Post by Morreion on Jun 2, 2010 7:55:17 GMT -5
Storyboard: Best practices (Massively)
Good article!
Where better to start than ground rules? I've found over the years that there are certain things that do a great job of discouraging drama, hurt feelings, and general burnout. (There are so many obvious ways of causing those things that they hardly need mention -- and if you really feel the need to stir chaos, this isn't the spot.) They're not ironclad rules, but they're concepts that help keep things on-track and together.
Communicate
...putting communication on the top of the priority list. Tell people what you plan to do with characters, where you're going with a character's arc, and make sure that you aren't stepping on anyone's toes. Make a point of communicating to your fellow players that even if your character regards someone as the scum of the earth, the player behind said character doesn't feel that way.
And if the player behind the character does feel that way... well, that's another topic altogether.
...putting communication on the top of the priority list. Tell people what you plan to do with characters, where you're going with a character's arc, and make sure that you aren't stepping on anyone's toes. Make a point of communicating to your fellow players that even if your character regards someone as the scum of the earth, the player behind said character doesn't feel that way.
And if the player behind the character does feel that way... well, that's another topic altogether.
Adapt
With that preamble and my focus on thorough characters established, there's an important follow-up point: an ironclad character whose concepts can't be altered in any fashion is going to cause serious problems. One of the biggest tricks to good roleplaying is being able to roll with the punches. Complications in any sort of storyline or spontaneous RP will arise, and your job is to let those things flow into what's happening.
With that preamble and my focus on thorough characters established, there's an important follow-up point: an ironclad character whose concepts can't be altered in any fashion is going to cause serious problems. One of the biggest tricks to good roleplaying is being able to roll with the punches. Complications in any sort of storyline or spontaneous RP will arise, and your job is to let those things flow into what's happening.
Encourage
One of the best tools we have as roleplayers is to encourage others in what they're doing. We get a lot out of simply hearing someone else say that they're doing a good job, and we're a lot more likely to accept constructive criticism after some kindness. The same goes for experienced roleplayers -- encouragement is what keeps us coming back to try new ideas and take part in events.
So be a force of positivity. Be generous with praise, and don't dismiss new ideas out of hand. Don't be the guy who finds a reason to criticize every character you see for one flaw or another. Treat newcomers with respect and welcoming arms.
One of the best tools we have as roleplayers is to encourage others in what they're doing. We get a lot out of simply hearing someone else say that they're doing a good job, and we're a lot more likely to accept constructive criticism after some kindness. The same goes for experienced roleplayers -- encouragement is what keeps us coming back to try new ideas and take part in events.
So be a force of positivity. Be generous with praise, and don't dismiss new ideas out of hand. Don't be the guy who finds a reason to criticize every character you see for one flaw or another. Treat newcomers with respect and welcoming arms.
Reward
Keep your story going. Keep it immersive and diverse. Involve new characters and old, have victories and losses, have things people can look back at with real emotion. I've had scenes that have made me laugh, ones that have made me cry, ones that have been culminations of years of work. I've been the antagonist and the hero, sometimes on the same character, and I'd like to think that most of the time when I roleplay with someone they enjoy the experience. (If I'm wrong, people aren't telling me different.)
That's the core of good roleplaying. It's hard to pull off, certainly, but it's totally worth it when you can
Keep your story going. Keep it immersive and diverse. Involve new characters and old, have victories and losses, have things people can look back at with real emotion. I've had scenes that have made me laugh, ones that have made me cry, ones that have been culminations of years of work. I've been the antagonist and the hero, sometimes on the same character, and I'd like to think that most of the time when I roleplay with someone they enjoy the experience. (If I'm wrong, people aren't telling me different.)
That's the core of good roleplaying. It's hard to pull off, certainly, but it's totally worth it when you can
Good article!
