D&D 4E 4e RPG Superstar

[Pour]

I'd like to gauge the interest level of a WotC RPG Superstar. I think Paizo is supporting an amazing event that the 4e fan base could share, rounds of highly-competitive amateur designing voted and critiqued by a panel of professional judges and the community at large. Grand prize winner and maybe some runners up would have an original adventure published in Dungeon, maybe even collected as one special issue.

I think this might help the healing process between some of WotC's audience and the company at large, though frankly I just want to compete in this type of competition with a system I know well. I think it's fairly obvious the event is a success every year over on the Paizo end. I don't see a downside to trying it out. It promotes community, generates buzz and good will, and farms new talent.

I mean just imagine if this event coincides with say the release of online tools: round one is design your own monster, and guess what folks use the new web-based Monster Builder to do it! Round two, design a rare magic item! Three, complexity 4 or 5 skill challenge, then a villain, etc etc whatever it may be. DDOutsider articles could give hints and tips along the way- discussing prevalent features and what did and didn't work in a round.

I really think there is a lot of merit to this sort of contest in the WotC arena. Thoughts?

 

[Colmarr]

It works for Paizo because they have a generally good relationship with their customers.

It could work for WotC, but it would take some effort. Their customers might not have the same positive brand associations. For example, the primary reason I haven't given any thought to taking part in the current Ravenloft competition WotC is running is that I suspect (fairly or unfairly) that it is primarily a way for them to mine their customer base for IP, which they will then use themselves...

 

[JoeGKushner]

Not a chance in hell.

WoTC lacks... well, anything that would let them plug into such an event in a fashion that would work to their advantage.

Ironically, it's going to make getting new designers who are experienced with 4e very hard when it comes down the road.

Mike Mearls cut his teeth on... d20 SRD/OGL. When you take away the tools that let that kind of talent thrive...