Cartoon Network Roleplay: Concept Thread & Planning

[Punished GN]

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Okay, so!

+++Shitty fanfic mode engaged+++

This was a random idea I had while looking at some of the Marvel/DC roleplays here on the guild. I thought to myself, "What if I make something like that with Cartoon Network characters?" (Or something along the lines of that). So, here I am, pitching a new Roleplay this fine Friday (If my stupid ass posts it on a different day than Friday, then rip). Right now, it's just a concept. A concept I want to discuss with everyone so you can help me craft the most enjoyable roleplay out of this.

So, the basic idea is an action (somewhat anime and comic book inspired) Roleplay where everyone plays as characters from Cartoon Network (The characters from the original shows like Dexter's Laboratory, so no anime or DC characters, sorry). Where we go from there is up to what everyone wants to do, but those are the ground rules. Depending on what everyone discusses and decides on, the OOC will take a little while to be set up.

And let me get across that, for reasons that I fear my Roleplay may garner some unfavorables, this Roleplay will be strictly high-casual/low-advance. I'm going to be expecting a moderate level of detail here.

So let's get started with the variables in this questionnaire!

_{If no one votes, and just says "interested", I'm going to turn this into a shittier fanfiction where my mary sue oc beats up CN and everyone loves em' for it.}

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1). Multiverse or Single Universe?

Now this is the biggest question that will change everything about how the RP is presented. What I'm basically asking is whether or not you want all the Cartoon Network shows to be in a single universe ala Fusion Fall, or separate universes. Because of the abundance of multiverse Roleplays, I want to go against it, but again, we can work with it. With the single universe, that might be more interesting, and easier to keep everything together. And some shows would naturally go together (I.E Ben 10, Steven Universe, and Sym-Bionic Titan for example)). The problem is aspects of different shows that don't gel too well with others (Generator Rex, and Samurai Jack, for example), and with a multiverse, we don't have to worry about them, and perhaps we could go for a "fantastic different world" aspect to things.

1.2). In the event of everyone voting for a single universe: what aspects from each show should be canon?

Now this is the challenge. Most of the shows, if mashed together without any consideration for their aspect, would be a total wreck. Generator Rex's nanites would be a bitch, and then we have Codename Kids next door and their world wide fighting adult bullshittery that doesn't make a whole lot of sense in a larger universe. But, if we discuss, and decide what makes sense for the Roleplay at large, and what works for everyone.

2). Sandbox or no?

Should be pretty simple; should everyone be doing their own thing, in their own hometowns or whatever, or should everything? While sandboxes are fun, they'll be a bit messy and are very hard to keep alive. I had the idea that everyone was some kind of superhero group similar to the Avengers and Overwatch (Which can work in the Multiverse setting).

3). OCs?

I think this is something that, if implemented, are keep minimum. While OCs are nice n' all, this RP's about playing canon Cartoon Network Characters.

4). What qualifies as a Cartoon Network show?

Now, this is the tricky aspect that I want to discuss with everyone. While I did say I wanted original shows and all, but I wanted to know what everything thought on that? I know shows like Dexter's lab, and Powerpuff Girls is a no-brainer; but what about series such as Code Lyoko, Xiaolin Showdown, or Totally Spies? Maybe not the Loony Toons (or any of those God awful CN shows they got from Canada), but there are some shows that deserve some credibility as CN shows. Perhaps we should come up with a grand list of shows that exist within in the setting?

5). How will comedic characters fit?

Now, one of the things I'm dead certain on is the RP being action based, buuut I'm wondering where shows like Ed, Edd n' Eddy, and Johnny Bravo, will fit in an action RP. Unless we go Punch Time Explosion and make everyone a fighter.

6). Anything else?

There's probably something I missed, so bring it up for discussion!

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That's about it, I hope to get lots of interest and discussion going.

[Todd Howard]

Allen, Allen, Allen...

Where to start?

1). Multiverse, but I'll explain why in response to 2.

2). Sandbox, to me, is one gigantic no no. As you said, they are very hard to keep alive, and generally they just end up being a shitposting wreck because nobody has any actual objective: It'll be a good 10-15 pages of random ass interaction then boom, dead. As for the superhero group idea, it works; It could loosely be based off the Nicktoons Unite games, where we have multiple big-time villains teaming up (Specifically ones from the universes characters chosen by the playerbase are from) to make one extremely nasty plot to take over everything. They start wrecking havoc in the multiple universes, and then... Well, we'd need a way to unite the characters to stop them. If I had to suggest anything, I'd say have Dexter build a machine to get them all to one place. Though where exactly this machine is built and how much Dexter knows about their situation would require a bit of thinking; Though it'd be obvious that Mandark would be involved on the villainous side as (probably) one of the lesser threats.

Also the plot idea above is cliche and generic, but it's just an example for the most part. (Unless you want to say 'fuck it' and roll with it after ironing some shit out, because it'd have plenty of interaction and action, which is mostly what I think most of us will want from this anyways)

We do need a plot. Without one, we're just making something that is almost certain to be short and bitter.

3). No.

4). I think we should compile a list as a group, as there's plenty of shows out there. Right now we have from your post:
Dexter
Powerpuff Girls
Samurai Jack
Generator Rex
Code Name Kids Next Door
Ben 10
Code Lyoko
Steven Universe
Sym-Biotic Titan
Xiaolin Showdown
Totally Spies
Ed Edd & Eddy
And, From Me:
Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends
Camp Lazlo
Chowder
Courage The Cowardly Dog
The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy
The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack
Megas XLR

For the moment, I can't think of anything else to add to this list, so it's something to go on. If somebody wants to add a character from another universe we haven't thought to discuss or add down the road, they can feel free to ask if it's considered okay.

5). The Ed Boys are an interesting one. They can't do much directly (Aside from Ed, obviously) But that's their thing; Eddy is a schemer, Edd is the man that makes them work, and Ed is the necessary muscle for any group ever. Eddy and Edd would have to be a bit more indirect, but comedic value and good writing can be appreciated over enemies giving them a hard time, right? The way I see it, characters should interact with enemies in battle based on what they are. If they actually fight, Like Jack, Ben, or Oni does, then it'll seem more dangerous and actually threatening. If comedic characters like the Eds, Johnny, or Blu fight, then they basically become comedy skits. For badder enemies, like villains, this won't be able to fly, obviously; Perhaps make a forth-wall breaking joke like a "gag character immunity device" created by Mandark, or some shit.

6). I'd like to ask some basic things; Starting off with if we have a limit on the amount of characters we can use, or if it's based on what we can handle. I'd prefer to have everyone keep to one character if our group ends up big, but if not, doubling would be okay with me. Too many characters could get chaotic if we don't have anything to do with them. But, if you have a plan, then by all means, allow as many as you want.

[Punished GN]

Gonna respond to the two points that stick out the most to me. @Raddum

1). Multiverse, but I'll explain why in response to 2.

2). Sandbox, to me, is one gigantic no no. As you said, they are very hard to keep alive, and generally they just end up being a shitposting wreck because nobody has any actual objective: It'll be a good 10-15 pages of random ass interaction then boom, dead. As for the superhero group idea, it works; It could loosely be based off the Nicktoons Unite games, where we have multiple big-time villains teaming up (Specifically ones from the universes characters chosen by the playerbase are from) to make one extremely nasty plot to take over everything. They start wrecking havoc in the multiple universes, and then... Well, we'd need a way to unite the characters to stop them. If I had to suggest anything, I'd say have Dexter build a machine to get them all to one place. Though where exactly this machine is built and how much Dexter knows about their situation would require a bit of thinking; Though it'd be obvious that Mandark would be involved on the villainous side as (probably) one of the lesser threats.

Also the plot idea above is cliche and generic, but it's just an example for the most part. (Unless you want to say 'fuck it' and roll with it after ironing some shit out, because it'd have plenty of interaction and action, which is mostly what I think most of us will want from this anyways)

We do need a plot. Without one, we're just making something that is almost certain to be short and bitter.

@Raddum

You definitely bring up some good points about the Sandbox roleplay. Honestly, I'm not fond of that idea myself, but, again, I wanted to see what everyone else wants to do. If anything, I can probably flesh out and expand upon this plot, or come up with an alternative (though, those are gonna be hard in this kind of RP).

6). I'd like to ask some basic things; Starting off with if we have a limit on the amount of characters we can use, or if it's based on what we can handle. I'd prefer to have everyone keep to one character if our group ends up big, but if not, doubling would be okay with me. Too many characters could get chaotic if we don't have anything to do with them. But, if you have a plan, then by all means, allow as many as you want.

@Raddum

As much as I want to say "as many as you can handle" as per my usual policy for these kinds of RPs, I don't really want anyone being that guy that hogs all the cool character. So, perhaps a suitable middle ground would be two characters? We also have to account for someone inevitably going inactive and how we're going to handle that in the long run.

[Todd Howard]

You definitely bring up some good points about the Sandbox roleplay. Honestly, I'm not fond of that idea myself, but, again, I wanted to see what everyone else wants to do. If anything, I can probably flesh out and expand upon this plot, or come up with an alternative (though, those are gonna be hard in this kind of RP).

@Mr Allen J

Well, we'll see more opinions once we get a bigger playerbase. I hope people see my side and decide to go against sandbox, but if they decide on sandbox I suppose I can get behind it (After crying for several hours). The big thing is, before we can truly form that plot, we need the characters people are going to play so we can use the correct villains. it'll be a bit of a pain either way, but I think a plot will keep us alive longer.

As much as I want to say "as many as you can handle" as per my usual policy for these kinds of RPs, I don't really want anyone being that guy that hogs all the cool character. So, perhaps a suitable middle ground would be two characters? We also have to account for someone inevitably going inactive and how we're going to handle that in the long run.

@Mr Allen J

Two characters is agreeable to me. I'll happily use up that limit by making both of them for the roleplay, as well! As for inactive players, it happens. Both because of life, and because people are _{pieces of shit who toss roleplays away like old toys.}

So, in the case of inactive players, we'll simply have to... Adjust. Finding the loyal players is the hard part; Weeding out the ones that'll just leave is the easy part. Especially since those people can be thrown on a list of people you wish you could strangle to death.

Don't take this the wrong way; I understand a roleplay getting boring. or life getting in the way. But there's a special list of people I hate for just straight-up leaving without a word, while being active in other roleplays.

[Punished GN]

Well, we'll see more opinions once we get a bigger playerbase. I hope people see my side and decide to go against sandbox, but if they decide on sandbox I suppose I can get behind it (After crying for several hours). The big thing is, before we can truly form that plot, we need the characters people are going to play so we can use the correct villains. it'll be a bit of a pain either way, but I think a plot will keep us alive longer.

@Raddum

Even if we do end up going with sandbox, it'll probably end up being semi-sandbox as I'll probably end up coming up with a story to kill the tedium.

Two characters is agreeable to me. I'll happily use up that limit by making both of them for the roleplay, as well! As for inactive players, it happens. Both because of life, and because people are _{pieces of shit who toss roleplays away like old toys.}

So, in the case of inactive players, we'll simply have to... Adjust. Finding the loyal players is the hard part; Weeding out the ones that'll just leave is the easy part. Especially since those people can be thrown on a list of people you wish you could strangle to death.

Don't take this the wrong way; I understand a roleplay getting boring. or life getting in the way. But there's a special list of people I hate for just straight-up leaving without a word, while being active in other roleplays.

@Raddum

What I was mostly wondering about were the people who want to pick up characters that were abandoned or w/e?

[Todd Howard]

What I was mostly wondering about were the people who want to pick up characters that were abandoned or w/e?

@Mr Allen J

People probably won't pick up the characters, honestly. I wouldn't mind juggling one extra, personally, if I thought I could play the character decently; But I wouldn't pick up two characters by any means. Writing out characters is a painful part of our forum roleplaying experience.

[Mae]

Xiaolin Showdown or riot.

But my opinion is invalid because I'm not joining, unfortunately, I just want to drop by and say this is a kickass idea.

I used to binge cartoon network when I was younger until my parents removed it from our subscription thingy ;P I only know the older shows like dexter's laboratory and power puff girls and ed ed n' eddy though. _{I used to watch it so much I had dreams about it, but shhhh}

Also surprised no scooby doo? That being said I've seen alot of scooby doo style roleplays, so they don't need no love.

[DepressedSoviet]

I would really like to join this. I have to say I agree with @Raddum in just about every point he's made, so go ahead and count my votes for those. As far as what I'd play, I'm torn between a character from Samurai Jack, or Kids Next Door, but I'd like to play something leaning more towards the action aspect.

[Todd Howard]

@Mae

Sad to hear you can't join us, Mae!

_{we all dreamed about it at one point, heheh.}

And oh my god, @Mr Allen J We forgot Scooby-Fuckin'-Doo. We ought to just kill ourselves immediately.

[Punished GN]

And oh my god, @Mr Allen J We forgot Scooby-Fuckin'-Doo. We ought to just kill ourselves immediately.

@Raddum

I never said they were off the table, and have considered them (Just that... I never liked Scooby Doo, fight me).

I would really like to join this. I have to say I agree with @Raddum in just about every point he's made, so go ahead and count my votes for those. As far as what I'd play, I'm torn between a character from Samurai Jack, or Kids Next Door, but I'd like to play something leaning more towards the action aspect.

@DepressedSoviet

Agreeing with Raddum is a bad idea. Don't do it.

_{I used to watch it so much I had dreams about it, but shhhh}

@Mae

What if I told you... my dreams are what inspired this Roleplay?

[Todd Howard]

Agreeing with Raddum is a bad idea. Don't do it.

@Mr Allen J

_{i'll fucking stab you you cheating piece of shit}

I never said they were off the table, and have considered them (Just that... I never liked Scooby Doo, fight me).

@Mr Allen J

The point of my post was that we never brought them up at all.

Though, not liking Scooby Doo is a crime. You ought to be arrested for such a fucked-up claim.

I am, however, thinking of playing Freddy now. (Specifically Mystery Incorporated Fred Jones, who has his trap obsession cranked up ten fold.)

[Punished GN]

trap obsession

@Raddum

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[Todd Howard]

@Mr Allen J

I can't even get mad.

Shit.

[Bounce]

Expressing interest, though I'm admittedly a fan of sandbox. I like the option of being able to explore and carve out my own niche within a shared setting.

I can go with whatever though.

Also, I would add:
Johnny Bravo
The Secret Saturdays
Adventure Time

[Mae]

@Mr Allen J _{illuminati confirmed?}

[Todd Howard]

@Bounce

*Cocks pistol*

_{You've made an enemy on this day, sandbox-man. /s}

I didn't include Johnny in my list even though I included him in my post discussing characters.

I am, quite possibly, a retard.

[Mae]

Wait. Wait. Wait.

Would I get banned for playing Cheese?

[Todd Howard]

@Mae

No, but I would judge you harshly and never want to see you again. Ever. Again.

[Bounce]

@Bounce

*Cocks pistol*
_{You've made an enemy on this day, sandbox-man. /s}

@Raddum

I like to sandbox dangerously.

[Bounce]

@Mr Allen J

On a serious note, if you're worried about how some shows might now fit into a shared universe (e.g. Steven Universe is an AU Earth, Camp Lazlo/Gumball/Regular Show features talking animals, Samurai Jack is another AU Earth...), there is a Cartoon Network original that could be used as a MacGuffin to make it all work.

Uncle Grandpa.

He's intentionally universe breaking, and the writer's have used that to bridge their shows into a sense of shared multiverse in the past. For example, when Uncle Grandpa appeared in Steven Universe, he had a checklist that referenced everything from Clarence to Adventure Time.

So, the concept of a Cartoon Network multiverse is already out there. Which makes it an easy set-up for what you are proposing. In that sense, it could almost be like Kingdom Hearts (taking place in original places and in worlds based around a series/franchise).

Just my 2 cents.