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(07-03-2013, 04:02 AM)Naunet Wrote:(07-03-2013, 03:58 AM)Black Wrote: I personally do not mind an RP-label, but it could be that management is just trying to not label such servers for the benefit of the players that have decided to play on such servers.They would be making a big mistake. Not labeling the server doesn't benefit roleplayers in any way. It makes it difficult for new players to find the RP communities. It makes it near impossible to enforce any kind of RP-friendly rules (such as naming conventions). And it marginalizes an entire group of people as not worthy of having their own server, when roleplayers are often some of the most dedicated players in an MMO. This makes it extremely difficult for devs to judge the activity of roleplayers in their game, which could have impacts on development time spent on RP-related content (such as a wardrobe function).
Any MMO that doesn't have an RP-tagged server is doing a wonderful and loyal playerbase a massive disservice.
I do generally agree, but you have to look at this from many ends, RPers AND the common/casual player. There are RP servers that claim they have naming enforcement, but such enforcement is sporadic or not consistent.
Also, it boils down to a matter of different perspective with names. I have seen people name themselves something totally benign, but I've seen Roleplayers take them to task on their chosen name, because it does not fit their personal view of how the virtual world should be.
As per my PvE example earlier, these people were complaining that RPers can be "elitist". That may not apply to anyone here, but let's suppose, some players...maybe they are 12 years of age, decided they wanted to do their own storyline about how the X-men came into the FF universe. Well, I wouldn't like it, but these folks ARE roleplaying, even if I don't agree with their roleplay. I tend to leave them alone or be friendly enough if they ask for help, but I have seen some people take them to task. I believe such folks can and should be nurtured with patience and understanding, but some don't do it.
Again, I have seen some examples of RPers dictating terms to these "casual players". As I agree RPers have seen this from some groups, the opposite has happened, too. I am generally a fan of, "Live and Let Live". In some ways, certain people marginalize these casual players and create a bad image, especially if they log in next time and see they were reported and the reason for it.
It is hard to read the intent of folks sometimes, even those with bad names. I've seen some folks who had bad names bowled over by the community, they rename their character and join in...Of course, there is the opposite, too.
Again, I see your points and agree: Having an RP label to the server would be grand and draw interested folks to it, but on the same token, one has to be cognizant that RPers also have a bad reputation of elitism among a segment of general players. In fact, this may be the root of the reason we are seeing on the Beta Forums of some people not liking the concept. From a casual/PvP-lover perspective, it show preference to one segment but not another. So, why not make server labels for them?
Maybe it divides the player base? Heck, really, beyond Legacy servers, there is no real current difference in rules-set (code-wise) between servers. They are basically all the same. Perhaps more GM enforcement is needed, but remember, that is segmenting the work-staff of S-E to look at one server. Sometimes this naturally happens and no harm/no foul...but outside this, you may have grumblings from other players not on the RP server. They may not like certain names either or have a bug affecting them. In some ways, they may just point and say this proves RPers get too much attention and they don't.
