Charity Fundraiser - our own setting search!

[derverdammte]

I would suggest changing the game a little - ask for submissions to be in a new format, including a new length (maybe two pages, or 2000 words?), and a new template (rather than asking for a core ethos statement, who are the heroes, etc, ask for a sample settlement, a description of a typical tavern/restaurant, and a hierarchy for a temple - or something completely different, whatever). This will require people to put a little more effort into the contest than just resending what they've already written, and might cut down on the number of entries.

I think it would be better to introduce subcategories to the ones WotC has already given us on their template, like one or two questions that expand on the actual items in the template. Of course, I can't come up with a good example offhand...:-/

Finding a way to take what's already been written and logically expand it to, say, two pages would be okay, but more than that would be too much for a preliminary entry.

 

[Thirsty]

I think it would be better to introduce subcategories to the ones WotC has already given us on their template, like one or two questions that expand on the actual items in the template. Of course, I can't come up with a good example offhand...:-/

Good idea derverdammte, how about the following to get the creative juices flowing ?

- What is the nature of divinity ?
- How well do the various races of the realm interact ?

Of course, I've submitted an entry so these questions are sort of tailored towards things I already know about my setting

 

[trix]

...

Anyone read my idea on voting ?

Voting needs to be done on a peer review basis. That means that people submitting their entries need to vote on which they think are the best.

If we can get a couple hundred, maybe a 1000 submissions then we should get at least the top 50 dedicated thinkers who should be the top 50 entrants. (remember, WotC setting search pulled in and advertied in more places than ENWorld would probably advertise)

With maybe a panel of judges to cut down to 50, entries, the rest of the process should be controlled by those 50... so that there are 50 judges that are judging 50, then 10, then 3, then 2 entries.

Very open and clean.

In addition, if there are some intrestingly "different" entries, then we should embrace them aslong as everyone likes them. Unlike the WotC setting search, this should be "anything" goes, by gamers, for gamers.

... but the setting should have swords and trolls as a bare minimum.

(This leaves things like shadowrun wide open, but keeps to the gothic shadowy background that exists in both shadowrun and D&D).

We could do the judging right here on ENWorld. Have someone at enworld act as submission coordinator. All entries get pasted into a forum in which only the firstround judges get access to.

They then each putforward their memorable 20 settings. We would need 10 judges. This should bring 20 to 200 settings into the closing of the first round.

Each of those members should then have the opportunity to add one page to their proposal.

Those 20-200 (ideally 50) then vote among themselves on what are the most appropriate 10.

Those 10 then go back and write 10 page proposals.

The 50 vote on the best 3

Those 3 go and create a 40 page document.

The 3 are then reduced to 1.





One Setting to rule them all,
One Search to find them,
One Annoucement to bring them all,
and on ENWorld bind them.

-Tim

 

[trix]

Good idea derverdammte, how about the following to get the creative juices flowing ?

- What is the nature of divinity ?
- How well do the various races of the realm interact ?

Of course, I've submitted an entry so these questions are sort of tailored towards things I already know about my setting

One thing I noticed was that alot of the settings seemed to focus their setting around one region, or one country, writing in a very "localised" manner. The setting might have been the guide to a small country, not a setting.

Nature of divinity is good break it up into:

-Theme Overview (100 words max)
-Setting History (Divine)
-Setting History (Legendary Heroes)
-Typical Villians & Arch Nemisis overview
-Magic History/Background
-Whats Different

Drop the whole 1 sentence for world ethos, make it "no longer than 100 words".

Drop the whole "Who are the heroes?".
That Q was dumb. Tieing it to the history of legendary heroes is good as it allows the author to flush out some major events that shape the history, and thus the world.

The setting villians and arch nemisis helps flush out who villians are.

There needs to be a bit more.

Anyway, ive gotta go.

-Tim

 

[Tiefling]

Re: ...

Anyone read my idea on voting ?

Voting needs to be done on a peer review basis. That means that people submitting their entries need to vote on which they think are the best.

Nah. I think all the phases should be decided on by judges. We could elect the judges or not, I don't care.

Why?

I dunno, seems right to me.

Nature of divinity is good break it up into:

-Theme Overview (100 words max)
-Setting History (Divine)
-Setting History (Legendary Heroes)
-Typical Villians & Arch Nemisis overview
-Magic History/Background
-Whats Different

Of course, this kinda screws you if your setting has no gods, or has no legendary heroes, or has no cheesy "arch nemisis."

 

[Morrus]

I'm tending towards judges - at least to narrow it down to a small number for voting (like the ENnies), if not for the whole process.

The final book could have (say) 1 large setting, 3 ten-pagers and 10 one-pagers.

 

[mirzabah]

I like the idea.

I think judges rather than open voting seems like a better idea. I don't think it matters too much whether it's a blind process or not.

 

[Enkhidu]

Well Morrus,

If you do decide to go this route, what kind of timetable do you have in mind for it?

 

[GruTheWanderer]

Keep It Simple

I'm tending towards judges - at least to narrow it down to a small number for voting (like the ENnies), if not for the whole process.

Morrus, this is a great idea. I did not submit a setting, but I would definitely buy this type of book.

Regarding voting and requirements, keep it simple. You've already done a lot of work posting entries, so I wouldn't change the requirements now. Open voting on such a large number of entries would be problematic (based on the mini-encounter experience). Selecting judges from the community sounds great.

 

[Umbran]

Morrus:

Completely aside from voting procedures, there's another matter to be dealt with...

In the first round, WotC asked for very specific information, in a very specific format. Presumably, they aren't asking the winners to simply, "Give us ten more pages." They will be asking again, for very specific information, in a specific format.

You, too, will need to specify a format. If you ask nicely, Mr. Valterra might well give you WotC's second round guidelines. If not, you'll have to make up your own.