What IS roleplaying?

[ShadowCatJen]

I've been roleplaying various games for a very long time. The majority of my friends do the same. So it's sometimes a bit of a shock to me when people ask what it's all about. It's so normal for me that I don't really think twice about in while in context to the rest of the world.

A friend of mine a while back asked me what it was that I liked about these geeky games and what it was all about. I started muttering on about the sourcebooks and the way the game is played and I think when I started talking about the various dice and what they did she than started to get this blank look.

Next day I broke it down to her in far simpler terms.

Roleplaying is like impromptu acting, just with a lot of rules and details. The Dungeon Master is the Writer/Director. He tells everyone what the setting is, how they got there, and what the situation is. The players are the Actors, but instead of being told what part to play they get to choose their own. The Actors decide for themselves how their character is going to react to the situations the director puts them in and the Director can change the script according to their reactions. The sourcebooks, character sheets, and dice are just the rules we have to follow when we "act".

When I explained it to her that way she then could see where the appeal could be. Even sat in on one of my groups sessions... then again, she did sort of fancy one of the guys I played with so there was an ulterior motive.

So, if any of your "non-playing" friends happen to ask you the same question. Just put it to them that way. You can use the comparisons for any aspect of the game. Like Alignments are just the sort of character traits the character has (i.e. sneaky and selfish or law abiding and righteous) and the dice rolling just helps decide which the way the script will go (i.e. does he make that miracle arrow shot from 50 yards away or not).

Far easier then trying to get geeky on them.

[Driderman]

I learned my lesson a long time ago.

I usually explain it like this:

Imagine you and your friends have to play the roles of The Fellowship from The Lord Of The Rings ( or the main characters of any movie really), but instead of having to follow the plotline you have to make up your own lines and decide for yourself what actions you take.

Then they usually ask who determines who decides how it works out and I answer something like this:

One of the people playing take the role of all the supporting actors and the environment of the story. He's written a plot outline and, if good, is also prepared to handle any diversions from the plot and adapt to new situations so the game will be fun for all and unexpected situations arise from time to time.

Then some will ask what about those small figures and weird dice, aren't they part of roleplaying too and my answer will be along these lines:

You can play with or without figures and with or without dice too. The idea of roleplay is the improvisational acting, but there are also all sorts of rules you can apply so you know how to handle the technicalities and so the game is fair for all. But thats just the techics of the game, roleplaying is the acting part

It usually works

[gneuklear]

I like the acting analogy - especially because it demonstrates that RPing is something you have to learn. Not everybody is good at acting, and even fewer people are good at impromptu acting. I always have more fun on FRC when I feel like I'm "on my game" RPing, but it takes quite a bit of effort (part of the reason it's fun). I guess my point is that when someone asks "what is Role Playing" or they act in game like they should ask, it's the duty of those who RP well to teach those who don't. Especially if we want this server to continue to be as good as it is. I would encourage those of you who are good at RPing to not shy away from those who aren't. They won't learn unless they see it in action. For example, I vividly remember one of the first times I was really impressed with someone's RP - it was this guy who was nearsighted and he emoted squinting and that kind of thing. It was great and it really made me want to learn to do stuff like that. By no means am I an expert, but I'm better than I was because I saw others do it and tried to emulate them.

[Aodhan the Unusual]

Yeah... When people ask me what a LARP is, I have to break it down to "a non-profit organization that does improvisational acting for fun and entertainment." Generally after that, people either leave me alone or just give me an odd look. Gues big words just blow people's minds.

[soulfien]

I just reply, "Improv at its best"

[♥Zach♥]

aodhan said:

Yeah... When people ask me what a LARP is, I have to break it down to "a non-profit organization that does improvisational acting for fun and entertainment." Generally after that, people either leave me alone or just give me an odd look. Gues big words just blow people's minds.

*Claps hands and laughs like chris from family guy*

[arcadiadragon]

just posting this to make it clear to myself...when in pen and paper I look as Role play as acting like most have stated


but online I do it differently....I play Chrys as if she was real..and that ArcadiaDragon is just the silly cricket with top hat and the cane whispering in her ear from time to time.....its odd that she and I have argued on occasion and its a interesting way to play

[whitepawn01]

Arcadia hit it on the head, for me... when your character does something you didn't plan or expect, or surprises you, you know you've achieved something.