I, Me, Us, She, Him, They

[ShadowCatJen]

A subject that has always rumbled in the back of my mind, but is seldom posted or talked about, are tips on keeping up the separation between a player and their character.

Many times I've seen the following being given to me in a tell:

"Hey, Myn, how are you doing today?"

This, to me, is unacceptable because I am not Myn. My usual response to the above question is to say, "Myn is doing so-so, but I'm doing well."

You would think it would be a small thing, but sometimes it can be an indicator that the player has trouble separating a player from a character. It's worse when after my character has had an argument with one of theirs and the first tell I receive afterward is to ask if I was angry with them. My character may be angry with theirs, but I am not angry.

I've found over time that it's more of a psychological thing that doesn't become apparent until someone points it out to them.

A good practice to use is to never refer to a player by their character name, this includes your own characters. I understand this is difficult when the character name and the screen names match, but for the most part they will not be. Never refer to yourself as being your character and try not to refer to others by their character name.

For example:

I would not say, "I am at the inn talking with Ailren."
I say, "Mynian is at the inn talking with Ailren."

I don't say, "I think I'll go to Isinhold today."
I say, "I think I'll have Mynian go to Isinhold today."

I don't say, "Did you see the post Aria made on the forums today about spot checks?"
I say, "Did you see the post Slothfulcat made on the forums today about spot checks?"


When it comes time for your character to solve a problem, you shouldn't ask yourself what you would do, ask what your character would do. Keeping this sort of separation can help, especially when it comes to IC and OOC feelings. What it also helps with is to establish your character's personality as being different from your own.

[Rashai]

This will be a challenge for me. I've been mostly avoiding seeing who plays what character to help me keep my forum knowledge separate from my character's in-game knowledge. ;D

You make a good point, though. I need to get back into the habit of referring to my online characters in the third person. I'm better about this in P&P. I made my username different from any character name I'd ever use just for this reason.

[TermaForever]

Usually when I use the character name its because its shorter than the player name and I'm lazy ;D


But you do make good points.

[blessedadversary]

Well i can understand your sentiment, but I choose to call folks by the character name they are playing at the moment. I can't remember log-in names, and will most likely forget it as soon as they switch.

I assure you I have no troubles separating fantasy from reality, but in the game , to me, you are whatever character you are playing, on the forums you can be your handle, and in real life, ill learn your name.

[ShadowCatJen]

Apr 17, 2008 16:23:55 GMT -5 TermaForever said:

Usually when I use the character name its because its shorter than the player name and I'm lazy ;D

You lazy bum.

Apr 17, 2008 16:44:51 GMT -5 blessedadversary said:

Well i can understand your sentiment, but I choose to call folks by the character name they are playing at the moment. I can't remember log-in names, and will most likely forget it as soon as they switch.

I assure you I have no troubles separating fantasy from reality, but in the game , to me, you are whatever character you are playing, on the forums you can be your handle, and in real life, ill learn your name.

If it's something you're confident about, then great! My post was mostly a recommendation to those either unfamiliar with the concept or who have trouble separating one from the other. Otherwise, good on ya.

[Panros]

Eh, I have people send me a tell and refer to me as Tor sometimes. It doesn't really bother me. Every so often I will say, "Torgeir is doing this, "and "Torgier is heading there." Sometimes typing "I" is just faster, especially when you are holding a conversation in-game, between fighting, and you are swamped with tells.

Good point though, Myn. Some people, especially upon first joining up, find it hard to locate the line between character and player. Anything that happens In Game is In Game folks.

*points up and snickers*

[Deleted]

I usually send tells like 'Hey Mate', 'Hey, how are you' If i refer to a player oocly by there character name...this is simply because it is easier to remember a chracters name rather then a log in.

~sioladuil

[Ehver]

I don't see it as much of a problem, really. I have had people who have taken IC arguments OOC, however, which I find rather confusing, but I've had lots of people call me 'Ehver' or 'Ehv' through tells. My login name, forum name, and character name are all Ehver after all, and most people don't ask me for my real name, though I'm certainly happy to give it.

But anyway, I think most people can tell the difference between the two. And I switch back and forth between using 'I' and 'Ehver' when referring to my character, depending on what is easier or what just rolls off my fingers without my realizing it.

Most of the time when talking to other people through tells I refer to them by their screennames, however. Unless it is something difficult to remember or to type or just looks...dumb. XD If so I'll use the character name or just your plain old 'Hey you!' instead.

Either way, I don't think it's a big deal what people decide to do, because I'm generally assuming that the majority of the people who play online roleplaying games do know the difference. Though if it bothers someone to be called by their character name, I suppose that's fine as well.

[EDM Entori]

I make an effort to learn the persons first name I'm speaking about, and this goes back to keeping things impartial I think. or rather it adds to making it easier for players to stay impartial.

But if someone asks where am I? I figure he means entori, but if he asks how I'm doing I think he means me. Don. and I make an effort to go hey ... Matt/kevin etc... how are you? or hows life. and keeping that kind of talk going helps keep it not so serious.

I think its a great point to bring up thanks Jen!

..Don

[Teneas]

Apr 22, 2008 22:01:37 GMT -5 EDM Entori said:

I make an effort to learn the persons first name I'm speaking about, and this goes back to keeping things impartial I think. or rather it adds to making it easier for players to stay impartial.

But if someone asks where am I? I figure he means entori, but if he asks how I'm doing I think he means me. Don. and I make an effort to go hey ... Matt/kevin etc... how are you? or hows life. and keeping that kind of talk going helps keep it not so serious.

I think its a great point to bring up thanks Jen!

..Don

Who is this Matt person anyway? sounds ultra cool