I'm using this as my foundation for something in-depth that I'm creating with a bunch of friends. Since there's going to be money down on this project, I would love a general census on how others feel about role playing and their experiences! I want to know the [color=7ecf3c][i][b]good[/b][/i][/color] things you've experienced while roleplaying. What are some of your favorite scenes? Did you meet lots of good friends? What genres did you have the best experience with? The [color=3ccacf][i][b]bad[/b][/i][/color] things - just the stuff that gets confusing, or makes you skip over other peoples posts, or even not get involved in a specific topic at all. Lastly, the [color=ff166e][i][b]ugly[/b][/i][/color] things. This is the stuff that straight up made you leave, get into fights with others, or other stuff that you would like to share. There's no limit on posting on this or anything - and if you come up with new ones, feel free to share! [center][img]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Tuw7JcC4vk/UwFEtyOBsOI/AAAAAAAACQk/81bD7Kzg7c8/s1600/Blog_Divider_shabbymissjenndesigns1.png[/img][/center] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/p9mRbiD.png[/img][/center] [color=7ecf3c] For me, the good things out-weigh the bad - but that's completely obvious or else I wouldn't still be roleplaying. I love that roleplay lets me brush on my language skills, rekindle my creativity, and just let go for a little while into a completely new place - much like reading does. [color=8fe6a9][u][b][+] People[/b][/u][/color] I've also met great people, made amazing friends that I have gotten the opportunity to meet in real life (heck, soon one of them will be my roommate!) and open my eyes to so many different cultures and experiences that I would never trade anything for. [color=8fe6a9][u][b][+] Character Development[/b][/u][/color] I love being able to develop characters, and help others build onto their characters and really get into the essence of who their character is - it's like a psychoanalysis - though filled with giggles and discussions on where this character is really thinking on going. It's great! [color=8fe6a9][u][b][+] Inspiration[/b][/u][/color] Roleplaying also brings out the researcher in me - since I love being detailed to a 'T' when creating a whole new world. So woo for that! Roleplaying will forever be a beloved hobby of mine, especially since also ties into my career field - so it's a win-win for me! [/color] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/nO0hARi.png[/img][/center] [color=3ccacf] My bad experiences mainly have to do with newbish practices around me, and just other little opinionated tidbits. Feel free to disagree and discuss! [color=8fdfe6][u][b][+]Random OOC[/b][/u][/color] It's a pretty big peeve of mine when someone randomly inserts OOC in an IC post - especially when they influence a character's actions. It also can seem like meta gaming, which is no fun, and highly annoying. Example: [color=008490][i]Boky metaphorically flips the table, because she's so done with this shit. Oh, she also stabs the orc in the chest with her rusty saber.[/i][/color] [color=8fdfe6][u][b][+] Going M.I.A[/b][/u][/color] Personally, it's extremely rude to just disappear off the face of the planet without notice in the middle of an RP. If it's a post by post setting, I can wait - it's no big deal, though I'll only do it for maybe 72 hours before giving up unless notified. If it's a chat based post though, nah. I'll just ignore that person in the scene or log off after a couple of hours and no response or recollection. Please don't be that guy. [color=8fdfe6][u][b][+] Hopeless Romantics[/b][/u][/color] Okay, I'm not going to lie. I am a HUGE SUCKER for a really good romance roleplay. But to me, those things take a lot of time and patience to build up, making in my opinion - Romance being the hardest genre to achieve well. Unless I make a character that in personality is an inexperienced 'loves to be in love' person - I do not jump into the hot seat suddenly. Characters who get together after three days is just weird to me unless it's a hook up, and I prefer to know a person's whole story first. So for those that jump into gushy scenes quick - sorry. [/color] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/KbfBCH5.png[/img][/center] [color=ff3f88] This is the stuff that will completely deter me from even joining a roleplay, or just give up trying in one. [color=ffadcc][u][b][+]Meta Gaming Admins/DMS/GMS/Whatever[/b][/u][/color] Look. I have experience in being in all these roles, and yes you do have to set the tone, the rules, and enforce them. Yes, your enemies have to be scary - and honestly, if you make your villains super OP I ain't even mad, because nothing ruins the mood for me more than a villain that seems too easy; but that's not what we're talking about. We're talking about the stuff like: Example: [color=c7527e][i]Boky kills Yokb with one mighty swing of her axe.[/i][/color] or [color=c7527e][i]Boky banishes Yokb because she needs to set an example with no real explanation.[/i][/color] When I see people do these things to others, it just makes me broiling mad. Nothing will ruin a good roleplay faster than not listening to your players, and being a total dickhole to them. [color=ffadcc][u][b][+]Multiple Admins - Suddenly dating...?[/b][/u][/color] This one is a little weird, but it's happened to me so many times I just avoid things like this all together. Unless a roleplay is made by an already established couple, I've found that admins/gms/dms who suddenly start RL dating in the middle of a good roleplay ends up ruining it entirely. I'm not sure if they mean to (I'm actually pretty sure they don't.) but something about being in the honey moon phase of a new blossoming relationship makes their judgement completely cloudy - and you see their partner getting away with everything, or duties not being performed accurately because if they have different opinions, one will always side with the other even if they disagree just not to fight. It's really frustrating. I'm happy for you two, really - but it's like seeing your mom bring home your soon-to-be step dad. On the opposite of that spectrum, it also gets extremely messy when they break up, causing players to get into all this personal drama and start picking sides on BS. Which, is the last thing I need to see in my life - since I never pick sides on that stuff. It just didn't work out - it's not my business. [color=ffadcc][u][b][+] People who take characters too seriously[/b][/u][/color] This by far is the most odd, and hilarious thing to me. I will say this as many times as I need to so that people can get it through their head. [b][center]YOU ARE NOT YOUR CHARACTER.[/center] [/b] keep on reading that til it sticks. But seriously, just stop right now if that's what you do. I get it - your character is your baby, you spent so much time developing them and shaping their very core - props! I'm happy for you! Though if MY CHARACTER has a problem with YOUR CHARACTER, I promise it has nothing to do with ME not liking YOU. If my CHARACTER wins against YOUR CHARACTER, it's nothing against YOU - as well as that's vice versa. So much drama happens just because people get super butthurt of their characters didn't get the result they wanted, and it's seriously the biggest turn off entirely to me. I will call people out. I will rage. I'll suddenly be filled with teenage angst I haven't felt since I was 15. Please, don't get your identity mixed up with something you've fictionally created - unless you literally based your character on yourself entirely - which shame on you, and you should invest in a Mary Sue test. [/color]