The Players Corner Archive

Is Roleplaying still evident in the amount that it used to be? No.

In my opinion this game to some people is only about getting ahead. The move to the web (although i like it) made multi-accounting a definite possibility. I don't remember very many MA'ers from before (other than Krackenstar who had two GEnie accounts I think).

This game is not about roleplaying as the environment makes it out to be.

Money and power.

They come first in Gemstone! reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by Taernath:
Nice to see someone put on the ol' rose-colored shades! Keep up the good work!

---

I would suggest horse blinders.

There is roleplay in the game. The superficial surface hi, can you open my box, can you spell me up, childish games, etc.

When you scratch and go digging at all further and try to roleplay something with more meat most of the folks will say go somewhere else. I have seen a great deal of people roleplay in the lands, what is getting rare is the overall majority tolerating all sorts without taking it personally. It goes so far as when it doesn't even involve them they will report any sort of negative interaction as disruptive.

-Darrn H. - Paired two bandits bull 270 at 30 hot.
reg

Look at any of the computer/video gaming magazines and you'll see that all games have lables. Stratigic, war, single-shooter, racing, etc. Any video/computer game where the player, including the single player, takes on a 'persona' and enters a fantasy world of any type, is called a role-playing game. GS fits the description of a 'role-playing' game.

The problem is, role-playing means so many different things to each player of GS. Those that understand 'role-play' as being akin to playing 'Zelda' and that ilk, are going to play GS the same way. Collect your cool stuff and keep racing to the finish line. The players that are familiar with hard-nose table top gaming are going to play GS their way. Develope a character and make a 'life' in a fantasy environment.

The two different ways do NOT mesh, contrary to what some people think. (How many times have we seen sarcastic comments about role-playing is this game - "oh yeah, let's all just hold hands and sing") It really isn't as simple as.."can't we all just get along". Those that attempt to even try to bring a deeper level of role-play to GS, bump heads with those that just don't understand it.. and like Hiway said, it ends up all being taken personally.

A good majority of the staff and players of GS are happy with the way things go within the game as long as people are not OOC. Out of Character in GS simply means not to say words or phrases that have modern or real world implications. We've seen GMs, many many of them, post.."people play GS for different reasons and we ALL can have a place within the game". That simply isn't true.

I don't want to come into a role-playing game where you have to LOOK for role-play. RP should start the minute you enter that game. That's MY personal wants. I know it doesn't happen in GS, so I go to another game where it does. But, I also don't DEMAND it in GS. There is just too much of a variety of players to bang my head against the wall and demand a strick RP environment. That, and the fact, as it's been pointed out on these boards, there's just no money in it.

You want a game where 'half-elven' - even though it's pointed out clearly WHAT a half-elf is - doesn't have folks running around claiming to be half-elf and half-sylvan (go figure THAT one) then GS isn't the game for you.

[This message has been edited by Siara (edited 08-26-2001).]

::flails:: I can't type this morning!

[This message has been edited by Siara (edited 08-26-2001).] reg

I know it sounds sad...

But, if I feel like getting into great roleplay I leave all the big towns and I bring on my RP character(s) and go to either RR or Solhaven.

And I go find people I know who are good RPers and we just have fun for an hour or so.

But I think its sad that I have to go "looking" for those people.

Buckwheet reg

I wanted him to be a solitary rogue, who just takes life's potholes as they come to him, but even in Inferno no one has treated him like an outcast... and on that aspect of the Inferno experience, everything you find about half-elves in the game makes it seem as though they are revulsed and despised creatures. This is not so. But I am not saying this is bad RP on the part of the players, I am simply saying that the RP is not as strict as people would like to believe.

In my opinion, I think someone should make a game that blends GS and Inferno together. I see them both as very good games, despite their flaws, and I believe that the child of the two would be even better. And instead of letting the population get out of control as they have in GS, why not create a set limit for the number of people per game but have another server giving another one. Kinda like parallel Virtual worlds.

------------------
Caels Onae'Rae
AIM : Caels OnaeRae
MSN : Caels_Onaerae@hotmail.com
ICQ : 91446467
Yahoo!: caels_onaerae reg

I can't even begin to count the times a situation developed where I roleplayed an interaction with my dark elf with another character and then someone who hasn't done/said one word in the last three hours sitting their like a bump on a log tells me via whisper (if that) tells me to take it somewhere else or says I am disrupting their surroundings.

What happened to a bit of drama now and then? Or God forbid a disagreement in character? Does everyone have to agree with everyone else in Elanthia? Does everyone have to conform to the shoddy roleplay style of having a father that is Giantman, a mother who is Sylvan and a daughter that is Halfling where they constantly babble back and forth on the voln thoughts/amulet Hi mommy, hi daughter, ::smooches::...?

That innocent batting eyelash style roleplay is welcome yet any darker or negative styles are instantly berated by all the thought police or disruption police in areas where you could hear a pin drop.

Don't get me wrong here. They have a right to roleplay a big fluffy pink bunny for all I care and they might be having fun. I should have the latitude to play that sort or just the opposite without getting hounded by my choice or reported.

I can't even also begin to count the amount of times people automatically assume that you are there to cause trouble, be a bully, or be a jerk -as-the-player. I can't state it more loudly and say wrong. I enjoy to play a character that isn't necessarily like me in real life. I like test driving unique personalities. It is fun.

What is not fun is people telling you how you can have fun when it doesn't break any sort of balanced policy. The majority in many cases are flat out wrong many times. Simutronics in catering to this majority corrupts their game integrity pure and simple.

I am not asking for people to be forced to roleplay. No. I am asking for people to tolerate others doing it since the game is such. I think it is well within the abilities of people to gloss past such conversations/roleplay that they don't like and it truly doesn't disrupt their time. Given again nothing said or done is ooc or outside the bounds of policy.

Lastly you can't have your cake and eat it too comes to mind. The people that skip back and forth over that disruption/policy line to suit their own needs are the same individuals that saturate and rob staff resources to no end. I would go so far as to suggest that these same people taint the GM/SGM's over a period of time. These same once fun relaxed individuals become hardened to this and treat subsequent customers rudely and say things I don't think they really mean.

Darren H.-snap vector nearest bogey reg

Sorry I didn't post further on this topic I created...but here's my shout-out

I _do_ think it's sad that RP'ing can't be found anymore. I _do_ think it's sad that elders aren't as respected as they used to be. I _do_ think it's sad that level 50 isn't very old. I _do_ think it's sad that some people are at such a level that they can't hunt anymore. I _do_ think it's sad that everyday talk in GS is so much worse than it used to be.

Things aren't the way they used to be, and things are the way a lot of people wish they could be.

RP'ing is a way for some people to escape the reality of their real-lives' and enter into a fantasy realm.

GS...RP'ing...no, I don't think it's around anymore. You have your stars of course, Ylena, Giantphang, Boomsplat, etc. (Those're just a few to name), and yes they RP very well. But that's a very very small percentage of people. Then you have people like Scint, Suvar, Dissipate, Beautifulgreen, Banauge, Edward, etc. Complete powerhunters who were only into GS because they thought they could gain more levels. Then you have people like Ciston, Ardwen, Wadsy, Neimz, Speaker, etc. that are only into the game for merchanting.

I don't know if I can make as a broad a statement as "GS can be divided into 3 basic categories" as I showed above. But if this is a generalized idea, then I think it can be.

Yes, there are RP'ers. But where are the Kythyn's telling me that whenever I'm around Lords or Ladies, I should be referring to them as m'lady or m'lord? Where are the Zurion's who log into GS, and I get on the net in such a panic thinking to him just so he can take me to Helga's before I hunt? Where are the Bleeds' killing everyone in sight?

They're not here. And they're not coming back. And I personally don't think that the future players of the next years are not going to breed anyone like that either. It's sad to say it, but that's my opinion.

Believe me, or believe me not. Thanks. reg

Is it a "serious" roleplaying game? Probably not. But if you want to RP, no one is stopping you.

And as much as I dislike some people, like Scintillion, most of the time if you give them a chance they'll RP with you. Key word being MOST.

NOI reg

Dely
reg

Role-playing

GemStone III is a Role-playing Game. This means that players interact in the world playing the part of their characters in a medieval fantasy environment. This is known as "in character" (IC) and means that the player is acting out the part believably. The term "out of character" (OOC) means that the player is behaving inconsistently with their character's situation in the game (such as discussing the latest sports event, singing the latest music release, or playing the part of a starship captain, communicating in French, Swahili or other language English is Elanthias Common all other earthly languages that don't exist in Elanthia).

Players are expected to remain in character. Generally, if someone wants or needs to be OOC (such as explain game mechanics to another player), they may do so in ways that are not in public. Using a private room (one with a locked or latched door) or talking in whispers is recommended. Note that tables are considered in public.

When one individual is reducing the enjoyment of other players by out-of-character behavior (be it by speech, actions, ESP messages, or any other method of communication within GemStone III), this may be considered disruptive behavior. Private rooms, whispers, direct thoughts to another player through ESP, or any other methods of communication are not excluded from this if one of the participants involved objects.

Staff Member Characters (GMs, Sages, and Hosts) are necessary to keep the game running smoothly and to assist players with working out problems and are inherently OOC entities because of the nature of their tasks. Because of the reasons a Player may need the assistance of a staff member, interactions with staff characters are not required to be IC. It would be extremely difficult for a high elf to describe the details of a serious game mechanics calculation bug that the character would never see, but the Player has to talk about the numbers involved. This only applies to Staff Member characters, not interactions with Non-player characters (merchants, creatures, royalty, or other NPCs). These should be IC.

If you haven't looked at the clarified version of Policy in the last two weeks, you might want to type POLICY in the game and do so.

We've gotten a lot of positive response from players for the support we given to consentual CvC, roleplaying, and dealing with disruptive situations.

--A.
reg

I completely disagree with this. I have absolutely no difficulty finding role-playing in Gemstone at all. At least the places I frequent. I've had a blast role-playing in every town/city in the game and I meet more role-players quite often.

Further, I believe there is more role-playing today than there ever was.

<<I _do_ think it's sad that elders aren't as respected as they used to be.>>

I agree. Of course, there are plenty of elders who are simply powerhunting snerts who train so they can blast things and creatures to bits -- As well as the role-playing of others.

<<I _do_ think it's sad that some people are at such a level that they can't hunt anymore.>>

Why feel sad for them? You posted that you are sad that level 50 isn't old anymore...So why are you sad that there are people who are not allowed to make it to levels 300, 400 and 500? They made their bed, let them lie in it before they offset game balance further.

<<I _do_ think it's sad that everyday talk in GS is so much worse than it used to be.>>

This is probably a true statement. <nods> Regardless, cyberspeak and the internet have gotten so much bigger than it was when I first began playing GS -- I would attribute it mostly to that.

<<But where are the Kythyn's telling me that whenever I'm around Lords or Ladies, I should be referring to them as m'lady or m'lord? Where are the Zurion's who log into GS, and I get on the net in such a panic thinking to him just so he can take me to Helga's before I hunt? Where are the Bleeds' killing everyone in sight?>>

I agree with you here. For the record though, I believe Kythyn is gone for good this time. She was back for awhile, but just got tired of it again. Wish she'd come around more though.

Bleeds and other 'evil' (for lack of a better word) role-players I do not believe can really exist in Elanthia anymore. There are too many rules, too many mechanics problems, game play problems -- Too many GMs who won't let a snert get swatted for being a snert. Thats how many learned in the past and I feel its a real shame that has been taken from the game.

Leslie reg

heh.

I was just talking with my (soon to be hubby) (eeeeeee!) Miphnik about this last night....

I think its pretty hillarious when I see someone say "Boy, roleplaying has gone to pot, its nothing like it USED to be"

????

If you ever get the chance to get a hold of logs from those 'days', roleplaying wasn't #1 then either. I happen to think the finesse of roleplaying had evolved, and then drowned out by the onslaught of the powerhunters...

I remember being extremely angered one night regarding OOC talk over the amulet, Titaniia and I both reported about it and got the gratuitus pat on the head and sent on our way.

Roleplaying exists...you just can't hear it or see it as often as you could when the population was less..the voices are drowned out. Expanding the lands was an idea, but its backfiring. No one wants to live where no one else does.. (ie: Platinum)

Is it worse than it was back 'in the days?' no way.

Where are they all? Gone, staff, burned out, quit, defected..etc.

You can't have a "Bleeds" without a following. You can't have a "Silvean" without someone to listen. But there are "Bleeds and Silveans" out there....

~Rhain reg

Just last night I had one of the best conversations I've had in a long time with Lurch while we were hunting in ogres. There wasn't any effort to "roleplay" we just conversed about things in character. The subject ranged from the ogres we were hunting and how tightly knit their families were since they all came out to defend each other anytime one of their enemies stepped into the forest to the Vaalor and Lurch's stint in the Imperial army and how we being human and half-elven might disguise ourselves to more easily pass through the gates when the trail eastward is widened for travel. We speculated on how the intrusion of visitors might be received after so many years of isolation.

Neither of us was looking for roleplay, we just started conversing and kept ourselves in character while doing so.

If you want roleplay, do it. Others around you are starved for it and will gravitate around you.

~Sayrena

reg

Excellent point, Sayrena.

Brings back memories of peering into the beginner's guide and reading about staying in character and OOC when in the game. Maybe we need to go back to the basics.

Gandmor reg

I have never had problems finding people to RP with, and have not really seen it gone down much in my 4 years or so of playing.

I guess I just hang around the right people?

Maybe..

Ilvane reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ilvane:
Like Leslie said,

I have never had problems finding people to RP with, and have not really seen it gone down much in my 4 years or so of playing.

I guess I just hang around the right people?

Maybe..

Ilvane

---

I have problems staying away from people who think roleplaying is disruptive when it doesn't even involve or affect them.

Take my roleplay challenge!

Go somewhere with a friend you know and have an in character "negative" interaction that does not directly affect the others in the same area.

Good luck you will need it when Andraste sends some message to you or directly interferes with it.

-roleplay just took a hit for 90 damage by the anti-roleplay snert backed up by a strong strike by the GM that supported their whining "disruptive" report.
reg

Asmodea Drey'Haus reg

>
Skiggz says, "im gonna go get fried real quick"
>
Sianan waves to Fremie.
>
Lady Sianan just went out.
>
Skiggz says, "be back"
Teabowman takes a drink from his dark heavy ale.
>l at skigg
You see Skiggz ARigs the Human Wizard.
He appears to be in his 40's, has shoulder length, wavy light brown hair, blue eyes, and tanned skin.
He is in good shape.
He is wearing a gold ring, a crystal amulet, a tiny beaded envelope pouch, a vultite stickpin, a gold-edged silver imflass shield, some full leather, some fringed doeskin gloves, a woven gold wand belt, a heavy backpack, a belt pouch, and a black leather sheath.
>
Teabowman removes a frosted cranberry tart from in a leather knapsack.
>
As Stelvask pulls on his black amulet, his expression grows darker.
>
Skiggz removes a bone-handled imflass ice axe from in his leather sheath.
>
Skiggz slings a gold-edged silver imflass shield off from over his shoulder.
>
Stelvask takes a drink from his rich dwarven ale.
>
Zefar says, "sounds like an idea"
>
Zefar stands up.
>
Teabowman takes a bite of his cranberry tart.
>
Zefar just went out. reg

Well said, and absolutely true.

Some of the best roleplaying I've been in are spur-of-the-moment talks, where one subject leads to another. Khirasah and I had a four hour discussion at the North Gate in Teras one night, about sin - is it inherent or learned, and what is considered a sin? Why do different people see sin in different contexts? How does upbringing and attitude determine what you think sin is?

Take that subject - sin - and sit down somewhere public and discuss it with a friend. See how many others want to get involved and talk about it - even if they disagree, it's STILL roleplaying.

It's not hard to find someone to roleplay. It's not hard to find a subject to talk about. It's not hard to think of a situation and act it out. It's simply hard to get started and not get offended. If you can do that, you've got it made.

Daelynn reg

Sonic reg

Too many newcomers at one time. Too many that don't understand the old concept of RP vs the old-time gamers that do understand. Too many with the attitude of "I pay my money, I can play however I want to".

The 'old-timers' DID try to teach the vast hordes of newcomers. They recieved no GM back-up support and were often condemned for 'picking on the newbies'. The solution they came up with? Seperate the 'old' from the 'new'.

And Teras Island opened.

Now it's impossible to teach. Tho, I will say, I do see more that are trying and at least attempt to learn, but there are still enough of the snerts to put a damper on things.

The other problem is that RP is subjective. It's wide open for each individuals interpretation.

To me, the subtleties of RP should begin with the different races. Would I prefer clearer lines drawn between the races? Yes. But it's not going to happen, not in GS. Too many feel that it's 'ok' to play a bouncy giggling giantkin. (I'll guarantee to just my saying this, there's going to be posts on , "who said all giants have to be dumb and not happy?")

I also don't like the baby-talking giggling dark-elven Sorcie either. But again, that's subjective, and not much can be done without people saying that a person is trying to enforce 'their' style of RP onto others.

reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by Siara:
The other problem is that RP is subjective. It's wide open for each individuals interpretation.

---

Which is why I say, seek out those who are like you. If you're in to a certain kind of roleplay, find people who are in to that kind of roleplay as well. It IS subjective and (IMO) there is a place for almost everyone here.

The thing is ... you have to be tolerant of others who might not RP the way that YOU feel is the best way.
reg

Sonic reg

quote:

---

Which is why I say, seek out those who are like you. If you're in to a certain kind of
roleplay, find people who are in to that kind of roleplay as well. It IS subjective and
(IMO) there is a place for almost everyone here.

---

Yup. Yup.

It exactly what I do and why I'm still having fun in the game - dispite all my whining ::coughs:: reg