Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]

WE HAVE MOVED. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE NEW FORUM!


Please note that this forum is now archived, and some links may not work. To access forums, please click on the text above the banner and NOT the banner itself. If you have any questions please contact CGJ


Getting you started...
News and Announcements
Government
Regional Assembly Business
Introduce yourself!

Claim your spot on the map

Join the Regional Assembly

Check out the Hall of Guidance

Get involved in some Open Roleplays
Donate to our Recruitment Program

Time until The Independent Order's Fourth Birthday:

Grand Chancellor: Beatrice
Vice Chancellor: CGJ

Premier: DaveIronside
Vice Premier: SatanLord
Minister for Home Affairs: Yolotan
Minister for Foreign Affairs: Tama

Speaker of the Assembly: Zee
Lord Chief Justice: Achkaerin
Roleplay Moderator: DaveIronside
Votes:
None
Debates:
Roleplay Realism Buff Act
Request for an Inquiry into the use of mass-alts in the Z-Day episode

Welcome to the Independent Order Archive.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. If you previously had an account on the forum, then feel free to login. If you're new, please note we have moved to a new forum and have left this forum here to serve as an archive.

Username:   Password:
A Call for Sportsmanship
Topic Started: 18th July 2014 - 01:09 AM (465 Views)
Elpidia
Member Avatar
The Rt. Hon.
I wasn't sure where this went, it's kind of OOC for RP, but I figured Socialization was as good as any. My intent, in this short piece, to address a problem that has existed in our RP world for sometime, but which occurred to me only today.

I've spent the day, while at work and elsewhere, with the Themata situation in the back of my mind. I've been thinking about how Themata can be more effectively sealed off, how we can convince the CIS to join us, how we can eventually defeat Stalin and bring peace and freedom to the world, etc, etc.

It then occurred to me that we are going about this all wrong, especially in all the confrontations between CSTO and WARSAW, and in some RP conflicts more generally. We've forgotten one of the fundamental guidelines of RP, that we aren't here to win, to have the strongest military, or the biggest guns, we're here to create stories together.

RP is meant to be a group activity, where we pool our collective creativity to imagine up interesting situations, characters, and plot lines. We're supposed to try to create stories, where our nations do not always come out on top. We need to be ready and willing to see our nations fortunes rise and fall. However, in this recent Themata situation and similar occurrences past, we've all forgotten this. We've too closely identified with our nations, viewing them from the perspective of leaders, rather than storytellers. In real life we obviously would want our nation to excel in everything and to protect them from all aggression. In the RP however, a world of constant upward progress is both boring, and ridiculously unrealistic.

We've started to view the opposing side as our enemies, conflating them with their RP-selves. We've begun to view conflict RPs as war-games, where the goal is to out-think, out-perform, and out-number the enemy. We bring bigger and better weapons out of the woodwork, and put our nations in the best possible position to defeat the opponent.

A prime example of this outlook is seen in a comparison of the current Themata situation, and other RPs such as the Iron Crown RP. In the latter there was the outline of a plan. Blanks were left in the plan, of course, to provide an element of surprise, and allow for improvisation. However, all the player discussed, in amicable atmosphere, where'd they'd like the RP to go and how they'd like to participate. In the former the set-up is much more like a game of Risk, the opposing sides do not even discuss the overall plan of the RP. This leads to competition like I said before, even spilling into OOC arguments about what is acceptable and what is not.

In all of this I am as guilty as anyone else, I'm only glad that I've realized it. I call on us to respect our own collective creation, to do RP as it is meant to be done. This begins with a simple discussion over an outline of the RP's plot.
The Rt. Hon. Marquess Elpidia - Factbook - NS Page - EBC - Vignettes - Characters
Posted Image

Off | --
Profile
Quote
 
Sky Queen
Member Avatar
Pearls are a girl's best friend.
Nah, I know godmodding isn't fun. But yeah, my nation is so awesome, no way it will become reality. A gal can dream can't she?

SKY COAST FACTBOOK AND MORE
WORLD MAP OF THE INDEPENDENT ORDER
Posted Image
BIANCA * QUEEN SAKAE * AMA
The Spy Coast Ledger * Sky Studio

Spoiler: click to toggle
Off | --
Profile
Quote
 
Hypothetical Genius
Member Avatar

Oh? I thought I was doing it right. I mean, for me I tried not to 'overpower' my nation. The plan was to make a stable nation that had been well established for over a century. Instead my other nations in the past where, they just came out of a civil war or had a crippling economy or some crazy revolution that made me overly attached to them for some reason. I see the Thematan issue most reasonable for Caelidia to get involved with and my intention was not to "one-up" anybody, i'm just simply responding the way I think Caeldia would. It's one of the reasons I used the kind of military, my military is advanced but not all the weapons are my own choice, they're rather what I think Caelidia would prefer or afford. Everytime I have multiple ideas and personnal preferances, I try to counter with something i'm not so opinionated about or attached to about. I would prefer a cold nordic land but instead I made Caelidia medeterrainian-tropical climate and spanish in culture while I REALLY wanted to try an asian. It actually expands on my creativity more and gives me more a narrator role rather than a competitive attachment to a story.

Honestly, I could care less if Caelidia wins or losses battles or has a god awful economy or an excellent one. I take up the role as the author to a story, personally that's what it is for me. I love writing stories and this is why I participate.

I will admit though, this seems more like a game of Supreme Ruler 2020, Hearts of Iron or Civilization. Theres a competitive aspect to it, which is fun at times but.....

Isn't this storytelling guys? :P

Edited by Hypothetical Genius, 18th July 2014 - 01:49 AM.
Hypothetically speaking
The factbook of the Caelidia Confederacy
Posted Image
"VIVA CAELIDIA"
Junior Ambassador
&
The dashingly handsome
Hypothetical Genius

Member of the Progressive Democratic Allaince
Partisan and proud of it


"Aaaaaaand we tortured some folks" - Barrack Obama

Off | --
Profile
Quote
 
Great Jonathania
Member Avatar

I was going to have both halves of GJ work together on this and eventually have them reunite, but I suppose I can have it sort of be like WWII and WWII, where the north received a lot of damage and is trying to rebuild while a dictator rises like Hitler who then attacks the south, which is battling Stalin, then the north makes a treaty with WARSAW. Could that work?
Posted Image
"May God give us glory."
Posted Image
Off | --
Profile
Quote
 
Elpidia
Member Avatar
The Rt. Hon.
Hypothetical Genius
18th July 2014 - 01:45 AM
Oh? I thought I was doing it right. I mean, for me I tried not to 'overpower' my nation. The plan was to make a stable nation that had been well established for over a century. Instead my other nations in the past where, they just came out of a civil war or had a crippling economy or some crazy revolution that made me overly attached to them for some reason. I see the Thematan issue most reasonable for Caelidia to get involved with and my intention was not to "one-up" anybody, i'm just simply responding the way I think Caeldia would. It's one of the reasons I used the kind of military, my military is advanced but not all the weapons are my own choice, they're rather what I think Caelidia would prefer or afford. Everytime I have multiple ideas and personnal preferances, I try to counter with something i'm not so opinionated about or attached to about. I would prefer a cold nordic land but instead I made Caelidia medeterrainian-tropical climate and spanish in culture while I REALLY wanted to try an asian. It actually expands on my creativity more and gives me more a narrator role rather than a competitive attachment to a story.

Honestly, I could care less if Caelidia wins or losses battles or has a god awful economy or an excellent one. I take up the role as the author to a story, personally that's what it is for me. I love writing stories and this is why I participate.

I will admit though, this seems more like a game of Supreme Ruler 2020, Hearts of Iron or Civilization. Theres a competitive aspect to it, which is fun at times but.....

Isn't this storytelling guys? :P

I didn't mean to call anyone out specifically, other than the CSTO and Warsaw nations, I guess.

If this is your goal and intention, then you are most definitely doing it right. I don't mean to say that anyone is godmodding or doing anything wrong, it's just the manner in which we have been going about these conflict RPs is not quite right, in my opinion.
The Rt. Hon. Marquess Elpidia - Factbook - NS Page - EBC - Vignettes - Characters
Posted Image

Off | --
Profile
Quote
 
Elpidia
Member Avatar
The Rt. Hon.
Great Jonathania
18th July 2014 - 01:48 AM
I was going to have both halves of GJ work together on this and eventually have them reunite, but I suppose I can have it sort of be like WWII and WWII, where the north received a lot of damage and is trying to rebuild while a dictator rises like Hitler who then attacks the south, which is battling Stalin, then the north makes a treaty with WARSAW. Could that work?
GJ, if you're ready to listen to all the criticism you got in your Civil War thread, and are really interesting in writing a proper RP, I'd be happy to work with you.

This idea of yours actually works into a larger plan I'm working on. If you're ready to continue accepting constructive criticism, as we all should be, you're welcome to be a part of it.
The Rt. Hon. Marquess Elpidia - Factbook - NS Page - EBC - Vignettes - Characters
Posted Image

Off | --
Profile
Quote
 
Great Jonathania
Member Avatar

I really have to give it to USR. He's always the one who takes the part of the villain for almost every conflict he's in. I know I definitly could never do that.
Posted Image
"May God give us glory."
Posted Image
Off | --
Profile
Quote
 
Beatrice
Member Avatar

CGJ and I (with Matt popping in sometimes) have had a few conversations with USR and Thom about the current Themata RP, agreeing for the need for an OOC topic to lay the ground rules, plot where things are going to go, and cooperate. It's been an honest pleasure to have USR on IRC, as we've spoken via PM sporadically. I for one haven't viewed USR in any less of a light for his IC actions, and though sporadic we've always got along well OOCly. This is also something CGJ and I were discussing earlier.

As many know I've RPed with a smaller military than I could have for quite some time, and have reached out to others to discuss things as well. At the same time a lot of RPs have come up that have been enjoyable because of their spontaneous and loose nature. I think there's room for both approaches to RP, and that each have an appropriate time and place.

I've (personally) also rectified issues following the Megitsune incident with Rhodes, and things have gone well from there. So far, at least on IRC, the OOC conversations have been nothing but pleasant, I think the worst that's been said is a joke about Stalinists or something. I think if someone was on IRC more often they'd be able to take part in the fun there. ^_~

So yeah, we're already on it. ^_^
Posted ImagePosted Image
Beatrice Anselmo
Marchioness, Grand Chancellor of the Independent Order
Empress of the First Empire of Rokkenjima

Rokkenjiman Factbook | RBC | Office of the Press
Gadshack: "As Premier you end up doing everyone yourself"
Off | --
Profile
Quote
 
Rhodes
Member Avatar

I also have to commend B on the Megitsune thing. I had a problem with some aspects of our Illumic standoff. I took it OOC and it was discussed, though not always agreed upon, there was also input from people not involved in that RP. In the end it was resolved without affecting IC RP. I think something we both learned was the need to establish an OOC early. something that has already happened in the Themata situation.

So I want to officially tip my hat to the best of adversaries and Im glad tge lessons learned are being carried on in other RPs
Posted Image
Rhodes

Count of the Independent Order
Officer Of Accountability
Member of the Roleplay Council

Seaforth Confederation of Clans

Off | --
Profile
Quote
 
USR
Member Avatar

Great Jonathania
18th July 2014 - 02:48 AM
I really have to give it to USR. He's always the one who takes the part of the villain for almost every conflict he's in. I know I definitly could never do that.
I do like playing the villain :P
Off | --
Profile
Quote
 
Elpidia
Member Avatar
The Rt. Hon.
Beatrice
18th July 2014 - 03:19 AM
CGJ and I (with Matt popping in sometimes) have had a few conversations with USR and Thom about the current Themata RP, agreeing for the need for an OOC topic to lay the ground rules, plot where things are going to go, and cooperate. It's been an honest pleasure to have USR on IRC, as we've spoken via PM sporadically. I for one haven't viewed USR in any less of a light for his IC actions, and though sporadic we've always got along well OOCly. This is also something CGJ and I were discussing earlier.

As many know I've RPed with a smaller military than I could have for quite some time, and have reached out to others to discuss things as well. At the same time a lot of RPs have come up that have been enjoyable because of their spontaneous and loose nature. I think there's room for both approaches to RP, and that each have an appropriate time and place.

I've (personally) also rectified issues following the Megitsune incident with Rhodes, and things have gone well from there. So far, at least on IRC, the OOC conversations have been nothing but pleasant, I think the worst that's been said is a joke about Stalinists or something. I think if someone was on IRC more often they'd be able to take part in the fun there. ^_~

So yeah, we're already on it. ^_^
Apparently I've simply been out of the loop :$
The Rt. Hon. Marquess Elpidia - Factbook - NS Page - EBC - Vignettes - Characters
Posted Image

Off | --
Profile
Quote
 
Matthew Vinage
Member Avatar

I mean, I know I like to keep bringing out the biggest weapons, but I always make the big weapons have some sort of weakness (or weaknesses). Just look at the Quinntopia Class Battleship - it may be huge and have colossal guns, but that makes it slow and difficult to manoeuvre. It also has no anti-sub weapons so they're a major threat to it, too.

So, I know I'm probably one of the most guilty of the problems you described, E, but I do try to RP it so I don't steamroll people.
Posted ImageThe Rt. Hon. Count Matthew Vinage-Sovetskie EEN OR4 WE3

Join the Orderian Progressive Coalition!
Factbook of the Grand Republic of Bykrestan

Curriculum Vitae
Off | --
Profile
Quote
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Enjoy forums? Start your own community for free.
Learn More · Sign-up Now
« Previous Topic · OOC Socialisation · Next Topic »

May the force be with you.