What makes you not want to RP?

[Irgendwer]

Now, about the points you mentioned in your first post:

I'm sorry, but I fail to see your point, much like you fail to see mine. It was you as a thread starter, who asked what makes people not want to roleplay. What exactly were you looking for as answers? Simply a bunch of reassurances, that everything is fine and there's nothing to wory about (appearantly there was something nagging you to write the OP)? Sorry to say that, but if you are not intrested in crititzismn, simply don't ask for it. Saves everyone a great deal of time.

You asked a question, you got an answer for it. Whether you make something out of it or prefer to stay in your ivory tower, pretending the thing irking you is just your imagination is all the same to me.

*edit*

OOC rule... I don't know what time you play, but I can tel you this. If I play in the morning I come across a lot of people not following the rule at all

Well ... if the majority of people mutually agree on not following a certain rule, this might be seen as a hint, that said rule needs some revision.

Does this mean I know it is OOC what they are doing? Yes ofcourse I know there are no computers and whatnot in Planeshift, but the point is if people start talking as players that you can't really roleplay your character anymore without it looking silly. I mean how do you IC respond to someone complaining about the introduction system being awfull?

Uhm ... maybe you simply ignore it, like you would if there were [ooc] brackets around the chatlines? Unless you have some kind of filter implemented, that automatically throws away everything in [ooc brackets], so you don't see OOC chat at all, you don't benefit from this markup at all (and before someone now thinks implementing such a thing would be a neat idea: It isn't - see merchant example).

Ok, so it happens, that you occasionally overhear a conversation, that is OOC. In IC terms this simply means that there are two people talking about something your character is unable to understand. Why should this be disturbing? If I walk over a campus in reallife, I'm likely as well to overhear a conversation between two professors argueing about quantum physics for example. I will not be able to have a clue on what they are talking about. Should I be annoyed about that? Maybe even approach them and demand that they change their topic so I can join their conversation? I mean is your role that of someone, who has to be able to join each and every conversation?

If someone activly approaches you with what you feel to be OOC, the IC answer to that is simply to play dumb (hey, you get your RP here for free). If this does not work as a broad hint, probably nothing will.

That is why there is an OOC rule and that is why there is a rule about brackets. Specially becuase if someone keep using OOC and IC through eachother it isn't always as obvious as that example. I agree trading is often more OOC then IC so you will see OOC information that is actually needed to make a fair trade, but besides trading I see few cases where you can't use a tell or simply use brackets to make something clear.

Humans  are generally a lazy species, meaning they generally try to reach a goal with minimum effort. Switching tabs is an effort. Typing the brackets is an effort, constantly thinking about whether or not the next thing you are going to say requires brackets (sometimes it's just a question of wording) is a tremendous effort. Sometimes people just want to get things done. If my weapons are worn and I need repair and I have to go soon, I simply don't want to RP the deal in every detail. It can be fun occasionally, but generally I don't want to spend 5 minutes hedging around the bush trying to explain IC, that I need someone who can repair [q250/280]. If I see someone casting a cool spell and killing critters with it in one hit, I don't want to steal a lot of his/her time inquiring, in political correct RP, how to get this spell (of course, if the player in question hints, that s/he wants to RP the situation, thats fine with me as well). There are countless situations like these, where one line of OOC makes life a tremendously lot simpler (and where it is utmost annyoing, finding a rulenerd jumping out of the next bush trying to guilttrip you for commiting horrible sins). Personally I do RP for entertaining. Not for the sake of it and as I pointed out earlier I'm not intrested in roleplaying drivel. Repeating the same RP over and over again (e.g. roleplaying out every weapon purchase or worshipping the beermugs) is anything but entertaining. Insisting that people do it anyway is (among other things) what makes them not want to do it (and that is the answer to the OP).

[Dajoji]

Now, about the points you mentioned in your first post:

I'm sorry, but I fail to see your point, much like you fail to see mine. It was you as a thread starter, who asked what makes people not want to roleplay. What exactly were you looking for as answers? Simply a bunch of reassurances, that everything is fine and there's nothing to wory about (appearantly there was something nagging you to write the OP)? Sorry to say that, but if you are not intrested in crititzismn, simply don't ask for it. Saves everyone a great deal of time.

You asked a question, you got an answer for it. Whether you make something out of it or prefer to stay in your ivory tower, pretending the thing irking you is just your imagination is all the same to me.

My point is that I fail to see the relevance of the things you mentioned as direct deterrents for RP. I understand they can be annoying and I am not trying to minimize or deny their flaws but the thread is not about what you don't like about the game, it's about the specific things that are keeping players from roleplaying. The tutorial, the [OOC] rule, and character creation, while they can bother some people and it's perfectly valid that they might not like them, for the effect of answering the question, do not seem to me as relevant as the new introduction system or disruptive player behavior. Are you saying that if there were no tutorial there would be more RP? If there were no character creation/default background stories there would be more RP? If OCC were fully allowed in main chat there would be more RP? If so, please elaborate. I'm intrigued. And consider that if you're not interested in discussing other points of view, then perhaps you should avoid posting yours. Saves everyone a great deal of time.

Note that I am not disregarding your opinion or your experience in the game. I just haven't completely understood your answers to the original question. However, I find other points in your post quite clear and with which I happen to agree, like how players can sometimes be RP Nazis or too inflexible with some rules and are constantly policing other players and disrupting their RP with "suggestions". That kind of attitude does make people want to ignore the rest and directly affects RP.

[zorbels]

I know this has nothing to do with the thread but I feel I have to answer this post. Whether I should waste my time or not on it is something I have thought about but in the end do feel the need to defend myself.

If there is such thing as a "cautious player" why wouldn't they chose to explore and ask questions about OOC allowances to players through /tells, or the forums, or IRC #planeShift or PM's to obvious well established players? I find it hard to believe that a player would play PlaneShift and just keep to themselves due to warnings about OOC behavior in the tutorial.

You do realize, that is is complete and utter nonsense? A cautious player in this context is a new player and you expect him/her to use the means of well established players? Also you might consider me to be a cautious player, as this was written from my experience. I'd be seriously insulted if you insisted on me not existing.

*sigh*

I don't recall feeling "cautious" as a new player or getting that feeling from the rules. I am going on what I experienced when I first started. I have never heard anyone that I have talked to in PlaneShift discribe themselves as a cautious player, and I have never seen the term used in the forums. It is new to me.

You know you could have handled this post alot better. Instead of saying that I am uttering complete nonsense and risk offending me (if you really didn't want to offend), you could have just said "Well I disagree, because I find I am a cautious player. This is why ...." Then I would realize there are such people. I would then know for future reference. Anyhow be "insulted" if you would like but I would probably find something worth being insulted over. This just seems ........ well .. silly to me to be insulted over this minor issue. If I didn't know any better I think from the way your post reads that you want to be.

A cautious player in this context is a new player and you expect him/her to use the means of well established players?

  Erm ... I never said that. 

Further more I am confused and wondering what the heck you are talking about? A cautious player is careful. I am pretty sure that veteran players are just as careful as new players. Especially when it comes to setting and rules, because veteran players should know better. Why wouldn't a new player ask questions to them and try to get a feel for the game? Why wouldn't a new player check out the guides posted on the forums and the main PlaneShift website.

Are you saying that if your a new player you don't have to do these things and can just be ignorant to the game and it's rules until you are familiar with the game?

This would work if people followed the rules. But they don't and still continue to talk in public chat with [] brackets.  It seems impossible to get players to understand this, especially when new to the game. Hence the tutorial that you dislike telling players about OOC and the penalties. That was made for new players to get the idea of how important RP is in this community.

Well appearantly people are not following the rules and never will. This might be considered as a hint, that there's something wrong with the rules.
Also I have the impression, that you did not understand the point I was trying to make: You are not getting anywhere by being pushy. Being just a bit more subtle on the importance of role play might be a bit more effective, then letting the last NPC hammer it into your skull with a q300 warhammer.

No .....  it is just human nature to not want to sumit to rules. That isn't a hint that there is something wrong. It is proof that there are all different types of people playing this game from young to old. Some are ok with rules and will follow them. Others are not. You will always have your rebellious individuals. That isn't the games fault. This is solely on the players.

In no way am I a pushy person and I think you need to check your head before making such assumtions. I am not the creator of this game. I only respect what the staff of PlaneShift askes us as players to do and not to do. That is hardly being pushy. 

self proclaimed ulber roleplayers and rule feticists.

Wow, I really am sorry for who ever has given you this impression.

If there are players who are quoting the rules then this tells me that they take pride in the game which isn't a bad thing. They would appreciate new comers and old players stuck in their ways to folllow the rules so that we can all enjoy the gaming experience PlaneShift has to offer.

As for Rper's who are self proclaimed .... well it is usually those players who are high up on themselves. Most players don't want to have anything to do with RPer's like that. They are difficult to RP with and it becomes more of a headache then fun. Also it makes some of the community members want to avoid characters like that. With the example you posted above, if it were me I would have just walked away. What's the point in trying to RP with someone who obviously isn't into it? Why put yourself in a stressful situation like that?

  If these are the type of RPer's you are hanging around with it makes no wonder that you haven't had great experiences in PlaneShift. Try talking with those who have been in game and are established characters. Usually they have alot of Roleplaying going on around them and have great tips on Rping and the game inself. They are also friendly and will introduce you to others in game so that you can eventually fill up that buddy list of yours. 

Currently? Sad to say this: You.

Reading your post, I get the impression, that you consider RP something holy and that your style is superior to that of others. Also you appear keen of rules. I might do you a lot of injustice here, as one post is hardly enough to judge a person, but nevertheless postings like this seem to be symptomatic for this forum. This is what forms the impression, people get and proves my point. Please don't take this as an offense, it was/is not meant to be one. Rather as a thought provoking impulse to stop and think for a moment. Whether you agree or disagree with me afterwards is up to you, I don't intent on commenting further on the issue, as I am not intrested into derailing this thread into a flamewar.

* zorbels looks shocked

Me? Consider my RP to be holy? My style seems to be superior to others? Are you kidding me? BTW I took the liberty to post the whole quote and not just one sentence of it. I try to be helpful and to give support or aid to people. Encourage them to try new avenues. To be a positive voice on the forums.

I am not the reason you posted in the first place and it is really childish that you are implying I am the reason for your term self proclaimed ulber roleplayers and rule feticists. I was simply letting you know these rules are there for a reason. I was trying to be helpful. I do put alot of thought into my posts before posting and try to answer or address what is being talked about. So there is no need for me to re read your post and "see" your point of view. I can assure you I already did that.

I find it funny and ironic that at the very end of this insulting post that you state "I am not interested into derailing this thread into a flame war." I am not one for flame wars, so no worries I won't be reacting to your utter and complete nonsense (a term you like to use). But you my friend could learn a thing or two about being polite when you disagree with someone. I find your attitude towards me rude and I haven't done anything to you to deserve this sort of treatment. I simply answered a post. Your welcome. 

[Irgendwer]

Ok, to elaborate my points (as requested by dajoji):

The current charactergeneration method does not prevent people from roleplaying. It is however a bad start into it, as it focuses on helping you to get a backgroundstory, whereas it should actually help you to define a role(!). If I want to create a character for any RPG, I start thinking about, what my character is suppose to be and derive my background from that, not the other way around. The custom way simply does it backwards and tries to archieve something that is impossible. A computer is not creative and cannot give you a background, that is in any way especially unique or exciting. I totally understand why you (and several others) consider a background to be of vital importance, but a computer generated one is pretty much worth the same as no background at all. All the current system produces is hassle, waste of time and distraction from what really matters. If you insist on "helping" your players by doing the thinking for them, how/why do you suppose, they'd start using their own imagination? This is the reason, why I call the current character generation broken by design: It cannot reach it's goal because it contradicts itself. It does not advance creativity, instead it dulls it down. This leads to boring characters and roleplaying with boring characters is boring as well. Hence a reason not to roleplay.

The thing that is wrong with the tutorial is basicly the current dialogues. The last NPC went totally anal about the importance of roleplay. When I had finally passed him, my impression actually was:
1. "Ok, the mother of all SPUR must have written his(their) script(s)."
2. "My style of RP will not meet these standards."
3. "Well, there's probably quests and exploring to do. I can stick to that and won't disturb anyone, if I don't talk to people".

Of course, these were my thoughts and of course you can say, that I got it totally wrong. If I got it right or wrong however does not matter, as we are talking here about the subjective impression, the current tutorial can produce. Others may end it with different feelings, but there is no reason to assume, that I am not a random representative of a whole class of like minded people.
To emphasize: The tutorial is a good idea (though making it skipable may be a nice option), the current dialogues however are not. They try to teach you the importance of RP with a sledgehammer. Leaving the tutorial with the impression, that "wrong" roleplay can get you into trouble (no matter if that is actually the case or not) discourages RP instead of encouraging it.


This brings me to the [ooc] rule. Actually I don't know how to emphasize even more, why I consider this to be a stupid idea, though I must say, I had an insightfull PM about it (which sadly I cannot answer because not having posted enough, yet). Of course, there are situations, where it is desireable to explicitly mark certain lines to be OOC. I had these even myself. Ironically however the other players involved did not react to it as if spoken OOC. IMHO this is exactly because rulenerds going completly anal about the mainchat being reserved for IC only and the only allowed way around this is to use these stupid brackets. To me it seems, is if people just type them to be safe from pointless debates and ignore their presence completely when reading it. Does this hurt RP? Certainly so! I interact less with other people if I have to fear my conversation being disrupted by a rulenerd, who forces me into a debate whether or not something I said should have been on brackets or not. It also hurts RP, if people just use the brackets to be safe (and thats what they do!), you end up having gaps in the conversation.

To sum it up: The [ooc] rule is basicly just fodder for rulenerds. Trying to limit mainchat to IC only is to tilt at windmills. Roleplay is something people only learn by practise, constantly being corrected by SPUR and rulenerds is just discouraging. The better way to approach the problem is to make the rule into a convention. People will pick it up and use it correctly automatically then.


Finally this leaves the question, why there are SPUR and rulenerds. I am afraid, this is a partly homegrown problem. Rulenerds simply flourish on having rules to enforce. Guess what the tutorial teaches them. As for SPUR ... Well, their motor is topping other SPUR and as there is an anal emphasis on RP already everywhere, thats a reassurement.

[Under the moon]

* Under the moon reads Irgendwer's posts about the tutorial and is completely confused.

Is this the line that has you all riled up?

Xargon Guurn says: Excellent! Please remember to act in-character when talking to others. We are all working towards a roleplayed atmosphere in PlaneShift, regardless of the current client version. OOC -Out-Of-Character- text should be designated with parentheses or brackets, as regular text is that which comes from the mouth of your character, a person who lives in the world of Yliakum and knows nothing about computers, video games, the internet, or Picasso.

I just read the parts you are talking about, and honestly don't see where you are getting the idea that the tutorial implies that OOC is banned from the main chat, and that failure to follow this 'rule' will have GMs falling out of the sky on you. "should be designated" not "Must be... or else." I don't understand what you mean by teaching with a sledgehammer either. It is written in a reasonable tone.

I don't understand what you want either. No suggestion at all that [brackets] are preferred for OOC? Somehow making the dialogue 'gentler'?

The 'rule' about brackets evolved from players, not Devs. As the game evolved, players began using them more and more. The 'rule' was taught to new player by players, and still is. It has become part of the culture. The Devs can do -nothing- about that. The 'rule' is placed in there so new players do not get blindsided by people telling them how things are generally done in PS (sometimes in a not so nice manner if you run into a jerk). People who talk excessively OOC in open chat will get poked about it by other players. People who do it constantly are disrupting other players and will get warned by a GM.

PlaneShift is a lot more exclusive in how we want players to act. If a player can not handle that, then this is simply not the game for them. Some people complain about not being able to have that 'c00l' name they had in Runescape, or can't start that l33t guild they were in in WoW. Then there are those that complain that unbroken English is required instead of hacked up netspeak or txt. Following that, there are the folks that find it terrible that they can't be Half-elf, Dark Drow, or have their character worship that really neat god they just thought up... or be the child of that god. Not to forget the godmode people who think it is wrong that they can't /me cuts his foes to little bits before anyone can react. Finally, we have the people that complain that the Chat is too restrictive around OOC and brackets. No, it is not a new complaint. It has been around ever since players started enforcing it themselves.

Will you run into 'rulenerds'? Yes, of course. They were around far before the tutorial was ever created. Jerks exist everywhere, on both sides. You will have the rulejerk on one side, and the rulebreakerjerk on the other- the smoker who smokes in the non-smoking section just to be a jerk. The only way to stop them is to make more rules, or no rules. Both are taking the actual 'rules' to the extreme.

Now, from the above, you may think that I am one of those 'rulenerds' or SPURs. I am not. I use [OOC] often in main for a verity of reasons. Commenting OOC on something funny said by another character or my own, asking for clarification, even talking about features on occasion if RP is light, as long as it is not interrupting anyone.

The tutorial is there to explain what those dotted lines are on the road so you don't get into trouble for crossing them at the wrong time. It is a matter of respecting what other players wish, not what the Devs have set forth as rules.

[Irgendwer]

* Under the moon reads Irgendwer's posts about the tutorial and is completely confused.

Is this the line that has you all riled up?

Xargon Guurn says: Excellent! Please remember to act in-character when talking to others. We are all working towards a roleplayed atmosphere in PlaneShift, regardless of the current client version. OOC -Out-Of-Character- text should be designated with parentheses or brackets, as regular text is that which comes from the mouth of your character, a person who lives in the world of Yliakum and knows nothing about computers, video games, the internet, or Picasso.

This line, his other rantings about the importance of roleplay and his constant inquireries if I have been paying attention. Phrases such as: " All right- now, my dear Sir, can you guess which word I am thinking of that starts with the letter 'R'?
We can now debate hours about how my subjective impression differs from yours and that I shouldn't have had it. This however does change the fact, that I had did.

To elaborate my impression after passing Xargon Guurn:

Aha, nice. A lecture on roleplay, written for idiots, telling me the dos and don'ts and constantly asking a question to make sure, I have read his lines. I may not enter the game till I have answered correctly. Erm ... "This website contains adult material (pr0n!). You may not enter unless you are of legal age (Enter/Leave)"? Ok, Question: If you are writing something for idiots, what makes you think, a genuine idiot will undertand it? What makes you think, a smartass will pay real attention? What makes you  think a novice can roleplay without getting a bit familiar with the surroundings first and still has the turorial fresh in memory once s/he stumples in the first real RP situation?

Ok, someone here appearantly put quite a lot of time in writing a script, that will either tell nothing new to or overload the new player with information, just to stress out his/her point. Hm, this person was obviously a staffmember, making this the official stance of the dev team. Hm^2, this is a noncommercial project, meaning those people are working to get on what Blizzard et all won't give them to their satisfaction. Hm^3, what in the world could that possibly be (I think it starts with the letter "R")?

Ok, here we have a game, where SPUR can thrive and will find a very open ear. Do I want to have debates with a nitpick SPUR because s/he thinks my way of RP does not qualify as RP? No. Do I want the arguement to be constantly taken to the GMs? Certainly not! What can I do to avoid that? Simple: Keep to myself. No toes to step on that way.

I don't understand what you want either. No suggestion at all that [brackets] are preferred for OOC? Somehow making the dialogue 'gentler'?

1. Rethink the bracket rule. It does not work.
2. Rework the dialogue of the RP NPC. Strip it down to the bare minimums and try to rub it less into the player.
3. Rereading the chatlog, I think that a lot of what the NPC tries to teach you should actually go to your inventory in form of a handbook. That way you have it still around, when you need it (or have something to read while being exhausted).

The 'rule' about brackets evolved from players, not Devs. As the game evolved, players began using them more and more. The 'rule' was taught to new player by players, and still is. It has become part of the culture. The Devs can do -nothing- about that. The 'rule' is placed in there so new players do not get blindsided by people telling them how things are generally done in PS (sometimes in a not so nice manner if you run into a jerk). People who talk excessively OOC in open chat will get poked about it by other players. People who do it constantly are disrupting other players and will get warned by a GM.

If you read the Xargon Guurn chatlog again, you'll find, he teaches you this rule. Meaning it comes from the devs as far as the novice player is concerned. Stating, that I get warned by a GM for constantly using OOC (mind: Talking about stats is already perceived OOC. I don't need to mention "lightsabres", which by the way I am cabable and even willing to do in in IC fashion just to annoy a SPUR when s/he starts lecturing me) directly contradicts a statement made by you earlier, that this won't happen. This and the fact, that you are aware of players enforcing rules by themselves validates my point: The easiest way to avoid trouble is by either keeping to yourself (answering the question, what makes people not want to RP - see threat topic) or giving in to the stupidity and appease the rulenerds and SPUR by giving them their brackets. It will of course still be OOC, but now that it is savely contained within brackets, the deadly radiation it emits is shielded.

PlaneShift is a lot more exclusive in how we want players to act. If a player can not handle that, then this is simply not the game for them.

Sorry to say that, but: Welcome to SPUR camp. What you just said in these two sentences is this: If you cannot live up to our standards, which btw. nobody was ever able to define (so you cannot know if you are doing it right), you cannot play with us. Do I even have to elaborate more, why this stance makes people want to not roleplay? If I am a novice and happen to have a glimpse of this attitude (which is not that hard to get), I prefer to keep to myself. It spares me unpleasant debates.

Finally, we have the people that complain that the Chat is too restrictive around OOC and brackets. No, it is not a new complaint. It has been around ever since players started enforcing it themselves.

Maybe, just maybe this should ring a bell?

This rule is simply stupid. It is cumbersome to use and people mostly use it to be spared from rulenerd tells. By trying to be safe they commonly missaply it. I even saw a player once using them in her characterdescription, which is OOC by definition (unless stating visuals). An OOC free mainchat is an illusion. It won't happen and if you feel your RP experience being tainted by such things, there are better ways to deal with the situation then going OOC yourself and starting to lecture around. Some ideas include:

* Ignore the talk about e.g. "computers". Your character does not know what a "computer" is. Chances are, that you in reallife don't know what quantum physics are. This does not mean, that the persons talking about it don't.

* React to OOC topics with a blank stare. "Pardon me tabei, but this bug, that killed the server, you were talking about. Which type of clacker was that?" (this is called giving a good example and works FAR better then lecturing. Also it satisfies your RP needs, so it's a win-win situation).

* If a person constantly distracts you with OOC, simply use your mutelist. Chances are, that s/he'll never say something you are intrested in at all. This will keep your mainchat far cleaner then bracketed OOC talk.

[Jeraphon]

tl, dr

[Xillix Queen of Fools]

Irgendwer, your advice is noted.

It is also subjective.

By now I know that to change anything is to incur complaints.

If you feel talked down to, comfort yourself with the notion that we may have been talking to people less intelligent.

The OOC brackets rule has been here as long as I have.

I am sure that we will reach a better solution in some future iteration of the game.

Until this solution arises, the tutorial will continue to undergo constant revision as it is now.

Relax, we have heard you.

[Prolix]

tl, dr

Ahh! "Tough luck, download Runescape!" I wondered what that meant....

Do I win the ring of the plesiosaur now?

More seriously, Irgy is right there are people who take this way too seriously and they act as a drag on the more casual players. Their ardor is admirable but can be misplaced sometimes. Now that we have exhausted things to say about the parlor elephant, let us just move on. I am certain there is a brontosaurus hiding behind it, if only we look.

[Kaityra]

What makes me not want to RP?

1. People running around all the time. It seems that a lot of people have forgotten how to walk.
2. People running around with drawn weapons all the time. This ist most annoying if done in cities and building.
3. People standing in a kitchen cooking or baking with their full armour on, cooking spoon in one hand and the sword in the other.

Sorry, but these kind of things truely kill a lot of the ambiance for me.

[Sen]

The standing/running everywhere and for everything with drawn weapons is indeed annoying.. but
People are also cooking with their weapons?  *imagines using serious weapons as knifes etc. while cooking and has to laugh* If those people would react to rps it would be funny, but I fear just those woudn't be responsive... a shame 


*thinking about a dwarf who hacks herbs with a big[tm] axe*
Sen

[EDIT] This explains the armor....

[eldoth_terevan]

It takes approximately an extra second to add brackets to something you are typing. The use of them makes chat channels more understandable to all. It is politeness to use them in PS. To not use them, or to complain about them, is counter-productive. There is no reward for complaining about this "rule", but you will integrate faster into the community if you use them. Big deal, use the brackets.

[Cyl]

The one thing that really keeps me away from RPing or PS in general is that the community seems to have a mySpace-ish over-estimation of their online presence (Characters in this case...). Everyone's taking it too damn serious. I mean seriously, is it so terrible when another character has a problem with your character that you oughta have a personal problem with that character's player?

...

Why am I even posting this...

[zorbels]

Actually Cyl, thanks for bringing that up. I didn't have that in my first post in this thread. When people start bringing their personal issues in RL that have nothing to do with the game or their character it can get very irritating. Or as Cyl pointed out when a player decides to take it personal when your character doesn't want to get along with theirs.  I have literally logged out of the game in frustration because of this.

For example, when I came back after a long break I knew there would be alot of hellos in my /tells. I knew that I had alot of catching up to do with some players I hadn't spoken to in awhile. I was prepared for this and kind of stood off to the side to answer these /tells. What I wasn't expecting was a player who was very over dramatic about personal issues with him and another player but it didn't end there. In a matter of one half hour (this was all I could stomach) he managed to pour his life story out to me, and all the information he could about other players.  I never once asked him to do this and I actually politely told him that I would prefer to RP while I am in game and if he still needed to talk I would be willing to after I played. This only got him upset with me. He started accusing me of not caring and being a fake friend. (I barely new this guy, I only knew his character) When I tried to tell him that I came to play this game to get away from the real world and just enjoy some me time, not to deal with other peoples RL issues he began to freak out in public. This forced me to log out. Yes, I know their are GM's that can deal with these issues. I didn't want to bother them with this minor issue, they have waaaaay better things to do. Besides it was kind of embarrassing and I didn't want to spend hours trying to work out the issue with this player. I mean why should I? I am not the one with emotional issues.

These kind off "emotional" issues just make me not want to Rp. I wish people would understand the differences between character (IC) and themselves (OOC).

[Under the moon]

* Under the moon shugs.

In that case, I am proud to be called one of your 'SPURs', though I assure you that it is others who have named me an 'Uber roleplayer', not myself. The [brackets] and naming rules (I see them as similar rules) are there to keep PlaneShift from becoming WoW, RS, or MSN, and they are not going anywhere. If a person wants to use Planeshift as a real life chatroom then I honestly don't want them here, as that is one of the things that makes me want to stop roleplaying. Call it elitist or whatever, but PlaneShift IS a step above all other MMOs when it comes to roleplaying. Our rules are the reason.

Time for a new thread, I think.