Can you handle the 200 word challenge?
People like myself are never going to be on top in any kind of physical challenge. Unless it's the challenge of sitting in one place for long periods of time making short, sharp gestures with their fingers in order to work the electronic alchemy that translates ideas into impulses that other people can experience.
But that doesn't mean that we can't get the opportunity to compete against one another for awesome things.
This year, I am resolved to enter the 200 Word RPG Challenge, which is exactly what it says on the tin. You must submit an RPG which fits within 200 words. Exactly 200 words.
In case you hadn't noticed, 200 words is very difficult to write down to. I have casual posts about lunch which run longer than 200 words. Imagine trying to fit some sort of mechanic and directions and motivation to playing a game into a mere 200 words.
Yes, that's the challenge.
However, starting right now, they are taking applications for being a Reader, a Judge, and donations of prizes.
There are a number of people on Steemit who would be really interested, I'm sure, in being a Reader for the Challenge. There might even be some creative-supporting whales who would like to donate a chunk of steem or SBD (and an account to go with it if the winner doesn't have one already) to the Contest.
If you're thinking about being a Reader, there are two major things you need to know.
Readers must be:
Dependable. The reader must commit to reading 100 entries and submit their top choices within the review period (May 30 - Jun 13). Readers will have 2 weeks to pick their top entries. Expect to commit 8-10 hours to read through all of the entries (about an hour a day).
Impartial. The reader should be open and honest about potential conflicts of interest. You can be a reader and still submit an entry! We will ensure you aren't assigned entries from people you may know.
Yes, that is a pretty significant commitment.
Mind you, each of the games is going to be under 200 words, so reviewing 100 of them in roughly two weeks isn't going to be a killer amount of work – but it will be some work.
Unfortunately, I have a convention that falls into that particular space or else I would be volunteering to be a Reader myself. Instead, this year, I will only be submitting an entry.
Hopefully some of my fellow travelers on Steemit will be fascinated by the idea and want to get in on some of this wonderful game design action.
If you're curious about what kind of thing this is, what a 200 Word RPG might look like, then there is the entire 700 entry pile from last year, which contains some real gems within it.
If you just want to read the winners and finalists, well -- we can do that, too!
Go. Check them out. Play them with your friends, even! It's not like it will take long to read any of them.
I look forward to hearing about your experiences with the Challenge!