Post by piñata on Aug 30, 2004 11:33:14 GMT -5
Well, since we've had a couple of miscommunications in our first attempt at an RPG on this site, I figured we could use a little guidance. This is going to be an ongoing list of things that should be taken up in the OOC forum before they happen in an RPG.
1. Plot advancement. Unless an RPG is explicitly stated to be scripted (in which case it's up to the person who started the thread to handle the plot), anyone can advance the storyline. However, this can cause problems at times if another participant has an idea for the storyline. Everyone should post their storyline ideas in the appropriate OOC thread, and then all the participants in that particular RPG can vote on which course they want the plot to take. Before making even the most minor of advancements, check with the people whose characters are most likely to be affected to make sure they're okay with what you're doing. Lack of communication can ruin the whole experience.
2. How to handle enemies. I know some people like to charge into battle even when outnumbered twenty to one... and I also know that for every person who RPs like that, there's also another player who wants the group to run away. Keep in mind that forcing either option upon any of the other players/characters is considered god moding. If you want to attack an enemy army and can't wait for the decision to do so in the OOC thread, then attack the army alone -- don't unwillingly drag other characters into it. By the other token, if you don't want to fight, then sit the battle out -- but don't force the others to. Enemy armies are there for only one reason -- to be engaged. Eventually, combat has to occur in order to keep an RPG interesting. Delaying things for too long can cause it to get boring... but having a fight every other post can make things just as monotonous. When an enemy or group of enemies appear, a vote should be held in the OOC thread in order to determine what should be done. This is also true for offensive/defensive tactics: sieges can be fun when done with willing participants, but some people would rather not wall themselves up and wait out an army -- they want to attack instead of hiding. Every reasonable effort should be made to reach some sort of agreement, in order to keep "You ruined it!" comments from being made.
3. What constitutes god moding. There are many different ways to commit this most heinous of roleplaying crimes, but the two main ones are:
A. "Cheese Whiz". This is where a character is WAY too powerful (never misses with attacks, never gets hit by enemies, is impossible to kill, etc.). It's up to all the participants in an RPG to determine what an acceptable level of power is. Complaints about a character's power should be lodged either privately with one of the RP-section moderators (piñata, Eldae, or Soulcatcher4) or publicly in the OOC thread for that RPG.
B. Messing with somebody else's character. Unless you have their permission, you should never post what is happening to another player's character, what actions they are taking, etc. This is especially true in instances of combat -- killing another person's character without their permission is forbidden. So, instead of writing "*decapitates Elfie*", you should write "*swings sword at Elfie*" (or something similar), and let Elfie decide what sort of damage, if any, is dealt by the attack. If it appears that Elfie never takes any significant damage, however, then he is guilty of god moding, under the "Cheese Whiz" clause (he shouldn't get grievously wounded every time someone attacks him, either -- he has to find a balance that works for him, just like everyone else).
If anyone can think of anything else that should be mentioned in the OOC forum before it's implemented in a game, let me know.
1. Plot advancement. Unless an RPG is explicitly stated to be scripted (in which case it's up to the person who started the thread to handle the plot), anyone can advance the storyline. However, this can cause problems at times if another participant has an idea for the storyline. Everyone should post their storyline ideas in the appropriate OOC thread, and then all the participants in that particular RPG can vote on which course they want the plot to take. Before making even the most minor of advancements, check with the people whose characters are most likely to be affected to make sure they're okay with what you're doing. Lack of communication can ruin the whole experience.
2. How to handle enemies. I know some people like to charge into battle even when outnumbered twenty to one... and I also know that for every person who RPs like that, there's also another player who wants the group to run away. Keep in mind that forcing either option upon any of the other players/characters is considered god moding. If you want to attack an enemy army and can't wait for the decision to do so in the OOC thread, then attack the army alone -- don't unwillingly drag other characters into it. By the other token, if you don't want to fight, then sit the battle out -- but don't force the others to. Enemy armies are there for only one reason -- to be engaged. Eventually, combat has to occur in order to keep an RPG interesting. Delaying things for too long can cause it to get boring... but having a fight every other post can make things just as monotonous. When an enemy or group of enemies appear, a vote should be held in the OOC thread in order to determine what should be done. This is also true for offensive/defensive tactics: sieges can be fun when done with willing participants, but some people would rather not wall themselves up and wait out an army -- they want to attack instead of hiding. Every reasonable effort should be made to reach some sort of agreement, in order to keep "You ruined it!" comments from being made.
3. What constitutes god moding. There are many different ways to commit this most heinous of roleplaying crimes, but the two main ones are:
A. "Cheese Whiz". This is where a character is WAY too powerful (never misses with attacks, never gets hit by enemies, is impossible to kill, etc.). It's up to all the participants in an RPG to determine what an acceptable level of power is. Complaints about a character's power should be lodged either privately with one of the RP-section moderators (piñata, Eldae, or Soulcatcher4) or publicly in the OOC thread for that RPG.
B. Messing with somebody else's character. Unless you have their permission, you should never post what is happening to another player's character, what actions they are taking, etc. This is especially true in instances of combat -- killing another person's character without their permission is forbidden. So, instead of writing "*decapitates Elfie*", you should write "*swings sword at Elfie*" (or something similar), and let Elfie decide what sort of damage, if any, is dealt by the attack. If it appears that Elfie never takes any significant damage, however, then he is guilty of god moding, under the "Cheese Whiz" clause (he shouldn't get grievously wounded every time someone attacks him, either -- he has to find a balance that works for him, just like everyone else).
If anyone can think of anything else that should be mentioned in the OOC forum before it's implemented in a game, let me know.
