Online
Rping is often freeform and generally more based on trust and
co-operative storytelling than in the rules and rulings of a
GM and system of a more traditional tabletop RPG scenario. Now
while this often allows for more flexibility, it also requires
more discipline and co-operation between the players, since
there is generally no GM there to drive the story and keep players
in line. Some people seem to be able to do this quite well and
are very fun to play with. Other people don't and seem to feel
the need to lord it up over other players destroying the fun
and feel of the game was well as making a twink out of themselves.
This page is to help you understand what is expected of you
in terms of manners when you game online, at least in the Shifters
RPG. Anyone else who happens to run and RP who wants to borrow
this blurb may distribute it freely as long as it is unmodified
and remains credited to me. Thanks.
Online
Roleplaying Etiquette 101
While
the medium can change,
IRC, IMs, mucks, mu*, or webchats, the general rules of polite
and good RP remain fairly consistent. There are several points
that people consistently forget when they, in their zeal to
RP, attempt to get involved in a given RP. This page is meant
to help you avoid these extremely common mistakes so that you
can avoid them before you start and make a better impression
and hence get better RP online.
The
first thing you should do, before you join any RP is to read
all source material related to or recommended by the RP in question.
Familiarize yourself with all the rules set down and TAKE THEM
SERIOUSLY. Most people don't write rules for no reason. If they
say 'no power gaming', or " no guns" , or " no
jedi", they probably mean it. So don't be expecting to
bring you favorite Jedi gunslinger combat monster into that
game. Don't even ask. After reading the source and material,
decide if you can live with the rules. Don't sit there and plot
how you can bend, break, or kiss ass to get around them, honestly
decide if you can live and abide by them. Do they fit your RP
style? Do you think you could have fun within the rules? If
you HONESTLY think the rules make the players and game sound
really lame, then obviously that game isn't for you. Do yourself
a favor and don't bother playing. If you do find the rules agreeable,
then proceed to making yourself a character.
When
making a character in online RP, let me give you some advice.
Combat monsters, ie- Characters who are exclusively focused
towards kicking the snot out of anything that moves, are NOT
the most interesting nor best choice when considering a character.
Why you ask? Well let me enlighten. In online RP, you can only
really hurt someone if they let you hurt them, meaning it really
doesn't matter how powerful you think/say your character is,
the other players govern the actuality of it. Also, most players
perfer story over combat, so if your character isn't interesting
outside combat, its pretty much a waste of time. Also, making
up random npcs just so you can kill them and show off how cool
and powerful a killing machine you are is lame. Its like watching
someone jackoff in public. Its just lame. Do yourself a favor
and don't be a lamer. Let me give you some character BUILDING
advice.
When
you first start in an RP :
DO NOT try to bring in an existing long term,
well loved character from another RPG as your first character.
- Chances are they will be too 'powerful' or not fit the genre
for your first character. Start with a new character designed
to fit in the game. Even games that say 'anything goes' often
prefer you start with something that isn't uberpowerful with
lots of history. Unless given express permission by a moderator
or the game organizer, assume you can't.
DO NOT try to use an existing character directly
from a TV series, videogame, movie, etc. - Derivative characters
are alright as long as they are not a direct canon. If you want
to play a guy who's been cursed into the body of a woman with
a trigger between the two, thats fine, just make sure its not
recognizably Ranma and that it fits with the genre/tone of the
game. Unless you are playing in a game that *specificially*
alows 'canon' or main characters from popular fiction/literature/entertainment
it is best to assume you cannot play them. Also as a note, most
such games already have the main roles filled. Best to check
before putting your best foot into your mouth.
DO take the time to flesh your character out.
People have history and exprience that shape their lives and
determine why they are a particular way. Make sure you determine
how your character got from A to B. Although try to keep it
to the point. Most people don't want to read a novel about your
character.
DO ask the moderator/owners if you have any
questions or want any tips about what to do or what not to do
before making a character.
DO try to make the character have flaws and
weaknesses that other people's characters can take advantage
of to get involved with yours.
While
you are working on your character, it is often good to simply
sit and watch the RP. Read up on the other characters and get
a feeling for how the RP works and the style of how everone
is RPing. How are they indicating OOC actions? what tense are
they posting in? How do they determine actions? What sort of
play to they seem to be engaging in? what are the current storylines?
This makes it easier to get involved once you finish you character.
Chat with the other players ooc and get to know them a little.
Ask them questions if you have them. It will save you problems
later.