You are not a storyteller

[Morreion]

Storyboard: You are not a storyteller (Massively)


Your goal when making a new character shouldn't be to plan out his or her story but to create the opportunity for interesting conflicts that make a story. Reasons he might not want to do something are great. Reasons he might do it anyway are better. And then I see characters who are planned out to the smallest detail by their players, and it breaks my heart, because the player isn't looking for RP so much as for a supporting cast to fit pre-determined roles.

We can do better than that. We're not storytellers, and we're the richer for not trying to be.

[sinaedh]

While I totally agree with the gist of this article, I also find myself wondering... whose definition of 'roleplay' is correct?

Well, not seriously, I know there is no 'correct' definition, but... who am I to say that those who finely tune their characters' scenarios and tightly control what will be are less than I who tend to free form and have no overt plan other than to allow the character to react as he/she would to the happenings of the day?

When push comes to shove, I think the essential truth simply is that you have to find a group of like-minded players, and join in with them. I know that I dislike (and will eventually leave) a situation with ordered scenarios and story arcs that must be followed. Others simply cannot stand the possible chaos that floating with the situation might bring. This has been the case since humans began playing games, I suspect. What's fun for some is not fun for all.

[Rakul]

I completely agree with you, Sinaedh. I prefer a floating style of roleplay... freestyle, if you will. But, roleplay is what each person wants it to be for themself. You are playing a role, scripted, random, what have you.