Something that I can't figure out.

I can't think of anywhere else to ask this, so here goes.

What's the difference between a Round Robin in Fanfic and a Role Play in the RPF?

I've been around for a while, and that's been eating at my mind. So, is there a difference, or is it just the location that makes something a round robin vs a role play?

 

I'd imagine that in role playing you're writing yourself as one of the characters, whereas in a fanfic round robin that isn't necessarily the case.

 

So, how do round robin's work? I know well how RPG's work, I practically live at the RPF.

 

I believe that in a round-robin, you're allowed to utilize all characters in your response and move the plot around however you wanted. In RPGs, as you know, you have to tag someone to allow them to choose what their character wants to do.

So for instance, if you were writing a round-robin about Han, Leia, and Luke, you could write dialogue and actions for all three characters. In an RPG, you might just be playing Han, and would only be allowed to respond for him.

Imagine summarizing all the events that have happened in one of your RPGs. That summary would be more like a round-robin, because it tells the story and actions of all the characters, regardless of if they were your own or not. In an RPG, you're not allowed to do that.

 

Ah. I think I'm starting to get it. Round robins are like when Ktala posts, how she always posts what everyone else did/said, then does her own reaction, only in the sum-up, it would be me playing everyone, rather than summing it up.

Am I close? That's at least how I see what you're saying.

 

Yep. It's just like writing a story. In RPGs, you're contributing one piece of the pie with your character. In round-robins, you get to make the whole picture.

 

Basically in a round robin, the person who is writing at the time has complete control over the characters and the situations. Then when his/her turn is up, somebody else takes up the story and continues with what was written before.

It can be an incredibly fun way to write a story, especially when you're not too concerned with maintaining tight continuity. In the early days of fanfic here at the JC, the Gonks and HoJos were well known for their hilarious round robin type stories.

 

In the round robin, a real bird is used to determine the outcome. Hope that helps.

 

In the round robin, a real bird is used to determine the outcome. Hope that helps.

Note that when a real bird is unavailable, I've sometimes been forced to step in to determine the outcome.

 

I agree with you Herman. Although they are on reruns on cable now, The winslows on TGIF did this once for a holloween episode and it was funny.

 

Don't sell yourself short, bud. A Raven is a real bird, too. An important bird with a glorious past and a bright future.

 

Okay. I understand much better now. Thanks, everyone.

Now, I can go back to my home forum. (RPF)