The Unofficial Top 32 Guildhall and Haunted House

[R D Ramsey]

There really are. Voting this round is going to be difficult.

[Mikko Kallio]

So... many... good maps! I'm glad I'm no longer eligible to enter, I'd have to work hard to be in the top 50%! (I always work hard, though.)

*Goes back to draw maps*

[Steven Helt]

Neil Spicer wrote:

coming together to form a rather tired, middle-aged human male's face.

J...John? John Reyst?

[Neil Spicer]

Steven Helt wrote:

Neil Spicer wrote:

coming together to form a rather tired, middle-aged human male's face.

J...John? John Reyst?

I said middle-aged!

Spoiler:

And now no one's going to get that joke, and they're all going to think we're terrible people.

Spoiler:

And, in your case, they'll be right! ;-P

[Crystal Malarsky]

Isaac V wrote:

But we're missing some important demographic information.

Are you a cat person (correct answer) or a dog person?

Sorry I am late on this (was away for Labor Day weekend vacation)... I'm very much a dog person. The bigger the better! Though my husband says that the only reason I dislike cats is because I am a cat. There may be some truth that.

Anyway - good luck in Round 2 everyone ^_^

[Brian Minhinnick]

Hey fellow top 32+4,

I just finished my voting for this round. There are some great submissions in there, well done y'all. Best of luck to everyone!

Now to resist the urge to comment on my work for the next several days...-twitches-

[Isaac Volynskiy]

I'm waiting to see what the 3rd judge (Jason Engle) has to say before I cast my votes. And it's not going to be easy.

[Monica Marlowe]

Neil Spicer wrote:

Steven Helt wrote:

Neil Spicer wrote:

coming together to form a rather tired, middle-aged human male's face.

J...John? John Reyst?

I said middle-aged!

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

I got it and I still think you're all terrible ;-)

[Robert Thomson]

I feel your pain Brian. Not commenting is going to be rough.

Some real amazing stuff. Congrats to all on the great efforts. I see some tough votes ahead of everyone.

[Scott LaBarge]

I *didn't* get it, but mamaursula's judgment is good enough for me! You must be terrible :-p

[Nick Wasko]

I agree, usually the public/judge appeal separates the entries into clear strata very early, but it looks like this time around there are more positive critiques from the judges and voters than there are spots for advancement. This may be the first time in my memory that folks will be forced to choose among several favorite entries among the top 32, and well-received maps may still not advance. It speaks volumes about the caliber of the entrants as the contest has matured.

I do have one quick PSA: I've seen Neil warn more than a few contestants about commenting on their entries, which is against the rules. While I'd be delighted to see what the alternates brought to the table, I hate the idea of anyone getting disqualified on a technicality, especially when they demonstrate such outstanding potential as we have seen so far.

So please please PLEASE obey the gag order. Don't push the envelope on that point. It costs you nothing to save your thank-yous and other responses until after voting closes.

[Neil Spicer]

Scott LaBarge wrote:

I *didn't* get it, but mamaursula's judgment is good enough for me! You must be terrible :-p

Not me. Steve's the one who's terrible. I was an innocent victim in that joke, who thankfully came out of it a lot better than John.

[Neil Spicer]

Nick Wasko wrote:

...I've seen Neil warn more than a few contestants about commenting on their entries, which is against the rules.

True statement.

The Contest Rules wrote:

5. During public voting rounds, contestants are prohibited from any public discussion that could be considered as adding to, expanding upon, or clarifying the content of their current submissions. This applies to (but is not limited to) interviews, personal blogs, and messageboard posts on paizo.com or elsewhere, including the paizo.com discussion thread for the entry itself. Any such discussion may result in disqualification, in the sole discretion of the judges and/or Paizo.

Folks might want to pay attention to that.

[Isaac Volynskiy]

Neil Spicer wrote:

The Contest Rules wrote:

5. During public voting rounds, contestants are prohibited from any public discussion that could be considered as adding to, expanding upon, or clarifying the content of their current submissions. This applies to (but is not limited to) interviews, personal blogs, and messageboard posts on paizo.com or elsewhere, including the paizo.com discussion thread for the entry itself. Any such discussion may result in disqualification, in the sole discretion of the judges and/or Paizo.

It's easy to miss/forget, after Open Call I think people forget to check the Official Rules and just look at the Round X rules.

It's definitely our responsibility as contestants, but I think your post bolding it will help.
I was just considering making a thread higlighting that rule called "The Vow of Silence".

[Robert Thomson]

I didn't think a simple thank you in my thread was "adding to, expanding upon, or clarifying content", but if it was against the rules, I apologize for that one. Definitely had other comments I would have liked to make about my entry and others, but don't want to risk anything.

Theres a couple of interesting trends I noticed that I really want to discuss after the round is over, win or lose.

[Thomas LeBlanc]

I have 5 maps I really like and 6 more I am having trouble choosing between. So I decided on a roll off to see which of those six get votes. Now the question is, how do I determine which dice method to use?

A) Roll 3d6 and keep the numbers rolled.
or
B) Roll 3d6 and cull the numbers rolled.
or

C):

explosive runes - last remaining contestants get votes...

[Kiel Howell]

4d6 drop 1!

[Monica Marlowe]

Scott LaBarge wrote:

I *didn't* get it, but mamaursula's judgment is good enough for me! You must be terrible :-p

Neil's right, he is just an innocent bystander in all of this. Steve Helt is a very bad, but incredibly funny man, who will probably suffer at the next convention for having made this joke.

[Monica Marlowe]

Something I would like to ask anyone who has achieved Guildhall status to consider - putting your RPG Superstar entry links on your profile page. I went looking for some stuff and it is terribly inconvenient for me to go looking through all the contests to find your entries when I can find you so easily.
Okay, it's not for me, it's for the 3PP who also may be looking at your stuff. And me. It's always about me ;-)

[Thomas LeBlanc]

Monica Marlowe wrote:

Something I would like to ask anyone who has achieved Guildhall status to consider - putting your RPG Superstar entry links on your profile page. I went looking for some stuff and it is terribly inconvenient for me to go looking through all the contests to find your entries when I can find you so easily.

Okay, it's not for me, it's for the 3PP who also may be looking at your stuff. And me. It's always about me ;-)

I am ashamed of my 2011 entry...

[Charlie Brooks]

Man, there are a lot of really good maps here.

[Brian Minhinnick]

Monica Marlowe wrote:

Something I would like to ask anyone who has achieved Guildhall status to consider - putting your RPG Superstar entry links on your profile page. I went looking for some stuff and it is terribly inconvenient for me to go looking through all the contests to find your entries when I can find you so easily.

Okay, it's not for me, it's for the 3PP who also may be looking at your stuff. And me. It's always about me ;-)

Good idea, Monica. Thanks for the suggestion :)

[Isaac Volynskiy]

Monica Marlowe wrote:

Something I would like to ask anyone who has achieved Guildhall status to consider - putting your RPG Superstar entry links on your profile page. I went looking for some stuff and it is terribly inconvenient for me to go looking through all the contests to find your entries when I can find you so easily.

Okay, it's not for me, it's for the 3PP who also may be looking at your stuff. And me. It's always about me ;-)

Great idea Monica (it's still weird for me to call you Monica after last year's snark thread, rather than your screen name). I went ahead and did so.

[Isaac Volynskiy]

I've compiled the cat/dog data supplied by the Top 32 (and made a few judgment calls about people that claimed to be on the fence).

Looks like 7 for cats and 5 for dogs.

Now to see what those numbers look like for the Top 16.

[Jacob W. Michaels]

I agree with Monica's suggestion. Back in my day (2012), IIRC, we were encouraged to put alittle bio in our profiles. It's really a great way for people to get to know you, and having a link to your products really is smart -- it lets people buy them if they like your work, which means those publishers will presumably want to hire you again.

I also really liked in 2014 when they put up bios (and pics for those who submitted) of contestants. I think they waited until the Round of 16, but I hope they bring that back.

[Taylor Hubler]

I certaintly need to update my profile. Adding in my contest submissions is a good idea!

[Mark Griffin]

Just wanted to say here that the contestants as a whole have really upped their map game. I am certainly going to have trouble picking only 8 maps to vote for.

[Owen K. C. Stephens]

Neil Spicer wrote:

The Contest Rules wrote:

5. During public voting rounds, contestants are prohibited from any public discussion that could be considered as adding to, expanding upon, or clarifying the content of their current submissions. This applies to (but is not limited to) interviews, personal blogs, and messageboard posts on paizo.com or elsewhere, including the paizo.com discussion thread for the entry itself. Any such discussion may result in disqualification, in the sole discretion of the judges and/or Paizo.

Folks might want to pay attention to that.

As always, please listen to Neil. Saying "Thank you" is fine. Saying "Thank you for calling out my favorite feature!" is adding new information (which feature of your entry is your favorite).

No one seems to have crossed the line here, but folks have gotten close enough to make me nervous. I never want to have to DQ someone, and once you do go too far there's no way to unring that bell.

[Jeffrey Swank]

I've said this before (and may come off as cheesy), but I am still amazed at how much creativity and talent there is in this community. Even though there is only one Superstar winner, I think it's the community itself that is the true Superstar!

[Joseph Kellogg]

Per Monica's suggestion, I've updated my profile with links to my previous RPGSS entries, along with links to more recent fiction credits.

[Monica Marlowe]

Thomas LeBlanc wrote:

Monica Marlowe wrote:

Something I would like to ask anyone who has achieved Guildhall status to consider - putting your RPG Superstar entry links on your profile page. I went looking for some stuff and it is terribly inconvenient for me to go looking through all the contests to find your entries when I can find you so easily.

Okay, it's not for me, it's for the 3PP who also may be looking at your stuff. And me. It's always about me ;-)

I am ashamed of my 2011 entry...

Then list is and all the other stuff you've done, so people can see how you've grown as a designer. :-) Self-promotion is the only way to get ahead around here.

[Monica Marlowe]

Jacob W. Michaels wrote:

I agree with Monica's suggestion. Back in my day (2012), IIRC, we were encouraged to put alittle bio in our profiles. It's really a great way for people to get to know you, and having a link to your products really is smart -- it lets people buy them if they like your work, which means those publishers will presumably want to hire you again.

I also really liked in 2014 when they put up bios (and pics for those who submitted) of contestants. I think they waited until the Round of 16, but I hope they bring that back.

They did it for the Top 8 last year...I think. It may have only been the Top 4.

[Gabriel Almer]

Good job with the maps everyone!

I found 12 maps that I could see myself voting for.

[Kiel Howell]

There ya go Monica (and everyone else)! I updated my profile to have links to my work to date.

[Philip Tucker]

I've read RPG Superstar discussions from previous years where judges and contestants have said that simply participating in this competition helps refine your skills as a designer. To be honest, I didn't see how that could be, but now, having submitted an item and a map and been able to compare my stuff to everyone else's, I finally understand.

I think where I'm growing is by analyzing why I find certain other submissions awesome, and why others don't do it for me. I look at the creative leaps that have been taken, and realize that I hadn't even considered certain approaches or angles.

Consequently, it makes me look at my own toolbox, my go-to set of ideas, and question how good they are. Am I pushing as hard as I can, or am I working within a comfort zone? There's a difference between excelling within pre-determined boundaries, and actually breaking out into completely new areas.

So, even though the contest has just begun, I've already learned a lot. At the very least I've learned how to scrutinize my own material with a more exacting eye. My thanks to the judges, for their learned feedback, and to all the other contestants, for showing me just how crazy and cool design work can really be.

[R Pickard]

Wow, you guys, these maps. THESE MAPS.

I hope to get some feedback back to y'all but I've got some freelance editing to finish up first.

Yeah, I keep meaning to put my superstar entries from this winter in my profile. I figure I'll remember to get around to it at LEAST within the next couple years.

[Donald Robinson]

I knew I was going to struggle this round. There are really, really good maps up. There are 17 of them that I think should take the 16 spots. I wonder which of those will be the odd-man out.

The rest did very well too. Great job to all of you!

[BJ Hensley]

Steven Helt wrote:

Neil Spicer wrote:

coming together to form a rather tired, middle-aged human male's face.

J...John? John Reyst?

*gasps and goes for an offended look while trying not to laugh* That's not even right. I think you'll now be tasked with buying John a drink next con.

[Walter Sheppard]

Owen K. C. Stephens wrote:

Neil Spicer wrote:

The Contest Rules wrote:

5. During public voting rounds, contestants are prohibited from any public discussion that could be considered as adding to, expanding upon, or clarifying the content of their current submissions. This applies to (but is not limited to) interviews, personal blogs, and messageboard posts on paizo.com or elsewhere, including the paizo.com discussion thread for the entry itself. Any such discussion may result in disqualification, in the sole discretion of the judges and/or Paizo.

Folks might want to pay attention to that.

As always, please listen to Neil. Saying "Thank you" is fine. Saying "Thank you for calling out my favorite feature!" is adding new information (which feature of your entry is your favorite).

No one seems to have crossed the line here, but folks have gotten close enough to make me nervous. I never want to have to DQ someone, and once you do go too far there's no way to unring that bell.

Eeeep!

This was me :(

Feel free to delete the post I made yesterday.

[Monica Marlowe]

Philip Tucker wrote:

I've read RPG Superstar discussions from previous years where judges and contestants have said that simply participating in this competition helps refine your skills as a designer. To be honest, I didn't see how that could be, but now, having submitted an item and a map and been able to compare my stuff to everyone else's, I finally understand.

I think where I'm growing is by analyzing why I find certain other submissions awesome, and why others don't do it for me. I look at the creative leaps that have been taken, and realize that I hadn't even considered certain approaches or angles.

Consequently, it makes me look at my own toolbox, my go-to set of ideas, and question how good they are. Am I pushing as hard as I can, or am I working within a comfort zone? There's a difference between excelling within pre-determined boundaries, and actually breaking out into completely new areas.

So, even though the contest has just begun, I've already learned a lot. At the very least I've learned how to scrutinize my own material with a more exacting eye. My thanks to the judges, for their learned feedback, and to all the other contestants, for showing me just how crazy and cool design work can really be.

I was in the position to see several people participate in RPG SS before I entered. It was hard to see how the critiques laid some of my friends low. For the most part the community is considerate in their feedback, but you can only be so gentle and still point out the flaws of someone's creation. Welcome to Survivor's Club, otherwise known as RPG SS Guild Hall.

[Rose Stack]

I've just finished looking at all the maps for the round, and while I think mine would have had a chance, I definitely have a lot to learn about mapping! Overall I'm very impressed. Good luck, y'all!

I do have a more long-term question. I would like to get some feedback on my map, although I obviously don't want to go spreading it around while my alternate status is still potentially relevant (not to mention that it would be rude to distract from the current contestants' maps). But once the contest moves on, what would be a good way to ask for critique? PMs? Would it be inappropriate to post it in the forums? Have the judges provided feedback on the alternates' entries already just in case that I could inquire about?

[frank gori]

Stephen Stack wrote:

I've just finished looking at all the maps for the round, and while I think mine would have had a chance, I definitely have a lot to learn about mapping! Overall I'm very impressed. Good luck, y'all!

I do have a more long-term question. I would like to get some feedback on my map, although I obviously don't want to go spreading it around while my alternate status is still potentially relevant (not to mention that it would be rude to distract from the current contestants' maps). But once the contest moves on, what would be a good way to ask for critique? PMs? Would it be inappropriate to post it in the forums? Have the judges provided feedback on the alternates' entries already just in case that I could inquire about?

Basically wait until voting is finished then make a quick G+ Doc with the image and your text and toss it in a thread somewhere.

[Jeffrey Swank]

Monica Marlowe wrote:

Something I would like to ask anyone who has achieved Guildhall status to consider - putting your RPG Superstar entry links on your profile page. I went looking for some stuff and it is terribly inconvenient for me to go looking through all the contests to find your entries when I can find you so easily.

Okay, it's not for me, it's for the 3PP who also may be looking at your stuff. And me. It's always about me ;-)

Done! :)

[Jeff Hazuka]

frank gori wrote:

Stephen Stack wrote:

I've just finished looking at all the maps for the round, and while I think mine would have had a chance, I definitely have a lot to learn about mapping! Overall I'm very impressed. Good luck, y'all!

I do have a more long-term question. I would like to get some feedback on my map, although I obviously don't want to go spreading it around while my alternate status is still potentially relevant (not to mention that it would be rude to distract from the current contestants' maps). But once the contest moves on, what would be a good way to ask for critique? PMs? Would it be inappropriate to post it in the forums? Have the judges provided feedback on the alternates' entries already just in case that I could inquire about?

Basically wait until voting is finished then make a quick G+ Doc with the image and your text and toss it in a thread somewhere.

Last year, a few of us alternates made "critique my map" threads in the main forum. Obviously, you'll want to wait until after (at least) this round. Maybe two rounds.

[Neil Spicer]

Stephen Stack wrote:

...Have the judges provided feedback on the alternates' entries already just in case that I could inquire about?

Yes. We do all of them...even the alternates. At some point, Paizo will likely get that feedback into your hands. Probably by email rather than posting it up here on the messageboards, but I suppose that could be useful, too, if you wanted the public to also provide commentary.

[Mark Griffin]

Not sure if this was answered elsewhere already, but if so I haven't seen it. Is Jason Engle still expected to provide feedback on round 2?

[Owen K. C. Stephens]

Mark Griffin wrote:

Not sure if this was answered elsewhere already, but if so I haven't seen it. Is Jason Engle still expected to provide feedback on round 2?

Not at this time. If that changes, we'll welcome his commentary.

[Owen K. C. Stephens]

Apparently I really can't say this often enough.

Contestants, please be really careful on your comments about your own entry. I hate having to DQ people for violating rule #5 of the entire contest. "During public voting rounds, contestants are prohibited from any public discussion that could be considered as adding to, expanding upon, or clarifying the content of their current submissions."

ANY new information about your entry, from a misspelled word you clarify to telling us what music inspired it, is a DQ. Period.

Don't do it.

[Kalyna Conrad]

william collins wrote:

I'd like to add*: Please Remain Calm. Don't stress out over all the little mistakes or should-have-dones connected with your map. It may not be perfect, but it's out there now and viewers' feedback helps you learn.

Thanks for this reminder William... I needed it too. (= Sometimes it seems like the hardest thing about being creative is the fact that for you the process never really ends. It goes out there and people like it or they don't, but you still see all the little things you could've/should've fixed/done differently. But I have to constantly remind myself that what's done is done, it was the best effort you could give at the time and you need to take the lessons from it and make your next effort that much better because of them. (=

[Crystal Malarsky]

Monica Marlowe wrote:

Something I would like to ask anyone who has achieved Guildhall status to consider - putting your RPG Superstar entry links on your profile page. I went looking for some stuff and it is terribly inconvenient for me to go looking through all the contests to find your entries when I can find you so easily.

Okay, it's not for me, it's for the 3PP who also may be looking at your stuff. And me. It's always about me ;-)

Thanks so much for this suggestion, Monica. Great idea! I have updated my profile to include the appropriate links :)