RP Revival Committee

[Izeroth]

Should we gather a list of the RPs that should be revived and that were the most popular, just to see what people enjoyed?

Sure. I'll make a list.

But, first of all, we need to determine the problems with RPs. Only then can we actually ensure that they will stay active.

[Gonff the Mousethief]

Well, here are my tow questions to that question. What made the more active RP's so good, and could be be that the story line of the RP'S now is just not as good?

[The Skarzs]

Jukka gave some good points: Short, uninteresting posts give players less of a reason to post afterwards, and people leaving mid-RP is also an issue.

Another thing might be failing storyline; the beginning might be good, but the middle can become a bit cliche or even just aimless flailing about. If one sees this happening in an RP, suggesting a rethinking of storyline or giving the GM an idea of your own can help this. While the GM did start the RP, I don't think they would be averse to some help with it.

[Izeroth]

Well, here are my tow questions to that question. What made the more active RP's so good, and could be be that the story line of the RP'S now is just not as good?

For the first question, I would say that that heavily varies from RP to RP. Some RPs succeed because of  interesting plot; others, good characters.

In answer to your second question, I would say no. There's no reason I can see for RP quality to decline over the years; if anything, it should get better as the members of this forum become more experienced in roleplay. The main issue for the decline of the role playing board is, I think, lack of interest in roleplaying at all.

Jukka gave some good points: Short, uninteresting posts give players less of a reason to post afterwards, and people leaving mid-RP is also an issue.

Another thing might be failing storyline; the beginning might be good, but the middle can become a bit cliche or even just aimless flailing about. If one sees this happening in an RP, suggesting a rethinking of storyline or giving the GM an idea of your own can help this. While the GM did start the RP, I don't think they would be averse to some help with it.

Gotta agree with you there: the middle is where most RPs die. It seems the stagnation is because of, as you pointed out, lack of interest and confusion about the direction of the story. One thing that really irks me is when people introduce irrelevant and meaningless sub-plots that do nothing to advance the story at all.

[The Skarzs]

People might also be picky, like me, so joining an RP can be a touchy thing.

[Gonff the Mousethief]

I do remember from Hidden Within the Walls that in about the mid section of it, most everyone stopped playing except for a few people. It was very interesting, and I stayed around because of it.

I do agree with what y'all have said. I try to plan out my RPs before we start, and just give a basic skeleton for it. That could be a way to avoid some of the mid-way issues.

[Jukka the Sling]

I think part of the problem could be due to not having enough plot. Say for example that the plot for an RP is "a group of creatures meet up on the Western shores and decide to travel to Redwall together." Traveling can be one of the most boring parts of an RP when there's nothing interesting scheduled to happen, and that plot could easily cause the death of the RP.

[Cornflower MM]

Gee, thanks, Jukka.
I see another problem with posting - Time! What if people don't have time to post a long post, so they just whip out something? It's something I've done quite a few times, so I'm sure that having all be posts being three sentences long is a good one. I mean, it sounds good, but what if someone really needs to post, but doesn't have the time for posting three sentences, and then doesn't post and later forgets? As  said before, this is something I myself have done.

[Jukka the Sling]

Sorry, I wasn't trying to offend. It's just something I've noticed with multiple RP's.

[Izeroth]

 So, the main problems seem to be:

•Lack of time/interest

•Poorly-designed plot

•Long, boring periods

Now, how do you think we could fix these?

[Lady Ashenwyte]

1. Plan your RP joining carefully, and never join too many RPs at once, as I have done.

2. Draw up a basic outline of your plot, and make up something you will enjoy, yet is rational.

3. Make something happen, random encounters, random chatter, or derail the plot entirely, and do an refreshing subplot.

Here are my solutions to the problems, anyone else have suggestions?

[The Skarzs]

Planning too carefully makes the RP less interesting, because isn't that kind of what an RP is? Making decisions that determine the storyline?

[Lady Ashenwyte]

Planning too carefully makes the RP less interesting, because isn't that kind of what an RP is? Making decisions that determine the storyline?

Yes, but I mention an outline, and not a predetermined plot.

[Hickory]

I'm joining the commitee.

I need two RPs to move forward/get signups.

1. Submission and Rebellion needs signups, Sand and I were the only ones doing it and Corbus has left. I'm taking control for now.

2. Dibbun Adventure kind of ground to a halt. With a few more posts, it can be polishe off, and te sequal can be made!

[Edraithel]

I think a good idea would be to have a simple form for RP plots that GMs can use to give potential RPers a basic idea of what the end goal is and a few of the obstacles that might be faced. There is always room for spontaneous things to happen during the RP, but it's good to have an idea of where the RP is heading.