Challenge Judging Extension

Due to the amazing plethora of games submitted to the RPG Solitaire Challenge, we are extending the schedule for sharing the feedback and awards from the Judges. We received twice the number we'd expected to read!

In order to have adequate time to provide feedback on all of the games, the final judging deadline will be February 10, 2010. However, we will begin posting feedback on games on February 1, and will post them in batches until all are completed by February 10, 2010.

Winning games will be announced on February 10. Judges will post their Favorite for each Challenge that they put forward. There will be an overall Favorite. The Awards, a post by the Judges about the winning games, will be written during February and the first part of March.

Thank you again to everyone who participated. We are working hard on the feedback, and are enjoying getting to read and play the games!

Contest Closed

As of 1/11/11 (Jan 11, 2011), 11pm EST, the contest is closed.

It's the eleventh hour, and unlike in most adventures, that means things have come to an end. We've received about 30 entries for the contest. Just about twice what I'd anticipated, and about the maximum of what we'd like to handle. The games will be posted here and distributed to the judges over the next few days. There is also a forum for discussion of issue relating to solitary role playing games over at the Crosswords forum.

The feedback and awards will be announced and posted here on February 1, 2011.

Congratulations to everyone who worked on a game in this contest! It has been a real treat to see your ideas form on blogs and forums. And it's also been a lovely surprise to see how many people surfaced from all walks with entries.

A special congratulations to everyone who was able to meet the deadline! But the real work here is in creating the game. Finding inspiration, following your ideas, and bringing your work to a state that satisfies you is the most important matter here.

There are many entries that did not fit the criteria, or that may be completed later. And many of the entries may continue in development beyond this contest. We will continue to update this site and post links to all these games, after the game contest is completed in full.

Thank you so much, to everyone who have participated. I salute your efforts and creativity. Thank you for making this a very fruitful enterprise indeed!

Submissions

We're getting close to the end. Game entries are due by 11 p.m. on Tuesday January 11, 2011. Here's a recap on the format requirements, and how to submit.

Format: Submissions may be from 1 to 10 pages in length (500-5000 words). The required format is a text document: Rich Text, Word, or Open Document (.rtf, .doc or .odt). Plus charts, tables, graphs or illustrations that are needed to communicate the rules. Feel free to send in a beautiful version and we'll post it, though the judging will just use the text versions.

Submit your entry with the following information:

Name of Designer:
Email:
Title of Game:
Challenge(s):

Where to Send it: Email the game to the following address:
e.chimerapi-at-gmail-dot-com

Results: Feedback and Favorites will be announced on February 1, 2011. As a prize for each award, Judges will write a post or blog entry on their Favorite during February.

Good luck to everyone!

Birds of a Feather and Golden Crow Awards

The contest is afoot, three games have been submitted and more than twelve other games are being worked on! The designers are busily working away, with more playtest than in many contests, I imagine, since an audience of 1 is easier to get together.

There is another part of the event that is going on: reading up about your compatriot's games. Ten so far are designing in the open. They are dealing with the same constraints, and coming up with different solutions. And just as you might want to hear an encouraging word or get a timely suggestion, so would others.

All who comment on someone else's blog are eligible for the Birds of a Feather Award. And those who give substantial comments on everyone else in the running will receive the Golden Crow Award: which involves a physical prize that will be sent to you by the US Post. Both these prizes are open even to those who don't finish their game, or who are only participating through comments.

This is really the best part of these contests. I look forward to seeing you all in the comments pages.