Thanks for the insight into the Paizo style Owen! Long live RPGSS, cause I still need to make that top 8 some day :), and get a nice shiny champion voter tag too. But just wanted to throw another sincere thanks to all the Paizo staff from all us folk at The Flying Pincushion. Honestly I would likely not be where I am today if I had not entered RPGSS three years ago, and then realized, "hey, I can do this!"
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Having just completed my first gig for Outland, let me also show how 3PPs can be a great boon. It started something like this...
"We have a product range, xyz and we think you could contribute - would you be interested in a, b or c?"... So I looked at the existing products, thought about a, b or c and then sent back a brief (as in two short paragraphs of email) saying I was quite kean on "b" and my thoughts would be "to take it down this line..."
We had about 4-5 e-mails thrashing out the direction and agreed on the content expected, word count and so forth. So we kind of collaboratively fleshed out the specification of the requirement together in a quite friendly and supportive manner.
Then, again, because I was kind of untried, I sent in a weekly document with my progress thus far, the first couple were looked at and the feedback returned was quite light, sort of "yes, you are on the track we agreed, keep going" sort of thing.
About mid way, I received more detailed feedback on the sections I considered done and ready for review and also received other items, spells and so forth from other designers to assist in choosing which extras would be added to the final product and for me to review them for a close fit to my original concept.
I fixed up the feedback on my work, provided detailed feedback on the extra pieces I had been supplied with. Two more weeks of working closely with my "producer" contact, the document for my side was done.
I am now in that dead zone of waiting (the product is in art acquisition, editing, layouts and so forth) before I can say "I did this!", but for a first piece of work, the amount of guidance and support I received truly showed how every games producer understands what it is like to be that first time contributor, and is usually very willing to give that guidance you might need. Paizo and the larger companies don't have the time for this, so 3PPs are an excellent way to learn the real ropes and hone your craft.
Yes, some of the feedback was on point, some I could argue my case, and some caused the odd section to be redone - but - I took it on the chin and buckled down. Now, I am able to look at my submission and understand why things were changed, why the feedback I received was so important to the product, how they guided my writing to their style and so on.
They have already nailed me down for another one - only this time, there isn't going to be so much hand holding - so it is both satisfying that they want more, but also a little more scary as this submission will be much more of my own imagination and direction. Here's hoping I can get it right.
So, just like GM_Beernorg said above - thanks Paizo, without this competition, I think I would still be dreaming wistfully rather than being a writer and game designer with a product in the works and a new shiny to work on already.
I will pop into Superstar threads once my first actual product is out - and encourage you all to come back and have a look and let me know what you think.
And to all you finalists and fellow dreamers, it can be done, and although it can be painful and long hours, it seems to be a great deal of fun and provides a great sense of achievement too. Well worth the effort. I promise.
And look, be honest now, if this here 52 year old can learn how to do it, I am sure all you young whipper snappers can too! So, put yourself out there. I look forward to playing in your imagination too!
Well said Anthony, and congrats. That warm fuzzy feeling of your first pub is rather addicting....::shakes:: ok, time for a writing fix :)
It's quiet on these boards...too quiet....
So I take it this is the pattern in the late rounds?
RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Champion Voter Season 6, Champion Voter Season 7, Champion Voter Season 8, Champion Voter Season 9
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Yes. Most people prolly don't feel qualified to put forth their opinions. I know I don't. Maybe some just like the early rounds when they have a chance and once that chance peters out, they vamoose.
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RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Champion Voter Season 6, Champion Voter Season 7, Champion Voter Season 8, Champion Voter Season 9
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I wrote a 120,000 manuscript under a contract in 1998. It still hasn't been published. I can't even find the publisher or my editor anymore. But it could, in theory, be published any day now...
Thanks for cheering me up about a 11,000 word project disappearing... Makes me feel about 92% better as a matter of fact.
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I think it also takes longer to read through and analyze the entries. Possibly some folks are trying to playtest the encounter, though it seems unlikely.
The relative silence is a bit unnerving though.
I think certainly active interest in these forums wanes as time goes on... in years past, I know I've seldom posted much in the past post item round... I just felt like I ran out of things to say. Folks frankly get weary too... this started back in December, it goes on for quite awhile!
ETA: How many random ellipses can I throw into a stream-of-thought sentence...?
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Yes. Most people prolly don't feel qualified to put forth their opinions. I know I don't. Maybe some just like the early rounds when they have a chance and once that chance peters out, they vamoose.
I like to keep quiet when I'd just be repeating something that someone else had already said, which left me fairly silent in the last round. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case for this round. I have so much I want to say, and do intend to, but I haven't had the time to sit down and really type it all out yet. After my elimination, I agreed to run several slots at a local PFS con, and preparation is taking a large portion of my time this week. I'll try to post something this afternoon or this evening. What I've had time to read has all been particularly good. Don't worry, you're all doing splendidly and those of us that are still watching, are still impressed.
You guys keep making the rounds more and more difficult to vote in, though. It's becoming a real challenge.
RPG Superstar 2015 Top 8
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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 quiet on these boards...too quiet....
So I take it this is the pattern in the late rounds?
It would be great if we had some kind of engagement thread where the voters could come and I don't know, go through the alphabet with monsters or something. whispers from So Far I've Seen Thread Oh, we already did that? Damn. okay, I got nothing.
It definitely always gets quieter as the contest goes on. Just general attrition, I think, plus entries take longer to read (and are more complex, so it's more daunting to comment on them/disagree with judges), plus fewer contestants...
RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16
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Dedicated Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8
aka Black Powder Chocobo
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Thanks for all the opinions and insights from everyone.
I'll admit I'm more like Ben in that time I set aside from RPGSS when I was a contestant got shifted to other things. To the top 8: the requirements for this round were high and you all kick butt just for being able to have interesting for this. Makes me appreciate the effort writers go through and consider my own efforts to try and get into freelancing.
RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16
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Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka Rusty Ironpants
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I haven't had a chance to do more that skim over the encounters - been too busy at work this week. I look forward to reading them all in depth this weekend. They all do look pretty interesting from what I have seen so far.
I remember being bothered by how little feedback we got last year, in comparison to previous years. Its looking like this round is also headed for a low comment count and quiet forums. I'm hoping I'll find some time to comment on all of the encounters (they are all quite good). But I'm quite slow at composing my thoughts, and pretty busy this week, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to do it.
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BZZZZZZZZTclanklanklankwhirrrrr ~S.M.U.R.F. avoidance activated~ ERROR: FAILED
Speaking as to the falling-off in comments: I've really wanted to get in there and offer critique of each encounter, it's just seemed like a huge and time-consuming task and my time has been absorbed with tons of other stuff. So I salute those who did make the time, and of course also the judges. Good work folks.
Wife > Superstar >.<
I got commanded to the garden this weekend because the sun was out... and I am a dutiful husband! I believe she uses the term "well trained". ;)
Home again, home again, jiggity jig.
Pensacon went wonderfully and it is time for proper reviews and voting. Expect to hear more from me throughout the day. I intend to review all of your entries, hopefully before voting closes.
Our strike team went through part three of bonekeep, having gone through the first two parts with the same team. Thankfully, we succeeded with no casualties, although we were properly terrified the whole time and we entered with less than 2000g unspent between us. I spent most of every combat in delay or a readied state, waiting for that emergency moment when my actions were most relevant. It was, in a word, amazing.
Dixie Lee: Vital Striking Paladin/Inquisitor of Iomedae, the very much needed moral compass of the team. Still paranoid as can be, and probably shell shocked by her time with the rest of this party, if not just the time in bonekeep.
Miley Suryc: Heavy Flail brute of a fighter. She spent most of our time in there large, and frequently cleaved through multiple targets, at least as long as they were foolish enough to close the distance
Dur Taytoe: World serpent totem barbarian archer, absolutely despised evil outsiders and could overcome all DR but /slashing and /-, at least once we'd identified it. Int 5, Cha 7, and our designated accountant.
Totes Adorbs: Theologian cleric of sarenrae, our only source of healing but focused on throwing disruptive fireballs. He too enjoyed his readied actions and delaying for most of the scenario. We felt really useful that way.
Moloch: Elemental fist tiefling monk. Nearly unhittable, and loved to cram himself into bottlenecks so that they had no choice but to try and get him out of the way.
Vishal Apsollam (me): Oracle/sorcerer/mystic theurge, specializing in selective crowd control and disrupting spellcasting. Human, but still a grandfathered build. Frequently offers to sell his soul to Asmodeus in exchange for more commune questions that he never actually gets
Honorable mention: Iscras (Imp familiar): Regularly kept the party buffed or healed with our combined 20+ wands using his amazing UMD, and was our designated scout and trap triggerer. Despite his near constant complaining, he was quite useful.
All of this being run by our lovely local venture captain Richard Harris. He did a truly excellent job, and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
The special this year was Race for the Runecarved Key. I was lucky enough to be allowed to run for the 10-11 tier, where the players brought their A game as well. They absolutely plowed through the content in places, and each and every one of them was given an opportunity to shine at their very best skills. I was quite proud of them.
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 8
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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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This is going to be hard, remember that job interview I had a few weeks ago? I start training tomorrow and I will not be home from work tomorrow until after 7pm EST.
Good luck to all of my fellow Top 8, you have certainly made this a run to remember! You have all been so awesome. I'm not sure I'm excited about tomorrow's reveal, I imagine this is how people feel on reality television when there's an elimination round. I'm probably going to be happy and sad no matter who goes on. Good luck!
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Good luck with your training, Monica.
And to everyone on the results!
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In other news... I don't think anyone's posted a link to the Know Direction interviews. I'm on my phone... Can someone else please put that in a new thread? :)
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 8
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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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In other news... I don't think anyone's posted a link to the Know Direction interviews. I'm on my phone... Can someone else please put that in a new thread? :)
Yup, gimme a second. There were actually two. Chris Wasko couldn't get back into the group so they had to end the interviews and restart, so there will be two.
I do not know where the written answers were posted though.
Almost there!
Congrats to the Top 4! I can't wait to see what you come up with to amaze us.
Congrats to the Top 4. Looking forward to seeing the pitches.
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Monica, Brian, Kalervo, Christopher, can you hear me shouting? Congratulations!
In other news, I sleep now.
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Monica, Scott, Kalervo, Christopher, can you hear me shouting? Congratulations!
In other news, I sleep now.
I believe that's Brian you want to be shouting for, though I appreciate the sentiment!
And in other news, I am being invited by the RPGSS page to submit my entry for the next round. If only!
Congratulations to the top 4! Looking forward to read your adventure proposals.
Congrats to Monica, Brian, Kalvero, and Christopher!
Really looking forward to the adventure proposals from you guys!
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Thank you all! Congrats Monica, Christopher, and Brian!
And in other news, I am being invited by the RPGSS page to submit my entry for the next round. If only!
...and I'm invited to "Come back March 17 to view this round's entries and cast your vote!"
Congrats to the top 4 from the entire staff at The Flying Pincushion Games, you lads, and lass, all worked hard to get where you are, and deserve every bit of the accolades and attention. Best of luck to all four of you. May the best designer win!
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I'm sifting through some permissions, so apologies if you're getting mixed messages in the submission/voting area on the page, it'll right itself soon :)
AND YAY TOP 4!!!
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Thank you all! Congrats Monica, Christopher, and Brian!
And in other news, I am being invited by the RPGSS page to submit my entry for the next round. If only!...and I'm invited to "Come back March 17 to view this round's entries and cast your vote!"
Don't worry, Kalervo, I'll submit a great adventure for you ;-)
Seriously, I'm sure they'll sort out the kinks post haste.
Monica, Scott, Kalervo, Christopher, can you hear me shouting? Congratulations!
In other news, I sleep now.
I believe that's Brian you want to be shouting for, though I appreciate the sentiment!
And in other news, I am being invited by the RPGSS page to submit my entry for the next round. If only!
That's what I get for trying to read tiny print on my phone! And being slightly delirious. I feel better knowing the system made the same mistake. ;)
Serious apologies to both of you. That's embarrassing. Post is fixed.
Congratulations to all four of you! I'm truly looking forward to the next rounds entries.
I'm sifting through some permissions, so apologies if you're getting mixed messages in the submission/voting area on the page, it'll right itself soon :)
AND YAY TOP 4!!!
And my adjustments should have just righted themselves. If you see anything weird let me know!
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Congratulations to the Top 4!
And thanks to everyone who has entered, commented, voted, and judged. We're on the last leg of a long journey.
Longer for you than most, I'm sure ;) My sincerest thanks to everyone who has been involved in the contest this year (especially our super-classy MC Mr. Stephens!), this has been a truly remarkable journey and learning experience. I hope to win some hearts with my proposal!
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Many thanks to everyone at Paizo involved in this great contest.
I had a lot of fun as a contestant and I am very grateful for this opportunity to learn more about game design.
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Got to say, there's a secret relief at not having to worry about writing an adventure. My wife's sure going to like me better!
