2015 Halloween Adventure Contest! (Announcement, Questions)

[Dustinian]

Summary
We're running a contest for the best original, Halloween-themed adventure module! Upload entries to the contest thread in the Workshop!

Prizes

• Winner: A $25 Amazon.com gift card, to be delivered electronically.
• Participants: Your adventure featured in the Holiday Adventure supplement that we hope results from this contest!

Rules

• Entrants Should... (By October 29, 11:59:59PM, GMT)
  1. Create an original, Halloween-themed adventure module.
     • Follow the Submission Guidlines (ensure your module is free, open-game content). The only exception to the Submission Guidelines is that you'll be attaching your adventure module to the contest thread in the Workshop.
     • Make sure your module has an obvious "Halloween" theme. You don't have to include the word "Halloween." You should feel free to make references, oblique or direct, to similar holidays in other cultures (Example: Dia De Los Muertos). But the moderators should agree that your adventure would be perfect to run around a gaming table on a Halloween night.
  2. Attach the .ODT file (.PDF optional) to a reply in the contest thread.
     • Long-time lurker, first time adventure-writer with no idea what .ODT is? No problem, it's the standard file format for "LibreWriter" in the free, open-source LibreOffice suite!
• Moderators Will... (By October 30, 05:00:00AM GMT)
  1. Review entries.
  2. Create a list of eligible entries (Ensuring OGL is present, Halloween-theme, originality, etc.).
  3. Post a poll so that all registered forum members can vote on their favorite eligible entry.
• Voters Should... (By October 31, 11:59:59 PM GMT)
  1. Vote on their favorite eligible entry.
     • Entrants should feel free to vote, but please (honor system) do not vote for your own submission!
[b]Anticipated Questions[/b] [list]
• Can I use a previously-posted adventure? No, to make the contest as fair as possible, we're asking for original adventures that you started and finished during the term of this contest.
• But I won't have time to polish/playtest! That's okay, nobody voting will have time to actually play every entry. Do the best you can. You can always polish your adventure after the contest is over.
• Are there plans for these adventures after this contest? Maybe. We think the idea of a holiday-themed print supplement sounds fun one day. But let's worry about that later!
• How will the gift card be fulfilled? Solomoriah will create an order for an e-giftcard on Amazon.com to be sent via e-mail to the winner.
• How do we know you'll come through on the gift card? Solomoriah is currently holding the funds to be used to fulfill the gift card. Sort of the BFRPG version of escrow!

[/list]

Additional Questions
Please ask additional questions by replying to this thread.

[chiisu81]

If anyone will need help with BFRPG formatting I'll be happy to help. Go ahead and attach your adventure in either .odt (preferable) or .doc format on the Workshop thread, and I'll reply stating I'll work on it. All I ask is having plenty of time before the deadline to do so.

[dpelletier05]

Does the submited aventure have to contain a minimum number of encounters ?

[SmootRK]

Does the submited aventure have to contain a minimum number of encounters ?

I don't think it is specified. That said, there is a vote/evaluation, and size might factor in along with aspects of quality, uniqueness, and just being well written or whatever other factors the forum members think matters. Put together what one thinks will win over the votes!

and Good Luck!

[chiisu81]

As far as my vote, I'm not looking for quantity, so if your module has only a couple of encounters, but they're extremely well thought-out, creepy, and still challenging, that will make it a prime contender.

[Dustinian]

dpelletier05, I think that's a great question. I think SmootRK and chiisu81 are right on the money: There won't be an enforced "minimum."

And I love a comment that SmootRK made, and i want to emphasize it:

Put together what one thinks will win over the votes!

Letting the members select the winner by voting is a great mechanism for not overburdening this contest with too many eligibility requirements. As long as your adventure is compelling and fun, who cares about "requirements?"

Thanks for the question, and good luck!

[chiisu81]

I'd love to contribute something, but with time and health I'd fare better in collaboration with someone...