Hi folks!
So this topic comes at the risk of me seeing annoying, but I am attempting to be as proactive in my ambition as possible! Before I really get into this though, as per someone's recommendation (I forgot who sorry!), I'll start with the TL;DR version of the thread.
I've been trying to get a group going for weekly, plot-based RP, that is of course, open to the public. There are some basic attendance and procedure requirements, but that is just so we have consistant characters (since it has a plot) and anyone can join at any time, as long as we have enough warning. Anyway, its been hard to get people to join up, whether to join the FC or the associated link-shells. So I want to ask if anyone is interested, and if so, how can I get you to join up?
Meet me in-game tonight (I'll be on in half an hour), pm me here on the forums, or skype me at lynn.performance anytime if interested, or you would like to join the discussion.
THERE IS AN OPEN FORUM SKYPE/MESSANGER/INGAME CHAT DISCUSSION WITH MY FC AND OTHERS TONIGHT, WEDNESDAY OCT 30, BETWEEN 7:00PM PST AND 10:00PM PST
Background
This effort started as part of the drive to supplement my FFXIV writing project, which was to write novelized text based on actual real-life RP. You can find more on that here:
http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/showthread.php?tid=5018
However, that project has since stagnated due to the lack of RP that this past week has been a busy week for me. I've since passed on my duties and am going full steam on this until I can get a good group together.
Needs to make it work
First a personal, request. I've outlined a basic working of how I wanted to handle this on my FC page. However, I won't link that yet, since the FC itself is just taking off and I need officers first so I can properly focus on this. I plan for the FC to be the organization department/force behind the plot based RP as well as be the social group for leveling, dungeon crawling, events planning, and just cool stuff.
Anyway, the real needs of actual plot-based RP is:
I'll be honest, I don't know if a LS or FC or other arbitrary group of RPers exist like this yet. However, I'd like to get some serious plot-based RP going. Let me first explain how plot-based RP works (in my mind), along with some challenges it faces as well as some ideas I am juggling.
Anyway, I'd like your help on all this (you being the community). I'd like to gather participants, constructive criticism, and support for this effort and thanks for any feedback or replies to this post!
See you all online!
EDIT: Changed a section name and added more info. This post is already too long, but info is info...
So this topic comes at the risk of me seeing annoying, but I am attempting to be as proactive in my ambition as possible! Before I really get into this though, as per someone's recommendation (I forgot who sorry!), I'll start with the TL;DR version of the thread.
TL;DR Version
I've been trying to get a group going for weekly, plot-based RP, that is of course, open to the public. There are some basic attendance and procedure requirements, but that is just so we have consistant characters (since it has a plot) and anyone can join at any time, as long as we have enough warning. Anyway, its been hard to get people to join up, whether to join the FC or the associated link-shells. So I want to ask if anyone is interested, and if so, how can I get you to join up?
Meet me in-game tonight (I'll be on in half an hour), pm me here on the forums, or skype me at lynn.performance anytime if interested, or you would like to join the discussion.
THERE IS AN OPEN FORUM SKYPE/MESSANGER/INGAME CHAT DISCUSSION WITH MY FC AND OTHERS TONIGHT, WEDNESDAY OCT 30, BETWEEN 7:00PM PST AND 10:00PM PST
TL;DR Expanded Version
Background
This effort started as part of the drive to supplement my FFXIV writing project, which was to write novelized text based on actual real-life RP. You can find more on that here:
http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/showthread.php?tid=5018
However, that project has since stagnated due to the lack of RP that this past week has been a busy week for me. I've since passed on my duties and am going full steam on this until I can get a good group together.
Needs to make it work
First a personal, request. I've outlined a basic working of how I wanted to handle this on my FC page. However, I won't link that yet, since the FC itself is just taking off and I need officers first so I can properly focus on this. I plan for the FC to be the organization department/force behind the plot based RP as well as be the social group for leveling, dungeon crawling, events planning, and just cool stuff.
Anyway, the real needs of actual plot-based RP is:
- I would like some people to help me plan the RP. These people will help guide the plots and schedule the weekly RP session.
- I'd like a historian. Someone who will copy the chat log of the RP into a text file with no formating and I'll slave through the text myself.
- I'd like RPers, and a health variety! I already have a planned plot, so I'd like to start on that first, but if you want to start your own let me know and I'll try to help make it happen.
I'll be honest, I don't know if a LS or FC or other arbitrary group of RPers exist like this yet. However, I'd like to get some serious plot-based RP going. Let me first explain how plot-based RP works (in my mind), along with some challenges it faces as well as some ideas I am juggling.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Plot-Based RP?
Plot-Based RP is role-playing to a player storyline. This may be driven by an individual, supplemented by the reactions of the participants, much like a Dungeon Master in Dungeons and Dragons, or by a group of people, as is often the case in online RP. As many of you probably immediately notice, there are a few challenges, which are addressed below.
- Got a plot yet?
Yes I do! Its more designed as a starting point, and we'll have a discussion on the actual direction, but we have the premise of an Ul'dahn Murder Mystery/Crime adventure thing. You can find the premise in this post:
http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/showthread....7#pid66197
- How is scheduling handled?
I'd like to make the plot-based RP a weekly event. Each week we have a meeting to decide the direction of the plot and on the weekend we RP the plot out.
- What about open RP?
I'm about to suggest something that may put some people off, but I am planning on treating outside RP as "non-canon". I encourage open RP, but it makes it too hard to keep the plot intact if I have to keep track of all RP at all times. But there are ways to keep outside RP canon with the plot. Example: Say my char is going to war. Any RP outside of the plot of the war, I consider "shore-leave" or "leave" or a sidestory or something. Something along those lines.
- If someone cannot make the weekly RP sessions what happens if people RP on their own?
I think our group of players is awesome enough to accommodate with at least some prior notice. :-) We can twist the plot that will allow for someone to not be there or just move the RP scheduled time.
- This doesn't really allow for Open RP and creates a closed RP group. How to deal with that?
Honestly, I don't think that matters. I think before every RP session (as mentioned above), if we know before hand you want to join, we can find a way to insert a character in. There is always a way! Besides we are a very creative community! The only thing that is not allowed, mostly, is literally barging in DURING RP, which is hard for some folks, including myself.
- There is a plot barrier of entry. If you haven't been keeping up with the plot, how can you expect to join?
After every planning session, I'll release a summary story board of the plot we have RPed and what we will RP. Think, "Previously, on 24..." style and "Next time on..." from television. After about 2 weeks of each RP session, I'll attempt to novelize the RP with all the gruesome detail as part of my writing project.
- How do you enable consistency and cohesiveness?
Careful planning with the participants. There will be a weekday planning session, that will decide the plot by committee. BTW I don't mean the WHOLE plot. I mean, we'll talk about where we left on and where will begin the next session. From there we will go with the flow. Rinse and repeat.
- Why plot-based and not open?
I have a fairly selfish reason for this, I'll admit. I mentioned earlier in this post that I want to write all the RP down in a novelized formats. That means proper sentences, full paragraphs, lore, etc. But most importantly, that means there needs to be a beginning, a middle, and an end. That can be really hard in free-form open RP. Thats the main reason.
- ARE YOU CRAZY? Some say I am, but I am inclined to disagree. :-)
Anyway, I'd like your help on all this (you being the community). I'd like to gather participants, constructive criticism, and support for this effort and thanks for any feedback or replies to this post!
See you all online!
EDIT: Changed a section name and added more info. This post is already too long, but info is info...