Calling for former RPing players and current RPers

[Phantomboy86]

Here's my tips for finding people who will RP with you (even if its just smalltalk. but smalltalk is where it starts. That and murder.)

A description: While not necessarily the most important bit, someone who wrote any description at all obviously cared enough about their character to describe them.

Not at a furnace: They get called furnaceshifters for a reason. I know some do leave from time to time, but a whole lot don't.

Inside the taverns: Self Explanatory.

Noobs who obviously aren't questing: While not always the most experienced, I find a lot of them will make the effort if you approach them first. But if they're on a quest, generally they'll be rushing around trying to finish it since all the quests are annoying courier B.S

[Candy]

[GM] Events are the best way to get people to RP.

I disagree. GM events are the best way to get peoples' hopes up that there will be rare and fancy loot to be had. RPing is the best way to get people to RP. If you can't find an RPer, join a guild or, if you're really desperate, ask in Gossip if anyone is up for some.

[Illysia]

@Mariana: In the past you could just walk through the city and pass several RPs. You could go to the tavern and find several groups laughing, RPing, playing games and it was far easier to join the RP of the groups in the tavern. I think part of the problem is that now people have learned to make due with less and don't demand better like we used to... The community used to have the numbers and experience to self regulate RP levels, but right now it needs help. However, I'm glad you had fun. While I'm around however, I will do what I can to keep RP going around me. Hopefully other former players will trickle back, even for a little while, and also help restore those old checks and balances that kept a certain amount of RP always going... *wink wink nudge nudge*

@Phantomboy86: Small talk is a start but all to often it dead-ends to pretty superficial, empty and repetitive RP. Even with starting with small talk RP, there needs to be a certain push towards developing more than small talk, even during the course of the small talk RP. I think that another part of the difference between the RP I was used to and what I am seeing now is that the focus is mostly on telling the story of your own character as opposed to using your character to help tell the story of Yliakum. I think the biggest help for people looking to get into RP is to not give up and to move outside of your comfort zone in terms of how you look for RP. I had to do the unthinkable and ask for RP in gossip, I remember complaining bitterly in the past about the foolishness that used to be present in the channel; however, it did help and now it is much easier to find people to RP with me.

@Candy: Yeah, events aren't the best way but they do help. I think the best thing to do is take time in developing your character, even if you don't do it at the beginning. Then, make sure to not just interact when RPing, but express your character so that there is a reason to talk about more than just the weather or whatever. Zan being a cranky fenki in the past gave people something to complain about even when she wasn't around.

[Phantomboy86]

@Phantomboy86: Small talk is a start but all to often it dead-ends to pretty superficial, empty and repetitive RP. Even with starting with small talk RP, there needs to be a certain push towards developing more than small talk, even during the course of the small talk RP. I think that another part of the difference between the RP I was used to and what I am seeing now is that the focus is mostly on telling the story of your own character as opposed to using your character to help tell the story of Yliakum. I think the biggest help for people looking to get into RP is to not give up and to move outside of your comfort zone in terms of how you look for RP. I had to do the unthinkable and ask for RP in gossip, I remember complaining bitterly in the past about the foolishness that used to be present in the channel; however, it did help and now it is much easier to find people to RP with me.

Thats what I meant, small talk as a means of introduction. You can't expect someone to suddenly let you in on all their deepest secrets and inner workings of whatever they may be a part of just because you said hi. They're probably going to want to know you =P

[Illysia]

We'll you'd be surprised about the deepest darkest secrets thing, but you can do a whole lot more than hello even with a character you have just met. You can express a lot about your character in the first few minutes of RP, but all too often there are just cookie cutter "hi. how's your mother" conversations

[Zalya]

We'll you'd be surprised about the deepest darkest secrets thing, but you can do a whole lot more than hello even with a character you have just met. You can express a lot about your character in the first few minutes of RP, but all too often there are just cookie cutter "hi. how's your mother" conversations

Zalya just found out a few things about her mother... That kind of conversation might end interestingly

[Aiwendil]

@Suno:

<Suno>   It's AiwendilH!
<AiwendilH>      yes...scary..isn't it ;)
<Suno>   Very :P Come back. We need you.
<Suno>   Do RP-like stuff!

Okay...Illysia used her puppy eyes to get me to try now this one time....so get your ass in game to see it. ;)

@Haraun:

Some are still around.

And the help of -some- would be very appreciated. ;)

@Phantomboy86:
Yeah..without Travosh and Karzela I probably would have never logged in a second time at all.

@Phage

Then again.. having tied Aiw, huh, now thats one word!=P

I actually wanted to keep that for our second date...but Illysia is far too...enthusiastic...so how I should I resist her? ;)
Same as for Suno...get your lazy butt in game...even if only for a few days.

@Candy:
True..events are not the best way to support RP...but it's a start and easy to do. And my opinion about GM events is well known...no matter what good intentions the organizers might have..they are never a good place to look for any RP.
Furthermore...the same as for Phage and Suno ;).

@Zalya:
Oh..and thanks to you...even without seeing you in game yet you were the reason for the first real RP aside of casual talk I had in the last three days. \o/ (oh..and not saying the casual talks were bad at all...I had fun with those as well)


So for my opinion about the general state of RP in PS...mhhh...hope nobody will take this offensive. First off the game is dead empty...can't really say much about RP if there are almost no people around. Yes...I know I said it was already empty when I left a few years ago..but now every town is a ghost town most of the time. I was kind of surprised how bad it is. On the other hand there seem to be hotspots of RPs at times..and I can't agree with Illysia that it is hard to get involved somehow (And no, no way I will ever sink as low as asking in gossip for RP...this is just unthinkable). Big compliment to Karzela who endured me and my stupid chatting for hours the first day I logged in...and didn't even make an attempt to flee from me. The style of RP has changed a lot though...not sure if I can get used quickly to that. Not wanting to complain about it...it's just strange for me to see people RPing the end of Dakkru's curse, the use of magic all the time or not being very secretive about their undoings of in the past. In general I got the impression that "dark" magic, dark rituals and violent RPs are even more common than they used to be at the time I left...too bad :(. And to the strict "Game-mechanics dictates what should be RPed" style I probably will never get used to...but it's not a big problem for me and the kind of RPs I usually prefer. People who insist on following the game mechanics strictly can easily avoid me...and the other way around. Oh...and I know GMs put a lot of effort and good will in their events...but sorry, I really think those will never be a good place for me to be. (Though I'm thankfully to them for gathering a crowd and giving me the chance to read a lot descriptions in a short time ;))

[Illysia]

I actually wanted to keep that for our second date...but Illysia is far too...enthusiastic...so how I should I resist her?
Same as for Suno...get your lazy butt in game...even if only for a few days.


I can't agree with Illysia that it is hard to get involved somehow (And no, no way I will ever sink as low as asking in gossip for RP...this is just unthinkable).

*Smacks Aiwe for the first comment*

And that's just cause I softened things up for you. I guess they got tired of me begging in gossip and started RPing with other people more.

[Suno_Regin]

Maybe

[Mariana Xiechai]

* Mariana Xiechai squints at Suno_Regin. "I know you. Git yer butt back in the game, you have unfinished RP in thar!" 

[Zalya]

@Zalya:
Oh..and thanks to you...even without seeing you in game yet you were the reason for the first real RP aside of casual talk I had in the last three days. \o/ (oh..and not saying the casual talks were bad at all...I had fun with those as well)

Yay I think! What did I do? O.o

In general I got the impression that "dark" magic, dark rituals and violent RPs are even more common than they used to be at the time I left...too bad . And to the strict "Game-mechanics dictates what should be RPed" style I probably will never get used to.

The thing is stories involving violence, dark magic or rituals, and strange experiments are easy to write and pump out. Its like the pop-fiction of RP . The smaller player base has made RP harder to find, so sending in a lot of quick violent RP's was a way to make  up for the dropping base. But it seems to me that the lack of quality of RP caused the Player base to drop even more, meaning faster RP's needed to be made. Its what really started the downward spiral. But fortunately, it also works in reverse. If we can pull together more in depth roleplays, that are open to anyone on the server, be it a new player, or a really old player, then we can bring in more people, and make the towns not so empty.

[Knightspark9]

@Zalya: The question is, how to keep the newer players inside of the game. I see many newer players getting horribly confused when they first jump in, if we could help them to the best of our abilities, then we can slowly rack in more players, more roleplay, etc etc.

[Zalya]

@Zalya: The question is, how to keep the newer players inside of the game. I see many newer players getting horribly confused when they first jump in, if we could help them to the best of our abilities, then we can slowly rack in more players, more roleplay, etc etc.

I agree! In fact more of the experienced players should be advisers more often. Helping them with the mechanics as an adviser helps, and trying to explain to them IC, whats been going on in the world brings them deeper into the RP.

[Aiwendil]

Yay I think! What did I do? O.o

Oh...I asked if Caraick is still with you. The answer led to the urge of Aiwendil to talk to Caraick. ;)

The thing is stories involving violence, dark magic or rituals, and strange experiments are easy to write and pump out. Its like the pop-fiction of RP :P . The smaller player base has made RP harder to find, so sending in a lot of quick violent RP's was a way to make  up for the dropping base. But it seems to me that the lack of quality of RP caused the Player base to drop even more, meaning faster RP's needed to be made. Its what really started the downward spiral. But fortunately, it also works in reverse. If we can pull together more in depth roleplays, that are open to anyone on the server, be it a new player, or a really old player, then we can bring in more people, and make the towns not so empty.

Be careful what you say...you start to sound like I did. ;) While I agree with this I'm afraid that reversing this trend is not as easy. But maybe that's just my bad experiences from failing at trying this with the Den in the past.

I agree! In fact more of the experienced players should be advisers more often. Helping them with the mechanics as an adviser helps, and trying to explain to them IC, whats been going on in the world brings them deeper into the RP.

Advisors are overrated...it's just using the same "shortcuts" always again. ;) Nah, seriously, I agree but don't feel very guilty of neglecting the help channel.

[Illysia]

I think part of what could help is making more of an effort to be visible in Hydlaa. I think all races spawn there now which means that is where the highest concentration of new players will be. If that city looks empty, the game will look empty and newer players will start to be discouraged from putting more effort into getting into PS. Remember, MMOs are no longer novel, they are common as dirt. Most people now have some sort of expectations from MMOs and being left mostly on your own with few players around is not among them.

I think a lot of little things might help like:

• Vary where you RP (I used to be guilty of almost always being in a tavern/bar when RPing... oh wait!!  )
• Take time to acknowledge people in emotes even if you don't directly RP with them. (don't underestimate how much good "/me look around and spots Player X in the corner before going back to talking to Player Y" can do. At least the other person knows that you have noticed them and aren't completely ignoring them.)
• Stop to talk with players you pass, stop when you see another player stop. (in case they were stopping to type something and talk to you ), walking to where you need to go instead of running all the time.)
• Write a description of your character, write one that contains at least one interesting feature. (helps to provide a talking point. If you are wearing a bright fushia scarf, someone may initiate RP by asking you why you are wearing a bright fushia scarf. However, you don't want to overdo it or your details will get lost in a sea of competing points of interest.)
• Develop a cute/funny quirky RP that your character can quickly do. (I doubt anyone but Aiwe was around long enough to know of Illy's giant bag o' stuff. But, in a pinch, I could have Illy go looking for something in her sack and by the end of it practically have her swimming around in her sack chasing after goodness knows what. It was good for a chuckle if nothing else)
• Use emotes to let people know that you aren't idling if they have just arrive in the area. (you may have been sitting around waiting for someone to RP with to pass and then you've kinda gotten used to sitting quiet and your character doesn't have much to say. Well you can use an emote to describe what your character has been doing without having to make your character jump the new arrival. One of the great things about RP is the use of subtlety.)

Someone might also want to take time to comb the forums for good RPing guides, condense/paraphrase them, and post them for refreshers. It's easy for stuff to get lost to the sands of time so it's probably a good idea for someone to do a RP guide thread. There are also other places to look like old PS guilds and organizations and also no PS related sites.

The Stonehead forum had some pretty good ones here.