RP Made Simple

The RP Stimulus Package

Section: The RP Community | 3 Comments »

A Role-Playing Stimulus Package?

What kinda crazy talk is that?

Ok ok… hear me out. Here’s the concept:

You hear a lot of folks say there’s not enough RP going on. The talk of this server or that server is “dying” due to lack of RP. You read it on your realm forums, the RP forums and in-game. The “Un-roleplaying Rate” is up, and there’s “layoffs” in the RP Community.

Pretty much it’s kinda like a “RP Recession”, yes? …or is it?

You get my drift :)

Role-playing is a group social activity we do – whether it’s around a table slinging dice or in an mmorpg. Without others, there’s not much to do, right?  That is where the RP Stimulus Package comes in – to help not only you but your RP Community as well.

It also benefits in how we treat others too – being a social activity, it kinda goes hand in hand. In the end, we are all people and we roleplay to have fun.

Here’s the RP Stimulus Package:

• Be “fearless” in public areas when roleplaying.

• Role-play where and as you can.

• Inspire/foster role-playing both in the game and out.

• Be a good example when RPing. Non-roleplayers do notice.

• Get into your realm’s RP Community.  Who’s the RP Community anyway? That’s YOU and your fellow RPers out there.

• Be a positive influence in the RP Community when you can.

• Help and attend events if you are able to.

• Try to help keep the immersion of the realm when able.

• Support efforts by others wishing to help others RP.

• Be supportive of new roleplayers.

• Be kind, respectful and helpful to other roleplayers in your RP community.

• Be kind, respectful and helpful to non-roleplayers, you never know when one of them may want to try to RP.

• Stay away from being elitist or egotistical in talking to other roleplayers. There is a difference between being knowledgeable and being a jerk.

• Be in character, even if you think no one’s watching. You may be surprised.

• Remember when you started out and give fellow roleplayers some slack before playing the “YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG!” card.

• Remember that it’s not just about YOU.

• Understand it is ok to make a mistake, we all do it at some point.

• Be open to explaining or helping others learn about roleplaying. If you don’t know an answer, nicely point them to someone or a site that can help.

• Think before we “judge” or be a jerk to other players.

• Spread the word about sites, forums, events and people that can help the RP community. If you won’t tell someone, who will?

• Be flexible in your role-playing, there will be times when you may have to retcon or fudge things.

• Respect the way other people roleplay. There’s no perfectly RIGHT way.

• Remember that just because you may not see role-playing, it doesn’t mean no one is doing it.

• Remember that your realm’s population will ebb and flow during the year (holidays, school, summer vacations, etc.)

• Remember that the pixels have people behind them. And feelings too.

• Roleplay outward and inward. Be out in the field where you are and allow others to enter roleplaying if it’s possible – bring people into your RP when able.

• Before putting a condemned sign on your realm, see what you can do to help revive RP. You never know unless you look, and in some cases – try.

• Remember that RP starts where YOU are.

• Never give up.

And yeah, this is not a definitive list by any means – but it’s a bunch of helpful ideas to help bear out the storm when times RP-wise look bleak.

Don’t forget however, that roleplaying starts with you.

Hope this helps! Take care and keep role-playing.