While I really agree with the idea behind this, I think by itself it's probably only part of a more complete solution. I think the problem at root isn't really "can I find somewhere to RP" but "can I find people who WANT to RP with me". There's actually a very, very big difference. I think it's pretty understandable and natural that two characters who have nothing in common won't have much to say to each other, just like two random people at a bus stop probably won't strike up a chat leading to a long-standing friendship. It's unfortunate but it's the truth and it's probably not going to change any time soon. Also, consider that people might be not answering people not out of unfriendliness, but just plain shyness. That's right, strangers can be intimidating even in online video games! I know several people who think so, and I do myself sometimes.
So, a purely IC solution will help, but only for people who are OOCly inclined AND have characters who are ICly inclined. I'd love to go, but my character would never willingly attend a pub night and would probably get fed up and leave within minutes if she didn't know anyone there. That doesn't mean we shouldn't do a pub night, I'm sure there are plenty of people it'd be great for. But I think we need something on the OOC front too.
I've had an idea I've been kicking around for quite a while now but I've been too... I don't know. Busy? Lazy? Shy? Whatever the reason, it's this: Have an OOC event for RPers. There will be RPing there, but it'd be purely "noncanon". Sort of a "come have fun and bring your character with you". There could be discussions on the RP that's been going on, maybe "RP classifieds" (I'd be interested in this sort of event/story/friendship for my character, is anyone else?), some impromptu RP games... I don't know, I'd have to come up with a schedule of events if anyone's actually interested. But the point is, I think if we really want to address this issue at the root, we need people talking and being friendly OOCly too.
OOC friendships often lead to IC involvement and I don't think there's anything at all wrong or exclusionary about that. Of course people will want to do things with friends! So, to me at least, it seems like a good solution would be to help everyone make more friends.
So, a purely IC solution will help, but only for people who are OOCly inclined AND have characters who are ICly inclined. I'd love to go, but my character would never willingly attend a pub night and would probably get fed up and leave within minutes if she didn't know anyone there. That doesn't mean we shouldn't do a pub night, I'm sure there are plenty of people it'd be great for. But I think we need something on the OOC front too.
I've had an idea I've been kicking around for quite a while now but I've been too... I don't know. Busy? Lazy? Shy? Whatever the reason, it's this: Have an OOC event for RPers. There will be RPing there, but it'd be purely "noncanon". Sort of a "come have fun and bring your character with you". There could be discussions on the RP that's been going on, maybe "RP classifieds" (I'd be interested in this sort of event/story/friendship for my character, is anyone else?), some impromptu RP games... I don't know, I'd have to come up with a schedule of events if anyone's actually interested. But the point is, I think if we really want to address this issue at the root, we need people talking and being friendly OOCly too.
OOC friendships often lead to IC involvement and I don't think there's anything at all wrong or exclusionary about that. Of course people will want to do things with friends! So, to me at least, it seems like a good solution would be to help everyone make more friends.
Sorrow, great sorrow, and deeds of renown without peer,
Within me sleep; for truth is here.
Truth destroys the worst in man; pleasure destroys the best.
If you love truth more than happiness, then open; otherwise, let rest.
Within me sleep; for truth is here.
Truth destroys the worst in man; pleasure destroys the best.
If you love truth more than happiness, then open; otherwise, let rest.
