Non-Boring RP
-
Florid Answer: I try to see if someone else is trying to push a specific storyline, and fall into that as best I can. If nobody’s pushing their stories or one of the game’s plots, then I’ll try and drive things around what my character has going on. Ultimately, I play “yes and” and try and have fun with it.
Actual Truthful Answer: If I don’t hyperfocus on something in the RP, I’m basically a walk-on extra.
-
RP about me, not about you. Tell me how great I am. Don’t tell me how great your character is.
-
@Tez this is actually the secret. If you want people to want more rp with you, rp curiosity about their characters. That’s it, that’s literally all it takes.
-
@hellfrog It’s like dating. Show an interest in the other person/people, have a sense of humour, and be open to trying new things at least once.
-
I am always the most fun rper (and having the most fun) when I am a big fan of the characters of the people I am playing with. The things mentioned above about showing interest in my RP partner’s character and considering their hooks and everything is a lot easier when I am sidling up to them and metaphorically twirling my hair around my finger as I go ‘hey I think you’re cool want to rp after work today?’
To that effect, I actually start a lot of my efforts to be a good rp partner with how I build my character, because I want to be someone those cool characters might have a fun time with.
What are my character’s goals, and what things will they be unable to accomplish on their own? What ways can I make them reliant on the expertise of others?
What themes in the setting allow for shared elements of history, worldview, and trauma, that will give my character a chance to build meaningful relationships with others?
What traits will draw my character towards someone? What will push them away? How do I balance the character so that levels of interpersonal friction remain fun? How do I make it so I am not fighting my character to set up RP? (i.e. how do I find workarounds for the they wouldn’t go there/do that/talk to them shutdowns that might happen on my end.)
Most of this isn’t a formal checklist, but I know I’ve done a good job of it when I’m looking at other characters pages and going ‘oh it would be fun to have my character do x with them.’
-
-
@hellfrog It’s like dating.
This must be why I’m not MU*ing anywhere right now. I understand.
-
@hellfrog It’s like dating.
This must be why I’m not MU*ing anywhere right now. I understand.
In this economy, who can blame you?
-
If something is advertised as a bar scene, a karaoke night, or auction, I just don’t go. Avoid contributing to boring RP by not being there.
Otherwise it helps if you do a passable imitation of somebody who is paying attention to what people are saying to you. I use Pyrephox’s method of a) reacting to what people give me, then b) do something that takes the action further and give other people something to react to. RP is a game of catch. Catch the ball and throw it. Don’t sit there gormlessly hanging onto it.
-
I think one of the best ways to keep RP from getting boring is to notice what other players are putting out there, and then try to make an opening for them to showcase their particular thing. Yes-and what people are putting out into the world, and see where it goes. For me, half the fun is just finding out what happens when someone gets to really inhabit that character and turn them loose.
But: I expect the same in return. I’m not here to bask in your imagined majesty. I want to play with someone who’ll pick up what I’m throwing out there and do something with it, too.
In the last few days I’ve had a few absolutely wonderful examples of this. People picked up on little things I’d put in a pose, I got to follow up on things they’d put in theirs, and the scene went to some delightful places I absolutely didn’t imagine them going when I joined. I can’t wait to play with those people again.
I’ve also had the exact opposite. I did my level best to give someone things to pick up on, and they showed the barest interest in who my character was or why he was there. After a while it felt like the Other Character Show, and I was just there to be the audience. There’s only so much of that I’m willing to do before I give up and, frankly, avoid putting myself in that situation in the future.
Be courteous, folks. Be cooperative. Give people something to work with, and when they give you something back, take a swing at it. Bring good vibes to the whole jam.
Scenes where everyone is genuinely having fun are the best.
Scenes where it feels like pulling teeth to get even the barest acknowledgement are, in fact, torture.
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login