What is Foreshadow?
Foreshadow is a contest.

A contest gets in own area on a website?
Well, foreshadow is not just any contest. It is a content creation contest.

Okay, I'll bite. Just what does that mean?
Foreshadow is Red Knight Entertainment's Game Material Creation Contest. Basically Foreshadow is a contest that opens from time to time allowing you, the player/fan to create new characters, scenarios, vehicles, map areas etc and getting them published as official RKE Game Material.

How is the work I make published?
Like all other RKE Products. The winning work is collected, gone over carefully then produced in free downloadable PDF's for RKE Games.

How often does the contest commence?
When I take a break from my work I will open the doors for a contest. The contest may be for one game or many games. It depends on what I feel is needed material wise and what fans really want to create for.

How many winners are there per contest?
Unlike most other contests where you have a top 3, 5 or 10, all entries I deem good are winning entries. If I like it then you will get published. No good idea will be rejected due to numericial limitation.

How do I get started?
Easy. Hahahah. Sorta.

1. All games must utilize Pilgrim Cell. If you don't have Pilgrim Cell then you really won't know how to make anything. If you are going to make characters/units/scenarios then you will also need GRIM. Also you will need the game in which you are making shit for. Go figure. Everything needed is explained below in further detail.

2. Frequently asked questions and creative help will be posted here for all games. Types of things you can make IE characters or scenarios etc, will have all requirements posted here. (At bottom)

May I do art for any scenarios/units I make in Foreshadow or can I have a friend do art?
No. I do all/anything art/design oriented under RKE. All you gotta do is develop a presentable text file. Art , layout and design of the characters/scenarios are my job. However if you would like to communicate to me certain ideas by email or photos/sketches you had for what you created ie weapons/looks feel free to do so and I will see if I can incorporate any of it.

Do I get a free copy of what I produce content for?
Concerning final PDF downloads, of course the PDF downloads are free. If your creation is turned into a miniature then you will get the miniature for free also.

What kind of units can I make for your games?
Look for the link below to your chosen game. A list of available forces/character classes will be listed along with ideas for what type of characters you may make. If you want to make something and you are not sure whether it is acceptable just ask and I will let you know. As for detailing the creation, you are on your own.

One stipulation is you cannot change what already is. You can only add to a game. You cannot change or tweak what has already been published. Make sure when you submit your material that it is the way you want it. After you seal the deal it's gone like a fart in gale force winds.

May I write stories for my created units detailing characters, conflict and action?
Well you always have to write a unit description for created units. As for short stories, if you think you are up to the challenge then sure.

May I write stories about characters you have made?
Generally NO. And if you make a character VERY similar so you can write in that vein it will be fucking axed. But you can always ask. It comes down to which character really.

May I write about characters fans have made?
You must contact them and ask for permission since they are the creative directors of their own work. However it would be really fun to see groups of fan made characters interacting in stories and adventures.

Do I have to write stories for my created units detailing characters, conflict and action?
No. We do require some sort of unit description and brief history. If you are more of a technical type person who likes to create units and stats to fit into games then stop by the forums and see if someone will help out. On the flip side if you have a creative idea but don't quite know how to get it out of your system browse the forums and see if you can come up with any ideas.

Is it possible to make similar units to what others have already created?
Yes but they must be substantially different. The more the fans create for certain games the harder it will be to make what you like because more and more ideas will already have been taken. So if you have an idea get it out before someone else does.

Creative ideas that are too similar will get axed. Pending the game world and how open it is there is only so much you can create. It will be vastly more difficult to create for a game that has been around for years as many ideas will have been used up.

For instance you can only have so many vampire hunting groups or vampire types in Blood Hounds. The more you work at making your character/unit unique with background story, weapons and abilities the better off you will be. Shit slapped together will get tossed.


Who owns any units/scenarios written materia I produce?
All content produced is the property of Red Knight Entertainment. Uh, duh.

Can I host what I make on my own website?
No. You can talk about what you made and put up a link to the official game website where you character is featured but you cannot host company copyrighted soon to be published material from RKE on your website. (The exception being Web Media and banners which is free to use on your website)

What if I make material for a game but don't submit it to Foreshadow? Then can I host it on my website?
No. By displaying the games name along with content for it like Pilgrim Cell stats etc, you would still be displaying copyrighted published material from a actively selling product on your website. Like I said, you can talk about what you made and tell people where to get it but you cannot host in any way shape or form RKE product.


Why not just let anyone make what they want and host it?
Lack of quality control and hundreds of websites hosting thousands of creations is a mess. The whole purpose is to make something better by COLLECTIVELY advancing it and officially producing it. Now privately you can make whatever you want for you and your friends. But publicly, that's a whole different ball game.

If I make a unit Foreshadow can someone else change/add to what I make?
No. Once it is published you are the creative director for your idea. If you don't want someone adding to or expanding what you made then you have the final say. If you do not care if people add to your ideas then let me know and I will let others know that your ideas may be extended upon. (For instance someone could take the character you made and have it lead a unit later on or even write about your character in a short story with several other characters)

May multiple people work on/be credited for making one creation?
Yes. Just let me know who worked on it so you may all be credited. Whether a group of friends or internet companions.

How do I layout my work? What all do I need to include?
A detailed list of guidelines are available for everything you need to create found in the links way below. In addition to the guidleines you must have:

1. Pilgrim Cell - What rules will your character take advantage of? What rules will your character dodge? How will your character play in the game?

2. GRIM - Contains charts, graphs and a shitload of things to rememeber covering all aspects of making a unit for any RKE Game.

3. The Game your making the unit for. What's the game about? Do you know the history of the world in which your character resides in order to properly detail the its bio. How does your character fit in? What alignment is it? Basically you've got to have the game you want to make shit for.

4. Optional - Pending what you're making it would be wise to look over character PDF's and/or scenario packs. If a shitload of characters have been made then it's pretty much a given someone will have made a few things you will have wanted to. From overall character, abilities, powers, weapons and more, it would be very beneficial to know before hand. Concerning scenarios the same logic applies.

Personally I can only do so much. If you don't know what people have made and in turn make something very similar it will get axed. That's that. I cannot look at every entry beforehand and tell you whether or not you are on the winning path. That is why it's a contest. Win or lose.

What format should I work in?
You will need to download a .rtf text file from this website at the bottom of this page. It will have all the stats and areas of interest you need to fill out in order to submit a character for the contest.


Do my creations have to support LoC?
They need to support whatever the game supports. Again just follow the creation guidelines for what you are making. Everything you need to support or work on will be listed ready for you to dig in.

Will you ever stop taking character and scenario submissions for games you make?
Not entirely, however contests for certain games will become more infrequent so get in while the getting is good.


How will I know when a Foreshadow Contest has opened?
1. Public anouncement that contest will be open soon and for what game. Start working on your entries.
2. Public anouncement that contest has opened.
3. Public anouncement Contest is wrapping up soon so hurry up and get your entries in.
4. Public anouncement Contest has ended and judging will commence.
5. After contest ends all winning contestants/work will be announced within a few weeks.

Why should I make Foreshadow Contest Content? What do I win?
1. You will add to an already existing product base and game world. You will make what you play bigger and better with carefully checked quality content. Everyone who plays the game will enjoy your creations for free!

2. You will be credited right next to your creation/material forever and ever on this website.

3. All approved game characters will get color art done for them.

4. Most character/unit creations will get miniatures sculpted after them. After all were making miniature games right? What's the point in making characters without representation? To have it on paper? This aint a RPG. Yet. ;)

5. Pending how much fun I have with the sketch of your character I may pencil shade the sketch and... put it up to bid on so you can watch others fight over your character art. Or I may just send it to you in the mail. Who knows? I sure don't.


In the end:
All you gotta do is make a text file with a decent unit/scenario/story working on it whenever you feel like. In return if you do good it will get published, officially supported in a game you play for others to enjoy and for character creation you get full color art of your character and a very good chance of your creation becoming a miniature. All because you worked on a idea, typed it up and submitted it. Wooooohooo!!!

But I say again, wooooohooo!!!

Help make my vision even better coupled with your own. Once I tap out on a game it's your turn to jump in. I mean we all have that voice in our head, "If only they would make this or that."

I can't stick around and develop a game I make for the next five years. I got other games to make, ideas burning holes in my fricking head that need to move forward. You like the game? Then rock it out before I phase it out.

If it's solid and it fits in the world it's going in. There ain't nothing to it. Once in a while a contest named Foreshadow will rear its ugly head. Maybe it will be for a game you enjoy. If so, what are you going to do about it?

To email questions and content go to my CONTACT page and find the appropriate email.

Thanks

Foreshadow Creation Guidelines/Help