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Every year.
Every year, I look over at the RPG Superstar button, all shiny and proud and glittery and probably a waste of my time but maybe not and it'd still be nice to make something for a change and why not at least try?
Every year I tell myself, "Yes. This year. This year I'll try. I'll really give it a shot. No guts, no glory. Let's do it. This time, it's personal. For real this time. All in. Any second now."
And every year I don't do s+#+. Every year I say, "Eh, maybe next year."
Well, no more. I figure I can't be the only one who's procrastinated on these, and next year I'm actually going to put in my submission. Most likely, I'll end up moping about being left out afterward, but I will be moping in a much better crowd!
So here's the thread for those of us who have a tendency to waffle. It's time to stop waffling and say, unequivocally, with no margin for error,
No more excuses for me. If I don't put in a submission next time...well, people know where to find me.
That's the spirit!
Go for it, KC (and everyone else!). I know you've got talent (having chosen your submission for Swords for Hire's first project) and there's no reason not to make the effort.
You have nothing to lose by trying. I never thought I'd get in when I applied my first year but I did and it kick-started me into freelance game-design, something I never knew I could do or how to begin doing.
It's a great community of past Superstar competitors and supporters, who I think give great encouragement and advice to everyone in the contest. Unlike in other contests, you root for each other and the judges are trying to help you be better, not tear you down. And the contest itself -- while incredibly difficult and stressful -- is also a lot of fun.
Last year was my first year here, Kobold. I'm so glad I took the dive into it.
I learned a lot. I'm still learning. :-) If Jacobs and Mikko say you've got talent, I'm quite excited to see what you produce!
Marathon Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9
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It was my first year, too. I was super-nervous, but it was insanely fun. And yes, even though my Living Copperthread Net didn't make it past round 1, it was tremendously helpful to get the critiques and feedback so i know what to do next year.
Don't let anything stop you, and start practicing designing early. Learn the template and take all critiques and criticisms constructively.
Here Here KC!
Are you sick now?
Is Heathy dead?
Are there sperm whales in your thatching?
If you have multiple items decide which is the weakest (least RPGSS) and submit it to the Blazing 9. Use the critique there to improve the others. Write another, item, decide which is the weakest and... well.
Just do it.
Unless you're Nike and suing me. Don't do it!
Star Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8
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I've participated the last 5 years, and honestly I look forward to it every year now. It feels great to participate in a competition in the field I'm trying to claw my way in to. On top of that, it's great practice. Every year I look at what I need to improve on, and each year my submission is better than the last.
The first item I submitted was a hot mess, and subsequently got eaten alive by SKR. It was brutal, but it forced me to improve for the next year. Hell, I haven't even gotten past round one yet, but I'm going to keep submitting until I do. Especially since I know my item last year made it past the initial culling for round one.
You can do it. We ALL can do it! I look forward to seeing your submissions in the next competition. :)
RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16
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Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka Rusty Ironpants
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Anyone thinking about entering the contest should do it. Even getting through the first couple of rounds can change your life. It gave me the confidence and motivation to start writing stuff for my own 3rd Party Label.
Entering RPGSS three years ago translated to me now co-owning Flying Pincushion games and living my freaking dream! So, all I can say is, do it. No matter where you fall in the designer spectrum, from new to vet, do it, the feedback and experience are invaluable. The community is supportive, and plus you can have your item critiqued by giants of the industry, oh, and my business partner Frank Gori, also know round these parts as GM_Solspiral, creator of the rightfully famous and infamous the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly RPGSS item critique thread. So put together a pit crew you trust, crack open a cold beer (or something else for you young'ns), and get designing!
Oh, and for those who have been round the RPGSS block a few times, you likely know me better as my alter ego Jeff Harris 982. But he is always complaining he is the "real" me, ha, as if ;)
I doubt I'm going to be able to top Springheart, but I'll certainly try again next year.
I figure I can't be the only one who's procrastinated on these...
Or, y'know, I am. It happens.
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16
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Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka Rusty Ironpants
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Okay People! The time is now!
Meh, there's always next year.
Meh, there's always next year.
You're kidding right KC?
Go for it! :)
Actually, I wasn't aware of it until now. I'm running through ideas in my head before comparing them to known items.
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Star Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8
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I can't be the only one that's MEGA salty about suddenly having the deadline dropped in our laps months early like this.
I have NOTHING ready. I haven't even started spitballing ideas yet. To have the deadline in two weeks rather than four months is a nightmare!
I mean, I'll do it, but it's going to affect the quality of my item.
Yeah, one week's notice, not a fan. This Superstar may not be a good test of the new voting mechanics or the new contest format just because people are being forced to adapt with barely any waring.
I can't be the only one that's MEGA salty about suddenly having the deadline dropped in our laps months early like this.
I have NOTHING ready. I haven't even started spitballing ideas yet. To have the deadline in two weeks rather than four months is a nightmare!
I mean, I'll do it, but it's going to affect the quality of my item.
I think that's how most contestants go into it though. Last year I realized that this contest existed with less time to deadline than we have now.
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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 can't be the only one that's MEGA salty about suddenly having the deadline dropped in our laps months early like this.
I have NOTHING ready. I haven't even started spitballing ideas yet. To have the deadline in two weeks rather than four months is a nightmare!
I mean, I'll do it, but it's going to affect the quality of my item.
To be fair, if you want to work as a freelance game designer/writer being asked to come up with new ideas and develop them in a short timeframe is par for the course. That is what Owen and others with experience have said more than once.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Every year.
Every year, I look over at the RPG Superstar button, all shiny and proud and glittery and probably a waste of my time but maybe not and it'd still be nice to make something for a change and why not at least try?
Every year I tell myself, "Yes. This year. This year I'll try. I'll really give it a shot. No guts, no glory. Let's do it. This time, it's personal. For real this time. All in. Any second now."
And every year I don't do s%#$. Every year I say, "Eh, maybe next year."
Well, no more. I figure I can't be the only one who's procrastinated on these, and next year I'm actually going to put in my submission. Most likely, I'll end up moping about being left out afterward, but I will be moping in a much better crowd!
So here's the thread for those of us who have a tendency to waffle. It's time to stop waffling and say, unequivocally, with no margin for error,
No more excuses for me. If I don't put in a submission next time...well, people know where to find me.
I can't be the only one that's MEGA salty about suddenly having the deadline dropped in our laps months early like this.
I have NOTHING ready. I haven't even started spitballing ideas yet. To have the deadline in two weeks rather than four months is a nightmare!
I mean, I'll do it, but it's going to affect the quality of my item.
If it makes you feel any better, I had decided in 2014 to never enter RPG Superstar again. So of course I prepped nothing.
Last December, I saw the RPG Superstar announcement 4 days before the entry deadline, the change intrigued me, and I decided to brainstorm for the heck of it. I also came down with the flu in there somewhere. After brainstorming, I picked an idea I liked and entered the day before the deadline--that's 3 days. And I got to Top 8, which some tell me ain't half bad. At least, I can't enter again (I'm just here to cheer folks on). More to the point, I think the winner, Monica Marlowe, also hadn't been planning to enter (though she can speak for herself if she sees this).
If the contest is the same as last time, the round twists also won't be revealed until those who made it into the next round are also announced; if the deadlines also stay the same it means you only have about 2 and a half days' time to work with that twist and finalize your entry.
So a LOT of this contest--based on my experience anyway--is about what you come up with on the fly. So you NEED to be able to do that. If you want to show your stuff, don't let angst about prep weigh you down and just start brainstorming. Something will come.
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Developer
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The blog post went up July 31, and we already have the full Round 1 rules in place, so everyone has more than two weeks warning including at least two weekends.
The entry requirement is a no-more-than 300-word magic item, using the standard Pathfinder rules.
The contest does not assume you need to take time off to accomplish this task in 16 days. If you do need time off to do that, you are very unlikely to succeed in writing a 64-page adventure if you win, unless you can quit your job for months.
A single 2-page spread with art is about 1400-1500 words. If your writing rate is 300 words in 16 days, it would take 80 days to write 2 pages, and 1,280 days to write a 32 page book.
Even if a contestant takes several days (to ensure they are of high quality), all entrants should be able to accomplish this task in no more than 3-4 1-2 hour sessions, and that's assuming you double-check everything, and always sleep on major decisions.
Well, two weeks' warning before the deadline, one week's warning before the contest starts. :P
I'm not broken by it or anything. I just don't think it's good. Which I got the sense Paizo was in agreement on—like you yourself said, it would have been better had they been able to manage longer notice.
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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The contest does not assume you need to take time off to accomplish this task in 16 days. If you do need time off to do that, you are very unlikely to succeed in writing a 64-page adventure if you win, unless you can quit your job for months.
I thought everyone took time off just to vote...
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Developer
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Well, two weeks' warning before the deadline, one week's warning before the contest starts. :P
I'm not broken by it or anything. I just don't think it's good. Which I got the sense Paizo was in agreement on—like you yourself said, it would have been better had they been able to manage longer notice.
I DO agree longer would be better.
I just don't want people thinking we *expect* anyone to take time off for this contest. You CAN- you are all free to make your own choices and I trust you to live your lives in ways that make sense to you - but we certainly expect that (for Round one, especially) this can be done in off hours.
(And if your life doesn't give you any of those, you probably don't have time to write the module if you win, sadly.)
Well, two weeks' warning before the deadline, one week's warning before the contest starts. :P
I'm not broken by it or anything. I just don't think it's good. Which I got the sense Paizo was in agreement on—like you yourself said, it would have been better had they been able to manage longer notice.
I DO agree longer would be better.
I just don't want people thinking we *expect* anyone to take time off for this contest. You CAN- you are all free to make your own choices and I trust you to live your lives in ways that make sense to you - but we certainly expect that (for Round one, especially) this can be done in off hours.
(And if your life doesn't give you any of those, you probably don't have time to write the module if you win, sadly.)
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Now that I think of it, no one here has ever seen any of my scenario or campaign ideas, since I never got that far in the competition.
I pledge that, whether or not I place in the top 8 or higher this year, that I will start striking out on my own to professionally create content.
This is largely because I finally settled into a career. :p
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The blog post went up July 31, and we already have the full Round 1 rules in place, so everyone has more than two weeks warning including at least two weekends.
The entry requirement is a no-more-than 300-word magic item, using the standard Pathfinder rules.
The contest does not assume you need to take time off to accomplish this task in 16 days. If you do need time off to do that, you are very unlikely to succeed in writing a 64-page adventure if you win, unless you can quit your job for months.
A single 2-page spread with art is about 1400-1500 words. If your writing rate is 300 words in 16 days, it would take 80 days to write 2 pages, and 1,280 days to write a 32 page book.
Even if a contestant takes several days (to ensure they are of high quality), all entrants should be able to accomplish this task in no more than 3-4 1-2 hour sessions, and that's assuming you double-check everything, and always sleep on major decisions.
Apologies if my post came across like that Owen, I was just saying that I had taken on a lot of work not expecting the competition to hit me right now.
So I am trying to be professional and concentrate on my existing commitments if that makes sense.
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I can't be the only one that's MEGA salty about suddenly having the deadline dropped in our laps months early like this.
I have NOTHING ready. I haven't even started spitballing ideas yet. To have the deadline in two weeks rather than four months is a nightmare!
I mean, I'll do it, but it's going to affect the quality of my item.If it makes you feel any better, I had decided in 2014 to never enter RPG Superstar again. So of course I prepped nothing.
Last December, I saw the RPG Superstar announcement 4 days before the entry deadline, the change intrigued me, and I decided to brainstorm for the heck of it. I also came down with the flu in there somewhere. After brainstorming, I picked an idea I liked and entered the day before the deadline--that's 3 days. And I got to Top 8, which some tell me ain't half bad. At least, I can't enter again (I'm just here to cheer folks on). More to the point, I think the winner, Monica Marlowe, also hadn't been planning to enter (though she can speak for herself if she sees this).
If the contest is the same as last time, the round twists also won't be revealed until those who made it into the next round are also announced; if the deadlines also stay the same it means you only have about 2 and a half days' time to work with that twist and finalize your entry.
So a LOT of this contest--based on my experience anyway--is about what you come up with on the fly. So you NEED to be able to do that. If you want to show your stuff, don't let angst about prep weigh you down and just start brainstorming. Something will come.
Agreed! Deadlines in subsequent rounds are really tough, especially if you don't have a flexible time management. You have to accept that you propably won't be able to submit a perfect entry. I don't know about the others, but I usually had to submit what I would consider to be a second draft. (Though admittedly, being a non native speaker, I had very little practice writing in English before the contest-if RPG Superstar has taught me anything, it is to practice on a regular basis to become faster.)
But don't underestimate the creative energies that come with the pressure. Last year, I was convinced that my item (written feverishly in a single sleepless night) was good enough to get me into the next round, and I was right. I wasn't so sure about my wondrous item (the one I had been working on for several weeks before the twist was announced). Now I'm never going to find out.
I'm looking forward to reading your entries!
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The blog post went up July 31, and we already have the full Round 1 rules in place, so everyone has more than two weeks warning including at least two weekends.
The entry requirement is a no-more-than 300-word magic item, using the standard Pathfinder rules.
The contest does not assume you need to take time off to accomplish this task in 16 days. If you do need time off to do that, you are very unlikely to succeed in writing a 64-page adventure if you win, unless you can quit your job for months.
A single 2-page spread with art is about 1400-1500 words. If your writing rate is 300 words in 16 days, it would take 80 days to write 2 pages, and 1,280 days to write a 32 page book.
Even if a contestant takes several days (to ensure they are of high quality), all entrants should be able to accomplish this task in no more than 3-4 1-2 hour sessions, and that's assuming you double-check everything, and always sleep on major decisions.
There is a difference here that needs to be brought up. The difference is between and .
Every year, I participate in this contest a great deal, especially since the public voting started for Round 1 in 2013. I post on the boards, engage in conversations, encourage people to get involved and enjoy themselves. Basically I act as a booster of this contest that I love. I try and be helpful, considerate, and honest in my critical comments and help explain the contest quirks to those who are curious.
I also compete. I have made the Top 100 at least twice and have never proceeded to Round 2. Even so, competing is something I could find time for easily. It's sad that some old competitors will not be able to due to time constraints, but that would be the same regardless of when the competition was held.
So my issue isn't with the competition, but with the fun and comradery that occurs on these boards around the competition. It is one of the things I look forward to with great anticipation each year, and I'm unsure if I will find the time to participate in that as much as I normally do. Sadly summertime and the start of the school year are often busy times as much as the winter months and I have some family coming from Alberta that I will be spending time with. That will greatly impact the time I can afford to spend with the other fans.
All that said, I've decided—after the initial shock went away—that I am going to my best to participate just as much and even grab for the Champion voter title again. I have strong doubts as to whether I can be as much there for the competition as I have in past years, but I will do what I am capable of doing.*
So I'll get my entry ready, get some people to check it over, and then start her up once more. Short notice or not, this is one of the things that gives me joy and I aim to enjoy it as much as I possibly can!
*I almost wrote "I will try to do what I can." On a messageboard with so many Star Wars fans, that would just be asking for it. ;)
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Star Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
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So my issue isn't with the competition, but with the fun and comradery that occurs on these boards around the competition. It is one of the things I look forward to with great anticipation each year...
I fell in love with that aspect of this contest too. RPG Super Star is like a free RPG design school, I loved absorbing the forums and growing as a designer. I'm looking forward to doing that again soon in Season 9.
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The blog post went up July 31, ... wise words...
This year, I doubt I will be able to offer my template check service though, just so much to do still on my current plate.
I don't think I will have time for silly song contests, story hours or any of my usual inanity during the competition.
BUT
You know what?
I am going to knock out 300 words and enter!
(wow no passivity there :P)
I wont be able to vote so much or follow the boards like I usually do while I try to keep up with my freelancing work, but 300 words...
Dang, I can do that blindfolded these days.
So I am.
Good luck all.
I am going to knock out 300 words and enter!
(wow no passivity there :P)
I wont be able to vote so much or follow the boards like I usually do while I try to keep up with my freelancing work, but 300 words...
Dang, I can do that blindfolded these days.
So I am.
Phew. For a moment there I thought the number of 8-time-entrants was going to be significantly larger than the number of 9 timers.
And, with that, I get into my RPGSS guise, and this "GM_Beernorg" fellow keeps talking about how I am not real, I wills show HIM who's real!
In all seriousness, I hope everyone has a great RPGSS season, best of luck to all, and of course, look for "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" to return soon.
So get your pit crews together, your keyboards singing, and lets DO this thing!
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I submitted a few years back and since I've never had the time. This time I say Nay!! Kobold I will join you and rejoin the ranks of those submitted they may down vote my submission but they will never down vote our freedom!!
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I dunno, I don't have that much time to spare, Russ—I have a lot of important forum posting to attend to.
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16
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Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka Rusty Ironpants
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| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
I dunno, I don't have that much time to spare, Russ—I have a lot of important forum posting to attend to.
See that's 22 words right there! How long did that take? Also it seems you have already mastered the use of the em-dash.
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I find it adds a touch of class to my posts—not dissimilar to a drop of lemon juice added to diffuse the pH levels of a bucket of sodium hydroxide.
All sciencey stuff in my posts must be cited to Gark the Goblin. What's a pH Scale? I just asked for an example of something really basic and got told, "You."
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Kobold, you got a while, there are some helpful links for you, AND ANYONE ELSE WHO Are interested!
If your new here, check out this link.
New users guide
If your looking for the best advice:
Sean list of advice. Very strong starting point.
Look at the blazing 9 thread
There is a lot of fun here, but ALOT of important information in the critiques. Seriously sit down and study it.
and lastly, I made a small thread last year, for myself but for anyone else to use, that contains WAY more links. I offer it to all new-comers this year. It's not as high-quality as the other links, but it does contain even MORE powerful links and advice.
A list of things I personally learned
TL;DR version: It's dangerous to go alone, take my links.
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TL;DR version: It's dangerous to go alone, take my links.
Crunchy deadline?
Huge submission pool?No chance of even making the 32, let alone winning?
What am I waiting for????
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
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Agreed! Deadlines in subsequent rounds are really tough, especially if you don't have a flexible time management. You have to accept that you propably won't be able to submit a perfect entry. I don't know about the others, but I usually had to submit what I would consider to be a second draft. (Though admittedly, being a non native speaker, I had very little practice writing in...I can't be the only one that's MEGA salty about suddenly having the deadline dropped in our laps months early like this.
I have NOTHING ready. I haven't even started spitballing ideas yet. To have the deadline in two weeks rather than four months is a nightmare!
I mean, I'll do it, but it's going to affect the quality of my item.If it makes you feel any better, I had decided in 2014 to never enter RPG Superstar again. So of course I prepped nothing.
Last December, I saw the RPG Superstar announcement 4 days before the entry deadline, the change intrigued me, and I decided to brainstorm for the heck of it. I also came down with the flu in there somewhere. After brainstorming, I picked an idea I liked and entered the day before the deadline--that's 3 days. And I got to Top 8, which some tell me ain't half bad. At least, I can't enter again (I'm just here to cheer folks on). More to the point, I think the winner, Monica Marlowe, also hadn't been planning to enter (though she can speak for herself if she sees this).
If the contest is the same as last time, the round twists also won't be revealed until those who made it into the next round are also announced; if the deadlines also stay the same it means you only have about 2 and a half days' time to work with that twist and finalize your entry.
So a LOT of this contest--based on my experience anyway--is about what you come up with on the fly. So you NEED to be able to do that. If you want to show your stuff, don't let angst about prep weigh you down and just start brainstorming. Something will come.
Gabriel and RD are right on about all of this. For the encounter round in particular, I knew my submission had big problems, but I just ran out of time to do more, and the contest coincided at that point with a really busy period for real-life stuff. (HOW I wish that I hadn't had to make a 2nd map for that round! I envy this season's contestants that change.) But here's how I'd think of it: It really doesn't (shouldn't?) take that long to put together one item entry, and 2 weeks is plenty of time. And there's lots of evidence that people have done well even when they threw something together in a relatively short term. If you don't advance, you've lost little, and maybe learned something. If you DO advance, OMIGOD YOU ADVANCED!!! and your life enters a sort of time-space vortex of preparation and obsession that is going to consume your waking moments in ways you can't imagine, so just buckle up, find good people to run ideas and drafts by, and do your best! And at that point, unless you're getting married or moving or something, I think you just find ways to fit the contest into your life the best you can. And don't complain too much about it, because you won't see much sympathy from the 99%+ of contestants who would give their eye teeth to be where you are.
And Gabriel, if there's ever a Superstar-like game design contest in Finland, I'm totally counting on lots of help from you in prepping my entry in Finnish! ;-)
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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And Gabriel, if there's ever a Superstar-like game design contest in Finland, I'm totally counting on lots of help from you in prepping my entry in Finnish! ;-)
Ahem... not sure if Gabriel can help you with that... :D
Ich glaube dass er aus Deutschland kommt... Kalervo und ich sind die Finnen hier. :-P
And Gabriel, if there's ever a Superstar-like game design contest in Finland, I'm totally counting on lots of help from you in prepping my entry in Finnish! ;-)
Sorry Scott, but I'm afraid you'd be far better off asking Mikko for help with German than asking me anything even remotely related to Finnish (it's not even an Indo-European language, if I recall correctly).
I really hope to see a lot of contestants from all around the world this season. Don't let the language barrier stop you from entering!