I kind of sympathise with the idea of wanting to feel part of something. It's something that I think we all want to experience when it comes to our hobbies. Yes, nobody is obligated to interact with anybody else but it doesn't hurt to go that extra mile and try to be cordial, friendly and inclusive...within reason.
One of the main obstacles I've noticed - and been given reliable accounts of - is that quite a few people on this site send mixed messages. They'll rush to greet newcomers and be very vocal about how much they love the community and helping people out. They'll eagerly express a desire to be approached in-game for role-play and then when someone does approach them they're always busy, distracted or don't respond at all.
Sometimes the reasons for that are perfectly valid. Life happens after all and the real world is a priority! Yet if someone is new or shy and is unlucky enough to experience that multiple times when they've plucked up the courage to try and forge some connections then it should be obvious as to why they end up growing frustrated and taking their leave of the role-playing community.
On the other hand I think more people need to realise that the RPC is only part of the broader role-playing community. Quite a few role-players don't come here at all and forge all of their connections in-game.
One of the main obstacles I've noticed - and been given reliable accounts of - is that quite a few people on this site send mixed messages. They'll rush to greet newcomers and be very vocal about how much they love the community and helping people out. They'll eagerly express a desire to be approached in-game for role-play and then when someone does approach them they're always busy, distracted or don't respond at all.
Sometimes the reasons for that are perfectly valid. Life happens after all and the real world is a priority! Yet if someone is new or shy and is unlucky enough to experience that multiple times when they've plucked up the courage to try and forge some connections then it should be obvious as to why they end up growing frustrated and taking their leave of the role-playing community.
On the other hand I think more people need to realise that the RPC is only part of the broader role-playing community. Quite a few role-players don't come here at all and forge all of their connections in-game.
