Wik
First Post
So, every year, I try to put together a basic "create your own RPG". This would the "third" annual contest, but last year's more or less entirely fizzled out, due to several factors.
This time around, I was hoping to get some feedback on how we could make this contest really shine. So, how about it? There are plenty of creative people on this site - how can we best put together an RPG design contest? Some questions/areas to focus on:
* When should it take place? When do people have free time to get this stuff done? Obviously January is a bad time (this is what killed it last time), so when is a good time to set it up? March? April?
* How long should it take? We had a one month deadline last two times, which may have been overkill. I was thinking a one-week deadline, to keep things fresh and hectic... and fun!
* How big should it be? Forty pages the first time around, but that may be too big if we go for a shorter project this year. There are plenty of fun 20- or 30- page RPGs.
* Rules. I really like the idea of self-contained rules - no referencing outside material. If you can think of a way to make an entirely self-sufficient while OGL compliant product, you're good to go, of course.
* Judge. Do we want a judge to crown the victor? If so, who should the judge be? Does anyone want to step forward? Or should this be a group, collaborative effort, and less of a "contest"? These things rarely become huge competitive sprees - less Iron GM, and more "everybody's a winner!"
* Theme. Should the judge set the theme? I like the idea of a theme, because it means no one can just take out that idea they've been working on for years and use that. Plus, themes mean everyone has the same starting point, which is kind of fun! Themes include things like "Magic", "Lost Cities", "Exploration", "Mystery" and the like - they're definitely pretty broad.
* What are other thigns we should consider, so we can make this the absolute best contest ever?
This time around, I was hoping to get some feedback on how we could make this contest really shine. So, how about it? There are plenty of creative people on this site - how can we best put together an RPG design contest? Some questions/areas to focus on:
* When should it take place? When do people have free time to get this stuff done? Obviously January is a bad time (this is what killed it last time), so when is a good time to set it up? March? April?
* How long should it take? We had a one month deadline last two times, which may have been overkill. I was thinking a one-week deadline, to keep things fresh and hectic... and fun!
* How big should it be? Forty pages the first time around, but that may be too big if we go for a shorter project this year. There are plenty of fun 20- or 30- page RPGs.
* Rules. I really like the idea of self-contained rules - no referencing outside material. If you can think of a way to make an entirely self-sufficient while OGL compliant product, you're good to go, of course.
* Judge. Do we want a judge to crown the victor? If so, who should the judge be? Does anyone want to step forward? Or should this be a group, collaborative effort, and less of a "contest"? These things rarely become huge competitive sprees - less Iron GM, and more "everybody's a winner!"
* Theme. Should the judge set the theme? I like the idea of a theme, because it means no one can just take out that idea they've been working on for years and use that. Plus, themes mean everyone has the same starting point, which is kind of fun! Themes include things like "Magic", "Lost Cities", "Exploration", "Mystery" and the like - they're definitely pretty broad.
* What are other thigns we should consider, so we can make this the absolute best contest ever?
