Good Guys Vs. Bad Guys / Law & Order

[Kay]

Obviously if this goes further the name will change to something much cooler.

I am reaaaaally wanting to do a sandbox roleplay (a roleplay with no definitive plot line, but multiple plots instead) set in a fictional city where players can choose to be a member of authority (FBI, Police Department, Security Officer, Lawyer, Etc) or some kind of criminal (either directly or by association) such as a gang member, a murderer, a serial killer, a thief, or anything else. In a sense this could almost resemble something along the lines of Law & Order, Criminal Minds, CSI. Players would also ideally have the option of playing multiple characters in order to have diversity.

Would anyone be interested in joining a RP like that? If yes-- do you have any suggestions or input? If no-- why not? And what would make you more inclined to join? Depending on the response this gets, I may move forward and may not.

Thanks!

[Polyphemus]

Sounds pretty ambitious, but I'd be willing to join.

[Kay]

Well, do you have any helpful suggestions or input? (:

[Kay]

BUMP!

[Errand]

I'm definitely interested. I love the concept hopefully more people will get on board. Although i think you should focus on a distinctive plot line and weave the players around that.
Perhaps making it episodical.

[Kay]

Errand, I originally did want to make some sort of set plot but all my attempts in the past to do so have usually failed. One problem is thinking up a plot that's powerful enough to captivate an entire roleplay and 6-10 players. Thus the sandbox theory, where things can be kind of open. But the idea of doing it in episodes- like a tv show - now, that's a revolutionary concept right there. We would have to figure out the "casting" for each "episode" however, because every episode would almost be like a new roleplay (just all in one thread). Hmm..interesting.

[Errand]

You could see the difficulty with having a set plot but always believe that in this case it also could be the strength. One could start by assesing who the major players would be in this kinda plot. Investigating Officers, prosecutors, judges, politicians perhaps. And then as a counterpart, victims, villains and lawyers. To a find a core group whom we can keep involve with a different task each episode if u say will.

[Polyphemus]

Well, I get not wanting to do a plot and have players do as they will, that could definitely be fun. I guess that means you just have to really focus on the setting. If you decide to set in Philadelphia, for example, read up on Philadelphia, the gangs and police there, that sort of thing. Establish all the rules of the setting, all the major players. Who sells the most cocaine? Are the police honest or corrupt? If a serial killer goes to work, will the whole city come after him or will he be shushed up to avoid making the cops look bad?

One thing that might help unify everyone is if there's been some sort of recent shakeup in the status quo, something that affects everyone. Maybe a major kingpin has just been jailed and there's a power vacuum. Maybe there's a new mayor who's been elected on a tough on crime platform and wants more arrests. That kind of thing.

Just a couple thoughts.

[Kay]

Those are very good points, thank you Polyphemus. If I did go forward with this, I'd most likely have it set in a fictional city to avoid having to stick to any predetermined guidelines.

[Errand]

I see two different outcomes through the premise.

1. Set plot-driven episodes where although different players may be intergrated we have core positions who follows every episode. This would place the burden of responsibility more towards the gm/gm's.

2. A The Wire-esque fictional or actual city, where the plot by moderation ofcourse is up to the players, which would place alot more responsibility on the players.

My thoughts are that is difficult to chose one or the other before we would know the number and intension of people who would be interested in any of the two.