Roleplaying Questions

[GammaDove 428]

So I have a basic understanding of what roleplaying is, but I kind of want to learn more about it before I get into it. So I have some questions about it:

What exactly do you do?

What are the minimum requirements to roleplay?

Feel free to add other information and why I should get into it.

(Sorry if this is in the wrong section, I just didn't know where to place it.)

[Mr. Critical 434]

Its basically two+ person story telling. At least to me it is. The minimum requirements are basically being literate and making sure you and the people you are playing with are having fun. As for other information, be creative. Think out how you want your story will go or improvise it on the go. Its your story, make it enjoyable.

[Quilava 1,290]

Hello! Great to see another person interested in the fun game of story telling ouo!

 

What exactly do you do?

 

That's a very simple thing. All you're technically doing when you're roleplaying is telling a story through the use of multiple people and customized characters. However, there are many ways one can go about doing this. For the most part, those who story tell tend to write as if they were their OC. Trying to think for them, how they would act, etc etc. Some may use what is known as a "blank"-sona, in this case, if you were pony role-playing, it'd be a ponysona. All that is, is an OC that is based off your own person. Makes it easier to write out how one would react if it's yourself y'know~. There is another way some people role-play, but due to the oddity and slightly...mental...view in regards to the population, of it, I shall not go into it! ^^;;

 

 

What are the minimum requirements to roleplay?

 

The minimum requirements for role-playing is a simple knowledge of the writing system and, though preferably, some extended knowledge of writing. You want to be able to make sure all that you intend for the reader to know you're able to convey in a cohesive manner. Other than that, there are no real "requirements" set for role-play beyond what the DM/GM may want for their story should you join others instead of creating your own. 

 

 

Feel free to add other information and why I should get into it.

 

As for why you should get into it; if you're able to develop your skills rapidly you'll be able to partake in some grand adventures in various places. Being able to write some nice pieces while you enjoy the simple activity. It's a good way to also keep your lexicon in proper management and check and can also help you to learn more and, basically, improve your writing overall. 

 

Besides. It's just grand good fun!

[Arylett Charnoa 4,919]

So I have a basic understanding of what roleplaying is, but I kind of want to learn more about it before I get into it. So I have some questions about it:

What exactly do you do?

What are the minimum requirements to roleplay?

Feel free to add other information and why I should get into it.

(Sorry if this is in the wrong section, I just didn't know where to place it.)

What is Roleplay?

 

Roleplaying, at least on the internet, is when two or more people get together and write a story together. Most of the time, you take the role of a character. You write a narrative post about that character, writing all of their dialogue and actions. Then another person does the very same in response. And you go back and forth with one another. Hence, roleplaying. It can happen in many different forms, but I'll try to be simple because you're new to this.

 

The general structure on a forum all takes place in threads.

 

There are two threads:

 

The one where the roleplaying actually happens, known as In-Character or IC. This is because you must be in character in this thread at all times.

 

And the one where people discuss the roleplay, which is known as Out-of-Character or OOC. In this thread, you stop being your character and just are basically yourself talking about anything related to the roleplay.

 

The first post of the Out-of-Character thread contains the general plot information, the rules needed to be followed throughout the roleplay, and a sign-up form for your character. Here, you can create a character in the Character Database without there having to be a sign-up form. One submits the link of their character to the Game Master (known as GM, person who created the roleplay and generally moderates it) and they accept or deny it based on whether or not it followed their rules.

 

The type of roleplay experience you'll have depends entirely on the Game Master most of the time.

 

Sometimes, they control the whole plot as other players can do little more than have their characters react to the story. As far as I know, this type of RP isn't very common here on MLP Forums.

 

The more common type here is the GM themselves creating a character and jumping into the action themselves, not controlling the story so closely. They just let the story go wherever everyone decides it should go, making stuff up out of the blue without much of a plan other than a general concept of what is happening.

 

Of course, there's a spectrum of control the creator of the roleplay will exert over it, and some will be more in the middle. But that's the general gist.

 

Minimum Requirements

 

A basic knowledge of the written English language. That's the absolute minimum. Though you'll want to brush up on some general grammar rules so that people can understand what you're saying. But if you can write, you can roleplay. It's really that simple.

 

Why You Should Get Into It

 

Do you like to write? Yes? Well, that's one reason.

 

Have you always wanted to work with others creatively? Yes? There's another reason.

 

Do you want to, just for once, leave this world behind and have a grand adventure with other people in a world beyond reality? Yes? Go for it!

 

Do you want to know what it'd be like to be someone else? To be another species, another creature, anything you could possibly imagine? Put yourself in a mindset that is outside of you? Yes? Do it!

 

Do you think about how you'd react in weird situations that will never possibly happen in reality? What are you waiting for? Go on ahead and roleplay!

 

In short - there are a multitude of reasons you could do this. It all depends on your interests. If you say no to most of those questions, then it probably isn't for you. But if you're curious anyway, I'd recommend giving it a shot. Why stay curious when you can expand your knowledge about something? 

 

If you're in need of more detail though, I wrote an extensive blog that goes more into it. 

Edited July 15, 2014 by Shion Uzuki