(04-26-2015, 02:00 AM)Nero Wrote: I'm very much a narrative-based roleplayer. Slice-of-life has its place in deepening character relationships and lending itself to character depth and development, but unless there's a plot to challenge those relationships and provide contextual meaning to that depth, I typically lose interest very quickly.
That said, conflict and plot isn't completely necessary to make a session dramatic or intriguing. Plot is a tool, like any other literary device. It's important to remember that at its heart, roleplaying is improvisational writing.
I think I'd like to echo this as well. Very well put.
Personally I always lean towards plot-driven RP. I also prefer combat and action with some intrigue and political manipulations. Even the occasional espionage plot and setting if I have a character that is good for such things.Â
I guess if I had to give a reason I'd say it was because slice of life to me is the interlude between action, it's the kind of things that your character does on a mundane level even when you're not online to play them. They're eating, sleeping, training, crafting, or whatever it is they do when they aren't being whatever it is they are primarily (unless of course you are a crafter ICly and that's it, etc then cheers). I think a bit of 'slice of life' is necessary to the adventuring/fighting/soldiering type, too, it 'humanizes' them in a necessary fashion as most characters aren't joyless, emotionless, kill bots. They're people with thoughts, feelings, experiences, and emotions that if written well exhibit all of the aforementioned things because of how their lives have gone. Slice of life is the perfect time to examine those facets of your character and really shine them up.
I mentioned this in another thread recently but ultimately what I feel we are trying to accomplish is the telling of a really deep and meaningful story that people will be able to relate to with characters that are deep and interesting as well. Slice of life is a great tool to expose that facet of the characters while plot drives them forward, it's a great chance for those characters exhibit what their experiences have made of them thus far and become even more, later.
That said, the more plot the better, for me. =P
