@Nova There are several styles of rp that were common in ps. they are not that different and an inexperienced player can very easily adapt to these different styles. They type of RP that Illysia has described in the past is more like a slow, progressive story. The joy is in watching how characters interact with one another as the story progresses. In my mind this resembles a soap opera. Others would describe it differently.
The type that I like is similar, however things happen faster. Over the course of hours or days there may be rising action, a battlle/struggle, and denouement. Typically when I played, everything was freestyle. One player would attempt and action, and the other player would determine the effect if any. There is no planning here, no dice rolls, everything happens spontaneously. In this type of RP its critical that players be able to separate IC from OOC info as failure to do so would ruin the evolving plot. For example, if we were planning a surprise attack, and someone else learned about this oocly, and then made their character icly inform the guards of our plans. In this case, what really sucks is not the losing part, but the fact that it doesn't make any sense. You reach a point in the game where everyone sees the inconsistency and then has to stop. When stories become inconsistent like this, they are just garbage.
There are also player-run events. These are a little different from completely spontaneous role play. With player led events, one or more players will either have a pre-planned plot that they will present to other players, or else they will try to nudge the rp so that the plot evolves on its own. They may even act as a guide in the rp in the way that a Dm might. In each case, players let their characters react as they wish and are free to do anything they want. There is no script in this case, just some structure to guide the plot.
Some players did dice roll, but I have only seen that happen once or twice.
As for the quality of RP, it is shot at this point. There was a time when you could walk to the plaza and just *be* your character. Others would do the same. When I starting RPing, you had to sniff out the RPers first ( ie, check to see if they bothered to make a character descritpion ). If you are new to RP in PS then it probably does not look that bad from your perspective. People are talking in character here and there...
So what do we mean by BAD rp ?
Good RP is like watching a movie or reading a good book. You forget about yourself and get sucked into this fictional world where there are no players, just characters. You become IMMERSED. You may even imagine some details that were not typed in as you become more immersed. This makes the RP very real. Characters make sense, are believable, and fit into the PS world. When you return the next day, Joale still has the same personality and fighting technique, Caira still has a grudge against you from a week ago, Stashka is still a crackpot, and Jacula is still all firey and pissed. Better watch your back! People play out the consequences of their actions. If you slap someone, it hurts them, and they react accordingly, If you kill their best friend, they grieve. If you wrong them, they come after you... perhaps with a friend or two. Characters have likes, dislikes, opinions, preferences, fears, strengths, weaknesses, etc... They are not just cookie-cutter characters with their life history and parents name stamped on their backs.
BAD RP includes people going out of character and saying things in main like "LOL.. that was cool man. Crap! phone....[phone - brb]", or having the continuity of the story destroyed by people that drag in IC info. There are those too who dont rp at all. They usually say something stupid if you speak to them in character. There are those who dont understand that IC actions are not directed at them personally. they will feel hurt when attacked, cheated or broken up with. They may become obsessed with someone who comes on to them There are the MarySue characters who are nothing more than a hollow shell, and the Blank Characters who seem to have just sprouted up from a cabbage patch as adults with no personality, history, preferences, dislikes, etc.. You have your continuity breakers who don't remembering what was RP'd last. You killed bob brutally yesterday, and today he's like "Oh Hai! Nice to see you again buddy!". Some folks with ready your guild tag, which is ooc information, and treat your differently as a result. The most amusing imho are the overpowered characters who do things like freeze you in place with their frost spells so that they can godmod the crap out of you. Only a complete control freak would do something like this.
BAD RP also includes the GM led events that we used to see where GM's would RP badly and give way inappropriate prizes. Players would flock around them and do whatever it took to "win" a prize. If they had to quack like a duck, they would just do it. ( even if their charcter was some kind of badass or someome who's afraid of ducks ). This is called going out of character. Whats worst is that they act like players, and not like their characters. Players see this crap and say, oh, this must be legitimate.. its was a GM event. In defense of GM events, the rules have changed since then and GMs now only give out appropriate gifts. A GM black smith might reward you with a reasonable sword or axe - not an indestructible holy helm, or a nuke-everybody-at-once glyph. Gardener might reward you with a plant or something natural .. not gold plated plate armor and fancy-sticks.
Now, if I might point out one little thing .. all this BAD RP that I pointed out is acceptable in Planeshift. Planeshift does not care how crappy your RP is. This is why players have asked for better support for rp in the form of rules.
Given this info, look at how others are role playing. Which camp do they belong in ? Good or Bad ?
When I left people were not role playing at all when I was on. You couldn't even find crappy players to play with. dont get me wrong, there were a few good players, and a few excellent players in the mix. most of these players have left however...;( boo hoo.
Some say that I am an elitist because of my views on RP. If this is elitism, then so be it. its just a word. I don't agree with bashing new players and making them feel bad about their mistakes, rather I have spent a lot of time training and entertaining each and every newcomer that has come my way. If thats what an elitist is then an elitist as not such a bad thing.
From a subjective point of view, if you leave an RP feeling like "Wow, that was awesome!" then I guess its good enough for the time being - for you. This till will change with time.
Good luck.
If you want to take a step up in the RP world, look for me in IRC or on the Outlaws forum.
Rigwyn
