Somebody already mentioned Method acting, and I think that's a useful comparison - not only because of the desired goal, but because, like Method acting, immersing in RP is romanticized to its own detriment, treated as a goal in and of itself
While many people use the above-stated definition that it just means "being really engaged in the work," I have seen players in both tabletop and freeform define it as a kind of shared dream-state, describing the state in quasi-spiritual terms whereby they leave themselves behind and embody their character. At least one WoW RPer I know of insisted they were engaging in a totally different personality with different sets of emotions and beliefs when they were playing; I think they were fronting in a "It's what my character would do!" kind of way, but assuming good faith for the sake of argument, that's a sentiment I've seen expressed by a number of players over a period of years.
I say it's romanticized because, again like Method acting, it is often seen as a more authentic and true form of play, despite being a state of being that is largely internal and not easily seen by others. The recent thread about pre-arranged romantic RP, wherein a number of players expressed their distaste for it because it didn't feel "organic," comes from a similar place. In both tabletop and freeform alike it leads to fights over what mechanics or RP etiquette are appropriate on the assumption that good examples of each allow for maximum immersion with a minimum of interruptions.
It's for the above reasons that I don't use "immersed" to mean "engaged," and just say "engaged." If I like the play, but don't feel part of it (which is constantly), I just say that, to avoid confusion from a small-but-significant number of players who really will think I mean I felt like my character more so than usual.
I can't answer some of the OP's questions accordingly, but I can say that "declaring you are immersed" in a play on an OOC level is for some, unnecessary, and for others a bit like faking an orgasm.
While many people use the above-stated definition that it just means "being really engaged in the work," I have seen players in both tabletop and freeform define it as a kind of shared dream-state, describing the state in quasi-spiritual terms whereby they leave themselves behind and embody their character. At least one WoW RPer I know of insisted they were engaging in a totally different personality with different sets of emotions and beliefs when they were playing; I think they were fronting in a "It's what my character would do!" kind of way, but assuming good faith for the sake of argument, that's a sentiment I've seen expressed by a number of players over a period of years.
I say it's romanticized because, again like Method acting, it is often seen as a more authentic and true form of play, despite being a state of being that is largely internal and not easily seen by others. The recent thread about pre-arranged romantic RP, wherein a number of players expressed their distaste for it because it didn't feel "organic," comes from a similar place. In both tabletop and freeform alike it leads to fights over what mechanics or RP etiquette are appropriate on the assumption that good examples of each allow for maximum immersion with a minimum of interruptions.
It's for the above reasons that I don't use "immersed" to mean "engaged," and just say "engaged." If I like the play, but don't feel part of it (which is constantly), I just say that, to avoid confusion from a small-but-significant number of players who really will think I mean I felt like my character more so than usual.
I can't answer some of the OP's questions accordingly, but I can say that "declaring you are immersed" in a play on an OOC level is for some, unnecessary, and for others a bit like faking an orgasm.
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Current Fate-14 Storyline:Â Merchant, Marine
Current Fate-14 Storyline:Â Merchant, Marine
