A quick disclaimer -- I have spent way more time doing forum rps and text-based mud (multi-user dungeon) rps than mmo rps. So take that as you will.
One thing I've found to be common no matter what rp community I've joined is this: people are shy. I use the term loosely, in a general sense of not willing to go up to strangers. When you've been in a game for a long time and are comfortable and happy, you're not willing to take risks.
The sad fact is, new players are a risk. You know you, but no one else does when you arrive in a new community. They don't know your writing style, if you get angry easily, if you're apt to godmode, if you're going to disappear after a week, or if what makes rp fun for you will make rp fun for them. Rping with a new person is a leap of faith. Sometimes people don't want that, they want an experience that they've built upon and know will end well. They want some semblance of a safety net. They want the familiar. The other side of the coin is that they don't know that you're weeks out with almost no rp and feeling disheartened about everything. Why would they?
(Neat thing! Check out the Ellsberg Paradox)
The goal here is to get around that. How do you do that? Talking to people oocly. I know that there are plenty of rpers who just want to let things happen organically, but if you want to do that then you're going to have to do it the hard way -- by being extremely patient and keeping at it. However, by sending people tells or pms and detailing out why you messaged them (the character, rp you saw them do, something else) then they start to have an idea of who you are and what you're looking for. Don't just be like "I'm new and need rp, figure something out for me" -- offer up ideas. Even if you don't want to plot, just give a scenario -- "My character is like this, your character is like that, would you be willing to meet up here and let things play out?"
Even if they turn you down, there are more people out there. In the meantime you wind up establishing:
1) Your general demeanor.
2) What rp you're looking for.
3) That you want to rp with this person in particular.
4) That you're looking to collaborate.
Most of the time I think you'll find that people are friendly, approachable, and willing to try new things if you give them a basis to start off of. But first you gotta break the ice.
This is advice I've given to tons of people over the years at my main squeeze -- a rp forum I've been on since 2009. Time and time again I see things play out the same way. Those who dump their character in the 'available characters' thread and do nothing else generally wind up never getting into a thread. Meanwhile, those who are friendly, excited, and talk to other players typically see themselves in a thread within a few days. It's just how it tends to go.
I hope everyone who has expressed frustration in this thread is able to go out and find the rp they're looking for. Meanwhile, send out some pms. Let people know what you find interesting about their characters/rp. I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised by the results.
edit - forgot one thing. Generally, open statements of 'open to rp, please send me a pm if you're interested in ___ ' don't work. I tend to use them just for a sense of familiarity/friendliness (repetition can help so long as you're not spamming), but generally people fall prey to the bystander effect. Unless they've got an idea already and your general statement somehow clicks with it, they're likely to pass it over. Still, they're good to just get yourself out there. Be friendly, be polite, be creative, be proactive.
One thing I've found to be common no matter what rp community I've joined is this: people are shy. I use the term loosely, in a general sense of not willing to go up to strangers. When you've been in a game for a long time and are comfortable and happy, you're not willing to take risks.
The sad fact is, new players are a risk. You know you, but no one else does when you arrive in a new community. They don't know your writing style, if you get angry easily, if you're apt to godmode, if you're going to disappear after a week, or if what makes rp fun for you will make rp fun for them. Rping with a new person is a leap of faith. Sometimes people don't want that, they want an experience that they've built upon and know will end well. They want some semblance of a safety net. They want the familiar. The other side of the coin is that they don't know that you're weeks out with almost no rp and feeling disheartened about everything. Why would they?
(Neat thing! Check out the Ellsberg Paradox)
The goal here is to get around that. How do you do that? Talking to people oocly. I know that there are plenty of rpers who just want to let things happen organically, but if you want to do that then you're going to have to do it the hard way -- by being extremely patient and keeping at it. However, by sending people tells or pms and detailing out why you messaged them (the character, rp you saw them do, something else) then they start to have an idea of who you are and what you're looking for. Don't just be like "I'm new and need rp, figure something out for me" -- offer up ideas. Even if you don't want to plot, just give a scenario -- "My character is like this, your character is like that, would you be willing to meet up here and let things play out?"
Even if they turn you down, there are more people out there. In the meantime you wind up establishing:
1) Your general demeanor.
2) What rp you're looking for.
3) That you want to rp with this person in particular.
4) That you're looking to collaborate.
Most of the time I think you'll find that people are friendly, approachable, and willing to try new things if you give them a basis to start off of. But first you gotta break the ice.
This is advice I've given to tons of people over the years at my main squeeze -- a rp forum I've been on since 2009. Time and time again I see things play out the same way. Those who dump their character in the 'available characters' thread and do nothing else generally wind up never getting into a thread. Meanwhile, those who are friendly, excited, and talk to other players typically see themselves in a thread within a few days. It's just how it tends to go.
I hope everyone who has expressed frustration in this thread is able to go out and find the rp they're looking for. Meanwhile, send out some pms. Let people know what you find interesting about their characters/rp. I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised by the results.
edit - forgot one thing. Generally, open statements of 'open to rp, please send me a pm if you're interested in ___ ' don't work. I tend to use them just for a sense of familiarity/friendliness (repetition can help so long as you're not spamming), but generally people fall prey to the bystander effect. Unless they've got an idea already and your general statement somehow clicks with it, they're likely to pass it over. Still, they're good to just get yourself out there. Be friendly, be polite, be creative, be proactive.
