Please Let Me Play My Character

[The Official Ranter]

No one ever said you had to, but still...can it hurt? Maybe you can help the person OOC. Of course, as Tharivious said, not all people are gonna take the time to click that link, but gah, it's worth a shot! If we can help people more OOC, then don't you think things might go more smoothly IC? Maybe we'd see less of these people vying for attention if we stopped to help a newcomer who seemed to be having a rough time, providing of course that you aren't busy. We all are busy onsite at one time or another, and it's understandable.

Basically it's a "You scratch my back I'll scratch your back" type deal. If you have the time, be courteous and drop someone who's having trouble that quick line to just say "Hey, is there anything you need help with?" and you never know what might become of it!

Sincerely,
The Official Wizards.COMmunity Ranter

 

[Tharivious_Meliamne]

{snip}Of course, as Tharivious said, not all people are gonna take the time to click that link, but gah, it's worth a shot! If we can help people more OOC, then don't you think things might go more smoothly IC? Maybe we'd see less of these people vying for attention if we stopped to help a newcomer who seemed to be having a rough time, providing of course that you aren't busy. We all are busy onsite at one time or another, and it's understandable.{/snip}

Exactly, it can't hurt matters. An effort to improve the sense of community on the site will always be worth the effort, even if it does prove fruitless in it's actual practice.

{snip}Basically it's a "You scratch my back I'll scratch your back" type deal. If you have the time, be courteous and drop someone who's having trouble that quick line to just say "Hey, is there anything you need help with?" and you never know what might become of it!

Precisely, if we ( Meaning the members of the community in all our varying forms and opinions ) help the new players out, they will be more likely to help out others in turn. As I said elsewhere, new players often express a pattern of learned behavior acquired from those who they begin their ISRP experience working with. If we treat them as equals, perhaps we can even accomplish something as sweeping as dropping the term "newbie" from out collective vocabulary. No matter how unlikely a change like that may be, it's something to shoot for.

 

[WizO_Reesa]

I have read over each post here and I thought I would issue some of my own thoughts.

There are many reasons why someone may not have noticed the dying person. Just because you enter a room and see it's full doesn't mean the people are actively watching their screen. Often times people enter the tavern or emporium and sit there... then wander away from their computer or go surfing the net on a different screen. So, you bring your character in dying and no one jumps to your aid. Maybe that's just because there are actually not as many active people as you think. Also, not everyone is skilled in following every conversation that happens on screen. I do it constantly, because I am used to it. Some others focus only on those who are in the conversation they are currently in.

As Jardel said, there have been far too many cases where people have come in all bloodied, dying, etc that it's over done and it can get to be a bit much. Now, that doesn't mean there isn't an actual issue behind your character. I believe it was Nugan who asked why some people come in and are healed instantly and others aren't. If you're friends with someone and you see your pal is injured or hurt, you are far more likely to go out of your way for them than you are for a complete stranger.

As far as the PM issue goes, I'm going to have to state what I've seen in my history of being on site. Often, sadly far too often, you Pm someone with either a tip or asking what's going on and are met with rude comments. I've been on the receiving end of it a few times as my non-WizO characters. After a couple times, you get to the point where you just don't want to bother, for the sake of getting some nasty comment. I've tried to help people out as a WizO and have received comments like "yes, I know what I'm doing. I've been around here for many years". You get to where you don't want to help out.

Also... it is very difficult to tell which players are new, and which ones are crying for help. I tried one night to help out a character who entered the CRT yelling (typing all caps) about needing a healer, needing help. I PM'd the player asking if they wanted my help (as I do with anyone who I try to help/heal etc). I got no reply, but there was more yelling in the room about needing a cleric. Once again, I tried Pming them, receiving no replies. Finally I had Reesa get up from where she was sitting, walk over to the guy and apply healing. He looked at me, so I know I was seen. Immediately after the healing I had just said I gave him, he started yelling to the screen how he needed healing. I gave up and ignored the player. Eventually the character got tired and left.

I will admit that it is very difficult to get involved with players, even to go up and talk to them, as Jardel (I believe it was) suggested. I watched one night as a character (who I guessed was new since I had to give them some helpful hints about the Golem and such) make 3 attempts to get into a conversation by simply voicing a comment regarding the subject they were talking about. Not one person in that group even acknowledged the person who had said they went up to the group, made a comment in regards to the subject they were discussing, or tried three times to get involved. I feel that is one of the big problems seen in the ISRP Area, which is perhaps why new players/characters do these crazy, off the wall, things to try and gain notice. Just talking doesn't work.

I am honestly unsure of what the solution is. Suggestions of posting links, guides, etc is not going to work. I have talked to people and suggested the information posted on the boards - the rules, discussions, etc - and I have been informed they aren't about to waste time reading information, they don't check the boards, etc. People use CheetaChat and that takes away the banners, so posting it in the banner doesn't work for everyone. PMing people to look at this or that, or to do things (from a WizO status) doesn't work either. We've asked people repeatedly to put their emails in their profiles so we can have access to it, or so it can help in verification that it is indeed your character you're asking about, and we are still finding a lot of people without email addresses.

Unfortuntely, there is no simply answer. People are not able to interact with others of various playing styles for whatever reason. Some people have very strong character backgrounds, with many issues, that would make him or her act a certain way. As Jardel said, in real life people ignore issues all the time. In Toronto, people walked past an older woman who was left passed out on the side walk. Other times, they have walked around people bleeding. As Nevine said, in real life CPR they do instruct you not to get involved if you're not comfortable. I once took Emergency First Aid and the instructor said these important rules:

1) Never act without asking the person for their permission (unless they are unconscious (forgive bad spelling) and unable to be asked. (Even ambulance attendants must wait for someone to pass out before they can take them if they refuse help)

2) If you do not feel comfortable or are not willing to stay with it until the end, do not do anything.

I honestly believe it is unfair for you to expect everyone to react with you. (You being a collective group, not a set person) Even Reesa, a character I have been playing on site for about 5 years now, who is a fairly prominent character is often left to sit alone or is ignored. It happens.

My advice for the best things to do for the first times or new characters - watch. Come into the room and watch what's going on. If you can find something to react to, interact with, then go for it. I watched one night as a character entered the Emporium. The guy commented on the surroundings and just had fun with the setting, others took notice.

I think the best thing is to have fun yourself. If you can be happy interacting with the setting - talking to the Golem, dealing with vendors, etc - then people will start to take notice. It is unrealistic to expect everyone to take notice. It's unrealistic to expect anyone to take notice. Something as simple as propping your feet up on a table might gain someone's notice. The big blown out "I need help!" issues undoubtedly will get you ignored because they have been done far too often.

Just my opinions,
Reesa

 

[PandoraNight]

Ok, i'm not usually really good at posting but i think I shall make an attempt at this.

I have contemplated leaving the site a few times and not because people I don't know ignore a dying person. It's happened a few times that people I play with have completely ignored that something was wrong. I then realise however that maybe they are busy and that sometimes you just aren't the most important person in the world.

I've been playing at this site for many years (oh gods going on eight) and I admit that when i started I was very much a newbie, but I had good friends to help me through. What if some of the new guys don't have any of those friends and that attention they are seaking will help them on the site? I try as much as I possibly can to help those that come to me. Talk to them OOC give them hints. Usually it helps and some times they just refuse and continue to act out.

I put very few people on ignore. I don't believe in ignoring "newbies" unless they are posing a problem like mass messaging or harrassment. All I have to remember is I was once like them and reguardless if people like me now or not, i know how to play and some day they will get into their own groove onsite and be someone we all want to play with.

Now for the playing my character. i'm not really sure where I stand on this point to tell you the truth. Normally I play fairly goodie chars. Pan for the longest time was my one exception. She can be crass and violent and will hurt people who cross her. But she's not out of the ordinary, people seem to accept that that is who she is. However, I turned one of my goodie characters (for most who don't know willa turned into aseelah) (and for thsoe who don't know willa....well ask a vet and they'll tell you). It was the worst thing i've ever done. I had to fight to get people to play with her. She was a woman but heaven forbid if she was stronger then any man in that place. No one (minus one person *thank you draco*) would give into her. Even after ooc explanations as to what woul dhappen, no one wanted to...acting snertish and flat out made her look like an idiot.

So you see, i've had an experience on both sides of the plate. there are quite a few people who do not like the way I play but i've come to a point where i've decided that I have friends that I play with who like to play with me and there are constantly new people who want to learn and be accepted. so to those who don't like how I or others play, they need to keep their opinions to them selves.

well that's about it for my rant....it got longer then I thought and probably really makes no sense so you'll have to forgive (my brain is not functioning too well today so...bleh)

*signing off*
Bri (Pandora, Willa, Samantha)

 

[JacksonTT]

Thank you, Reesa, you made a lot of the points I was going to touch on. I'll be brief, then, since my first post was insanely long.

The chat isn't broken. This whole situation has been going on since I started gaming here, almost seven years ago. I was a newbie then, and I initiated the first friendships I made. And I'm still here, you're still here. Many of my friends from back then are still here. This isn't a new problem. This is how society works. I'm sorry to say, we're not going to fix all of society's ills in the chat room.

If you want people to interact with you, usually all you have to do is ask. If you want someone to heal you, drag yourself over to them and ask them to heal you. I doubt they'll ignore you then. I won't. I just won't go over there without someone asking me to. Do you know how many times I've gone over to help someone who's actively crying for help, only to have them tell me, no, i can only be healed by so-and-so, or, this can't be healed at all.

Call me cynical, but it's not broken, it's not even new.

 

[Dontella]

*peers in, Huggles JAX! *

Have to add my bit here..

A character, is not the person behind the screen. What they say and do, is in no way us.

Point, I play Dontella.. but that doesn't make me an elf..

Point.. I play a Male Knight, but I'm also in no way a man.

This is fantasy, and as fantasy it should be allowed to remain such. But I grow tired, and weary of those who will forever rant about the situation.

Not everyone games like everyone else, not everyone has the same style or character motivations.

I don't have to talk to someone if I do not want to. I don't have to lend them a hand, I don't have to take interest in their plots. I don't have to talk to their characters, I don't have to take an interest in the activities they are part of.

Why, because this is ISRP, In a FREE FORM setting. That means I, and I alone choose how my character acts, and with whom they ineract.

I play my characters, according to their own personal motivations.. and I'm not about to change them, just because someone else doesn't like it. These are characters I developed in tabletop, and these are characters I alone have the rights to say.. this is how they will react and whom they will speak to. And for each character, they have their reasons, and quirks as to what and whom will motivate them..

Like Kyra.. Kyra doesn't care about anyone, who isn't related to her by blood, or earned her respect by combat. So if a man lies there dying, she's not going to help. A fighter, raised on the battlefield, she's seen men die by many things, and so one man bleeding to death slowly is NOT going to attract her attention. At most, she might offer to ease the man's pain.. which in Kyra terms, means killing him off right there.

But that is Kyra, and that is how she is played, how she will always be played, and 'm not going to change her just becasue someone doesn't like it.

If you don't like.. don't talk to her, or me for that matter. Instead of whining and crying about it on the MB's, just suck it up, and realize not everyone is going to do things in a form you will like, and realize you can't change that.

And just maybe, if you start roleplaying.. instead of complaining, people will start to notice you. I'll notice someone willing to RP anyday, over someone begging for attention.. and I do interact with new people, if it matches my IC motivations.

I think .. I'm done for now..

Thank you Jackson!

 

[The Official Ranter]

Bravo!

*adds in another two cents*

I see some great replies here.

Reesa> You're right. Alot of times people are rude when you PM them OOC. Some people feel like you're saying they can't do it right or criticizing them. And we can't help people like that, but don't give up. There are those who will want the help.

Sure, sometimes people are afk, away from the chat screen, or something. I myself have done that on numerous occasions. People do have to keep these things in mind. But really this is a two-way deal. We all have to keep things in mind. The people who have been around, and the people who are new. Finding new ways to vie for attention instead of coming in with your character half-dead, is a very good suggestion because it DOES get old. However, maybe, just maybe that person doesn't know anything better. All I'm saying is this thing we all do called role-playing is give and take in all directions.

Reesies, you have some very very valuable points in all this. My thanks for the input from someone 'upstairs'

Pandora> Again, very good input. It does make sense, so don't worry

I especially liked this point you made:

I've been playing at this site for many years (oh gods going on eight) and I admit that when i started I was very much a newbie, but I had good friends to help me through. What if some of the new guys don't have any of those friends and that attention they are seaking will help them on the site? I try as much as I possibly can to help those that come to me. Talk to them OOC give them hints. Usually it helps and some times they just refuse and continue to act out.

This is a very good point. Sometimes the people who come on may be totally new, they may have heard about Wizards RPing chat, but don't really have any friends on there. It makes it really difficult for them. I should know. I was one of those people when I first came to Wizards and if not for the help of those who took a moment to say "Hey, could I help you with anything?"(My thanks especially to Wizo_Penderwydd, the first person who took time to speak to my character), I would most undoubtedly not be here at Wizards today for going on 4 years.

Jackson> Also a good point.

I agree that sometimes if you want people to interact with you, you have to take the initiative. Sometimes you can't just sit back and expect the rest of the RPers to do the work for you. This is one reason why it's hard bringing in a new character, whether you're new onsite and just starting out, or an old 'veteran' who's trying something new. Take the initiative if you're having trouble getting interaction. Find something that perhaps interests your character that another said. And most of all, be polite about it. If it seems you may be interrupting something important, or you just don't seem to be able to get in on the action, talk to the player OOC and tell them you're interested to get involved in their storyline. Communication works wonders!

Dontella> I could just kiss your post!

You are so right to say that the person behind the character isn't what you see on screen. Point in case...I've played many an evil character, a good many with some degree of success, but I'm not like them myself. Don't take for granted that what you see isn't always what you get.

As for the rest of your post, I whole-heartedly agree. It doesn't always match your IC motives to take notice. Perhaps your character isn't one to take notice because of their past. No one should feel obligated to change their character's motives just because there's someone in need of attention. Good roleplaying warrents that when you make a character concept, you RP it out. So maybe your character won't care. OOC, people DO have to take these things into consideration.

Basically, all I'm saying is RPing really is a 'You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" type of situation. Perhaps next time you bring a new character in and he doesn't get immediate response, talk to some players OOC and see what they think, or see if maybe there's a reason behind it. Of course, do remember to distinguish OOC with IC if the player decides to reveal such reasons. You're character won't know this IC, so perhaps you should RP out the confusion of why people seem to be ignoring you. Things like this can make great storylines, which provide fun for all of us if we'll just work together for it.

Sincerely,
The Official Ranter of Wizards.COMmunity

 

[Rune]

It's just not a proper rant, unless I appear. Or so I feel at least.

I've been reading through this thread because a friend sent it to me, and I see alot of good points, and I see alot of bad points. Although for the most part all I seem to be doing is wondering when we left Earth and travelled to that great city in the sky, where everything is good and clean, all is well, and everybody is kind, a practical elysium of friendliness. The city of virtues to which I speak? Care-a-lot, acenstral home of those loveable critters known as Care-Bears.

I'm sure you're now thinking that poor Rune has finally lost it, and flipped his lid, lost his rocker, one beer short of a six pack, not the fastest gazelle in the herd, or any other amusing notion you might like to relate to me being not quite all there. I assure you though, I have a point i'm about to make.

Though as usual, I like to dance around the point, so i'll paint you a little picture, and I hope it makes everything somewhat easier to understand. The basis here is of course, that this is a community, an RPG community if you will.

So, instead of an RPG community, lets make it a rural community or something, filled with lots of little houses. You being new to the area move into a nice little house of your own, you have many neighbors. You attend the little community social gatherings, like the local weekend barbecue. When there some of your neighbors talk to you and make you feel welcome, others really just don't bother, or even look your way. Do you feel alienated and make it your quest to have revenge on these people for not giving you the attention and respect you so obviously deserve? No, because that would be a senseless waste of time, that would undoubtedly result in a movie staring Chevy Chase.

Instead you could get over it, realizing that if they don't want to talk to you, it's not their problem. Not everybody always gets along. If you really feel the need to make contact and try to be happy happy joy joy with them, then I imagine you can saddle on over with your burger and orange soda and start up a conversation with them, asking them what they do for a living.

"Accountant you say? How exciting."

Though if this completely logical manner doesn't suit you, could always take the other (and oddly more followed route) and start explaining to them about your deadly and infectious disease, how you were just wounded by the Keeper of the Burgers and his insidious lackey Linda: Events Co-Ordinator; bleed all of them, or go on about how your house is about to be bull-dozed by a regiment of angry PETA members becuase your yard is a bit to close to a nest of rare south american raven's. Hoping beyond hope that these people you've never met before, and hardly spoken a word to, take it in mind that your problems are obviously their own, and should do something about it right away.

I don't know about you, but I think the rest of the neighborhood would probably begin to shun you after that for bleeding all over the lovely table spreads and scaring the old ladies with blue hair and making everything quite a mess with your blood gushing wound, instead of calling an Ambulence.

Then before you know it, you're stuck in some finger pointing war with the rest of those neighbors who don't seem to get that all of your every day problems are your own, and that even though they are right in the middle of dinner, they should pack up and leave with you to go listen to all of your sublime tales about turnip gardening.

Backed only by those few neighbors who understand your grief and sorrow, which soon turns into an all out debate, resigned to occur on the community board forums.

Crazy you say I am? Well strip away the nice little houses, weekend barbecue, throw in some dragons, vampires, liches, demi-gods and a few cynics to make everything nice, right, and proper and poof you have the Wizards Role Playing community. Strange how things work like that, eh?

With our characters, how, whom, when, and why we interact with another is decided by we the players. I don't know about you, but some guy who came staggering into my favorite watering hole, whining about the end of the world with a gurgling chest wound, probably wouldn't induce me into wanting to go over and start up a friendly conversation. I know, I know, but you say "Rune? Don't you feel guilty for letting this zombie elf die such a tragic death?"

No.

Why should I? People are immoral, get used to it. Death is all around us, as someone pointed out somewhere above. I hate to say it but i'm fairly dead on the entire subject, no pun intended. I see it on the television, on the newspaper, thankfully never in any of the pubs I visit, and all sorts of other places. What do I do? Meh, thats a shame, where are my funny pages. Sure some people might get affected by it, others won't. It's not my job as a player to feel guilty if your character is dying, you the player made that choice, and the ran the risk hoping that someone takes pity and interacts with you because of it. I don't believe it's anywhere in the CoC that I have to interact with you, OOC, or IC. Simple as that.

So don't get mad if people ignore you, are like to play with their "cliques" as people are so fond of saying these days, or simply rate you lower then decomposed food based upon your roleplaying style. It'll happen, in here, and in the real world. So stop whining that it's hard to introduce new characters, or that people ignore you, and get playing. Just as Jardel commented, i'm far more likely to play with you if you just happen to wander over and strike up a conversation. In the end if you don't like it, well then don't play with us, there is an ignore option, and you are more then welcome to use it.

Well, thats about all I have to say on this issue. I hope I don't get to many angry emails or flames from this one. Kudos y'all.


Off to Care-a-Lot I go. Wheee.

^_^

 

[Lorna]

ok... my two cents...

Long ago when I first came onsite, I made the mistake of helping a character who had come through a portal with a sword wound to the gut... my character was a cleric, it seemed to me she SHOULD help this poor bloody character. So she did.

aaand then the trouble started. every time I saw the character she was hurt... usually self inflicted, or she was threatening to kill herself or kill others... all because she wanted me to interact with her and do so RIGHT that MINUTE OR ELSE!!

so guess what my reaction is to characters that do that is now? care to guess? YEP! I tend to ignore them. now if they have been attacked right there in front of my character that is different... if they come stumbling out of the arena/clearing that is very plausible. HOWEVER coming from a place they know to a place they are unfamiliar with and then YOU expect... no you basically DEMAND that we interact... sorry there is a thing called freedom of destiny ... that means I can play my character how I choose.

ok, I'm done...

Lorna

 

[Jaya Ballard Balla'th]

Meh..?

Read half way. Gave up. Eyes hurt. Too many words. Ow?

Brief, easy statement, and forgive me if anyone's already said such.

Realism is nice. It makes things go more smoothly.

Realism is not required. As this is a Fantasy-based system.

That said... every little thing doesn't have to be laced with Realism. I don't need characters' responses to seem Real. And frankly, if person after person is falling into the Emporium or 'Roads broken, bloodied, and bleeding, it seems so Real to my character that s/he'll probably Really get up and leave/flee.

Realism is nice in small quantities. Any more, and I might as well deal with the drama of everyday life.