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Author	Topic: Tips/Advice Articles: Etiquette for Creating and Playing RPGs
LightWarden Registered: Oct '01	Date Posted: 3/22/07 2:24pm Subject: Pretendy Fun Time Games! - Date Edited: 3/22/07 2:29pm (1 edits total) Edited By: LightWarden
	A piece of advice borrowed from the indomitable livejournal of one wadewilson, on the subject of "Avoiding Internet Drama". Something we all need to be reminded of some times (myself certainly included). PRETENDY FUN TIME GAMES. You are playing a game where you use the impersonal magic of the Internets to pretend to be superheroes or fantasy characters or characters on a television show or goofy anime movie. YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY. "I can't believe she said that, she's attacking me for no reason!" "Pretendy fun time games." "I know, but seriously, she's undermining me in front of other people!" "Pretendy Fun Time Games." "I know, I know, but she's trying to sabotage me and seize power over -" "PRETENDY FUN TIME GAMES." "Come on, I'm serious!" "PRETENDY ***** FUN TIME GAMES. THAT MEANS YOU SHOULD NOT BE SERIOUS." You cannot make a situation more than it is. No one is out to GET you, no one is constructing elaborate schemes to muscle you out, no one is fostering a conspiracy to turn the entire game against you, and there is no power of any sort to be seized. Do not completely devalue the word power by assigning it to someone who decides whether or not Rotundus The Lard Sloth is allowed to steal the Wand of Watoomb. Don't devalue the word attack by assigning it to someone who doesn't like the way you play Flabalanche The Goober-Grape Monster. Don't devalue the word sabotage by assigning it to people who pretend to be The Norwegian Sweatmonger Brigade saying negative things behind your back about how you managed to get the character of The Navel Master. The worst things they could possibly say about that are still not important at all, because it's about pretendy fun time games. No matter how upset you get, no matter how irrational the initial reaction to getting your nose a little out of joint is, you are not allowed to lose sight of the fact that there is no possible way anything that happens in pretendy fun time games can actually be important. It is not, nor will it ever be, a big deal. Control your emotions, or wait until they're under control before you start debates or discussions. Hurt feelings can happen, but you have to realize what they're hurting over. It may help to say the things you're upset about out loud. "I am angry because the guy pretending to be Snapper Carr on the Internet is being too flippant." "I am angry because the girl pretending to be Rocket ** told me I rape dogs." "I am hurt because the person pretending to be Snatchella The Fetching thinks I don't pretend to be The Galloping Gremlin correctly." You cannot take things on a pretendy fun time game seriously if you actually say them aloud. I could say "it's only a game," but people start riots over Detroit Tigers games, so that's not enough. It's one of the 3 Ps, so you have to say 'Pretendy Fun Time Game.' Aloud, if necessary. You cannot take something seriously when the word 'pretendy' is in it. -----signature----- CDG Guild Master Strange how one small thing can determine the fate of so many... especially if it's a twenty-sided die The Internet is SERIOUS BIZNESS! It's all fun and games until someone loses a leg. TF.N RPGs: Less fun than pretending to have sex
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SephyCloneNo15 Registered: Apr '05	Date Posted: 3/22/07 7:34pm Subject: RE: Tips/Advice Articles: Etiquette for Creating and Playing RPGs
	-----signature----- Member: GDG, GMG. Sub-GM: CDG Zam Wessel Lives! Recipient of Thrawn McEwok's Squib Creations Limited-Edition Replica Glove of Darth Vader™ "Samuel L. Jackson isn't only a fine actor, but a gamer. He's one of us." ~ Kotaku
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Sith-I-5 Registered: Aug '02	Date Posted: 3/28/07 8:56am Subject: RE: Tips/Advice Articles: Etiquette for Creating and Playing RPGs
	Ditto. -----signature----- “So what kind of quad-lasers has this thing got?” Stobb pressed, “Golan Arms or Taim & Bak KT-6s?” “Leave me alooone.” The pilot sobbed, “I didn’t build the sodding thing. I press a button, green light shoots out.” 007 family - DVC's twin bro'
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Black-Pearl Registered: Jun '07	Date Posted: 6/8/07 3:08pm Subject: RE: Tips/Advice Articles: Etiquette for Creating and Playing RPGs
	Excellent Guide, NaboosPrincess. -----signature----- • Captain Garust -- POTC III I Love the Amphitheatre!
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LightWarden Registered: Oct '01	Date Posted: 6/8/07 10:15pm Subject: RE: Tips/Advice Articles: Etiquette for Creating and Playing RPGs
	It's a pretendy fun-time game, so sometimes you have to make sacrifices so that everyone can have fun. But if everyone else has to make sacrifices so that you're having fun... you just might be doing it wrong. -----signature----- CDG Guild Master Strange how one small thing can determine the fate of so many... especially if it's a twenty-sided die The Internet is SERIOUS BIZNESS! It's all fun and games until someone loses a leg. TF.N RPGs: Less fun than pretending to have sex
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Randy1012 Registered: Jan '07	Date Posted: 7/15/07 12:02pm Subject: RE: Tips/Advice Articles: Etiquette for Creating and Playing RPGs
	Thank you for this guide. I'm kind of brainstorming my first game and the information here is really helping me figure out how to present it. Now I just need to figure out a storyline and all that. -----signature----- What can I say? I'm a talented individual.
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Beta-Commando Registered: Jul '07	Date Posted: 8/11/07 1:57pm Subject: RE: Tips/Advice Articles: Etiquette for Creating and Playing RPGs
	No more tips? Come on people, surely you're not brain dead. -----signature----- Star Wars - The Second Saga - Episode I: In the Shadows http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=27987805&brd=10475 Proud Member of the BFPBBRPFC "Bring the Fuzzy Pink Banner Back to the Role Playing Forum!"
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Sinrebirth Title: EU Senate Chancellor Registered: Nov '04	Date Posted: 8/11/07 2:05pm Subject: RE: Tips/Advice Articles: Etiquette for Creating and Playing RPGs
	LightWarden posted: It's a pretendy fun-time game, so sometimes you have to make sacrifices so that everyone can have fun. But if everyone else has to make sacrifices so that you're having fun... you just might be doing it wrong. QFT and sigged too. The essence of a good roleplayer, and the mantra of a good GM. Nice thread, we do need more GM-support around here, so much appreciated. -----signature----- Sey's Sinre The Missing Chapters of LotF: Invincible http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=28933751&brd=10477&replies=10 Chapter 2.5 is up now! Featuring Wedge, Dician, Niathal, Daala, Valin and Syal!
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Ktala Registered: Sep '02	Date Posted: 8/11/07 11:10pm Subject: RE: Tips/Advice Articles: Etiquette for Creating and Playing RPGs
	OOC: since you asked.... Etiquette for GM's Well, since folks asked for some input, I will put forth a tiny comment. When you are hapily running your game, and some non-player just jumps in with something, I suggest that you handle it with as much tact as possible. It is so easy, to send out a long list of reasons of why the person should not have done what they did, but ask youself this first... Is it really NECESSARY to blast it to everyone in the entire game thread? What if the person is really just some excited new player, who just really wanted to join it? To get blasted publicly, is enought to send some new players running, never to venture into the world of RPG'ing again. Dont assume everone who bursts into your game actually has a clue on the right and wrong way of doing things. For first offenders, I tend to PM the player directly, and tell them CALMLY what it was they did wrong. I offer suggestions on how they can correctly the problem in question. And in game, if it is necessary, I simply post that the previous post was voided out. And continue posting for the game. It lets the game run smoothly, without too many interruptions. The new person, is corrected, without feeling like an idiot, for something they simply didnt know, and with any luck, is encouraged to try again. With a little guidence, they could come to be a good player. Now, we all know, that this is not always the case. Sometimes we get those players who just DONT quite know HOW TO TAKE A HINT. If you have a player, after sending multiple PM's to, asking them not to do certain things, and they continue, or turn hostile to both you and the game, then it is time to both respond to them, in the game. AND, it is time to possibly ask the Mod for assistance as well. But the important part, is to NOT let them ruin the game, both for yourself, and your players. Dont be afraid to ask a Moderator for help. That is what they are there for. And players, let the GM handle the errant post. Dont jump in, and blast the poor player-to-be. Unless you are giving helpful comments, let the GM handle it. If the post involves your character, then send them a PM, and direct them towards the GM. Even if you know the person is doing it on purpose, blasting them just gives them more ammo. Just remember that first impressions count. You never know if that is a potential new player out there. Not burining them on their first mistake, might be the first step in turning them into a great player to be. And we would be nothing, without new players. -----signature----- Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light!! Earth: The insane asylum for the universe. Cheap core bombs...only used once. ... ...getting back to work...slowly...
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Saintheart Title: Manager and Wandering Swordsman of the RPF Registered: Dec '00	Date Posted: 8/15/07 9:17pm Subject: RE: Tips/Advice Articles: Etiquette for Creating and Playing RPGs
	The Importance of Saying Goodbye This one is more common sense and common courtesy than esoteric roleplaying advice. But let's say you've had enough of an RPG that you're playing. You don't like the universe, you don't like your character, you don't like the other people, it's gone stale, whatever. Or let's say Darth Real Life has finally overwhelmed you and you simply can't get enough time to post at all. Or you've decided you want to look for greener fields elsewhere. And you feel a bit guilty about leaving the RPG...so you take the low road and simply don't ever post again. Well, that's not nice. Not the leaving part -- the part about just leaving without telling anyone. It's not nice because there are other people to think about. Like the other players. Or the GM. I mean, even if your character isn't "doing" much right at that moment, there's still every chance that other players have tagged you to respond to one of their posts, or the GM is holding off posting an update for everyone because he (or she) is waiting on you to respond. Delays of this kind can stretch into weeks, I kid you not; I have seen it happen time and again. So what's the solution? Simple. Tell your host you're leaving the party! If they're semi-mature they won't take it personally. They will take it more personally if you just skulk off into the night without an explanation for the departure. And if you do announce that you are leaving, it at least gives the GM the ability to continue with minimal disruption to his other players. Here's a couple of suggestions for how to leave with grace: (1) Do it by PM to the GM. It's not unknown for one player's well-publicised departure to shake the resolve of other people to stay in the RPG, and that's not fair to the GM. The issue of you leaving is between you and the GM, and he or she will say what's appropriate to the other players about why you left (if the subject comes up at all). (2) When you do go, don't be a **** about it. There's no need to flame the GM for having a crappy game or failing to keep you entertained. Be constructive about any criticism you have that's making you leave. (3) If you can, try not to leave abruptly, but pick a moment when you're not in an immediate conversation with other players. This is simply so you don't cause a lot of disruption when you depart. I'd encourage players to take this on board ... and GMs as well. GMs: if people leave, don't take it personally. It happens. Move on and enjoy your time with the players who are there. -----signature----- Michelle: my Italian queen, my angel, my reason, my wife. Jessica: my little princess, my daughter, born 10 August 2007 Director -- Star Wars: Knighthood
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Ktala Registered: Sep '02	Date Posted: 8/21/07 12:38am Subject: RE: Tips/Advice Articles: Etiquette for Creating and Playing RPGs
	The Etiquette of Posting..or as it is better know as: When the Dreaded DRL ATTCKS! We all know this horrible creature. DRL..also know as Darth Real Life, invades your RPG, posting can become as difficult as a raging wampa. And of course, Real life must always take presidence over whatever games you might be running. The problem becomes even more accute if you are the GM of the RPG, and not just a player. But there is a right way, and a wrong way to deal with them in the Role Playing area. But take heart, there are some ways to soften the blow, when Darth RL cames your way. In the previous post, Saintheart brought up the valid point of The Importance of Saying Goodbye. This is a major sticking point. If other people take the time and effort to play in your games, or as a player, you are involving others, the least you can do, is let them know you must go. But say you're not leaving. But you know you might be gone for a bit of time, wether it be a convention, a trip, or some other tasks that needs to be taken care of first. First, let the GM know. Then, write a post, that would effectively move your chracter, or release other chracters waiting on your chracter whenever possible. A large post, with much interaction, gives both the GM and other players something to work with during your absense. You will not hold up the game, and you wont have players angry at your chracter on your return. One line posts will NOT do. Neither do 15 OOC's saying you're going to post soon, and then dont actually post. if you can do 15 OOC's...then you can do ONE halfway decient post. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE, IF YOUR THE GM. Try to find someone who you trust to take over your game, if you forsee a lengthy time away from the boards. If not, then try to write your posts in such a way, that you dont leave your players hanging for weeks on end, waiting for a response. A broad post, with multiple options, gives them something to work with, while they wait. This is espeically true if your in the middle of a battle or conflict of some type. Long drags within the storyline are a natural DEATH SENTENCE to a game. If your players have to wait a month, between each action, dont be suprised if when you DO post, you get few responses. You lose the flow of the game, and players become dis-interested. Also, dont assume that you can ONLY work on a post, online. Heck, use a text program. Sometimes I write notes in a gasp notebook, and then when I get time, input them. Ideas can be done away from the computer, so that when you do get a few moments of prescious time to be online, you can immediately begin to work, instead of trying to do it all in one shot. Do what works best for you. At least that way, you are free from interruptions and other distractions, when writing your posts. Most games can get away with posting updates once a week, except when major actions within the game are happening. If you plan a game to be more active or slower, then let your players know what they are getting into. Everyone has DRL looming close by, but if you plan and adjust your posts, then your players wont feel abandonded, and the game your in wont suffer a slow, agonizing death. Until the next thought... -----signature----- Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light!! Earth: The insane asylum for the universe. Cheap core bombs...only used once. ... ...getting back to work...slowly...
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Saintheart Title: Manager and Wandering Swordsman of the RPF Registered: Dec '00	Date Posted: 3/25 7:36pm Subject: RE: Tips/Advice Articles: Etiquette for Creating and Playing RPGs
	Raises the Threadtanic -----signature----- Michelle: my Italian queen, my angel, my reason, my wife. Jessica: my little princess, my daughter, born 10 August 2007 Director -- Star Wars: Knighthood
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Winged_Jedi Registered: Feb '03	Date Posted: 3/26 6:08am Subject: RE: Tips/Advice Articles: Etiquette for Creating and Playing RPGs
	Some brief advice for newcomers. When Joining an RPG Read the opening post. Then read it again. Then PM your sheet (if asked to). And be respectful towards the GM- keep in mind that they have no obligation to accept or even look at your sheet. If you're confused in any way, ask rather than trying to struggle on. For example, I have come to the conclusion that some very new players don't PM sheets when told to do so simply because they don't know what a PM is. I'm being serious- I was in a similar situation when I arrived on the boards. And it took me forever to work out what TAG meant and how to use it properly. I also produced many fine examples of god-moding with the most innocent intentions. And then I asked lots of questions to lots of very helpful veterans, and I improved. Honestly, I know it all seems very intimidating at first. But remember that no one here will laugh at you for asking questions if you're stuck (and I daresay a few enjoy giving out advice). It's far better to be embarrassed in the pursuit of knowledge than it is to be shunned for your ignorance. -----signature----- "The noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees, is the high road that leads him to England!" -Samuel Johnson
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DarthXan318 Registered: Sep '02	Date Posted: 3/27 8:39am Subject: RE: Tips/Advice Articles: Etiquette for Creating and Playing RPGs
	This is perhaps an unpopular opinion, but ... On Post lengths There's a definite tendency for people to think that the longer the post is, the better. To some degree, this is true - everyone hates one-liners because they're 'cheap,' take no time at all to write and are rarely examples of fantastic RPing. Too, it's frustrating to post a five-paragraph post filled with lovely character development and exposition and get just an "Ok!" in response. One-liners are bad. But there's a fine line between posts that are long enough to accurately convey what your character is thinking/feeling/experiencing at that point in time and just plain tl;dr. Because while I personally enjoy reading longish well-written posts ... if I have to hit Page Down three or four times before reaching the end of (say) your character's internal monologue, chances are I haven't read it very carefully. Or at all. And I'm probably not the only one, since most people here don't have unlimited free time to spend on the RPFs. Neither does "long posts = good" have to mean "short posts = bad." I've seen people post two or three paragraphs and then apologise for the 'short post' - well, if you can say everything you need to say in two or three paragraphs, you don't have to write more. There are also times where a long post is entirely warranted, of course. Maybe your two-page post is filled with action/dialogue/other things other characters can respond to; maybe you've cut down the internal monologue as much as you can; maybe you're the GM and you need that much space to convey the setting. But if I can only read the last paragraph of your two-odd-page post and accurately figure out everything your character just did and why, then maybe the first two pages were not entirely necessary. tl;dr ( ) version: please please don't pad your posts with unnecessary prose. It's not that I think long posts are a bad thing - on the contrary, I think they're great, but within reason. -----signature----- starlight I will be chasing the starlight until the end of my life
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Ktala Registered: Sep '02	Date Posted: 4/3 7:41pm Subject: RE: Tips/Advice Articles: Etiquette for Creating and Playing RPGs - Date Edited: 4/3 7:44pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Ktala
	So you think you know SITH about Running a Force Users Game? Howdy ya'all! Tis time to pull out my soapbox, and take a stand once more. I have noticed the next flurry of wanna be games, and Im gonna speak about a very annoying habit I have noticed. Dramatic Pause WHY, oh WHY, in the Seven Moons of Ragnarok, is ALMOST EVERY game involving Force Users a Jedi vs Sith game? COME ON PEOPLE, there were millions of other folks who could take on the Jedi. This includes NON FORCE USERS. You make it sound like the Sith were stupid bored stiffs, who had nothing better to do, than to find some Jedi to beat up on. How unamagintaive and once sidded you make them. On the same token, Jedi most definatelly had more than Sith to deal with. There are OTHER Force users out there too. Im not saying that duels and battles between Sith and Jedi arent fun..but that should not be the ONLY focus in a game. Palpatine had YEARS to set up things, to get them in place for just the right moment. SO did the Sith of old. They just didnt go slaughtering on a whim. Now, if they happened to get lucky, suure, why not. But why bother making yourself a target, when its not necessary? The Sith had MINIONS...folks willing to do their dirty work, to keep themselves out of the limelight. And on that same note, Why do so many folks play Sith like a bunch of growling, snarling idiots, who would kill because...uh..its Tuesday? That Sith cant work together as a unit, for a common goal, without threating to backstab and kill each other EVERY SECOND OF THE DAY? I know the Sith and other Dark Jedi are competative, but COME ONE. Even the most viscious of creatures can work together, for a limited amount of time. And while we all know that the Darkside is drawn by many things, that DOSENT mean that a Sith walks around in an angry RAGE constantly. He wouldnt last long if they did. Look, just because you have Force Users in your game, does not mean that only another Force User can take of them. Plenty of both Sith and Jedi were taken out by Bounter Hunters, and even an angry mob, if given the right set of circumstances. YES VIRGINIA, normal folks CAN take down a Force User, if the right set of circumstances follow. And makes for a much more believable, and interesting game. Suddenly Force Users arent the superman that everyone makes them to be. They are not immortal. They can die, just like anyone else, you just have to be a tad bit smarter about it. It will also make the Force Users not grow a swelled head, like many do, if they quickly realize that they CAN be taken down in your game, by something other than another Force User. COUGH! So come on Game planners. Dont just give us Generic bad guys who only role in life is to swing a red saber at a Jedi so they can feel good before they die. There are MANY other folks who dont like the Jedi. The Hutts, almost anyone in organized crime, normal folks who simply thinks that Force Users have too much power, with the ability to abuse it. Make your Jedi have to THINK in your game..and not just assume its another Sith pulling the strings. And if you DO have Jedi vs Sith...or heck, even just a group of SITH hanging about, dont make every Sith temple be the same old boring group, where every Sith is plotting the death of his fellow Sith, they all walk around looking like the evil bad guy from the old 50's cartoons...(complete with stringy mustaches..) and they walk around with a constant scowl, and sterotype EVIL thoughts. Oh yes, and lets not forget, not ALL SITH come from TRAGIC backgrounds. Be inventive. Be diffrent. Come on, I dare ya! Climbs off soapbox, and dissapears once more... -----signature----- Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light!! Earth: The insane asylum for the universe. Cheap core bombs...only used once. ... ...getting back to work...slowly...
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