RP Made Simple

Breaking Away From Linear RP

Section: RP vs Game Mechanics | No Comments »

We all start somewhere in the mmorpg’s that we play. There is an origin, which is the backstory (background, whichever term works for you) that we start with as our starting point in roleplaying.

For alot of roleplayers, it’s like being a character in an “interactive” novel, a movie or a comic book, etc. There are chapters to each player’s journey, as well as episodes. Our virtual “lives” move foreword from there as we interact and (hopefully) roleplay with others.

In alot of mmorpgs, linear progression (xp levels, zone levels, quests and rewards) is a game mechanic that is struggled with sometimes in roleplaying. I wrote an earlier article on RPing in a static world, which addresses some of the issues related to this one.

While “level/grind to X level – rinse and repeat” seems to prevail on many games, it doesn’t mean you have to except that as status quo. True, you can’t eliminate the game mechanic, but you can work around or through it to focus on your roleplaying.

Narrative is linear, but action has breadth and depth as well as height and is solid.
- Thomas Carlyle

So, what are some ideas to work around the game mechanic?

• Think of your first few levels as part of your origin. This can be used to bring some life to your origin and act as a catalyst to future roleplaying. A kind of “flashback” to your present self once you do get higher level if that suits your “plan” for the character.

• Focus on leveling until you “catch up” with your backstory. The thing to remember here is to make sure you give your character some “growing” room to interact and expand on your backstory later on. Growing and evolving a character is a very cool way to stay fresh and extend your character’s beginning concept.

• Full Immersion Role Playing as an option. Full Immersion Role Playing (FIRP) is a old/new trend of roleplaying. Some of this can be taken from other forms of roleplaying games and from real world filmmaking. The core concept is blocking as much non rp and game mechanics as possible (sometimes to extremes), to fully immerse your character in the lore, the virtual game world, and role playing experience. Many “heavy” roleplayers already use this style that you may encounter. The main thing is to give folks a chance and try to nurture rp – don’t lock it in a box.

• Try making quests into roleplaying. It may not work every time, but it’s potential rp. As always, try not to force rp on folks, but see try to invite it. As always, try to respect others you are with and have fun. Yes, it may cost you some xp or an item, but it’s a way of forging your own “path” in character ICly. It also gives your character more “history” and molds your present and future.

• Learning to be flexible. Depending on your playstyle, some things may work and others will not “fit”. Just be flexible and see what works best for your playstyle and roleplaying. For example: On quests that are too grindy but needed or “must haves” as far as gear in some way, you can always “bend” your roleplaying ICly or handle it OOCly and get back “in character” (IC) later.

• Remember: Roleplaying is not level dependent. You can do it from your first Login. Last I checked, it’s all in mindset and putting yourself into your character’s footsteps.

• Remember: Roleplaying is not location dependent as well. RP can be anywhere. Whether it’s at an event, on the street or in the “wild” – you can roleplay.

• Also, Remember roleplaying doesn’t have to “be” linear. Choose quests you like or explore other areas to roleplay and level. You may want to start from a different area or ICly move into another zone to mix things up. Depending on the backstory, you can fudge here and there and possibly create an even better experience. Do try to make it work with the lore of the game and can make sense if/when you try to explain this if it comes up.

I hope this helps in some way when you set foot out in the “world”. But remember this: Regardless of path, the main goal is to enjoy the ride and have fun.

Have any suggestions or tips to add? Let’s hear from ya!

Additional information:
http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/22/all-the-worlds-a-stage-how-to-roleplay-your-way-to-level-70/
http://www.warcry.com/articles/view/editorials/rolecraft/4977-RoleCraft-FIRP
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=5754667213&sid=1
http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/15/all-the-worlds-a-stage-pros-and-cons-of-total-immersion-rolepl/