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Why do people RP around the MSQ? [Post 2.55 Spoilers] - Printable Version

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RE: Why do people RP around the MSQ? [Spoilers] - Seriphyn - 04-05-2015

(04-05-2015, 01:40 PM)Magellan Wrote: Yea, it's a fair point. It just raises a concern in me that mmo communities are no place for casuals. I feel like I'm breaking my back already trying to get caught up in PvE, let alone RP, and it's just extremely overwhelming at times. I think I've just got to accept that mmo rp is not the correct realm for me, and stick to my smaller groups.

Thanks for the viewpoints on this all. Much appreciated <3

It's not too tricky. Time between patches is 3 months, and the time to complete MSQ patch increments is measured in hours. 

That being said, I do believe that there should be a certain 'grace period' in public RP locations like the Quicksand where people are discretionary about plot reveals out in the open.

RE: Why do people RP around the MSQ? [Spoilers] - Coatleque - 04-05-2015

(04-05-2015, 01:44 PM)Seriphyn Wrote: That being said, I do believe that there should be a certain 'grace period' in public RP locations like the Quicksand where people are discretionary about plot reveals out in the open.

Sounds great on paper of course. Will never happen when a thousand strangers over the internet converge in one location.

RE: Why do people RP around the MSQ? [Spoilers] - Magellan - 04-05-2015

(04-05-2015, 01:44 PM)Seriphyn Wrote:
(04-05-2015, 01:40 PM)Magellan Wrote: Yea, it's a fair point. It just raises a concern in me that mmo communities are no place for casuals. I feel like I'm breaking my back already trying to get caught up in PvE, let alone RP, and it's just extremely overwhelming at times. I think I've just got to accept that mmo rp is not the correct realm for me, and stick to my smaller groups.

Thanks for the viewpoints on this all. Much appreciated <3

It's not too tricky. Time between patches is 3 months, and the time to complete MSQ patch increments is measured in hours. 

That being said, I do believe that there should be a certain 'grace period' in public RP locations like the Quicksand where people are discretionary about plot reveals out in the open.
It took me 2 years to reach lvl 50 Tongue I'm a bit of a 'special' case. (though not a special snowflake!)

RE: Why do people RP around the MSQ? [Spoilers] - Tiergan - 04-05-2015

(04-05-2015, 01:50 PM)Magellan Wrote:
(04-05-2015, 01:44 PM)Seriphyn Wrote:
(04-05-2015, 01:40 PM)Magellan Wrote: Yea, it's a fair point. It just raises a concern in me that mmo communities are no place for casuals. I feel like I'm breaking my back already trying to get caught up in PvE, let alone RP, and it's just extremely overwhelming at times. I think I've just got to accept that mmo rp is not the correct realm for me, and stick to my smaller groups.

Thanks for the viewpoints on this all. Much appreciated <3

It's not too tricky. Time between patches is 3 months, and the time to complete MSQ patch increments is measured in hours. 

That being said, I do believe that there should be a certain 'grace period' in public RP locations like the Quicksand where people are discretionary about plot reveals out in the open.
It took me 2 years to reach lvl 50 Tongue I'm a bit of a 'special' case. (though not a special snowflake!)

You also took a massive break from playing for a while, hon.

Also, please don't take this the wrong way as I don't mean this as harshly as it might come off, but if you have so little time that you can't tackle the MSQ - is it really worth paying the monthly subscription? I've always felt that if the game itself doesn't interest you enough where you actually want to play it, it would be much cheaper to just find a chat/tumblr/skype/forum-based RP community to engage in as it would be way more flexible, easier to tailor to your needs, and also free.

RE: Why do people RP around the MSQ? [Spoilers] - Magellan - 04-05-2015

(04-05-2015, 01:55 PM)Tiergan Wrote:
(04-05-2015, 01:50 PM)Magellan Wrote:
(04-05-2015, 01:44 PM)Seriphyn Wrote:
(04-05-2015, 01:40 PM)Magellan Wrote: Yea, it's a fair point. It just raises a concern in me that mmo communities are no place for casuals. I feel like I'm breaking my back already trying to get caught up in PvE, let alone RP, and it's just extremely overwhelming at times. I think I've just got to accept that mmo rp is not the correct realm for me, and stick to my smaller groups.

Thanks for the viewpoints on this all. Much appreciated <3

It's not too tricky. Time between patches is 3 months, and the time to complete MSQ patch increments is measured in hours. 

That being said, I do believe that there should be a certain 'grace period' in public RP locations like the Quicksand where people are discretionary about plot reveals out in the open.
It took me 2 years to reach lvl 50 Tongue I'm a bit of a 'special' case. (though not a special snowflake!)

You also took a massive break from playing for a while, hon.

Also, please don't take this the wrong way as I don't mean this as harshly as it might come off, but if you have so little time that you can't tackle the MSQ - is it really worth paying the monthly subscription?  I've always felt that if the game itself doesn't interest you enough where you actually want to play it, it would be much cheaper to just find a chat/tumblr/skype/forum-based RP community to engage in as it would be way more flexible, easier to tailor to your needs, and also free.
Nah, I don't take it harshly. It's a legitimate question, and the first time I played, I genuinely disliked the game, and was only here for rps (hence my ultra-slow leveling). So in that instance, you were probably 100% correct.

This time around, I'm actually enjoying the game quite a lot. To the point that I find myself rping less and less. However, the MSQ thoroughly bores me, as does much of the lore. That isn't to say that I set out to make lore-breaking characters, on the contrary, I try to adhere to as much of it as possible. But it does mean during my game time I'm much more likely to run dungeons or do challenge log, and stay as many malms away from questing as possible because... they just aren't fun to me Tongue. I skip the cutscenes almost universally, and rush through them merely to progress my character and open up more content.

So to see that the community is revolving around the MSQ I guess was a bit of a wake-up call, that my lack of interest in the MSQ and its associated lore will limit my rp opportunities.

RE: Why do people RP around the MSQ? [Spoilers] - Coatleque - 04-05-2015

(04-05-2015, 02:09 PM)Magellan Wrote: So to see that the community is revolving around the MSQ I guess was a bit of a wake-up call, that my lack of interest in the MSQ and its associated lore will limit my rp opportunities.

Well, I wouldn't say it's "revolving" around it per say.

Crofte, for example, is a Sultansworn. So things happening in Ul'dah right now will play heavily into how she reacts to things during Role-play.

Everything happening in Ishgard, however, I pretty much ignore.

RE: Why do people RP around the MSQ? [Spoilers] - Kellach Woods - 04-05-2015

(04-05-2015, 02:09 PM)Magellan Wrote: So to see that the community is revolving around the MSQ I guess was a bit of a wake-up call, that my lack of interest in the MSQ and its associated lore will limit my rp opportunities.

The MSQ is the backdrop, so to speak. It's a common denominator we can use to say "this is what is currently going on in the world right now".

My character has dick all to do with the MSQ. So he just keeps doing what he's doing.

RE: Why do people RP around the MSQ? [Spoilers] - Chris Ganale - 04-05-2015

Three of my eight characters would even be affected by it. One is an ex-Flames veteran and from Ul'dah, so obviously he's going to be greatly affected by the events, especially when the Syndicate is starting to drive smaller businesses into the ground since that means they're going to be coming after his employer/love interest. And that's not going to end well for whatever Syndicate lackey and his mook troop of Blades shows up to close her down.

Another character has no care at all for Ul'dah, but is keenly interested in the Dragonsong War because his father-figure mentor is a guard captain of House Fortemps, and was originally slated to die at the Steps of Faith until I played it and realized it wasn't the massive defeat I was expecting it to be. Still working on tweaking that story.

My only other character that would be 'affected' is only really going to be 'affected' by it in that it won't take her long to add up the numbers and realize that the Syndicate has either done in or flat usurped the sultanate and is attempting to seize control of Ul'dah. But she doesn't care and it doesn't truly have an affect on her because she's got her hands full dealing with Garlean assassins. And is going, "Huh, glad I decided to move out when I did."

The other five? They'd be hard-pressed to even notice shady shit going on in the Desert Jewel, as they're all in plots in Limsa or Gridania.

RE: Why do people RP around the MSQ? [Spoilers] - CrimsonMars - 04-05-2015

I don't. Chiyo is one of the last people to be up to date on anything regarding the main scenario since she isn't a Sultansworn, and unless her friends and family are involved, she has nothing to do with Ishgard.

RE: Why do people RP around the MSQ? [Post 2.55 Spoilers] - ArmachiA - 04-05-2015

Basically if it looks like something it going to have a wide sweeping impact on the world around you in the MSQ, it's probably wise to evaluate how it effect your character. I.E. The Calamity - none of the 1.0 roleplayers knew about it and had to make MAJOR adjustments to their characters because it had such a wide reaching scope. Every single corner of Eorzea was effected, it was impossible to pretend it didn't happen at all. It's really easy to take a step back and go "Okay so this looks like it will have wide reaching consequences <here>, does that effect my character at all? If yes, how?"

Then play accordingly.

On time, My FC generally regards each event as happening right before a patch. So, for example, the events of 2.3 will be put in during patch 2.4 (If applicable) in order to lesson spoilers and give people ample time to prepare. In 2.55 we plan on having Ellion (The IC leader) make a call to go help with the Steps of Faith (Since it actually says Free Company's went) but won't be doing that till about a week or two before 3.0 comes out.
Time is always iffy from group to group, so it's best to generally keep timelines hazy when rping in the open world. Haven't had an issue with it yet, really.

RE: Why do people RP around the MSQ? [Post 2.55 Spoilers] - K'nahli - 04-05-2015

Timeline is probably what affects me most. My main even has a half-sister, a former member of her tribe whom was once 1-2 years younger than her and is now two years older from what I've heard.

RE: Why do people RP around the MSQ? [Post 2.55 Spoilers] - Klynzahr - 04-05-2015

(04-05-2015, 01:26 PM)Magellan Wrote: I understand using the MSQ to enhance your personal rp amongst smaller groups, but am confused as to trying to apply it to the broader community based setting. I mean... we are all on different timelines within the MSQ. My character resides in Ul'dah a lot, and would be very thoroughly confused if someone was rping that the sky was falling, when it very clearly is not to her.

I'm actually in the same boat as you are right now, having just returned after a loooooong final fantasy hiatus. Since I opted to get my feet wet by leveling an alt first, I haven't touched a single piece of post launch MSQ. However despite being far behind, I prefer to view each patch as occurring and effecting the world 1-2 weeks after it goes live.

As others have pointed out the dynamic changes that these patches leave upon Eorzea, can spark character development, spearhead RP events, and enhance RP for lots of people. In my honest opinion the 'living world' created by these developments is one of this game's stronger points.

Unfortunately that leaves slow-pokeys like us, with the struggle of keeping ourselves current. There are several resources floating around. Youtube has videos of all the current cutscenes, if you wish to get a good overview without all the work of finishing the quests and instances. Alternatively, you can poke through the relevant threads on this site to see how other RPers are interpreting the developments. If you are adamantly against seeing any spoilers, you could always ask a friend to give you the barest rundown of anything that might effect your RP directly.

I personally enjoy the MSQ and prefer not to spoil too much of it's story telling. So my choice is generally to follow the forums rather than watching the cutscenes myself. I avoid spoiler tags unless the content seems to have very far reaching effects, like this patch did. My fiance on the other hand, refuses to have any more spoilers than necessary and was content to have me tell him only the most relevant details.

RE: Why do people RP around the MSQ? [Post 2.55 Spoilers] - Hyakki - 04-05-2015

I'm an idiot and had my character participate in SoF as a sellsword. The aftermath made her a paranoid wreck and her abandonment issues are resurfacing. I regret my decision but I have to roll with it.

I couldn't be satisfied with cactuar hunting and courier work, could I?

RE: Why do people RP around the MSQ? [Post 2.55 Spoilers] - Telluride - 04-05-2015

I could never RP a character as totally, frustratingly, obliviously daft as the person we're supposed to be as the Warrior of Light.

Bad guy tries to kill you repeatedly? Eh, let 'em go. They learned their lesson, right?

Roegadyn tries killing you during a contest. Game refuses to let you fight back, and also refuses to let you do anything at all after to see that he gets what's coming to him.

Evil Villain pretty much reveals his utter evilness right in front of you, and taking him out will save hundred, or thousands, of lives? Eh, stand still and let 'em live. It's not right to kill anyone unless that victim is some random soldier. Them, we can kill in droves...

...but our hero, who has trounced Titan, gutted Garuda, Impacted Ifrit, Lynched Leviathan, Ransacked Ramuh, undercut Ultima, and slaughtered Shiva, suddenly is a dainty and delicate flower among common thugs, who should die like grass under a scythe should Our Hero even try to fight back.

Minfilia is being a useless tool nine times out of ten? Oh, let's back her up no matter how stupid she's being, with nothing but a smile and a nod.

Hm, I'm trapped in a beastman jail, and can't get out? What? An aetheryte? What's that? Oh, it's that thing I have to remember exists to get to a DIFFERENT beastman secret area. Right.

Y'know, I can march right into the front door of this fortress and render the place empty of resistance in 15 minutes.... but no, let's go through with that complex plan that gets half our people kidnapped! Yay!

But of course, I''d love to do all your random household errands and chores and drive off that common fauna from your homestead, common folk! I am the Warrior of Light, and I have nothing better to do!

Oh, PLEASE keep smack-talking me, Mr. Scholarly type escort person. Please! These muscles and this weapon are surely just for show, and you MUST be a genius to have information that... oh, wait, that my good buddies, the Scions, surely know more about than YOU do, you simpleton. Please, annoy me once more, Professor Replaceable.

Noooooooooooope.

Not one of my characters even will acknowledge that the MSQ EXISTS except as mandated by world-shaking and realm-forming events, ones that someone else must have brought about, of course.

RE: Why do people RP around the MSQ? [Post 2.55 Spoilers] - Kalooeh - 04-05-2015

(04-05-2015, 01:37 PM)Tiergan Wrote:
(04-05-2015, 01:26 PM)Magellan Wrote: I do appreciate the amicable tone so far, and of course understand many of your points. However, as stated, some people haven't gotten through the storyline yet. And so... what is 'current events' to some, is not to others, even if their character legitimately should have experienced it due to their position/title.

I understand using the MSQ to enhance your personal rp amongst smaller groups, but am confused as to trying to apply it to the broader community based setting. I mean... we are all on different timelines within the MSQ. My character resides in Ul'dah a lot, and would be very thoroughly confused if someone was rping that the sky was falling, when it very clearly is not to her.

I don't remember whether you've had a great deal of experience RPing in MMOs or not.  Generally this is always a problem that happens in MMOs that have any sort of basic overarching story.

For the most part, in many MMO RP communities, every time a new patch comes out, its contents are the 'update' for current events happening in the world.  Otherwise the world would still be in its extremely stagnant 1.0 version or 2.0 relaunch version of itself for all of the RP community which would be very stale, would lock out new things like Doman roleplayers -- and would even prohibit everything in the upcoming expansion as all of the events in the MSQ lead up to what is coming next.  (AKA, you wouldn't be able to RP an Au Ra because they are virtually non-existent in the MSQ save for one main NPC.)

Also, it would directly clash with small things SE does to the world itself to imply time has changed, such as Mor Dhona constantly being updated to show that as time progresses, it becomes a bigger and better place.  

While this isn't necessarily fair for newer RPers or people who are much slower to complete the MSQ - it would prove to be more of a detriment than an asset over time.  Especially as SE continues to change/update the world and most of the RP community will have completed the story quests over those who have not.
It really doesn't matter where a character's personal timeline is at. It doesn't affect the overall story but if you're an rp'er you need to pay attention to world-current events and not just personal story/quest current events.
I have a Miqo that's sitting about level 30 and a Highlander at 50. They're obviously at different points in the story but I don't play them at being at different points in the overall timeline. I'm pretty casual and a super lazy leveler (Hell took me about a year to get Kal to 50 and only did just recently), but I still recognize the world doesn't revolve around my characters and where they are in the story. It's not like a normal single player game where it's where you are in the story affects the rest of the world.
Dhei isn't stuck in the past around events around the time you unlock Haukke manor. She's still part of the overall world and same with Kal and my being stuck at the just hitting 50 part. I'll get to the story eventually (after I get a new computer that can run the game), but the world isn't going to be static and overall events will continue to play out and I just need to read on what's going on and try to pay attention to the updates and other people and react to current events like everyone else.

Always surprises me how much rp'ers whine about spoilers when you'd think they'd want to know about world events that may affect their character, either by learning of it by word of mouth (which really is going to happen at some point) or by it affecting them directly. You can't really rp if you're worried about spoilers before you can get to them unless you elect to do the content before you rp. Not fair to others if someone icly talks about something that has happened and you get mad at them or deny it happening because you havn't done the content yourself. Really makes no sense.
Only time something like that is a problem is if someone's metagaming and talking about something their character couldn't really know, especially when it involves something that hasn't actually happened yet because it hasn't been added to the game and they only know about it because of developer announcements that it was coming.