Some good dialog here it seems. Wait, what were the questions again?!
How can pvp be roleplay?
Isn't it always role play. Every action has a consequence, so if you attack new players and kill them for fun, than that is your character, no matter what you think your character really is. On the other side, if two players engage in PvP and they are staying more in raw character form, then they should take it slow if they want to get a great dramatic effect. Take a couple swings at each other, charge and then maybe stand some feet apart and spout back and forth for fun. The problem with PvP and role play is one is in real time and the other is in slow motion and interrupts the other. Getting the two closer in time frame would add some fun. I also think it would be great if we had 5 seconds to type something in before we officially die, instead of the "You Can't Do that Right Now" message. That way I could say, "Well fought... ack, I die...".
What effect does Pvp have on roleplay?
Sort of what I said above, if someone keeps killing people in PvP, it will eventually lead to a greater in game conflict, which could be seen as role playing. Eventually some "good" group would come along and try to save all the new players from being killed by the evil killers, and maybe even eventually put them in jail. But, it would be up to the players and GMs to make it seem more realistic.
How does planeshift RP on Laanx effect pvp positively and negatively?
Hmmm, not sure about this one. Good RP effects PvP positively I suppose. But the RP that makes up mechanics that aren't even in the game (like casting fireballs or shooting a gun), is just a RP that could be done in the chat room. If one role player is making up mechanics and the other is trying to stick with Yliakum settings, then how is that fair or fun for anyone to try to keep up with. If the RP can be carried out in PvP, then seems more exciting to me and takes the game to a higher standard.
What part should pvp play in roleplay?
I always say actions speak louder than words, so PvP and the role play should go hand in hand. If I type I stab you with my dagger and you die, but I can't do that in PvP, then to me it just doesn't seem I am role playing my character correctly. Course this gets into power levelers and how it is tough to keep up with others and skills with a keyboard and mouse, etc, etc. but that gets into a bigger mess. Until the two can be played together, I don't see PS getting over a hurdle and increasing participation.
If I can't work a mouse and keyboard and someone else can, and those are the mechanics for a great fighter, then I'm thinking maybe I need to try another profession like crafting. Now is that fair or not, I don't know, maybe because it is a game it should be able to make everyone equal, but then that leaves a lot of extra programming and AI to work on. That kinda brings me to what I usually try to say, and that is freedom should be in the game. Being able to do other things besides be the greatest fighter, and be able to find some skill that is really useful, will make a broader base of players happier. And with freedom, if someone wants to kill another in front of a guard, then so be it, face the consequences, but there has to be consequences. Like UTM says, until those Laws are in game, it is tough to let it all reign free because order will need to be restored eventually as chaos will surely break out. Right now, I bet almost everyone should be in jail for something we've done, but until that tough, deep, deep programming is in game, all I can think of is let the community sort it out.
