@Rigwyn I'm sorry to see you leave the forums, as one of the people who actually took the time to say the things that mattered and have that torn apart by people who don't understand what you are talking about makes me worry for the community.
@Xoel you keep using this word "elitist" when all these "elitists" are doing is trying to improve RP on the server, since it is becoming less and less of what it used to be, and more of an exclusive V.I.P. club. However I do agree with you that we need to teach newbs how to RP and stay in the settings. However, this isn't the easiest thing to do and that leads me to...
@Sarva: The problem with the new players is that they are either here to become a PLer or they find something interesting about the settings of the game that makes them want to play it. Now just because they began to play because of that interest doesn't mean they are doing it right, and when people spend more and more time doing things wrong while thinking those things are right, they begin to become stubborn, and those are the types who won't change even if a GM tells them to. There are also those PLers who think they are in the settings and they are not, and those can be a stubborn fight too. I agree that more reporting from players would help the little GM's that there are, and I'll try my best to lookout for OOC descriptions and names that just can't fit into the RP server.
@Pepito: Even if it was a bit saddening to read, I agree with your last post on this thread. Though you forgot to mention that some people don't play the game anymore because of technical issues. These technical issues is what has led us to where we are now, with such a low player count.
So why is RP dying?
Low Player Count
I can't think of any other reason why there is less RP as there used to be. Many people who were avid roleplayers left because of the technical issues to face during 0.5, the low player count that came to follow because of the issues people were having during the change to 0.5, or they just don't like the way the RP community is going.
I think now that there is little possibility to run into a different character and greet them, and roleplaying that you know that character because your character has ACTUALLY met that character, people have abandoned this, and turn to OOC roleplaying. I find it harder and harder to meet new characters in game because when I stop and try to greet somebody, they simply run past me, or if my character tries to greet somebody new, that person is ignoring your character because you are not a part of their preplanned RP's and RP clicks. There are hardly anymore characters in game who's every move is not controlled by the mind of their player, and how their other players friends agree on how things should go. Now these players like to do everything the way they want to, and ignore those who let their characters actually do the things they would do ICly. There are few players that are strictly IC anymore, and I find it sad. I think people have accustomed comfortably to pre-planning RP's and playing around certain dictated conflicts because nothing would happen if they let their characters do what they would TRULY do, because there would be no interaction due to the low player count. Hydlaa often looks like a ghost town for goodness sake.
I think what needs to be done is this:
-We should try and help new players stay IC and not get sucked into PLing.
-Enforce the settings to players who are straying from them, and making things up for their RP's.
-Do what Sarva said and report nonsense to the GM's.
-Stop running by people and stop for once, like normal people would do on the streets during the olden days. It's as if some of us don't see the characters that our characters RUN by, and that makes the "runner-byers" look like blind idiots. Lets stop that.
-Perhaps we should try not to play on so many different characters. I know some of us do because it is helping to the community, but many times characters are losing bonds because they don't see eachother as often anymore.
-Time to STOP pre-planning RP's and dictating little plots and plays for our characters to play out. You people know who you are.
-Religion is less involved in RP's these days. With all of these kidnappings and murders I would think that people would be worshiping more often, but they are not. I remember when religion was a big thing for many characters, and the only active religious guild I ever see is Daughters of Xiosia. Laanx temple seems abandoned, and the death realm is never seen as less than a 5 minute run-through. There are a few Talad worshipers around, but not many seem to pray much.
-Let's not just play because of events that could happen, lets play because your character has a life in game, not sleeping until some party comes up.
I really have nothing more to say in this thread.
