I gave Sean K Reynolds $50 and ripped me a new one for it…

Apparently everything I hear about Sean K Reynolds was true. Highly skilled. Very professional. Someone you can learn from. I learnt this they hard way when I signed up for his RPG Design Classes. Simply put for $50 you could have a one on one class with SKR where he would critique you game design so you could get better if you were interested in submitting for Paizo’s RPG Superstar. Now I don’t plan on submitting to RPG Superstar but I know getting a direct critique of my design work from a person at SKR level could only be helpful to me. Better still, talking with SKR would give me a better understanding of what Paizo would be looking for in its submissions. So I paid the money; did what he told me to do and submitted my item. And waited to hear back from him. A few days later, I heard back from him with comments on my submitted items and when I finished reading I had to check to see if I was bleeding for a specific orifice. Because it felt like he used his whole arm on me with his review on my work. 

The two words that describe best what happened was: Painful and Insightful.

Maybe you didn't know but SKR is VERY good at is game design. I did know he is very good at it, but I did know he was THAT good at it. 

After I recovered from the initial shock and trauma of the email, I really sat down a looked at what he did say and he was right.  He explained it in great lengthy detail and he gave me a better understanding of what I was REALLY trying to make and what I did right and what I did very, VERY wrong. Just reading SKR’s email, I think I got a better insight on Paizo as a company and what they expected from game designers and developers. I must say what I learned it this once little interaction was WELL WORTH the money I spent. Better still, I can’t wait until we do the monster design. I have a monster that I think is simple and cool and I can’t wait to see what SKR does to it. 

So if you are thinking about doing Paizo RPG Superstar, you might want to spend $50 and get AMAZING insight from someone who understands what Paizo is looking for better than you EVER will. Now while I may never use this information on submitting to RPG Superstar, I will be using the knowledge to help advance LPJ Design as a 3PP to make my product EVEN better and make my company much, much stronger. Every first time publisher AND even long term 3PP should sign up for this class, because it is THAT important.  My $50 investment in SKR is going to make me A LOT of money in the long term and I call that a good investment for myself and LPJ Design. Talk to you later…

Paizo's RPG Superstar 2011 Top 16 announced today!!!

Here it is the TOP 16 of Paizo's RPG Superstar 2011

Artus Nemati — Charlatan (Rogue)     Mirrored Lantern of the Pious Seeker Cody Coffelt — Hound Master (Cavalier)     Flask of Five Fifths David Vigil — First World Druid (Druid)     Candle of Viscous Ephemera Eric Hindley — Knife Fighter (Fighter)     Shadow Falconer's Glove Erik Freund — Moon Shaman (Druid)     Corsage of the Captured Voice Ethan Day-Jones — Exalted Armsman (Cleric)     Eye of the Void Jerall Toi — Tengu Blademaster (Fighter)     Phlebotomist's Gloves Joel Flank — Hedge Wizard (Wizard)     Plentiful Pouch

John Bennett — Saboteur (Ranger)     Cocoon Cloak Marie Small — Tactician (Fighter)     Verdant Vine Nick Bolhuis — Champion of Philosophy (Cavalier)     Assassin's Rose Ryan Marsh — Goldfever Alchemist (Alchemist)     Grim Howler Sam Zeitlin — Still-Water Meditant (Monk)     Book of Night Without Moon Scott Fernandez — Grave Robber (Rogue)     Nightmare Boots Sean McGowan — Evangelist (Bard)     Singing Bowl of Redoubled Clarity Trevor Merback — Impaler (Fighter)     Bag of Holes

We at LPJ Design are cheering and hoping for Jerall Toi to win it all.  We say his great work in our freebie product Black Powder Weaponry.  Congrats Jerall!


And once again for all you 16 that did make it to the next round of Paizo's RPG Superstar 2011, LPJ Design is offering you a freelance position with us.  So no matter what you are still a winner!  Talk to you later...

Paizo's RPG Superstar 2011 top 32 announced today!!!

Today is the day Paizo announces the top 32 for RPG Superstar 2011 at 5PM EST. I wish everyone I know who submitted the best of luck, because with that many people entering every little bit helps.

And for you top 32 remember:

For any of the contestants that are announced as but not chosen in Rounds 2 – 4 of the RPG Superstar™ 2011, LPJ Design will offer you the opportunity to work for us on a PAID upcoming freelance project. Payment and writing credit, it could not be better. So no matter what happens, you have the opportunity to fulfill your dreams of becoming a professional RPG game designer.


So even if you don't win the RPG Superstar 2011, you still will win with your attempt to become a RPG writer.  Talk to you later!!!

What Paizo's RPG Superstar™ 2011 Open Call means for LPJ Design – REMIX!!!

I did this last year and I am doing it again this year with Paizo's RPG Superstar™ 2011 Open Call.

No matter how many people are going to enter this contest, out of the top 32 people only four are getting a writing gig from Paizo and becoming professional RPG game designers. Once again this is a great way to excite the fan base and get them interested in Paizo. Paizo gets it.  Again!

The RPG Superstar event is a great business and marketing idea for them and in term a great business idea for LPJ Design.  Why is this a great business opportunity from LPJ Design? Since this event is going to have 28 not chosen losers, I think this is an opportunity to for LPJ Design to get possibly 28 new writers by offering freelance jobs to those who are not chosen.  The reasons being: You get good writers who are motivated to work and have proved they know what they are doing.  Plus, every time Paizo promotes the RPG Superstar event, LPJ Design cross promotes offers to those who are not chosen. So here is the official statement on this:

For any of the contestants that are announced as not chosen in Rounds 2 – 4 of the RPG Superstar™ 2011, LPJ Design will offer you the opportunity to work for us on a PAID upcoming freelance project.  Payment and writing credit, it could not be better. So no matter what happens, you have the opportunity to fulfill your dreams of becoming a professional RPG game designer. 

Good luck and talk to you later…