Consider this...

[Jeajea]

I find that, too. Surprisingly, I don't know many of the people (or, at least, the characters) around at the moment. All the people (or characters) I... that is, Jeajea knew, have left. Of course, this is only to be expected, but it does make things difficult... however, that's just as is. The actual thing I wanted to raise was this:

Lots of people have too many characters, all of whome are under developed and (more importantly, maybe, certainly for them) underplayed. I don't mean that a lot of characters in itself is a bad thing. Just that some players choose to have thirty... fourty... eighty characters, each of which gets a few days before it's discarded, and then the next one arrives... and they feel left out and not included, when really they aren't giving people a chance to get to know any particular character. Why do this? Personally, I find that this site requires long-term character to facilitate any kind of depth of storyline or interactions, and even more so to get friends. Many of these players soon leave, understandably, because no one is forming ties with them. Also understandably.

What's needed here, in my opinion, is guidance. I've tried, as best I can, to help people who look like they'd appreciate it, are new, and could be good players in the future. I've even helped a few of the top names (I won't name names) in some small way to become amongst the most... I don't want to be elitist... 'best', for want of a better way of putting it... roleplayers on the chatsite. I'm a little proud of that.

I digress. What I'm trying to say is that new people need to be helped. Give appropriate, non-put-down advice. Take the right tone - you were, as was I, also new once. I remember the people who helped me greatly, most of whome have now left.

That's my contraversial two pence. (That means it's three, then?)

~Jea

 

[Drindin]

I have many under-played characters. But, my longest term character has become arrogant and short tempered, and most definatley epic, but he's still good at heart...

His roleplay faded as the one last remainging companion of him did, Wolfbane. Yes, I speak of my first character, Zook Daergel.

A shifter, and a sorcerer.

But, regardless.

I have many well-developed characters, that feel very under developed, though they aren't. Why do they feel so? No one knows them.

Kraggar, though new, probably feels the most developed. A rich story line, but only one person has taken part in it.

Well, enough spotlight on me...

 

[Tharivious_Meliamne]

While I agree that trying to run things like how to seminars would be a good idea, Fenmarel is completely right. I remember the one that former WizO Reesa put together, and aside from one or two newer players, the room was filled with veterans who frequent the message boards and chatsite almost exclusively. As Acaed said, the inexperienced players just don't visit the boards, and some experienced ones are the same way. It's a large resource that goes unused by many players, and that's unfortunate.

I've seen the mentioned instances of even established characters going in and being overlooked even by characters who know them, it's happened with Tharivious a few times. Admittedly, I'm one of those players who has too many characters, numbering in the mid-fifties right now at least, but with well known characters it seems strange sometimes. Of course I'm also seldom in the chats due to my snail-like video card, world building projects, and other things, so that likely has an impact on my characters.

In my first year here, I've seen many of the more experienced and talented roleplayers just walk away from the site out of frustration, loss of interest, and other reasons. It's a shame to see it happen, but like Fen said, it happens in real life too. People move on from many different things for many different reasons, but it's still a shame to see anyone leave something on ill terms.

All that said, I think I have an idea for getting the message boards a higher traffic rate that I just might implement....

 

[Andion Isurand]

Unfortunately, my 'lack of establishment' can not be attributed to me having too many characters. I have but 6 characters and this one is the most heavily played (perhaps about 80% of the time).

 

[Nevine]

Well, I found a good quote (over in the D&D General boards) that sums up my feelings about those who complain and what people feel is wrong with the ISRP area. And no, I'm not saying anyone in this thread is complaining.

Originally posted by JLP
This pizza sucks!

*munch munch munch*

I can't believe how funky these pepperonis are.

*munch munch munch*

Like it'd kill 'em to add more cheese?

*munch munch munch*

I swear to god I'm never ordering from them again.

*munch munch munch*

Oh, nasty! Look at all the grease in the box!

*munch munch mu--*

OMG!!! Dudes! We're outta 'za! Call 'em back and get two more!

And I agree that it is sad to see some patrons leave the site, especially when it is out of frustration. However, they are gone. Some have just plain left and some have "moved on to better things". That's that, and that's where they belong. Not here. Unless they decide to come back that is, of course.