map-pin Guidelines for Card Submissions

06 Sep 2012 16:37 - 11 Sep 2012 12:12 #36101 by Damnans
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: CARDS

If you are interested in sending your card ideas to us, please follow these guidelines:

1. Submissions should be posted on the Expansion sets & Card Ideas forum on vekn.net: www.vekn.net/index.php/forum/30-expansion-sets-a-card-ideas . The subject title of that post should start with the word "Submission".

2. Submission should be sourced in the World of Darkness and that source documented in the submission. If no WoD source is given, the submission should document how the new card addresses a compelling game need. Vampires, for instance, should come from White Wolf source when possible. Make them match their descriptions in the source if possible, and so on. We do not want to see fictional submissions like “Masika's Gauntlet” or “Harrod's Desk Lamp”. The game theme will start to appear watered-down if we start leaning towards stuff that isn't rooted in the WoD. (Note: My personal favorite card I created was Carver's Meat Packing—yanked straight out of a Gehenna book. It made for awesome art and inspired an original game function). If you tend to work backwards and create game effects and then throw on clichés for card names it will show. If someone doesn't have access to the WoD source then partner up with someone and work together on your submissions.

3. Submission should be complete (No card titles w/o full text. etc.)

4. Submissions for Clan or Discipline cards should generally maintain the “clannishness” of that clan. For instance, Brujah should fight or at least Bruise/Bleed. Don't make a Conditioning for each and every clan. In instances where you go outside the core strengths of the clan then cost or restrict appropriately.

5. Submission must have art notes. (Art notes tell the artist what to draw so that the drawing matches the WoD aspect the card is trying to capture.)

6. If text is short enough to allow for flavor text then the submission should have flavor text. Flavor text should ideally come from WoD sources or public domain sources.

7. Submission must contain the owner's real name (Created by Robert Goudie, for example. We do not want to have to work backwards from VEKN user IDs while trying to figure out who submitted the idea.)

8. Submission must make an attempt to properly template the card text. (Uses game terms properly “You, Methuselah, opposing minion, ballot vs. vote, Discipline is always capitalized, etc.”) (Handles logistics like “put this card in play” and “clean-up” like “burn this card when such and such happens” proper keywords, etc.)

9. Any submissions are considered the property of the V:EKN. No compensation. No rights. We reserve the right to make any revisions we feel are necessary—probably without discussing it with you first! (Nobody wants to hold up playtesting while we circle back with everybody who submitted something.)

LIBRARY CARD SUBMISSION TEMPLATE

Name:
Cardtype:
Cost:
Capacity:
Discipline:
Clan:
(Card text)

Flavor text:

Art notes:

World of Darkness reference:

How does this card address a compelling game need?:

Created by:


LIBRARY CARD SUBMISSION SAMPLE

Name: Ra's Blessing
Cardtype: Action modifier
Cost: 3 blood
Capacity: Not applicable
Discipline: Bardo
Clan: None
Only usable as the action is announced.
[bar] Vampires cannot block this action.
[BAR] As above, and if the action is successful, this vampire may burn 1 blood to untap (after resolving the action).

Flavor text: “The higher the sun ariseth, the less shadow doth he cast; even so the greater is the goodness, the less doth it covet praise; yet cannot avoid its rewards in honours.”, Akhenaton (King of Egypt, 14th century BC)

Art notes: A dark-skinned Egyptian vampire walking on a crowded street at noon showing indifference.

World of Darkness reference: The Hunters Hunted, p. 53

How does this card address a compelling game need?: The actions of Children of Osiris vampires get easily blocked and, since they lack access to offensive combat cards, unblockability (even at a high cost) would make them more viable.

Created by: Ginés Quiñonero


CRYPT CARD SUBMISSION TEMPLATE

Name:
Cardtype:
Clan:
Level:
Group:
Capacity:
Discipline:
(Card text)

Art notes:

World of Darkness reference:

How does this card address a compelling game need?:

Created by:


CRYPT CARD SUBMISSION SAMPLE

Name: Khetamon, Grand Undying King
Cardtype: Vampire
Clan: Children of Osiris
Level: Basic
Group: 5
Capacity: 10
Discipline: for aus BAR DOM OBT POT
Independent. Khetamon can move a vampire in torpor to your uncontrolled region as a +1 stealth (D) action.

Art notes: Khetamon irradiates an aura of peace around him. He is sitting on the floor of the Grand Temple of the Children of Osiris. His face can hardly be seen because of the surrounding tiny chandelier lighting.

World of Darkness reference: Mummy1 pp. 64-65

How does this card address a compelling game need?: The Children of Osiris clan is missing a 10 capacity vampire in group 5.

Created by: Ginés Quiñonero


Recommendations:

- Avoid any of the following characters: [ ] { } ( ) ; : - /
- Sentences on cards that go in play should be readable in any order. Don't use "that vampire" in a sentence if "that vampire" is not defined in that sentence.
- "You" is ALWAYS the controler of the card. Minion cards are controled by the controler of the minion they are on, master cards are controled by the Methuselah who played them.
- If you exceed 11 lines of text (~350 characters) for a library card, it's too long.
- If you exceed 5 lines of text (~150 characters) for a crypt card, it's too long.

:vtes: V:EKN Website Coordinator

:baal: :AUS: :DAI: :FOR: :OBF: :PRE: :MAL: :STR: :flight: :cap11:
Last edit: 11 Sep 2012 12:12 by Damnans.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Lönkka, BenPeal, acbishop, Dr.Mafrune

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06 Sep 2012 18:39 #36128 by ReverendRevolver
i have 3 questions:

if the submission is covered in multiple sourcebooks, including the 20th anniversary edition, do i site the most recent? (being the anniversary edition)

i have a cycle of cards that all follow the same theme and structure, but there is one for each main discipline. can i list all 13 in the same post, or do i have to post each seperately?

and if a combination of disciplines is used on a card, the function of the card is easily within the scope of rudimentary uses of both disciplines, and there is no instance of both being used in conjuction in the source material, can i just site each discipline?

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06 Sep 2012 18:56 #36132 by BenPeal

i have 3 questions:

if the submission is covered in multiple sourcebooks, including the 20th anniversary edition, do i site the most recent? (being the anniversary edition)


In general, go with the most recent source. However, there are instances out there of earlier sources contradicting later sources, but in a good way (such as disguises). Check your homework, and cite all sources if you're not sure.

i have a cycle of cards that all follow the same theme and structure, but there is one for each main discipline. can i list all 13 in the same post, or do i have to post each seperately?


Probably best to list them in the same post, for the sake of not flooding the forum with new threads.

and if a combination of disciplines is used on a card, the function of the card is easily within the scope of rudimentary uses of both disciplines, and there is no instance of both being used in conjuction in the source material, can i just site each discipline?


If you're designing a multi-discipline card, then post it as a multi-discipline card. Or, more generally, go with your own designer's intent. We do prefer canon-sourced cards, but if you can't find a canon source for your idea, do your best to stay within the themes of the clans and disciplines.

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06 Sep 2012 19:11 #36134 by Dorrinal
I do not think you will get good results with these guidelines. My objections are below the quote, in the same order as the guidelines.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: CARDS

If you are interested in sending your card ideas to us, please follow these guidelines:

1. Submissions should be posted on the Expansion sets & Card Ideas forum on vekn.net: www.vekn.net/index.php/forum/30-expansion-sets-a-card-ideas

2. Submission should be sourced in the World of Darkness and that source documented in the submission. If no WoD source is given, the submission should document how the new card addresses a compelling game need. Vampires, for instance, should come from White Wolf source when possible. Make them match their descriptions in the source if possible, and so on. We do not want to see fictional submissions like “Masika's Gauntlet” or “Harrod's Desk Lamp”. The game theme will start to appear watered-down if we start leaning towards stuff that isn't rooted in the WoD. (Note: My personal favorite card I created was Carver's Meat Packing—yanked straight out of a Gehenna book. It made for awesome art and inspired an original game function). If you tend to work backwards and create game effects and then throw on clichés for card names it will show. If someone doesn't have access to the WoD source then partner up with someone and work together on your submissions.

3. Submission should be complete (No card titles w/o full text. etc.)

4. Submissions for Clan or Discipline cards should generally maintain the “clannishness” of that clan. For instance, Brujah should fight or at least Bruise/Bleed. Don't make a Conditioning for each and every clan. In instances where you go outside the core strengths of the clan then cost or restrict appropriately.

5. Submission must have art notes. (Art notes tell the artist what to draw so that the drawing matches the WoD aspect the card is trying to capture.)

6. If text is short enough to allow for flavor text then the submission should have flavor text. Flavor text should ideally come from WoD sources or public domain sources.

7. Submission must contain the owner's real name (Created by Robert Goudie, for example. We do not want to have to work backwards from VEKN user IDs while trying to figure out who submitted the idea.)

8. Submission must make an attempt to properly template the card text. (Uses game terms properly “You, Methuselah, opposing minion, ballot vs. vote, Discipline is always capitalized, etc.”) (Handles logistics like “put this card in play” and “clean-up” like “burn this card when such and such happens” proper keywords, etc.)

9. Any submissions are considered the property of the V:EKN. No compensation. No rights. We reserve the right to make any revisions we feel are necessary—probably without discussing it with you first! (Nobody wants to hold up playtesting while we circle back with everybody who submitted something.)

1. Are the submissions to be differentiated from "just throwing this out here" ideas already in the forum? Is this a new set of rules for the "card ideas" forum? Are you willing to provide a separate forum for "official" submissions?

2. This rule is nonsense. "Thrown Sewer Lid" is perfectly in keeping with the WoD setting, yet does not have a foot note in a WoD source book somewhere. What if a proposed card keeps with the WoD theme, but does not have a source?

Many people have said that this is first and foremost a card game, with World of Darkness as its theme. Working on game mechanics and meeting that theme should be a natural and viable method of developing new cards. Why are you discouraging people from exploring the design space? Why is "WoD source" more important than "compelling game need"? Are you willing to provide the entire source material for people to draw from?

3. Please explain what "complete" means, and provide an example (perhaps using an existing card).

4. Please provide a list of themes and representative cards for each clan, discipline and keyword. This is something that the Design Team should have already done - think M:TG's color wheel and how it influences card design. Ask LSJ if you aren't sure.

5. Card designers don't necessarily care what art is on the card. But if you require every submission to explain, in plain English, what the card represents, it may inform the creation of art notes by the producer of a set. For example: "a vampire uses his supernatural strength to tear a street sign out of the ground and wield it against her opponent".

6. "Should" is strong. Not every card will come from a WoD source book. Suggest: "Flavor text, especially from WoD source books, is highly encouraged."

7. No objection.

8. Please publish templates and guidelines, and keep them up to date. Again, this is something the Design Team has likely done already, so please share.

9. Does that include all the suggestions found in the forum already? (see my response to #1)

:trem:

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06 Sep 2012 19:43 - 06 Sep 2012 19:44 #36147 by BenPeal

1. Are the submissions to be differentiated from "just throwing this out here" ideas already in the forum? Is this a new set of rules for the "card ideas" forum? Are you willing to provide a separate forum for "official" submissions?


This is not a new set of rules for the forum, and you're free to throw stuff out there. We're just saying that if you follow the posted guidelines, you'll have a much better chance of having your card idea considered for future sets. The guidelines do not exclude "thrown out there" cards from consideration, either.

2. This rule is nonsense. "Thrown Sewer Lid" is perfectly in keeping with the WoD setting, yet does not have a foot note in a WoD source book somewhere. What if a proposed card keeps with the WoD theme, but does not have a source?


Oh sure, as I mentioned in my previous post in this thread, go with your designer's intent and if what you're designing doesn't have a canon source, do your best to stay with the theme of the clans, disciplines, and WoD.

Many people have said that this is first and foremost a card game, with World of Darkness as its theme. Working on game mechanics and meeting that theme should be a natural and viable method of developing new cards. Why are you discouraging people from exploring the design space? Why is "WoD source" more important than "compelling game need"? Are you willing to provide the entire source material for people to draw from?


The game is directly based on intellectual property owned by another company (CCP). We want to represent that IP respectfully and professionally. It's a lot easier to do that by sticking with canon sources, but it's not to the exclusion of new material.

3. Please explain what "complete" means, and provide an example (perhaps using an existing card).


Y'know, like, complete. Finished. All the parts there. All the disciplines, capacity, grouping number, name, clan, card text, etc. You don't have to include the art (but wow that'd be great). You can leave out the expansion symbol.

4. Please provide a list of themes and representative cards for each clan, discipline and keyword. This is something that the Design Team should have already done - think M:TG's color wheel and how it influences card design. Ask LSJ if you aren't sure.


Don't make Wolf Claws for Presence.

5. Card designers don't necessarily care what art is on the card. But if you require every submission to explain, in plain English, what the card represents, it may inform the creation of art notes by the producer of a set. For example: "a vampire uses his supernatural strength to tear a street sign out of the ground and wield it against her opponent".


"A vampire who looks like Lemmy from Mötorhead uses his supernatural strength to tear a street sign out of the ground and wields it against a vampire who looks like a corporate executive."

This is fun! :)

6. "Should" is strong. Not every card will come from a WoD source book. Suggest: "Flavor text, especially from WoD source books, is highly encouraged."


What we don't want is flavor text that comes from copyrighted sources other than the owner of the World of Darkness property. Stick to that and you'll be fine, but flavor text sourced from WoD is even cooler.

7. No objection.


Whew. :)

8. Please publish templates and guidelines, and keep them up to date. Again, this is something the Design Team has likely done already, so please share.


Good rule of thumb: do it the way an existing card does it. Or email Pascal. He's nice. Or throw a card idea out here and hash it out with your fellow fans.

9. Does that include all the suggestions found in the forum already? (see my response to #1)


I suppose a reasonable thing to do would be to have people put a "Please print my card!" disclaimer in their post, and for previously-posted cards the author can edit their post to include that disclaimer.
Last edit: 06 Sep 2012 19:44 by BenPeal.
The following user(s) said Thank You: jhattara, Damnans, Robert Goudie, acbishop, D-dennis, Dorrinal

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07 Sep 2012 02:30 #36173 by Robert Goudie
Perfect responses, Ben. And exactly matching our intent.

Regards,

-Robert

_________________
Robert Goudie

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