Marathon Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9
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To clarify my previous post: At no time did I take not being in the top 32 as a personal affront. Nor did I ever think I was a true shoe-in. Yes, I was confident. Yes, I got my hopes up. Yes, I wanted that prize. So yes, I'm a little dejected. That's only natural, right? But ultimately, there are zero sour grapes, and I'm genuinely happy for those whom made top 32.
If anything, though, there is actually a bit of relief for me; especially after reading the rules for round 2.
While I felt I had a good map idea before the rules were posted, the actual rules opened up so many more possibilities. And if I'm honest with myself and others, I don't think I would have been able to make a decision on what to do in an appreciable amount of time.
So in summation: chin up, everyone! There's always next year, and there's always the 3PPs poking around the forums looking for mojo. Who knows, they may see something in your style that attracts them!
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There is no reason you cant have a go at round 2, post it on drop box of google shares and linkify in a what I would have submitted thread.
That often happens with the latter rounds each year and it is good practice for when you do make top 32. :)
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I learned over the course of the last 12 hours that I'm not as thick-skinned about not making into top 32 as I thought I was going to be.
Hah, me too! I told myself I didn't expect to make it, but a secret part of me was holding out that I would. Oh well, next year!
What I learned from reading Guildhall: Lots of the Top 32 are in Philosophy, English, and other humanities. Maybe I'll compile a complete list of fields represented (and how many times) in the Top 32, as it seems pretty interesting.
To clarify my previous post: At no time did I take not being in the top 32 as a personal affront. Nor did I ever think I was a true shoe-in. Yes, I was confident. Yes, I got my hopes up. Yes, I wanted that prize. So yes, I'm a little dejected. That's only natural, right? But ultimately, there are zero sour grapes, and I'm genuinely happy for those whom made top 32.
You get emotionally invested in the contest. It's normal to feel dejection if you don't make that first hurdle. I spent a little time yesterday feeling like this until I worked it out of my system.
A lot more of the items I liked are in the Top 32 this year. I'm looking forward to seeing what the authors bring to the contest in later rounds.
Tomorrow promises to be interesting.
I'm very excited to see some lessones learned.
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I've learned there is such a cool part of the community on Paizo I hadn't encountered before. I thought I had already seen all the cool peeps on Advice/GD/Homebrew/Gamer Talk (Jiggy, Cyrad, mpl, and others I see posting around those parts) but it turns out there are so many more. It's been great meeting you all.
Things I've yet to learn: What's the deal with Blazing 9, when does it start (March I'm guessing)?
Petty, yes, it typically starts about a week after the winner is announced. It's a practice thread for Superstar entries, where people can learn how to make wondrous items (though I assume it'll now expand to rings, staves, weapons and armor). It's got a small but dedicated crew who participate every year and is a good way to hone your craft, with a real focus on Superstar, which I don't know that you'd find in the Homebrew forum.
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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In addition to the Blazing 9 (which I recommend to everyone), keep an eye out for other contests. Sure, in many ways, RPG SS is the main event of the year as far as contests go, but there are many other cool contests and open calls, too.
And actually, there are some... plans for my blog (A Sword for Hire) which should be of some interest to most RPG SS fans, whether you've made the top 32 in the past or not. Too early to go into details yet, but I estimate it will be something of the same scale as Here Be Monsters.
I've learned that there is no substitute for system mastery in this contest. I made too many mistakes in my design due to not knowing the system well enough.
I have to say, I learned that a REALLY pretty and colorful map, only outlines a map that isn't quite thought out enough, or could be very confusing for the eye.
While a simple outlined map that is VERY clean details, and a very simple use of color, can be a very strong contender.
Edit: I just realised it sounds like I"m saying that the really detailed artistic maps are poorly done. I'm not saying that.
I'm saying that in my own practices... it's gotten very ugly, and not helpful.
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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Please, for the love of Desna, if your map involves color, pass it through a colorblind filter ( http://www.vischeck.com/vischeck/ ) to see how it looks. Some of these maps are practically illegible for me unless I run them through a daltonizer.
Please, for the love of Desna, if your map involves color, pass it through a colorblind filter ( http://www.vischeck.com/vischeck/ ) to see how it looks. Some of these maps are practically illegible for me unless I run them through a daltonizer.
I would not have thought of that, thank you very much!
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Editing and Over Editing: Make multiple passes to ensure the best quality of work is being presented, but also give it one last pass before submitting to see if you edited out any necessary parts on accident!
Please, for the love of Desna, if your map involves color, pass it through a colorblind filter ( http://www.vischeck.com/vischeck/ ) to see how it looks. Some of these maps are practically illegible for me unless I run them through a daltonizer.
Very helpful advice, which I had never thought of. Sincerely, thanks for mentioning it.
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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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I actually went and posted comparison photos for most of the relevant maps in this entry. Here's a collected album of all of them and how they appear to someone with deuteranopia, the most common form of colorblindness (and what I have).
http://imgur.com/a/mwCLz
Yep, I saw (all of them, actually!) but thought it more appropriate to comment here rather than in my own map's thread :-)
EDIT: And my link seemed to be broken, as far as I could tell.
A few from me:
Do your homework: While ad-hoc pricing for new abilities is something of an art form, standard abilities have rules to work out prices, and it is worth the effort to learn them because.
Check your math, then check it again. Twice: Given the time, effort and creativity that gets poured into an item, you don't want it to be overshadowed by math error. Price/cost particularly stands out.
Think like a developer: How you intend for something to be used is irrelevant, it's how it can be used that matters. If an item rewards a behavior or situation, assume the owner will do their best to make that happen, and balance accordingly.
The last one in particular catches a lot of people, myself included.
Hey,
Someone else is doing something like this: Only they have a better command of the english language than me.
More possibly Helpful links!
I'm not sure if Someone put them up yet, but if so, some of them bare repeating.
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Here is some more links that are great to consider!
Some grammer things to learn!
Whats interesting, based on some of the lead poster's "Lessons Learned" is that there is some playing to the audience.
The PAthfinder Audience is different than other RPG audiences (and each of them is different from each other, with of course a ton of overlap).
I mainly play other games, though I always return here for the Superstar event to see what people invent, and what comments are. I find the Judges' (developers etc) reviews fascinating as well as the types of entries submitted. Though much of the fine detail of the items, and monsters is lost on me.
Which brings me back to my point. The pathfinder audience (and judges) can be played to, but in a completely appropriate way!
Someone who is Superstar material probably could write for any number of developers. They could read through the setting and rules and develop something awesome and evocative in any setting or rule system they would like to do. (many developers jump game lines and do amazing things!)
So obviously to standout here, you have to read the audience and play to their desires and wants.
Pathfinder is a very very specific game with very very specific rules, tone, and setting. Superstar victors are playing to this audience, and it shows their potential!
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I have posted my thoughts on my Round 3 submission, with a heavy emphasis on 'lessons I learned.' If anyone would find them interesting, they are here!
I have posted my thoughts on my Round 3 submission, with a heavy emphasis on 'lessons I learned.' If anyone would find them interesting, they are here!
Thank you for sharing!!!! This is alot of good info!
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I'm reviving this from the depths. That's what's going on with this post. Hopefully, others will find it useful.
Any first-timers, any vets, feel free to add any lessons you've learned to this Thread.
I Provide links to other useful sites or information you find as well.
Example: Game Design Advice
I'm reviving this from the depths. That's what's going on with this post. Hopefully, others will find it useful.
Any first-timers, any vets, feel free to add any lessons you've learned to this Thread.
I Provide links to other useful sites or information you find as well.
Example: Game Design Advice
This is my first time posting on the forums, though I've lurked here for quite a while now. I'm glad to see this revived.
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Stuff and Example: Game Design AdviceThis is my first time posting on the forums, though I've lurked here for quite a while now. I'm glad to see this revived.
Glad to hear you enjoying the revival. :-) More importantly: If you learn anything in doing the RPG Superstar feel free to share.
We are attempting to build the "tower of babel" here for something superstar, which is very hard to quantify.
The more sets of eyes on it we have, I feel we will get closer to identifying it.
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I just noticed something:
Asking questions is probably one of the strongest ways to give feedback.
Not only does it show your thinking about the item, it points out what exactly the item is implying verse what it is saying.
And it shows if the intended mechanical benefit is there, and if said intended benefits give other unintended side effects.
Go Learning!
So true black raven. So very true.
Golden rule of RPGSS : thou shall not suffer an ambiguity to live.
This is one of my early remarks on most potential items I review. Everything should be clearly expressed, nothing should be left implied.
So, basically, this contest is knowing how to do "creative technical writing", which sounds like an oxymoron.
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So, basically, this contest is knowing how to do "creative technical writing", which sounds like an oxymoron.Golden rule of RPGSS : thou shall not suffer an ambiguity to live.
This is one of my early remarks on most potential items I review. Everything should be clearly expressed, nothing should be left implied.
Actually, make it "interesting creative technical writing" and you have it exactly.
Ultimately this is all game material that corresponds to a rule set. So every single item or monster is an example of technical writing. But it has to be an imaginative creation as the designer is also an artist painting a picture with words. And if the voters don't find it an interesting read, they may not vote for it.
Welcome to RPG design! :)
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I just noticed something:
Asking questions is probably one of the strongest ways to give feedback.
Not only does it show your thinking about the item, it points out what exactly the item is implying verse what it is saying.And it shows if the intended mechanical benefit is there, and if said intended benefits give other unintended side effects.
Go Learning!
This is quite true and very helpful for the would-be designer.
I just checked (again) all the reviews I got for my item and I was happy seeing that I had all points covered, all questions answered to my satisfaction, even if the answer sometimes was : "I know I am taking a risk by writing it this way, but I think I would lose more votes doing it differently, so I am willing to go with this bet and hope for the best."
Another VERY important skill. Was stated last year, but I Think I'll add it here.
It is VERY important to get feed back. It is equally important to GIVE feedback.
You cannot see anything from someone else's point of view, however... It's very important that that people see things from the point of view that you have.
Regardless of experience, it's important to give feedback. It's a different kind of thinking, but necessary for evolving your own skills and perspective.