Post by Poly on Oct 25, 2010 14:29:07 GMT
Before entering the World of Pure Imagination, you must first read (& acknowledge) the terms & conditions correlating the aforenamed. The following is to be upheld throughout every post, else the machine breaks down. And when the machine breaks down, we break down. Sadly, from overexposure elsewhere, some imaginative NewGenners may have the wrong impression as to what is to be expected in your posts. The following expectations have been written to prevent a most unwanted relapse.
Thankfully, we haven't had to many spelling errors here at NewGen, pun intended. Should your post resemble anything other than legible, we will assume you are being held at gun point and you've typed everything with your feet as a last ditch effort to ask for help. In which case, we will not ignore the illegible post, but place it at top priority. We will alert the authorities in your area & call an ambulance. Oh no, what if you can't type because it's a fire? I guess we'll have to call your local fire department every time too. Have you ever had an ambulance called for you? That's quite a bill that is sent along with it, to you no less. But seriously, I'm a cyclops and an eyesore is quite worse in my case. If you aren't putting everything into your posts, where's the fun in that? Effort is paramount.
Those involved in creating the thread are assuming the position of the GM, or Game Master for the uninitiated. It's a role of the utmost importance as it ensures the longevity of the adventure. It also assures that GODMODDING does not occur. Godmodding refers to playing the RP in such a way that your character has godlike abilities, and thus unfairly rules the RP by pulling out whatever is needed to “win”. Godmodding kills RP’s and makes them shithouse. The person writing the RP ought to structure it in a way that insures it can’t occur. The GM is also expected to have placed some forethought as to where & when the characters will be interacting with one another. It is suggested, prior to game time, each player fills out some form of character sheet created by the GM. It's also fun to have them write up a background for their character. "Take the time to come up with a good character. Create an interesting background, consider the way he/she thinks and feels, and things he/she might say. Put thought into the personality, ideals and emotions of a character, even more so then appearance and name. The more you get to know about your character, the better a time you and your fellow RPers will have. Also; do try to make your character believable." I encourage the players to take on the role of a new character for each RP. A character sheet can be as complex or as simple as you want. It can be little more than a name and physical description, or it can have a more complex array of stats, inventory items, behavioral information and even a picture. It’s up to the GM to decide how much detail is needed for their RP.
Stats and dice have not been so popular in the past, and a handful of us would like to see that changed. This is also a suggestion, new forum, new attempt at a RP board makeover. "From drab to fab with only mustard!" In any case you will be seeing a lot more of dice based RPs as several people want to try their hands at them. However, it’s a trust system, so both GW and player should keep that in mind. Where’s the fun in cheatin’ anyway?
If you've ever seen a Role Play fail or lose steam it's due to a lack of effort. You'll notice how short the posts are, &/or not thoroughly thought through. This is unacceptable. You're telling a story, so tell a story and don't post something you'd say in a role-playing chat. Tell the reader about the surroundings. Tell them about how your character reacts. Tell them everything concerning what you're writing about. Leaving information out is nothing good. The reader does not think like you do.
This is to be taken just as seriously as the other RP expectations, which should be taken as pretty damn serious by the way. A second thread in a suboard at the top of the page will be made for all out of character (OOC) comments relating to the Roleplay, members involved or otherwise. Doing so upholds the atmosphere of the RP, in turn making it that much more enjoyable. Should an OOC comment be typed within a game thread, you’ll have broken the forth wall. From the void between universes the giant zombie space bats and their foul flesh-prince B’kesh will pour, devouring all life as we know it and tearing the heart from the universe. In it’s place the spice mines shall rise, endless toil and servitude shall be all that anyone knows, bar pain. Pain unthinkable, pain unimaginable, pain shall be the very meaning of existence! The red sky shall rise and the stars will fade to ashes! You will stare upon reality and weep to the point of total dehydration! Your mind will crawl from your ears to seek shelter from the ruddy glow of awfulness incarnate, but it will be devoured by the gibbering masses of psychotic freaks that the Human race has become. Finally, the end times in their infinite mercy shall come, and there will be nothing…
Nothing…
So yeah, you probably shouldn’t do it. Sounds pretty damn nasty. Your “awesome” OOC comments may fertilize everywhere else but the actual RP game threads. This is not a suggestion.
Railroading is something normally done by GMs in Game specific RPs, but I think that anyone is capable of it. Basically, don’t force the RP to run the way you want. Don’t force players to act out in the way you want them to, as if they are your puppets. And if you are a player; don’t significantly advance the plot without the permission of the person that is meant to be running it. Everyone is in it all together, so do not think you are any more special than the other people involved.
Some RPs are much higher maintenance than others. In these cases it's advised a second GM is added, to avoid hindering the cadence of the adventure. Keep trying, if an RP of your fails try again. A few things you could do to avoid running everyone off are: Not being clear enough when describing the scenario, having a cookie cutter (linear) story line, abrupt extended absences, not being able to adapt to how your game turns out etcetera.
Do not bestow participants in your RP the duties of that of a GM. This is to prevent any sketchiness. Hey sketchiness really is a word! I guess you learn something new everyday. Anyway, if you must promote a player to that of a GM his/her character should be killed off for certain. It is also strongly encouraged you express your expectations of your new partnership else you may be disappointed with the results. I personally think it's a horrible idea to enlist someone playing the RP midstoryline. Although if it's in attempt to save a sinking ship, in either sense of the phrase, it may be your first last best chance to have any hope for a fresh start at a new beginning for the first time again.
As mentioned before, grant your players creative license. Should someone solve a puzzle, or act a way in which you did not expect, be patient. This may appear to contradict the don't give them powers of the GM & Goddmodding rules. It doesn't. It's not keys to the city, it's the ability to think outside the box. Hey if you don't want them thinking fourth dimensionally, make your story more detailed. It's that simple.
Have fun. This is the golden rule. Do not feel like you’re forced to do anything. If you are no longer finding a RP fun, then you can leave it. If you are running a RP, you should try hard to keep it going, but if you are no longer inspired enough to keep it going, do not be afraid to put it on hold, pass the baton or end it. It would be better then forcing out rushed entries, which would waste your time and the time of everyone taking part. RPs exist for your entertainment, and never ever forget that.
These rules are the collected effort of Trygon, Dangeresque, Hellbreaker & Myself.
Literary Expectations
Thankfully, we haven't had to many spelling errors here at NewGen, pun intended. Should your post resemble anything other than legible, we will assume you are being held at gun point and you've typed everything with your feet as a last ditch effort to ask for help. In which case, we will not ignore the illegible post, but place it at top priority. We will alert the authorities in your area & call an ambulance. Oh no, what if you can't type because it's a fire? I guess we'll have to call your local fire department every time too. Have you ever had an ambulance called for you? That's quite a bill that is sent along with it, to you no less. But seriously, I'm a cyclops and an eyesore is quite worse in my case. If you aren't putting everything into your posts, where's the fun in that? Effort is paramount.
Structure = Sanity
Those involved in creating the thread are assuming the position of the GM, or Game Master for the uninitiated. It's a role of the utmost importance as it ensures the longevity of the adventure. It also assures that GODMODDING does not occur. Godmodding refers to playing the RP in such a way that your character has godlike abilities, and thus unfairly rules the RP by pulling out whatever is needed to “win”. Godmodding kills RP’s and makes them shithouse. The person writing the RP ought to structure it in a way that insures it can’t occur. The GM is also expected to have placed some forethought as to where & when the characters will be interacting with one another. It is suggested, prior to game time, each player fills out some form of character sheet created by the GM. It's also fun to have them write up a background for their character. "Take the time to come up with a good character. Create an interesting background, consider the way he/she thinks and feels, and things he/she might say. Put thought into the personality, ideals and emotions of a character, even more so then appearance and name. The more you get to know about your character, the better a time you and your fellow RPers will have. Also; do try to make your character believable." I encourage the players to take on the role of a new character for each RP. A character sheet can be as complex or as simple as you want. It can be little more than a name and physical description, or it can have a more complex array of stats, inventory items, behavioral information and even a picture. It’s up to the GM to decide how much detail is needed for their RP.
Stats and dice have not been so popular in the past, and a handful of us would like to see that changed. This is also a suggestion, new forum, new attempt at a RP board makeover. "From drab to fab with only mustard!" In any case you will be seeing a lot more of dice based RPs as several people want to try their hands at them. However, it’s a trust system, so both GW and player should keep that in mind. Where’s the fun in cheatin’ anyway?
Don't Rush Your Posts
If you've ever seen a Role Play fail or lose steam it's due to a lack of effort. You'll notice how short the posts are, &/or not thoroughly thought through. This is unacceptable. You're telling a story, so tell a story and don't post something you'd say in a role-playing chat. Tell the reader about the surroundings. Tell them about how your character reacts. Tell them everything concerning what you're writing about. Leaving information out is nothing good. The reader does not think like you do.
A Fate Worse Than Death
This is to be taken just as seriously as the other RP expectations, which should be taken as pretty damn serious by the way. A second thread in a suboard at the top of the page will be made for all out of character (OOC) comments relating to the Roleplay, members involved or otherwise. Doing so upholds the atmosphere of the RP, in turn making it that much more enjoyable. Should an OOC comment be typed within a game thread, you’ll have broken the forth wall. From the void between universes the giant zombie space bats and their foul flesh-prince B’kesh will pour, devouring all life as we know it and tearing the heart from the universe. In it’s place the spice mines shall rise, endless toil and servitude shall be all that anyone knows, bar pain. Pain unthinkable, pain unimaginable, pain shall be the very meaning of existence! The red sky shall rise and the stars will fade to ashes! You will stare upon reality and weep to the point of total dehydration! Your mind will crawl from your ears to seek shelter from the ruddy glow of awfulness incarnate, but it will be devoured by the gibbering masses of psychotic freaks that the Human race has become. Finally, the end times in their infinite mercy shall come, and there will be nothing…
Nothing…
So yeah, you probably shouldn’t do it. Sounds pretty damn nasty. Your “awesome” OOC comments may fertilize everywhere else but the actual RP game threads. This is not a suggestion.
Railroading
Railroading is something normally done by GMs in Game specific RPs, but I think that anyone is capable of it. Basically, don’t force the RP to run the way you want. Don’t force players to act out in the way you want them to, as if they are your puppets. And if you are a player; don’t significantly advance the plot without the permission of the person that is meant to be running it. Everyone is in it all together, so do not think you are any more special than the other people involved.
Game Masters Guidelines
Some RPs are much higher maintenance than others. In these cases it's advised a second GM is added, to avoid hindering the cadence of the adventure. Keep trying, if an RP of your fails try again. A few things you could do to avoid running everyone off are: Not being clear enough when describing the scenario, having a cookie cutter (linear) story line, abrupt extended absences, not being able to adapt to how your game turns out etcetera.
Do not bestow participants in your RP the duties of that of a GM. This is to prevent any sketchiness. Hey sketchiness really is a word! I guess you learn something new everyday. Anyway, if you must promote a player to that of a GM his/her character should be killed off for certain. It is also strongly encouraged you express your expectations of your new partnership else you may be disappointed with the results. I personally think it's a horrible idea to enlist someone playing the RP midstoryline. Although if it's in attempt to save a sinking ship, in either sense of the phrase, it may be your first last best chance to have any hope for a fresh start at a new beginning for the first time again.
As mentioned before, grant your players creative license. Should someone solve a puzzle, or act a way in which you did not expect, be patient. This may appear to contradict the don't give them powers of the GM & Goddmodding rules. It doesn't. It's not keys to the city, it's the ability to think outside the box. Hey if you don't want them thinking fourth dimensionally, make your story more detailed. It's that simple.
Raison D'etre
Have fun. This is the golden rule. Do not feel like you’re forced to do anything. If you are no longer finding a RP fun, then you can leave it. If you are running a RP, you should try hard to keep it going, but if you are no longer inspired enough to keep it going, do not be afraid to put it on hold, pass the baton or end it. It would be better then forcing out rushed entries, which would waste your time and the time of everyone taking part. RPs exist for your entertainment, and never ever forget that.
These rules are the collected effort of Trygon, Dangeresque, Hellbreaker & Myself.
