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Roleplaying 101
Note: This may contain references to other games, and is
generally applicable to most MMORGPs and not specifically WoW.
I have noticed that some articles on this subject tend to show
persons personal point of view as to what role playing is and
how it should be done. The problem is that everyone is
different, and what is right for one person, may not be for
another. So I just intend to give some general useful
information with out ramming too much of my own opinion down
your throat saying this is the only way to do it. This is not
indented to be a definitive guide merely a starting point of
things to bear in mind. If you read several different articles
on role playing and some of the views seem to conflict, remember
its just different peoples opinions. Take from it what you think
is good and if you think something does not sound right for you,
then it may just be there role play style (you don't have to
follow it).
What is Role-playing?
Role playing is a bit like acting in that you put yourself in
someone elses shoes. You get to go on a holiday from yourself
and do things that you would not normally do or say. In short;
you take over a different persona, with their own strengths and
flaws. Why do people want to role-play?
The fun is (well for me), to play someone who is different from
yourself and interact with others who are doing the same. Have
you ever been reading a book, or watching a film, and wishing
you were one of those involved and could interact with the
characters? Well now you can. I don't think this is the only
reason though, if you ask three different people you would
probably get three different answers. Basically it all boils
down to one thing. They enjoy it. How do I get started Role
playing?
The first thing that you need to be able to role play is a
character and a character history. What was the up bring like?
How does the character act towards other people? Does he or she
dislike any particular race? And so on. You don' have to work it
all out straight away, but it's good to have some ideas. Maybe
your character did not have a good education and does not always
speak correctly. For me, flaws seem to make a character come to
life a bit more and make him or her more unique. Think how your
character will act towards other people. For example if he is an
evil character he does not have to be polite and courteous to
people but he may show respect for thieves and murders. That
will give you something to work with. You can also let the
in-game events take effect on your character as time goes by.
For example if something very traumatic happens to him, it might
have some effect, like being trapped in a small place might
cause him to get claustrophobia. Again, make up your own mind
and use your imagination! As time goes by and you develop your
character you might want to start writing his background,
personality and events that have happened to him in game to
remind you, and so you can read through it again later to
refresh your memory as to how he might act. For example if he
has had one or several bad experiences with one particular type
of race or creature he might come to hate and/or fear them.
If you are having trouble finding role playing guilds, or even
information on your chosen game then Stratics is an excellent
place to start looking. They have information on message boards
on many online Role playing games. Since online games get
updated a lot the instruction manual is not always up to date,
Stratics serves as an up to date online manual. Stratics also
reports what is happening in game.
But all this can only go so far, you need other people to role
play with and have adventures and quests with. Try to find role
players where ever you happen to be playing, usually there are
some sort of role playing communities in a role playing game.
Look at web sites and hunt around.
What language do role players speak?
d00d speak, where letters are replaced by similar symbols, and
acronyms like lol (laugh out loud) and rofl (rolling on the
floor laughing) are generally frowned upon. Emotes such as
*laughs* and *smiles* are generally preferred. Other than that,
pick anything that fits with your character. Speak modern
english, ye olde english or even english with a french accent if
you have to. Does your character have a lisp ? Does he have
difficulty pronouncing the 'th'? Perhaps you will have him speak
Orcish, Elven or Gargish... It really does not matter, as long
as you are consistent. Is going out of charter (ooc) allowed?
This seems to be a very personal thing. I personally always try
to use [] to show ooc, but it's not the only way. You can just
say you are talking ooc and speak normally. At some point though
you will find it necessary to go ooc, don't worry, I think this
is natural and something that we all have to do from time to
time. However, die hard role players will rather cut off their
right foot than be caught talking out of character. Tolerance
Just because someone does not role play in exactly the same way
you do, is not a good reason to flame them or say they are not
role playing. However you may come across someone, either
in-game or on message boards, who just seems to like arguing and
attacking you personally regardless of your arguments. Don't try
to argue with people like this, as that is what they want, they
love to argue, just try to ignore them if possible. Role playing
for girls
Some girls do not like having guys hit on them in role-playing
games. One way to avoid this is to play a male character.
Playing a different sex must surely be an interesting and
challenging role playing experience. Of course you don't have to
play a man if you don't want to, maybe you can be that powerful
girl you have always wanted to be (Girl power). But always keep
in mind that just because you see a woman in game, it does not
necessarily mean they are a woman in real life. In fact, a lot
of 'girls' you meet in-game are in reality role-playing guys.
I have known quite a variety of girls who play role playing
games, some just like to run shops, make things and sell them,
others really like PvP (Player vs player combat ). Again try
things out and do what feels right for you. While there are more
men playing role playing games, there are certainly lots of
women too so you will not be the only girl playing.
Is role playing for me?
Why are you ask me? What do you think, want to give it a try?
I would like to thank all the people whom I have spoken to that
have given me support and information which helped make this
guide. .
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