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What do YOU want from a roleplay?
Topic Started: 11 Apr 2009, 08:03 (877 Views)
Hydro14
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Captain Switzerland
If you're just skim reading, skip to the dashed line.
The title says it all really. I've noticed a decline in roleplaying since we moved to the new site and after a lengthy debate with the rest of the staff, featuring Teh Synicalz suggesting any staff who aren't in more than 2 roleplays losing their position, we've more or less reached a conclusion. Synic raised the point that with so much other stuff going on in the forums, there's been too much stuff distracting people from what really matters, eating chocolate cookies and reading the newsletter, um, I mean roleplaying, yeah, that thing everyone's forgotten about.
The suggested solution was to dispose of these said diversions, or at least curtail them, however I don't think that would help. I think that the standard of roleplaying needs to be raised so that it can compete with the other activities on the site in terms of appeal and popularity.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With that in mind I've created this thread to ask all of you what it is that makes a roleplay special to you, so that we can make roleplays that are more popular. So I want everyone to post on this thread, just a few sentences outlining what we can do to make roleplays that you're more likely to invest your time in.
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Tyvm to Synical for sticking this signature together for me.


My loyalty is a double edged blade: I will stand by you while what you do is right and just, but I will never support you when doing so would force me to betray what I believe. If you're waiting for me to apologise for being who I am, you'll be waiting an eternity.

"Sandbars - because who drinks sand anyway?"
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Lord Synical
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Phoenix Rebirth
Elves.
Fire.
Death.
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Double 'The Fun' Felix, Jul 10 2008
12:55 AM
And I just wanted to say that using different colors in your roleplaying posts is distracting and should probably be avoided unless your name is Lord Synical, because he is an exception. A big exception. To everything. Thanks. He's also batshit insane.
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Hydro14
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Captain Switzerland
So in other words, a setting that permits you to use Flame.
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Tyvm to Synical for sticking this signature together for me.


My loyalty is a double edged blade: I will stand by you while what you do is right and just, but I will never support you when doing so would force me to betray what I believe. If you're waiting for me to apologise for being who I am, you'll be waiting an eternity.

"Sandbars - because who drinks sand anyway?"
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Lord Synical
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Phoenix Rebirth
Indeed.
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Double 'The Fun' Felix, Jul 10 2008
12:55 AM
And I just wanted to say that using different colors in your roleplaying posts is distracting and should probably be avoided unless your name is Lord Synical, because he is an exception. A big exception. To everything. Thanks. He's also batshit insane.
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Ducklord
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Groovy Chica
To be honest, I don't think there's ever any really effective way of getting people to do more roleplaying. It's not a simple matter of asking people what they want, because motivation comes and goes. They may be really excited about a particular genre, but you can't garuntee that they'll remain so. The standard of roleplaying on this site is actually really high (higher then I've seen in a long time, actually), and I don't think we should be looking to enforce a strict regime which would put new members off. I've always liked DR's laid-back attitude, whilst upholding a brilliant standard of writing - I really don't think you can, nor should, change that.

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^^clicky and join- more people needed!
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Hydro14
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Captain Switzerland
Ducklord
11 Apr 2009, 09:13
...I don't think we should be looking to enforce a strict regime...
Where did I say anything about taking such a measure except to say that it was an idea we'd discussed and disposed of? This is research so we can become better. Complacency in quality would truly be a mistake, there can always be improvement.

The discussion about strategy regarding combating inactivity is taking place on the thread with a title along the lines of 'Synical is not amused' in the staff general forum. This thread is simply asking people what they want in a roleplay.
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Tyvm to Synical for sticking this signature together for me.


My loyalty is a double edged blade: I will stand by you while what you do is right and just, but I will never support you when doing so would force me to betray what I believe. If you're waiting for me to apologise for being who I am, you'll be waiting an eternity.

"Sandbars - because who drinks sand anyway?"
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Ducklord
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Groovy Chica
Hydro14
11 Apr 2009, 09:25
Ducklord
11 Apr 2009, 09:13
...I don't think we should be looking to enforce a strict regime...
Where did I say anything about taking such a measure except to say that it was an idea we'd discussed and disposed of? This is research so we can become better. Complacency in quality would truly be a mistake, there can always be improvement.

Well, this is what I was getting at. It just seems to me like your trying to force people in the direction of the roleplaying forum and a higher standard of writing. By all means encourage and mentor people so that they can better their writing- it's what this site is about. I just feel as though it's an issue that cannot, and will not, necessarily be addressed. To me the site has always been a place where people can come for a chat and a great community, and know for certain that should they be spurred on to do some writing they can do with a bunch of excellent roleplayers.

I guess that the main point I'm trying to make is that if people know what they want in a roleplay, they'll make one themselves or discuss it in the already existing thread set up for just this purpose.
Edited by Ducklord, 11 Apr 2009, 13:51.
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^^clicky and join- more people needed!
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TheZamboniKnight
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I am Nathan Fillion.
I think we need more shits and giggles RPs with little to no plot and just a place to fuck around.

Otherwise. *shrug*

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"Drug induced awesome is not awesome, but a pretender to awesome.
True awesome comes naturally from within oneself."
Doc
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Quix
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Queen Quix the Quivacious
I like emotions and twists and character development over fights and combats - sure I can do both, but the previous gets me all warm and tingly =P

My dedication and loyalty to a particular roleplay is because I salivate at the thought of acting these twists and events out - but my motivations are different from everyone else - this is only what I seek for in a roleplay ^o^
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TheZamboniKnight
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I am Nathan Fillion.
Quixium56
11 Apr 2009, 15:06
I like emotions and twists and character development over fights and combats - sure I can do both, but the previous gets me all warm and tingly =P

My dedication and loyalty to a particular roleplay is because I salivate at the thought of acting these twists and events out - but my motivations are different from everyone else - this is only what I seek for in a roleplay ^o^
CHEERS. Character development is like, the funnest thing EVER. :love:

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"Drug induced awesome is not awesome, but a pretender to awesome.
True awesome comes naturally from within oneself."
Doc
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Hydro14
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Captain Switzerland
So, Duck, what you're saying is that we don't currently have a problem? Well, I guess that's your opinion, I don't agree but I won't argue the point further.

Zammy, Quix, thanks for your input.
Edited by Hydro14, 11 Apr 2009, 17:20.
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Tyvm to Synical for sticking this signature together for me.


My loyalty is a double edged blade: I will stand by you while what you do is right and just, but I will never support you when doing so would force me to betray what I believe. If you're waiting for me to apologise for being who I am, you'll be waiting an eternity.

"Sandbars - because who drinks sand anyway?"
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Meek
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a- doo
A unique mechanism. I'm a real fan of complicated game mechanism, hard to understand plots, and original approach.

The hard part here is to keep the RP from becoming a RPG, but if you succeed you'd have me interested. (aW is an excellent example)
I am the man of my house
Chips in my body and beer is my blood
I have left this couch less than 3 times
Unaware of nagging
Nor aware of the doorbell
Withstood pain to get you this damn house
Yet these hands will never wash the dishes
So as I pra- bitch, what are you still doing here? Go make me a sandwich.
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Teddy Slayer
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Terry Slayer
Players who don't vanish after three posts would be kinda nice. Oh sorry that's too much to ask isn't it. Nevermind then.
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Double Felix
Get off my duck
I'm guilty
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Lord Synical
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Important thread is important.

Moving on, I believe that a roleplay should have twists and realism, to a degree. Real emotion, real hurt, something that makes the reader want to become involved or alternatively - if they already are - continue to be involved.
Edited by Lord Synical, 11 Apr 2009, 22:20.
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Double 'The Fun' Felix, Jul 10 2008
12:55 AM
And I just wanted to say that using different colors in your roleplaying posts is distracting and should probably be avoided unless your name is Lord Synical, because he is an exception. A big exception. To everything. Thanks. He's also batshit insane.
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Lord Synical
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Phoenix Rebirth
Ducklord
11 Apr 2009, 13:49
Hydro14
11 Apr 2009, 09:25
Ducklord
11 Apr 2009, 09:13
...I don't think we should be looking to enforce a strict regime...
Where did I say anything about taking such a measure except to say that it was an idea we'd discussed and disposed of? This is research so we can become better. Complacency in quality would truly be a mistake, there can always be improvement.

Well, this is what I was getting at. It just seems to me like your trying to force people in the direction of the roleplaying forum and a higher standard of writing. By all means encourage and mentor people so that they can better their writing- it's what this site is about. I just feel as though it's an issue that cannot, and will not, necessarily be addressed. To me the site has always been a place where people can come for a chat and a great community, and know for certain that should they be spurred on to do some writing they can do with a bunch of excellent roleplayers.

I guess that the main point I'm trying to make is that if people know what they want in a roleplay, they'll make one themselves or discuss it in the already existing thread set up for just this purpose.
The stick.

Remove it.
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Double 'The Fun' Felix, Jul 10 2008
12:55 AM
And I just wanted to say that using different colors in your roleplaying posts is distracting and should probably be avoided unless your name is Lord Synical, because he is an exception. A big exception. To everything. Thanks. He's also batshit insane.
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Hydro14
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Captain Switzerland
Let's not let this conversation deteriorate ladies and gentlemen. This thread is meant to be constructive, not just another opportunity for people to vent their frustration.

Thanks also to Teddy and Mikado for their comments.
Edited by Hydro14, 11 Apr 2009, 22:28.
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Tyvm to Synical for sticking this signature together for me.


My loyalty is a double edged blade: I will stand by you while what you do is right and just, but I will never support you when doing so would force me to betray what I believe. If you're waiting for me to apologise for being who I am, you'll be waiting an eternity.

"Sandbars - because who drinks sand anyway?"
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Lieutenant
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Most Learned of the Students
I would like to point something out.

A) It's finals season. Everyone with finals has their attention elsewhere.

B) The ebb and flow of RP can be more accurately followed via dates, and where in the month/year people are more likely to lose interest.

C) One person quitting leads to others quitting because there is a lot of emphasis on 'turns'

D) Sometimes a RP gets bogged down in a side story or too much of one thing or another. RPs can come back to life with a good hard jumpstart.

Now school, family situations and whatnot, that's pretty hard to combat. However writers block isn't. It can be combated by any number of methods, including 'write anyway, dammit, no one cares if it's crap as long as it swings around to their turn again.' and more adding more inspiration. *ahem* Sorry, went off on a bit of a tangent, there.

What I look for in a RP is activity.

Lieutenant
Most Learned of the Students
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Will
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Deity
Two things really.
1. A good idea(can be highly varied), preferably with an interesting title.
2. The players are fairly active and the game/rules aren't too limiting or annoying.
Of Lead and Liquor- Join!
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There are only two kinds of people: Those who share my beliefs and opinions, and those who are dead.
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mouse
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Sparkly Vulcan Fairy
What I like from a role play is an interesting setting, a plot that doesn't go stale, and some good dynamic characters.

I know I definitely haven't been the most active person as of late (or ever, really). Recently, I've been trying to sort out which college to go to next year and how to pay for it, and I haven't had time to sit down and write a good post. I'm not so sure about the rest of the people who aren't active, but I'd bet that they just don't have the time either.

Something a little more frivolous than our average amazingly-well-written-holy-cheesecake-how-did-they-think-of-that-one role plays would be easier to keep up with for those of us whose lives are a bit busier than they'd like them to be.

In other words, I agree with Zammy.
Edited by mouse, 11 Apr 2009, 23:45.
The meteor men beg to differ.
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Arius Daemonis
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Guardian of the Dark Rain
You could always create a role play where members can role play as themselves (forum alias wise, or not) in the world of Dark Rain. No it won't be like Afterworld, more chillaxed and less storyline. That is the relaxed form of role play I can think of really.
Roleplays I am in:
Distant Stars
Proximo
Cowards and Fools: Civilisation
The Ghosts of Altressa
The Awakening
Odin IV
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SgtJesus
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Government in exile
um what do I want to see on the forum, Synical's third nipple, a 24hr newsfeed of the latest goings on in Portugal, cohesive evidence that Teal's a girl and Mikado's a German. Oh and another Battle for Dark Rain, although that last one is a little far fetched.
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Darky
 
You're a strange man, Jesus. A strange, wonderful man.
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Hydro14
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Captain Switzerland
So, to summarise what we have so far in order of appearance:
Pyromaniac elves
Light hearted atmosphere
Beleivable characters
A defined game engine that doesn't constrict the user's creativity
Activity
Good storyline and title
Possibly a roleplay centred around the site itself.

Anything I missed so far?
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Tyvm to Synical for sticking this signature together for me.


My loyalty is a double edged blade: I will stand by you while what you do is right and just, but I will never support you when doing so would force me to betray what I believe. If you're waiting for me to apologise for being who I am, you'll be waiting an eternity.

"Sandbars - because who drinks sand anyway?"
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Lord Synical
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Phoenix Rebirth
Hydro14
12 Apr 2009, 08:12
So, to summarise what we have so far in order of appearance:
Pyromaniac elves <- This.
Light hearted atmosphere
Beleivable characters
A defined game engine that doesn't constrict the user's creativity
Activity
Good storyline and title
Possibly a roleplay centred around the site itself.

Anything I missed so far?
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Double 'The Fun' Felix, Jul 10 2008
12:55 AM
And I just wanted to say that using different colors in your roleplaying posts is distracting and should probably be avoided unless your name is Lord Synical, because he is an exception. A big exception. To everything. Thanks. He's also batshit insane.
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Wildcard
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The Departed
Yeah I'm already running the highest-population RP on the site but I might run one I've been thinking about for a long time which is going to be rather... Chaotic. Based on an idea I heard once about a town that is a sort of nexus point for the multiverse. Allows for literally ANY character you can think of. Sure, it might be hard to get everyone to mesh but it's worth a try. I think people want something where they can use a new or favoured idea. The Gifted is successful so far because, let's be honest, we ALL have probably a dozen mutant powers we'd like to have.

If I can get the players of Hero college active again that'll be good. That too has allowed for people to play a variety of characters and that was the point.

tl;dr: People want something they can easily slip into and feel comfortable playing. We all have our own preferences, so RP's that allow for both deep character development and some gratuitous combat are a win for all, it seems. RP's without a plot rely on the players keeping each other interested.
A dream is real while it lasts.
Can we say more of life?
- Havelock Ellis
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