Enjoy the holidays!
Best of luck, everyone! I sure hope I got all the formatting correct...
Good luck all.
Announced on the 20th, eh? I turn 31 on the 21st. Howsabout y'all give me a very happy birthday and put me in the top 32 for my gift? ;)
My birthday is on the 20th, so I'm fine with that sort of birthday gifting. :D
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3. Make a map! No, we don’t have the rules posted for that yet, and you likely won’t be making a map you’ll submit. But the experience is good for you! Look at what was turned over for various “Encounter” rounds in previous years, and use those as your guides for now.
This feels important... thanks for the tip, Owen. ;)
Well, I didn't submit a Staff. I spent some time trying out a few ideas, but by the time the ideas were interesting, they weren't very staff-y any more. I don't doubt that someone made an interesting one, though.
Had a similar problem with a weapon. One idea I really liked a great deal, but in the end I decided the coolness would have meant it was almost never used as an actual weapon.
As a whole, though, weapons seemed the easiest category to generate ideas for. And I was stymied by shields, every idea I had for those was mediocre at best.
I've never participated before, and, I kinda wish I had paid more attention to one of the "should not" rules that was strongly suggested. Ah well, the experience was good. (And I had a chance to reconsider an item I hadn't thought about in a few years.)
...and there's the bell...
If our item is DQ'd, how will we find out?
Le Petite It would be hilarious if you won. I don't know if you can or can't, but I'm sure one of the guys will let you know soon.
That don't usually announce the DQ'd items...which I am sure there will be some, but if you followed the rules more than likely you will have a chance to see it in the voting period. Go voter early and often for a better chance of seeing it. :) Last year there were many that we voted on that had the wrong format, or over word count. Some were taken out after they were flagged for being incorrect, others were left to the mercy of the voting.
Just because you didn't bold or something like that doesn't necessarily mean you can't win, but it will be harder since many of the public voters will use that as a reason to split the decision between two well liked items, but one is more accuracy formatted.
3. Make a map! No, we don’t have the rules posted for that yet, and you likely won’t be making a map you’ll submit. But the experience is good for you! Look at what was turned over for various “Encounter” rounds in previous years, and use those as your guides for now.
I just now looked at the next round schedule. There's three days between Winners Announced and Map Due. And it's not even a weekend! O_o
I think I'm going to make a batch of pseudo-maps I can draw from and polish up if I make it.
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Can I withdraw my submission? After reading a bit more on the board, I realize that I misunderstood virtually every element of this challenge.If you really wish to withdraw, we can do that. Email contest@paizo.com, and we'll help you with that.
Le Petite Mort, if I were you, I wouldn't withdraw.
a) if you're item is "bad" because its out of category, etc. -- it will be DQ'd and no one will ever know.b) if its really bad and you don't think it reflects your ability to write, unless you post that it was your item, Paizo never releases that bit of information.
c) if you "think" your item is bad because of what you read, this round is totally new and it's anyone's guess what will be Superstar quality.
so
You may still just make it to the Top 100, or Top 32, and be smothered in praise for your "bad" idea.
So that said, I'd leave it in because you can't lose really as far as I can tell.
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Announced on the 20th, eh? I turn 31 on the 21st. Howsabout y'all give me a very happy birthday and put me in the top 32 for my gift? ;)
They're saving that for your 32nd birthday.
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But La Petite Mort, there's not really any reason to. Worst thing that can happen is your submission doesn't advance to the Top 32 (well, you can't use it for some other product/project too, but I don't know if you could even if you withdraw).
Marathon Voter Season 9
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Can I withdraw my submission? After reading a bit more on the board, I realize that I misunderstood virtually every element of this challenge.If you really wish to withdraw, we can do that. Email contest@paizo.com, and we'll help you with that.Le Petite Mort, if I were you, I wouldn't withdraw.
a) if you're item is "bad" because its out of category, etc. -- it will be DQ'd and no one will ever know.
b) if its really bad and you don't think it reflects your ability to write, unless you post that it was your item, Paizo never releases that bit of information.
c) if you "think" your item is bad because of what you read, this round is totally new and it's anyone's guess what will be Superstar quality.
so
You may still just make it to the Top 100, or Top 32, and be smothered in praise for your "bad" idea.So that said, I'd leave it in because you can't lose really as far as I can tell.
I suppose you're right. In any case, if there is criticism of it I can use that to better inform future submissions. I was just feeling a tad crestfallen, thank you for being a voice of reason.
I suppose what really is frustrating me right now is that at about 4:30 I had an incredible idea for a staff that I truly believe could have made top 32. Isn't that always the way?
Gotta say I've fared worse than last year. Had an idea then that worked for me, and I think that's a huge part of designing items. You want them to be something you'd use, even if you think they're balanced. My previous item may have been too steampunky, because science fiction tends to be what I like, but it did well enough.
I didn't know where to go for this year however. Most of the ideas I came up with tended to work more as wondrous items and the others seemed to outlandish. I wanted to try something interesting but it may have all fallen flat. I almost feel like I was too conservative with the end result, and the way I worded things now sounds too convoluted. Hrm, it's tough, certainly. Only my second try at superstar, so I guess I've always got some learning to do. I may not be too happy with that I did, but only time will tell, truly.
I suppose you're right. In any case, if there is criticism of it I can use that to better inform future submissions. I was just feeling a tad crestfallen, thank you for being a voice of reason.
Unless your item is chosen for the Top 32, there will be no public critique of your item, or identification of it being yours--by judges or voters--unless you specifically request it.
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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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This feels important... thanks for the tip, Owen. ;)
3. Make a map! No, we don’t have the rules posted for that yet, and you likely won’t be making a map you’ll submit. But the experience is good for you! Look at what was turned over for various “Encounter” rounds in previous years, and use those as your guides for now.
Each encounter in previous years included a map, so yes, it's definitely a good idea to have a look at them and also read the judges' and voters' comments to get an idea what usually works and what doesn't.
Now is when you should learn the basics and general stuff about map-making. That way you can start focusing on the specifics immediately when the round 2 rules are revealed.
Vote hard (after they open the voting booth), study maps even harder. My pro tip. ;-)
I thought it was "vote softly and carry a well designed staff."
Well said!
RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16
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Star Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8
aka FaxCelestis
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Announced on the 20th, eh? I turn 31 on the 21st. Howsabout y'all give me a very happy birthday and put me in the top 32 for my gift? ;)They're saving that for your 32nd birthday.
...Well played, sir.
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3. Make a map! No, we don’t have the rules posted for that yet, and you likely won’t be making a map you’ll submit. But the experience is good for you! Look at what was turned over for various “Encounter” rounds in previous years, and use those as your guides for now.
Being able to make a halfway decent map is indeed a valuable skill. For instance, you never know if someone might some day ask you to make a village, and you suddenly realize that the turnover has to include a map sketch.
[/shameless plug]
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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Star Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka JoelF847
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I suppose what really is frustrating me right now is that at about 4:30 I had an incredible idea for a staff that I truly believe could have made top 32. Isn't that always the way?
Sounds like a sign of a good designer that your brain is still churning out ideas even after you submitted. My entry this year was based on a germ of an idea I had after submitting last year, and like you, I had a nifty staff idea about a day after I submitted this year.
If you're serious about wanting to be a game designer, then your idea that was too late for this contest can be used for next year's, or for freelance work you do elsewhere. Keep a file or notebook or something of ideas so you don't lose track of your incredible staff idea though. Before I used to do that, I had ideas that I promptly forgot a day or week later and that's frustrating to say the least. I've also gotten in the habit of emailing myself ideas when I'm out or at work, so I can add them to my file later.
Yes, Round 2 has a 3-day window. Welcome to the world of freelance!
That said, we may announce how the rules will work for that round before that (though certainly not until January sometime)
That should you hear is the collective sigh of relief from hundreds of RPGSS hopefuls.
If Round 2 involves mapping, I am going to be one happy Faxy. Maps are my favorite things.
Well...it IS named "Top 32: Create a Map". So some kind of mapping is probably not an unreasonable thing to expect. :-)
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RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16
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Star Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8
aka FaxCelestis
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If Round 2 involves mapping, I am going to be one happy Faxy. Maps are my favorite things.Well...it IS named "Top 32: Create a Map". So some kind of mapping is probably not an unreasonable thing to expect. :-)
Hush, you. I'm expecting some sort of dastardly, M. Night Shamallamadingdong-level twist to dash my cartographic hopes and dreams against the Cliffs of Despair.
"Create a map...OF A BARN! FOR KOBOLDS! TO SCALE!"
If Round 2 involves mapping, I am going to be one happy Faxy. Maps are my favorite things.Well...it IS named "Top 32: Create a Map". So some kind of mapping is probably not an unreasonable thing to expect. :-)Hush, you. I'm expecting some sort of dastardly, M. Night Shamallamadingdong-level twist to dash my cartographic hopes and dreams against the Cliffs of Despair.
"Create a map...OF A BARN! FOR KOBOLDS! TO SCALE!"
Create a 3D terrain map for a particular scenario, module, or AP that we specifically assign to each contestant, then ship it to Paizo in at most 8 easily-assembled pieces. Bwahahahaha!
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Mapping, huh? Well, I've never made my own maps before... welp! There's a first time for everything, and I believe doing new things is like swimming in a cold pool - just jump into it! What's the worst that could happen!
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RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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Star Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka JoelF847
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If Round 2 involves mapping, I am going to be one happy Faxy. Maps are my favorite things.Well...it IS named "Top 32: Create a Map". So some kind of mapping is probably not an unreasonable thing to expect. :-)Hush, you. I'm expecting some sort of dastardly, M. Night Shamallamadingdong-level twist to dash my cartographic hopes and dreams against the Cliffs of Despair.
"Create a map...OF A BARN! FOR KOBOLDS! TO SCALE!"
Create a 3D terrain map for a particular scenario, module, or AP that we specifically assign to each contestant, then ship it to Paizo in at most 8 easily-assembled pieces. Bwahahahaha!
With animatronic moving miniatures of the major NPCs from the adventure?
Before the internet I used to draw maps all the time. I am decades out of practice, though. :P
With animatronic moving miniatures of the major NPCs from the adventure?If Round 2 involves mapping, I am going to be one happy Faxy. Maps are my favorite things.Well...it IS named "Top 32: Create a Map". So some kind of mapping is probably not an unreasonable thing to expect. :-)Hush, you. I'm expecting some sort of dastardly, M. Night Shamallamadingdong-level twist to dash my cartographic hopes and dreams against the Cliffs of Despair.
"Create a map...OF A BARN! FOR KOBOLDS! TO SCALE!"
Create a 3D terrain map for a particular scenario, module, or AP that we specifically assign to each contestant, then ship it to Paizo in at most 8 easily-assembled pieces. Bwahahahaha!
That's not specifically required, but the fact that you realized you would need to include something like that to really wow the judges shows you're really thinking like a Superstar!
Gotta say I've fared worse than last year.
Not possible, unless you didn't enter at all. :D
I'm seeing several posters with "submitter's regret" and, I certainly share your feelings (almost immediately after submitting, I thought of a way to do my item that might have been better), but don't beat yourselves up. Creative people rarely feel as if something is complete and perfect and they're done with it, but there comes a point when you have to just let it go and hope you did your best.
And then, when you make millions of dollars, you can go back years later and make a Special Edition or three! :D
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Mapping, huh? Well, I've never made my own maps before... welp! There's a first time for everything, and I believe doing new things is like swimming in a cold pool - just jump into it! What's the worst that could happen!
Hypothermia and death O_O
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Marathon Voter Season 9
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Mapping, huh? Well, I've never made my own maps before... welp! There's a first time for everything, and I believe doing new things is like swimming in a cold pool - just jump into it! What's the worst that could happen!Hypothermia and death O_O
My go-to answer for "What's the worst that could happen?" is that an alien species' experiment manipulating the Higgs' Boson goes horribly awry, resulting in a wave of complete annihilation propagating at c. They never say "What's the worst that could happen as a result of this action?"
Keep a file or notebook or something of ideas
Oh, this I know. I have long since learned that good ideas are like pretty girls' numbers. You don't get them nearly often enough, so write them down while you're still sober.
Mapping, huh? Well, I've never made my own maps before... welp! There's a first time for everything, and I believe doing new things is like swimming in a cold pool - just jump into it! What's the worst that could happen!Hypothermia and death O_O
I'll bet you're real fun at parties.
[/ingoodhumor]
Mapping, huh? Well, I've never made my own maps before... welp! There's a first time for everything, and I believe doing new things is like swimming in a cold pool - just jump into it! What's the worst that could happen!Hypothermia and death O_OI'll bet you're real fun at parties.
[/ingoodhumor]
Not really.
[/jokinglydryresponse]
Mapping, huh? Well, I've never made my own maps before... welp! There's a first time for everything, and I believe doing new things is like swimming in a cold pool - just jump into it! What's the worst that could happen!Hypothermia and death O_OI'll bet you're real fun at parties.
[/ingoodhumor]
Not really.
[/jokinglydryresponse]
Let me tell you, you ain't great outside of parties either.
[/kidding] [/truedetectivequotes]
I, for one, love drawing maps of all sorts... in fact I think the rounds this year (and the order they are in) play to my strengths very well, if I can just get past the magic item round...
Keep a file or notebook or something of ideas so you don't lose track of your incredible staff idea though. Before I used to do that, I had ideas that I promptly forgot a day or week later and that's frustrating to say the least. I've also gotten in the habit of emailing myself ideas when I'm out or at work, so I can add them to my file later.
I keep a list of such ideas (many have a burning 9 next to them now :). I do not write them down until a couple of days go by. If they are still with me then, they are a good idea. If I can't remember them in that time, then I cannot expect any potential reader to find them memorable.
That said, this October two ideas merged when I remembered a third that never got written down. For some reason walking my dog along a certain stretch of the woods recalled the idea from the previous October. Must have been the leaves changing? 'Tis too much for RPGSS... but it will go somewhere I am sure. :)
Mapping, huh? Well, I've never made my own maps before... welp! There's a first time for everything, and I believe doing new things is like swimming in a cold pool - just jump into it! What's the worst that could happen!Hypothermia and death O_OI'll bet you're real fun at parties.
[/ingoodhumor]
Not really.
[/jokinglydryresponse]
Let me tell you, you ain't great outside of parties either.
[/kidding] [/truedetectivequotes]
Heh, all silliness aside, it's fun playing the part though most of my online players say I have a pretty good sense of humor. That and memorable ways to kill them off horribly. Usually in equal parts.
If Round 2 involves mapping, I am going to be one happy Faxy. Maps are my favorite things.Well...it IS named "Top 32: Create a Map". So some kind of mapping is probably not an unreasonable thing to expect. :-)
Actually, "Map" is an acronym - you're supposed to create a M.A.P.
Now everybody just freak out about what M.A.P. stands for... for a month.
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It stands for Miniscule Atlas Projection and refers to a visual representation of an area in two dimensions, often used for navigation of local regions by noting positions of key points relative to each other.