Hello! Today, I want to talk about the Hunter: The Vigil Second Edition, and run through some of the decisions I’ll be weighing as I review candidates. I want to share with you what my thought processes are, too, so you understand some of the responsibilities I have as the developer for this game line.
First and foremost, I want to remind you that Onyx Path Publishing has always opened the door to freelancers. The instructions for the Submission Guidelines are available here, and I will be reviewing works based off of your ability to follow directions and internalize the content listed here: theonyxpath.com/submission-guidelines
Second, please understand that contacting my personal accounts through Twitter, Facebook, and my e-mail will not help you get hired. In fact, I will ignore your requests and wind up blocking you. The Open Call process is in place for a reason, and the writers who follow that methodology automatically “level up” in my eyes. If you can’t follow instructions, or if you can’t respect boundaries before I hire you, then that tells me you’re going to be difficult to work with. This advice is evergreen: follow the submission guidelines. That, in addition to focusing on your craft, will help you the most.
If you have questions, after reading this lengthy post, please post them in the comments and I will do the best I can to answer them.
A Menagerie of Voices
As I mentioned previously in my Open Dev posts, I reinforced that Hunter: The Vigil is a game that can be played by anyone, anywhere, regardless of how they identify, or where they live. This was the intent for the first edition, back when it debuted in 2008, this is true for all Onyx Path games, and it’s even more true now — especially given the fact that we have the technology to instantly deliver this game to fans around the globe. Even more exciting, is the fact that we have the means to hire a stellar team and conduct better research than we have before, too, so we can avoid problems or cultural inaccuracies as best we can that interfere with your ability to play Hunter.
To me, this means that the material in this 200,000 word corebook must reflect the experiences of diverse writers who can write, with authority, about their experiences. To clarify this further: I do not want to hire someone because of who they are or how they identify, but what that writer is comfortable and skilled to write about for players and Storytellers.
Here’s an example of what I’m talking about this:
Say I’m you, for a second, and I interpret this call as “the dev welcomes female writers.” So, I write in my cover letter that I’m female, and then proceed to send a submission outlining what I’d like to see happen for the Lucifuge conspiracy. How I would interpret that submission, as the developer, is that Monica wants to write about the Lucifuge. The information submitted doesn’t give me enough to go on, to show me what potential subjects I might put Monica on, so I’d focus on the writing itself. Instead, the Monica I want to hear from will tell me she’s the daughter of an Italian immigrant, she’s well-versed in Italian culture, she has performed a lot of analysis and research for her projects, and she writes a lot of alternate history. That gives me a lot more to think about, provided she followed the submission guidelines, because I know she’d be comfortable writing about her culture and that her contributions would feel authentic and work well for this game. Please do not take this as: “I need to send OP an essay about myself.” That is not the intent, here, due to the volume of submissions we’ve been receiving. Think “bullet points” instead of essay.
Mind you, I just glossed over that example with the broadest brush imaginable, but I hope you get the gist of what I’m getting at. To me, hiring a diverse team of writers is the best, possible decision for this game. But, and I’m going to repeat myself here again, that means I am looking for competent writers from a variety of backgrounds. The door is open, just as it has always been, and I welcome you to apply.
I am, however, also looking for people who love the Chronicles of Darkness rules. While we do have an existing pool of freelancers to tap into on all fronts, I am extremely passionate about giving new, capable folks a shot to flesh out our team.
Things to Keep in Mind
Thanks to Onyx Path and our relationship with Paradox, we can talk a bit more about the process of putting a game together. This is a unique opportunity for you, believe me, because though I get to work on a fantastic game, it is still a licensed property and normally the ins and outs of that workflow are kept close to the vest for a number of business-y reasons. That is the unsexy part, and I sympathize with y’all. I really do. When I was a fan I didn’t care about any of that stuff. All I wanted to do, was write the things I wanted to see in the game, and put my stamp on the properties I loved.
However, at the end of the day the decisions I make are to make Hunter: The Vigil 2nd Edition as playable as possible for both existing fans and new fans, while satisfying the creative and contractional obligations I have to Onyx Path. Thus, developers don’t make decisions for any one fan, and I think that’s something to keep in mind if you want to write for us. Or, to be perfectly blunt, I am not looking for divas — what I want are folks who are willing to follow direction, but are also excited about collaboration and being part of the Hunter team.
To that end, I feel very strongly that Onyx Path does everything within its power to prepare you for success, both at this company and for other gaming companies. While you’re submitting to the Open Call, I’m putting the finishing touches on a comprehensive outline and development plan that will be approved before writers are hired. There will also be a style guide, which you will be expected to follow, and chances for feedback on your initial draft. Combined, the expectations will be very clear on our end, and in my experiences that will help tap into your strengths as writers.
I am looking forward to building my team for Hunter: the Vigil 2nd Edition, and I hope that you are, too.
Good luck!
So what about freelancers already in the pool who have an interest in writing Hunter the Vigil? How best to toss in our hat for auditions?
(I ask because the two other people I’ve worked for have asked me to send them requests for jobs through their e-mail, which I don’t think quite applies here.)
Existing freelancers will be considered if they’re in the pool. No need to send me emails, because I can talk to the devs. Thanks!
Thank you for the prompt response. Whether I join the team or not, here’s to a great Vigil.
If my last open call submission was two years ago, would it be kosher to send in an updated submission?
I don’t consider submissions older than a year, typically, because as a writer you should be improving as time passes. Three years ago doesn’t reflect your best work, or the system we’ve got now.
Oh, that’s super handy, then, and thanks, Arc, for asking the question I was going to ask! I hope I get on the team, but if not, I look forward to an awesome game (and am always available for playtesting anyway!). 🙂
Hi!
I sent in a submission on May 8th, just to be considered in general for freelancing, will those already sent be considered too? I have not heard yay or nay from anyone on it so far. I can send another if it would be helpful.
Thanks!
It actually takes me a little while to process the submissions, so you’re fine.
Thanks, that’s what I was worried about! I appreciate the response.
In your example of what you want us to do, you mention writing an outline of what you’d want to do with the Lucifuge. Do you mean the usual 1000 words, or do you want us to write more along the lines of an overview “this is what I’d do and here are my thoughts” sort of thing? Or even both!
And just to make sure, this is the open call itself, not a heads up to get ready for the open call? I don’t want to submit something if I was supposed to be waiting for more information.
Is there any particular kind of submission you’d like to see? Suggestions on handling mechanics? Would you like to see new takes on old Orgs, or are you interested in seeing new Compacts and Conspiracies? Monsters? Any of the above? I just want to make sure my ducks are in a row before I try Hunter is my favourite game, and I wouldn’t want to mess up a chance to get to write for it.
Any previous submissions will be considered. Please be patient, thanks. I haven’t hired anybody yet.
Great! Oh, yeah, take as long as you need. I was trying to give as much information as I had to help things on the backend I might not be aware of (i.e. someone else is looking at it right now, someone already deleted it after looking at it, etc.). I didn’t want lines to get crossed.
I didn’t mean to come off as impatient. My apologies.
Write what you want to show me your competency and interest in the game. Don’t write what you think I want, because if you do that your submission will be weaker since I haven’t given any instructions or clarified the parameters yet.
I’d love to get a chance to write for the line, but I both understand and appreciate what you’re going for: fresh faces with new POVs to bring to the table. All it can do is make the product better.
Yes, folks, this IS the Open Call. Please use the system that’s in place, already. Thanks!
I fired off a submission in late April, but what’s more important to me is that the new edition of Hunter can be the best game it can. I hope you can build an awesome team!
Guess I’m going to put my Geist-based submission on hold for now. I think I know exactly what to write for Hunter.
When is the deadline for submissions?
I’m going to be reviewing submissions over the next 60-90 days or so. I’d give yourself a month to apply, but I wouldn’t sit on this until Labor Day. Thanks!
Awesome news! Just a quick question, though – I’ve written on two upcoming books (Dark Eras Expansion and Shattered Dreams), but I’m not entirely clear on whether I’m in this elusive “writers pool”.
Is there a way I can find out? I would be absolutely thrilled to work with you on Hunter, so I’m more than happy to fill out another submission if that’d help. 🙂
As I said earlier in the post and in the comments, existing freelancers will already be considered. Thanks.
Awesome, thanks for the confirmation! 🙂
I feel you, NateD’s. It’s almost a shame not to submit as I don’t think OOP knows anything about my background.
Thanks for the update. I submitted some Hunter-specific material earlier this year. Given the strength of Requiem and the recently released Awakening, I would love to be involved in developing Hunter for the Chronicles of Darkness. Thanks!
Hey, first of all, thanks for putting so much into research! I’m not trying to throw dirt on the White Wolf of old (those were different times), but I really like what OP is doing whenever the writers go outside the US borders for ideas.
I’m not a potential writer (English is my second language and, well, as much as I’d like it I don’t have the time anyways), but I just wanted to tell you that we “forumers” can always help for the little minutia if you don’t have writers with first hand knowledge at the time.
Like, I was reading about your example on the Lucifuge and I was screaming “I can help! I can help! I am Italian! I live there!” (Also, I’m still holding my fingers for an Italian city write up for HtV…). I don’t think you’re going to need help, but, just in case, for minor things… we here.
I’m sorry if this has been answered elsewhere, but is there a deadline for submissions for this project? Thank you
Quothe Monica:
“I’m going to be reviewing submissions over the next 60-90 days or so. I’d give yourself a month to apply, but I wouldn’t sit on this until Labor Day. Thanks!”
Thank you
This sounds like a wonderful opportunity; I’m not too familiar with the mechanics, but I can remedy that. Anyway looking forward to new experiences and opportunities
oh god oh I missed it! gotta work on it right away!
Been a week since the blog went up, but I keep forgetting to ask: What’s the policy on people sharing their ideas? I like to put things up on my blag to share and store them. The submission guidelines and disclosure form really seem more about what OPP can do with our work, but I get the impression putting stuff up on Reddit/4chan/a blog/the forums before it can get reviewed is probably not kosher?