[Crafty Games] Are You a Real American H.E.R.O.?

[coyote6]

It's not a problem running a contest... but notice that they fail to inform the buyer of the contest content. How much of the item is written by professionals and how much by novices?

Umm, "novice" and "professional" are not opposite things. "Novice" means "beginner", so pretty much every professional is a novice professional at some point.

Granted, this is STILL no guarantee of excellence... but you generally get what you pay for.

That's why one generally has an editor or developer. Presumably, the contest-based entries weren't pasted in exactly as received.

And just because others do it, doesn't make it right. Crafty Games doesn't get a pass for being the most recent to "build an obvious copy/homage/counterfeit/tribute/spoof of a genre." Be up front! Be honest!

I think it's clear to everyone that they're doing a pastiche/homage to GI Joe. Is there someone who didn't get that? I don't think Venture Bros opens with a "Hey, look at us riff on Johnny Quest!" Nobody does that.

If you can't make money at it, give it away! Or at LEAST give the contest winners use of their work under the OGL.

I don't understand what you mean by this. "If you can't make money"? I think that's why they put it up for sale, to make money.

Under full disclosure (since I feel it is implied I am grumpy about this topic because I feel slighted by the company) I've never participated in any contest from them nor have I ever purchased an item from Crafty Games. I just feel full disclosure is the least a company can do. If a contest is held to add content to a product, then declare it in the copy for that product. Announce it on the cover. Or is there a reason not to?

Umm, it's in the original post, and on the product page at DTRPG/RPGNow (amongst other places -- Google shows this blurb on ja-jp.facebook.com):

"Forge alliances and lifelong nemeses among dozens of NPCs from every side of the conflict (including winners of Crafty Games’ Build-a-Hero contest). "

It was also in the contest announcement: "Ever wanted to see your work in a Spycraft product? Now, you just might with our Create a Hero contest! We’re looking for a few good characters to join a military team in a Spycraft PDF to be released in the next few weeks."

What else did you want? A musical number?

 

[TheAuldGrump]

What else did you want? A musical number?

Ummm, okay?

The Auld Grump

 

[lrsach01]

Umm, "novice" and "professional" are not opposite things. "Novice" means "beginner", so pretty much every professional is a novice professional at some point.

<sigh> Fine. Replace "novice" with "amateur." The argument is still sound.

Umm, it's in the original post, and on the product page at DTRPG/RPGNow (amongst other places -- Google shows this blurb on ja-jp.facebook.com):

"Forge alliances and lifelong nemeses among dozens of NPCs from every side of the conflict (including winners of Crafty Games’ Build-a-Hero contest)."

Now THIS is a good point and one I clearly missed. They HAVE stated some of their content is from the contest. My apologies for excusing Crafty Games of hiding the contest content in the blurb both here and at DriveThruRPG. But still.. a musical number would be nice...

As to Bedrockgames's statment:
Are you sure the content was taken from a contest, and if so, does it say this anywhere on the product?

Yup... I'm sure... from the contest info:
By entering this contest, you relinquish any and all ownership of the creation, making it the exclusive property of Crafty Games, which shall be free to sell, reproduce, use, disclose, display, exhibit, transmit, transform, expand upon, and redistribute without limitation or obligation. Winning entries will be selected at Crafty Games’ sole discretion. Authors of winning entries will be contacted through the Crafty Games bulletin boards — entrants must have a valid email address registered and respond to the initial contact within 48 hours to remain eligible for inclusion in the product. If your work is accepted publication in the product, you will receive an Additional Material credit and one (1) copy of the PDF, to be distributed through DriveThruRPG, without further compensation.

 

[lrsach01]

I think it's clear to everyone that they're doing a pastiche/homage to GI Joe. Is there someone who didn't get that? I don't think Venture Bros opens with a "Hey, look at us riff on Johnny Quest!" Nobody does that.

That is covered under parody and I would have doubts that this game is the same.... but again, that would be for a court to decide.

I don't understand what you mean by this. "If you can't make money"? I think that's why they put it up for sale, to make money.

They can't sell it as GIJoe so they go for a less honest approach. That's what I mean about not being able to make money. They are being less than honest in naming and promoting their game. They all but admitted that during their interview on RPGCircus podcast.

But hey... go ahead and buy their product. No skin of my nose. Enjoy.