Role-playing… What the heck is it?  Imagine yourself as a character in a play, only there's no script. You are required to know every nuance of your character: how they think, how they act, and how they react. What motivates them to behave in a certain way? What things in their past shaped their personality? These things, among others, are only up to you and no one else. After all, it's your character that you are going to be role-playing.  Role-Playing in a MMOG setting is completely different than doing so in a pen and paper setting or any other instance where you might role-play for that matter.  Role-playing in a MMOG setting can be a very rewarding experience, but can also be one that is very trying.  If you are into a challenge and willing to put some effort into your role-playing beyond a passing attempt then you will be richly rewarded in your game-play experience. 

There are some key things to keep in mind while role-playing in a MMOG.  The most important of these is that this is not your usual setting where everyone is in the mood to role-play all the time.  Many people in fact will not role-play at all; they are just not in the game for those reasons.  You have to know this and understand it to enjoy your experience yourself.  If you walk up to someone while in-character and start speaking to the, and all they turn around and look at you and say “WTF” you need to know when to say “Good day” and just walk away from that area or continue on with your business.  Don’t be discouraged, and just go find someone else to have a good experience with.  Most people, even if they are not role-players themselves do appreciate the occasional person who stays in character as it creates an enjoyable experience for all parties involved. 

One other thing to keep in mind is that it’s ok to break character once in a while.  A MMOG would be almost impossible to role-play 100% of the time.  Sometimes it would be a burden to stay in character, and when that happens the enjoyment is taken out of it.  During these one should feel free to switch over to polite out of character speech.  People are used to staying in character for a few hours at a time, maybe once or twice a week if they play a pen and paper game.  With a MMOG people often play everyday for longer periods of time than they would sit down with a pen and paper game.  Because of this fact alone people are going to need to take breaks.  Some people don’t realize that role-playing takes some effort, and while it is rewarded with a great rewarding experience sometimes you just need to take a break and take it easy.  You should never be afraid to do this.  

Character Creation 

            When you've researched your character's race and prospective class, it's time to think about the "Why?" Why did your character decide to become that certain class? If the answer is, "Because it's the most powerful class available," or "The book said that it has the most potential," then you need to rethink again about the person that you're creating. Remember that your character doesn't know that the game exists. To them, the world that you're playing in is real.  You should select your character because it’s something that you would enjoy playing.  If you’re only doing it for the powerlevel capabilities then you are not going to have a very fun role-playing experience at all.  A well thought out character background can be a great asset to you.  It can be your ultimate resource while playing the game.  If there is ever a question about what your character might do in a certain situation all you need to do is take a look back at what your character background says.  If you thought it out well, it should provide you with enough information to imply how your character might react in a certain situation. 

Key Tips for In-Game

• The difference between IC and OOC. IC stands for In Character. These are actions that happen as the story is evolving. It includes everything your character says and does. Things that happen to your character IC should be dealt with IC. OOC stands for Out Of Character. Things that happen to you in the everyday real world are OOC. Your character is NEVER OOC. Only you, the player, can deal with things that happen OOC.

• Always keep in mind the time and effort you took to put your character together. You'll have wasted your time researching and perfecting a character if you don't take into consideration who the character is during a game.  If you come up with a history that your character hates Progen, and you smile to every Progen you see then the character history you put behind the character would be fruitless.  Obviously if you are taking a break from staying in character, you can feel free to act how you please.  But for those times when you are trying to stay in character, really try to stay in character; it will only make the experience that much more worthwhile. 

• I am not here to test out my theatrical ability and Oscar-winning dramatics, nor show how much self-angst I can exhibit.  I like the feel of role-playing in a game, by using the game mechanics of the system.  Role-playing a character in game is not just Theatrical Improv.   If I wanted to be involved with just Theatrical Improv, I would have been an actor.    I want to play the game, and I immersed in the game to a whole new level.  Role-playing can do this, but remember rule #1 at all times. 

• HAVE FUN!  - This has been always rule #1 no matter what game you are playing or what setting it’s in.  I try to cater to all players, and establish a portion of the game that they can relate and attach too.  Sometimes that's bad, other times it works.  A quick rule of thumb:  If I am not having fun, no one is having fun.

Conclusion

            The most important thing to remember about role-playing is that you’re doing it to have fun, for yourself.  It's JUST a Game.  - Remember that in the end, it really doesn't matter, don't take it so seriously.  If you aren’t having fun then maybe role-playing in this kind of setting isn’t for you.  A MMOG can be a fun and rewarding experience any way you play it, but for those of us who enjoy role-playing then doing so should only increase your experience with the game.  Good luck to you all and I look forward to seeing you in a not so far galaxy soon. 

 

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