Difference between revisions of "Talk:Roleplay"

Revision as of 16:02, 27 April 2009

Could we put the discussion from "How Not to Sound Like a Madman" here? --Evanda Char 19:28, 27 April 2009 (UTC)

CCP Eris Discordia - 2005.11.25 11:46:00

This thread is meant to give helpful advice to people who want to start to roleplay more actively and use this forum.

It is not meant to tell people how to roleplay but to give advice on how to express themselves in a in character (IC)way, how they can come up with a history for their character and any other advice you can think of.

Often I see new players post in this forum and because they are new to rp they have some problems adjusting to this forum,hopefully this thread can help them a bit on their way.

So please share any advice you have on rp, staying ic and whatnot.

Lord Artemis - 2005.11.25 12:24:00

Don't lose your bearing here, if your offended OOC [out of character], or your posting OOC you have already made the biggest mistake you can. If you want to ask OOC questions or your not sure the intent behind a post, contact the person outside this area (their corp/alliance forum, evemail, private chat) open up a dialog. By doing this you can find out if the other person has a bigger picture in work behind what you see or interpret.

Before coming here to "act out" as your character, it might be a good idea to write a small story on your characters background and what kind of person he/she is to get yourself a starting point.

Finally, never stop asking questions or learning. Find out who the more experienced people are and talk to them while your building up in game or traveling. Most of them are very approachable and will help you where/when they can. Also talk to several people, you have to find the style that fits you best and works for you. Your only limited to your own imagination and have fun doing it.

Dak Hakin - 2005.11.25 13:26:00

For me, when I decided to become more RP, I first had to decide where I stood... As a Minmatar, I have a good bit of background to work with. So then it was a matter of, "am I a freedom fighter, a former slave, or do I just not give a crap and I only worry about myself".

Now I kind of make it up as I go along. I keep a journal in the Library, though its sometimes short and not very interesting. Just remember to stay true to the character that you create.

Marie Trudeau - 2005.11.25 13:52:00

Roleplaying is exactly what the word says: playing a 'role' of a character that is not you, that is not your alter-ego. It's basically saying that you treat your character as a separate person from yourself, and act accordingly when you are "in-character" (IC), and you don't treat your character as an extension of yourself, or as a 'toon' that represents your real-world self in the game.

It's a good idea to give some thought to your character's background and motivations. Where do they come from? What are they seeking in the world of EVE? What is their personality like? What drives them forward day-to-day? Give some thought to these and flesh out a character that you would like to play, and then dive in and act like that character, not like yourself.

Finally, a critical point in roleplaying is to remember that when you are roleplaying and interacting with other roleplayers, do not act out of "out-of-character" (OOC) motivations. You need to maintain the distinction between what is happening to your character and what is happening to you in real life ... your character is not you, that is the whole point of roleplaying. Do not take things personally that happen in a roleplaying setting, because it isn't about you, it's about your character. And do not take your own OOC beefs with someone into an IC setting, either, because once you blur that distinction, unhealthy things can happen. Keep your character separate from you (as an actor keeps himself separate from a role he is playing) and you will be fine.

And most of all, run with it and have fun! Don't be afraid to b e a little zany ... roleplaying is supposed to be immersive and fun, so prepare your character, prepare yourself mentally and just jump in!

Wanoah - 2005.11.25 13:54:00

Good idea, Eris. It can be a little intimidating to start posting in here with all these grizzled, bitter and twisted veterans sniping at each other. Smile

My top tips:

Do not use references to other worlds (including the real one) in here. Other game worlds, films, favourite books, comics, or whatever just don't exist in Eve. Your character isn't a Night Elf that has fallen through a wormhole to find herself in Eve. Ever.

A more positive thing after the big 'DO NOT' paragraph, is that it is reasonably easy to talk in character in Eve. No need for any kind of archaic speech or anything like that. (Or to use lots of apostrophes. ;) )

Above all, have fun with what you're doing and be flexible.

There is a list of roleplaying corps here if you are looking to play with some of the established people and conflicts.

Nooey - 2005.11.25 14:15:00

Don't speak out of character. (Say words like "game", or "PvP" etc)

EVER.

We have unofficial forums for that.

((Heavily Edited Post))

Wanoah - 2005.11.25 14:27:00

> "So please share any advice you have on rp, staying ic and whatnot."

Reread that sentence Nooey - I think you have misunderstood. (Wink)

"So please share any advice on RP, any advice on staying IC..." if you want to write it longhand. We're hardly going to give advice in character! (Very Happy)

Pulgor - 2005.11.25 14:49:00

Humm...

Well most of these fine folks have said what I already wanted to say. To add to that I think that one thing that's important is, unfortunately, to make sure you read all the chronicles, short stories etc... I know they're long and annoying and even have errors in some of them, they'll help you get a general idea of where all the organizations stand and the history of EVE. (Alternatively if it's too much reading. You can always ask some folks on the OOC channel about a particular piece of history, I'm sure they will help you out.)

After you have your character's race, and know the background, think about how he/she fits into all of it. Try not to go for anything too outhere. Like "Well origionaly I was a dark iron dwarf but then I found a mysterious portal and now I'm a capsule pilot and I'm all helpful now." Don't use other games and stuff and stick with EVE, it has more backstory then most. And I'm proof that you can still do something unique without going way out there. Just stay within the PF and at the very least your character will be somewhat believable.

Other then that, just make sure you know your character and go out and have fun. A good channel to start RPing on is "The Summit" and if you're playing one of the more common types in the game (Amarr loyalist, Republic Loyalist/Freedom Fighter, etc..) you may even find a good corp there. Even ingame though 7ry |\|07 70 7al|< li3k 7his. Abbriviations are alright, but leet speek just sounds bizzare in an RP environment.

Oisin - 2005.11.25 14:59:00

Read the "Prime Fiction" - the backstory, the chronicles, the short stories, the tech pieces, etc. Those are the "facts" you need to work with.

Then read some of the Library, bearing in mind that these are more personal stories rather than established facts.

Finally, try following this forum and the ingame news to keep up with developments so you can interact with other roleplayers... some would say if you aren't interacting, you aren't roleplaying.

Nooey - 2005.11.25 15:02:00

>>"So please share any advice you have on rp, staying ic and whatnot."

>"Reread that sentence Nooey - I think you have misunderstood. (Wink)

>"So please share any advice on RP, any advice on staying IC..." if you want to write it longhand. We're hardly going to give advice in character! (Very Happy)"

Wow I feel stupid. How did I miss that? o.0

Thanks for being gentle Wanoah :)

Nooey - 2005.11.25 15:44:00

Well...anyways. Now I'm "free" to speak OOC... (Embarassed)

The most important tip = Take notice of the world around you.

THIS SIMPLE ADVICE CANNOT BE OVERSTATED ENOUGH!

Don't be yet another RP'er who just waits for their turn to speak. Be the one who notices EVERYTHING. Every little detail should be of at least some interest to you - that's important to realise - you gotta be interested in the world, not just in your own story. One can do some great RP without even mentioning themself, they can just feed off all the other RP floating around and interact with that.

Example: 3 people. Person A and B are lovers. A gives B a bracelet for B's B'day (Avon's Puns > My puns). You are person C. You notice this happen. You make a mental note of it and remember it. It will be just one of the many RP "Cards" you can play, should your RP stagnate, or should there be a lull in coversation.

And sometime later, when there's an opportune and appropriate time, you remark casually that its a beautiful bracelet, and enquire where B got it from. And RP ensues. RP that has nothing to do with Slaves, Capitalists, Hippies or Freedom fighters!

It's so refreshing when someone brings up, out of the blue, a little detail you previously RP'ed. It shows you that they're noticing you, and that your RP action had an RP consequence. This helps create immersion in the game which is arguably the whole point of RP.

• Someone else just mentioned taking into account the news stories etc, this is another example of that. :)

Your not just walking talking stories, your capsuleers interacting in a very new, captivating and dynamic world.

Now...keeping this in mind, lets discuss stereotypes.

Some other RP'ers are rabidly anti-stereotype, and simply don't have the time of day to RP with "yet another" Ultra-Capitalist Caldari (Which to an extent is understandable - if they've been RP'ing a while its probably very familiar ground!). Many new roleplayers come into Eve and understandably, try to pick the RP up as they go along, as reading backstories endlessly isn't really fun. And besides, one has to get a feel of the world and exerperience it first hand to truly learn properly from it (Hence the importance, especially in early weeks, of listening to people and taking notice!).

Starting on basics, fine, it's inevitable. It's gonna be very hard to RP a freedom fighting Amarr on day 6. Just remember, you don't have to stay there...let your character evolve as your understanding of the world does. Don't ever paint yourself into a corner RP-wise unless you are very sure that is what/who you want to be for a long time. (Or can think up great excuses for total ideological 180's - Which many have done convincingly!)

On a related note, you have to be consistent. You can't be shy one week and bold the next unless there's some reason for it. You can't be a rabid anarchist and then just turn around and declare your love for the Caldari State, unless you have a reason for it. Everything needs a reason. Or a reason why it has no reason!

Consistency is easier if you've got some kind of a "plan". If you're making it up as you go it's a bit harder to keep track of everything you've said (Because it wasn't something you'd planned to say, it just poppped out, and as such you may have forgotten you ever even said it - And yet it might have had some significant impact in RP terms on another character.)

Another newcomer mistake is to rush their RP...

Often the newcomer RP'er has formulated at least some kind of story in their mind, some kind of RP. They then sometimes feel that, to be "known" by another person, that particular information simply HAS to be said, and HAS to come out right now.

Use that image of yourself as a building block, and make it motivate your actions. Build a believable character on top of your story so that WHEN you do decide to tell it (Which shouldn't be at the drop of a hat unless there's a good reason!) it comes out better.