RPG: A Question about Style

[Velosir]

This is a question to the RPG crowd that I have been mulling about for a while...

While looking through many of the games in this forum I have found that a certain style seems to be prevalent between each one. This style is that of short posts, little 'directing' by the creator, and mostly conflict between the characters.

I'd honestly say that the RPG board seems to be stuck in a rut. But is that a bad thing?

Do you find the short free wandering posts for an RPG satisfying? Or do you want something more?

I, being an RPG maker, have posted many successful games in other Forums before this, but my style is opposite to that which exists here.

My style is numerical, has a plot, and is nearly entirely me being the 'Villians.'

So the question I post to you is this...
Do you wish to continue status quo? Or would you like something different?

(Feel free to give your opinion on this matter or any relating to RPGs in general.)

[soraandrikuking12]

good point maybe we should show way diffrent styles

[Tyas]

Like how????What do ya'll have in mind?

[N@m!n3]

I like our style, it's kinda silly, and funny, even though we don't stick to the script it comes out interesting. But I'm open to suggestions.

[soraandrikuking12]

I thought like more True Original charcters not kh rpgs

[Tyas]

Like characters we make up or ones that are made by others?

[soraandrikuking12]

NO like entire rpgs need to see the light

[ShikaX]

Yeah, like something brand new....

[soraandrikuking12]

i got a perfect idea.............Monsters...... Space................... topless girls OOPs gto carried away!

[ShikaX]

space??? that sounds wierd......

[soraandrikuking12]

Fine give me ideas!

[Tyas]

I'd have to think about it.

[soraandrikuking12]

see my new threads?

[Tyas]

Yeah I saw but im not sure about the M rating though.

[soraandrikuking12]

Well for th more mature audience they dont want cutsie cutsie do they?

[Tyas]

Well its just theirs younger peeps on here and ya'know how that goes.

[soraandrikuking12]

right! Well NOONE POST IN IT

[Tyas]

Well I became a pirate :Dlol!

[Velosir]

I'm glad to see some originality going up... (:D )

Anyway, I've tried to seperate styles and explain them so that it might inspire change or inovation in others. I've divided them into catagories to show the opposite ends of the spectrum. Each category is applied independantly and more often than not the game's type will fall somewhere between each extreme.

Control:
Laissez-faire- Structure of game has little reliance on the creator of the game. Most of the content comes from the players. The benefits are that the game can be easily played without the creator's presence, and can survive should the creator have pressing matters elsewhere. Problems arise from the fact that the content is reliant on the compatibility of the people, and can easily devolve to one line 'counter-postings.'
Examples: Fighting Games, Sim Games.

Regulated- These types of games rely heavily on the creator to move the story along, most if not all of the content is from the interaction between 'GM' and 'Players.' Pros include that it can have an interesting plot and give the players a since of accomplishment when moving throught the course of the game. The cons are that should the 'GM' be absent, the game cannot continue and thus dies, it also takes a lot of time for the 'GM' to create a world and backstory.
Examples: Developed Games.


Type:
Freeform- These are games that only require descriptions of the actions of the players. Characters usually stay static following the storyline and are able to retain their experiences realistically. The Positives are that the players can usually take any action they want. The Negatives are that players often 'God Mode' and fighting between characters devolves to a flame war.
Examples: Fighting Games. (Everything here actually. :D)

Data Based- These games rely on statistics, stat charts, and data related productions. Closest to 'RPG Games' in that it usually has a level up system among other things. The inherent nature of these types of games allow a character to describe the actions of their character but prevents them from 'God Moding' the enemy. New players can be intimidated by the various statistic or too lazy to join and the game will never get off the ground.
Examples: Dungeons and Dragons.


Post Length:
Simple- Any game that can be replied to in a short sentence is usually a Simple Game. This is good in that a person can reply almost instantaneously to a previous post. This is bad though because little thought is put into these posts and often nothing 'significant' happens.
Examples: Fighting Games.

Complex- Games that mandate a minimum of four sentences or more fall under the category of Complex Games. This forces players to think about what they post and allows the game flow to be more interesting. But this also requires forethought on the post and requires time to right anything of length.
Examples: Political Games.


(I've been planning to put up a game in this forum but was nervous due to the fact that all my games are Regulated, Data Based, and Complex. Which is basically the opposite of the games I've seen here. Should I try my hand?)

[KH2_FinalSora]

Just one thing. Don't do politics. Pardon my language...but politics in general are shitty, confusing, and worthless. Most people on this website probably wouldn;t understand to much about politics either. Just saying...it would be a terrible idea.

[K H P]

uhm...what about like...uh...war?

[Tyas]

Coooooolllll!LOL!

[Tidus dude]

Like Kh 2 Final Sora said: Politics are a mess! SO having a rpg on it will cause a fight! And a war Rpg isnt escaping the grasp of these Rpgs ((metaphorically speaking))

[Tyas]

Well what if we based it on the Keyblade war?

[K H P]

hmm what about like gangsters, i mean REAL gangsters like waaaaaay back in their slick suits and "nyaaaah! im a gangsat see!" that would be pretty G

[Tyas]

We need a poll on what would be the best plot to base a RPG on. what do you think KHp?

[Velosir]

An RPG that is a Political one is more like Stratego. Players start a country and take turns spying, attacking, and marketing for their country until one country owns all the others. Think of it kind of like a more complicated form of Monopoly. When run properly it is great fun but it is EXTREMELY hard to get it to run properly.

[Tyas]

What would be an intresting one thats easy to begin but not really hard to understand?And Velosir what are the things you need to start a good RPG?

[Velosir]

You are asking the right questions!

The thing is the answers vary with people.

I for one would indicate a simple 'level by # of posts' game. Rewards frequent posting and motivates more. But I know for a fact that this rarely works and many others find it silly.

A good RPG must be engaging (has a story), fun, and be innovative (no stale ideas) on some level.
To start a good RPG you must have a good 'world,' you must make appropriate 'rules,' and you must have supporting players.

So what do you (the readers) think would be interesting, new, and exciting?

[Tyas]

Im thinking of making an RPG thats not to complicated and is easy to get in to and doesnt just focus on me as the main character.

[Velosir]

That is a good start.

The lack of focus on you allows players to have less restricted actions and the simplicity will draw a larger crowd.

But what else do you plan to do?

[Tyas]

Make it not as dark I've seen other RPG's where the good guys are demons or just not as strong if there not,soooo I wanted to make an RPG that wasent as dark but still very intresting.Like KH is'nt as dark but still intresting. Im gonna be working on the story later and I'll try to make it very clear so its easy to understand. Like what is the time, present past or future I've been confused about that ,and if your character can use magic or not as well as other things. So I'll try to make it as easy to understand as I can.

[Velosir]

I thank you for your dedication!

The most important part of an RPG is the rules. Make sure the rules are clear enough to define 'God Moding' but stilll loose enough to allow player innovation. A game with a Wonderful story collapses if someone instantly opens a portal to the 'Final Boss.'

[Tyas]

Yeah I know what you mean lol would you mind helping me out with my RPG? when I make the story, I've never made one,

[K H P]

yeah im kinda tired of it always being that you have to have some magical power in order to have a battle in the rpg..

[Tyas]

Me two.lol!do you have any ideas I can consider in my RPG?

[Velosir]

Certainly! Post here or PM me and I'll be glad to help out! (Warning: "I do not have much free time so don't expect an immediate response, but I've made it a habit to check this forum at least once a day.")

While I'm thinking about it...

General Tips For GMs:
Creating A World: The world is your foundation, it explains all that has happened and will happen in the game. The best way to avoid plot holes is to create the world first and then create the story. My favorite tactic is to simply start righting about the races, geography, and general information about my world. Once you start righting, more and more will spill forth and soon you will have an epic story sitting before you. Sometimes it might not even be for an RPG, it can also lead to an 'award winning' book or two. ;)

(I'll try and put up General Tips in the future to be helpful to the crowd.)

[Tyas]

Sweeet!:D I'll definitely make sure you get credit for helping me out in the making of this RPG I'll PM the story to you but it may take awhile and thanks so much for helping me out:DI wanna make it unique to the other RPG's so this is gonna be neat:D

[Velosir]

I must warn you, I rarely pull punches when it comes to making source material. Every plot hole, every break of character, and every discontinuity will be pointed out.

I edit with the utmost professionality.

I'm not being mean, I'm simply perfecting it for the greater good. So don't be nervous... :D

[Tyas]

I must warn you, I rarely pull punches when it comes to making source material. Every plot hole, every break of character, and every discontinuity will be pointed out.

I edit with the utmost professionality.

I'm not being mean, I'm simply perfecting it for the greater good. So don't be nervous... :DThats even better:D Im a fellow perfectionist too, so I know whatcha mean.

[Velosir]

There will be two types of edits to the story, Logic Based and Opinion Based. Logic base is to prevent plot holes and keep plot continuity. Opinion base is to keep more along the lines of character continuity and suggestions. While you should not ignore logic based, opinion based should be considered more like personal suggestions.

[KH2_FinalSora]

An RPG that is a Political one is more like Stratego. Players start a country and take turns spying, attacking, and marketing for their country until one country owns all the others. Think of it kind of like a more complicated form of Monopoly. When run properly it is great fun but it is EXTREMELY hard to get it to run properly.

Sorry, but I know someone who Rp's real politics. I can't stand to Rp with her. I was hoping you weren't one of them.

[Velosir]

Not real politics, just politics as a base. I once played a data-based game that involved politics. It was fun because it was complicated like an online strategy game but at a more methodical pace. The goal was to rule the world and it was fun in the attempt, not boring nor ridiculous.

Real Politics are way too controversial. I would never RP that for the sake of not starting a flame war.

[Xykru]

I personlay prefer a RPG with a plot, not one where a character is free to rome with no point to it. every character should be somehow linked to a story, none should wander...

Also, I do not care for the "one line post" where someone would say.

"Hi" he said, walking over.

Doing this makes others post shorter, since they have ntohing to work with. I like it when they post in paragraph format.


Well, there is my veiw.

[KH2_FinalSora]

So basically like Risk?

[Velosir]

Glad to see a supporter of the "No One Sentence" ideal.

I was astounded when I looked through this forum how inundated it is with 'Free Roaming' RPGs. It gives the impression that their is no plot for the game, and that it is simply a 'place to mess around in.'

I'm hoping this thread will motivate others to bring some storyline RPGs to the forum. :D

(Yes like an upgraded version of Risk...)

[KH2_FinalSora]

Ah, ok. I hate one sentene posts also, but I am forced to do so some times. Seriously... I hate it. Also..I've said this several times, but we need a place to post characters only.

[Velosir]

Wait...

You mean in each game or a 'sticky thread' that has the characters shared for every game?
:confused:

[KH2_FinalSora]

More like this

RPG - Section to post rps and play in them
RPG Characters: Place to post CHRACTERS ONLY

like that.

[Tyas]

Well that would be good. Can we do that? or do you have to post more often on a thread than just filling out a discription.

[ShikaX]

KH2's idea works out, they use it on different sites.

[KH2_FinalSora]

Well that would be good. Can we do that? or do you have to post more often on a thread than just filling out a discription.

we'd have to ask the mods...but I do't think so.