(03-02-2015, 01:22 PM)Gegenji Wrote:(03-02-2015, 01:09 PM)Graeham Ridgefield Wrote: The biggest obstacle is often finding like-minded role-players to indulge in grand tales of adventure involving meaningful consequences and genuine character depth. In my experience a significant chunk of role-players in MMO's are content to indulge in 'tavern' and 'romance' role-play whilst very rarely touching upon anything else.
But could they not be "content" just because they are unwilling or afraid to put in the effort for a grander arc about their character? Such grand tales require not only a lot of work, but cooperation as well. It's all well and good to have a great plan ("I want my character to brave the depths of the Crystal Tower in search of their missing sister!") but setting it all into motion is another matter entirely.
Folks may not have the time or the willingness to coordinate such things. However, they may be willing to participate in those of others should they become aware of it and can find a way for their characters to jump in. However, those who can craft such adventures and adapt for all the different types participating are few and far between.
Alternatively, perhaps they see their progression in the dungeons and such AS their grand tales of adventure, and prefer to have the RP as their downtime. Their return from their hunts and their delves, to relax and unwind over a pint of ale and a story or two. I would figure such a person wouldn't want to leap headlong again into adventure after just coming down from one.
And what of folks who aren't adventurers? The merchants and barkeeps and commoners? While an adventure might be thrilling to them, it would also likely be well outside their depth. They're no fighters, so they may very well be content enough to hear tell of the adventures of others... or seek a simpler adventure in romantic conquest.
And would these things not have meaningful consequence and character depth as well? How a character treats a loved one can speak loads, and the interactions between them can leave to quite meaningful results... either in marriage or even a nasty break-up. Character progression doesn't have to come from the end of a sword.
You don't need to be a hero to have a grand tale. You could spin a civilian's encounter with a regular bandit into a grand adventure if you wanted to and I've done just that in the past. I suspect it may simply be a culture thing - in other MMO's that I've played the atmosphere and attitude towards role-play has been completely different.
Like I said, it's not necessarily a bad thing - everyone is welcome to do what they want, after all! Though it's most definitely proving to be a culture shock as the sort of role-play I seek doesn't seem to be as common as it is elsewhere. Which makes me consider just using FFXIV for PvE related matters and 'light' role-play whilst indulging elsewhere for something a bit more meaty.
