Solo Roleplay?

[Nunuza_Nuza]

Forgive me for kind of popping out of nowhere. I've been lurking on this forum for a while, but haven't actually said anything... So anyway!

 

What, if I may ask, is the general opinion on solo RP? Would I look like a total weirdo if I were to emote to myself while my character goes about their business? My initial thought is that it would make my character more easy to approach, but I was worried it might actually do the opposite.

 

So I guess my question is, does anyone else do this? Do you think it would help or harm RP? ...And would I seem a bit dumb, emoting to myself all the time?

[Zhavi]

Think it depends on the people watching you. I'd say if it makes you happy while you're doing stuff, then do it. You might get some rp out of it, so I say go for it. Also, I wouldn't think you're dumb -- seeing someone rping by themselves might actually intrigue me into trying to rp with them, as that way I'd know that they probably weren't in the middle of something else.

[Nebbs]

So I guess my question is, does anyone else do this? Do you think it would help or harm RP? ...And would I seem a bit dumb, emoting to myself all the time?

 

Yes I do, and talk to NPCs, and chatter in RP LS.

[Roen]

If I pass by someone who is emoting something by themselves, I am always tempted to pause and watch them a bit. Or emote something myself if I wasn't already.

 

It DEFINITELY makes them more approachable if you ask me. It's like a neon sign that says "HEY! I AM AN RPer!"

[Ciel]

I don't do it unless I know there are other RPers in the room.  For example, there's almost always people RPing in the Quicksand.  My character will sit on the crates by the bar and play/emote songs, and she'll sometimes go to the bar and ask Momodi for something.

 

In a way, it's kind of an announcement that "Hey, I'm an RPer too, I'm here and I'm free to interact."  Sometimes it works, and people walk up, other times, people are either bound by something they're already involved in, or they'll acknowledge the bard playing music by "quirking an ear" toward the sound, or clapping when the song ends even if it's not a full-on performance.

 

But yeah, I can see /emoting to NPCs or to yourself when there aren't any active RPers in an area might look strange.  Know you have some kind of audience, I guess.

[Melkire]

I can't speak for everyone, but in my opinion solo roleplay is both perfectly acceptable and feasible.

 

Solo roleplay is a huge factor when it comes to the "always IC" style of roleplay, as those players aren't always engaged with other PCs but still make the effort to act IC at all times, even when alone (no silly WoW-esque bunnyhopping, for instance). 

 

I personally enjoy solo roleplay as an alternative to arranging/"scripting" encounters with /tells, as it makes roleplay feel more natural or "organic". Throwing around custom emotes while solo roleplaying is basically tantamount to throwing a giant sign over your character's head that reads "HEY, I'M IN CHARACTER, FEEL FREE TO WALK UP". It's an open invitation to anyone in your general vicinity. The trouble, more often than not, is finding people who have the time or the sheer cajones to follow up on said invitation.

 

EDIT:

 

NIN'd, Brynn and Ciel beat me to it.

[Shizuka]

I'm going to throw my hat in and agree. I don't always do it myself, but anytime someone else IS, it usually gives me pause and I look for ways to interact with them. Sometimes I can't find a way in (I can be a bit shy at times about that), and sometimes I'm busy, but it's always really lovely to see.

[Erik Mynhier]

I solo rp when I am doing other stuff but want to stay online. Seems more friendly the AFK symbol. I often set him in shorts and let him jog (auto-run) while I work on stuff or wait for someone.

[synaesthetic]

I do this specifically to attract random RP.

[Dat Oni]

I do it all the time. Mostly to entertain those few who enjoy RP tidbits.

 

If I can brighten someone's day with a small paragraph about how Edgar has just stubbed his toe and is cursing the heavens, I think it's justified.

[Adolar]

I don't see anything wrong with solo RPing. Helps make the game feel much more immersive when you slow down and treat things in the world as living entities. It's actually something I would like to see more often but I can understand if people consider it to be pointless to emote when no other RPers are around. And like others said, it's a great way to indicate that you're currently IC. Basically just do what feels fun for you.

[Nunuza_Nuza]

Thanks for the replies! I'm sure I'll feel much less silly now.

[Vysce the Lad]

I always find this funny. Like on those national geographic shows when animals or insects do something like walk in a pattern or make a noise to have another of their kind wander over for whatever reason. When I go into, say, the Quicksand I sometime speak to myself in that old british voice, "Ahh, there we see the mating dance of the RPer~" Heheh, I'm just being silly. But I do like solo RP. Of course I do it for the sake of maybe having someone wander over. It not only makes the world feel more real to others, but I think it's like a polite and passive way of saying you are free to interact with~! I'm usually more than happy to wander over when I see this, only because my character is super curious and doesn't know the meaning of stranger danger :moogle:~