Take DAoC for example, the core gameplay of that as compared to EQ are identical. And yet, people actually DO roleplay on their RP servers! Why is that?
I know someone will probably respond with "RPing in EQ is like Skateboarding in a bathtub, it won't get you very far and it's not the best use for a skateboard" But, that statement is, in my opinion, false. I think people have turned MMORPGs into more of a "I'm more ub3r" contest than a community experience. I mean, it's in the genre name MMORPG
And how easier can it get than to RP in a place where you HAVE an avatar. No character description, no need to type out fights, built in emotes! Someone explain the logic behind people dissing and flaming RPers.
On the three servers I tried, people DO NOT CONVERSE...
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And I was all like 'Oh yeah?' and Kegwen Tabibito was all like:
But, um, DAoC has the community of a pile of horseshit.On the three servers I tried, people DO NOT CONVERSE...
Oooh, yes they do, A lot actually.
Mostly in tells however, because, keep in mind, any MMORPG after EQ is going to have that shitty community because of the simple fact that guilds come over together and everyone is looking for their friends that switched. With EQ, no one came from other games. We HAD to get a community going. [ 12-18-2001: Message edited by: The Otaku Penguin ]
Or something.
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Kagrama had this to say about Duck Tales:
Ever been to a place like Oasis in EQ? There's people yapping on all the time. The reason DAoC isn't very vibrant, in my opinion, is that there aren't any broad channels outside of the cities.Or something.
BINGO.
Wanna know why Seb isn't boring for me?
Simple: /shout and /ooc
Not to mention my group and guild, but that's in DAoC as well so I didn't want to mention it.
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We were all impressed when The Otaku Penguin wrote:
Take DAoC for example, the core gameplay of that as compared to EQ are identical. And yet, people actually DO roleplay on their RP servers! Why is that?
Because DAoC is still new and optimism still abounds.
Give people time to get jaded. It'll happen. If you look closely, you can see its starting to happen already.
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Drysart had this to say about Cuba:
Because DAoC is still new and optimism still abounds.Give people time to get jaded. It'll happen. If you look closely, you can see its starting to happen already.
Drysart's right, their current success is completely without meaning. People are just excited at the newness right now, like they have been for the past three months or so...
It'll fail in time. Oh yes, every game will fail...
...except EverQuest...
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Maradön? had this to say about dark elf butts:
...except EverQuest...
*grins*
Maradon and Drysart are still my heroes.
My Vah'shir refuses to drink water. He has a backpack full of bottles of Milk. The only liquor he drinks is the creme (cream) liquor in Shar Vahl.
I also like to RP in groups, but that gets me funny looks.
I'm certainly not entertained by only carrying one backpack or not wearing anything on my feet, so it's a given that it puzzles the hell out of me and strikes me as extremely odd when I hear of people who do get off on carrying around only milk and refusing to use slashing weapons.
How is that sort of behavior relevant to staying in character anyway?
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Maradön? had this to say about Pirotess:
How is that sort of behavior relevant to staying in character anyway?
Personality. Character history. Etc. all [ 12-18-2001: Message edited by: Kegwen Tabibito ]
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Kinanik had this to say about Tron:
I'm starting to lose trhe ability to tell if Drysart is being sarcastic or not.
The sad part is, he isn't being sarcastic. He's always prophesized doom on every non-EQ MMORPG (even ones Verant employees themselves admire and compliment).
Yes, I hate to break it to you, but Drys is a...a.....fanboy! 
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Maradön? had this to say about John Romero:
Yes, I hate to break it to you, but Drys is a...a.....fanboy!
Oh you SO condemned.
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Kegwen Tabibito had this to say about pies:
Personality. Character history. Etc. all
I reiterate, how is that sort of behavior at all relevant to staying in character?
I know if I had a bunch of stuff to carry around in real life, and I was somehow granted the ability to carry eight backpacks, I'd sure as heck do it.
I know if I were a catman in real life I'd sure as heck want to branch out my beverage selection.
I know if I were a real life halfling who hated wearing things on my feet, but came across a pair of shoes that granted me magical benefits, I'd bear the discomfort.
I know if I were a warrior and I came across a sword that was sixty times more powerful than my beloved old grandfather's rusty old broadsword, I'd sure as hell use the good sword and set the antique up on my fireplace mantle.
The thing about all this is that, despite being "in character" in a sense, they really aren't realistic. Realistically a character would do whatever was in his capacity in order to survive or become more powerful.
The reason the halfling wears no shoes and calls it roleplaying is because the halfling is really a two hundred pound man with three kids and a wife. He has the luxury of being able to sacrifice competence for...whatever it is he gets out of wearing no shoes.
The reason the halfling wears no shoes and calls it roleplaying is because the halfing really isn't staying in character at all. [ 12-18-2001: Message edited by: Maradön? ]
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Maradön? had this to say about Duck Tales:
I reiterate, how is that sort of behavior at all relevant to staying in character?I know if I had a bunch of stuff to carry around in real life, and I was somehow granted the ability to carry eight backpacks, I'd sure as hell do it.
I know if I were a catman in real life I'd sure as heck want to branch out my beverage selection.
I know if I were a real life halfling who hated wearing things on my feet, but came across a pair of shoes that granted me magical benefits, I'd sure as hell bear the discomfort.
I know if I were a warrior and I came across a sword that was sixty times more powerful than my beloved old grandfather's rusty old broadsword, I'd sure as hell use the good sword and set the antique up on my fireplace mantle.
That's why you are a munchkin or pow3rg4m3r if you prefer.
I want to roleplay: I play D&D, White Wolf, or find a Campaign online.
I want to game: I pop in a single player game, or play a game online with others that is about playing a video game. One that is either 1.) Kill everyone. 2.)Game completed, Game over.
I want community: I go out with my Girlfriend and our friends. Go to a movie. Go out to dinner. Go to the cafe and talk over coffee. Just get together, period.
All games like EQ will fail. You can't combine roleplay in a video game like format.
EQ can call it itself whatever it wants. It's a video game, and a very poor one.
`Nuff said. [ 12-18-2001: Message edited by: Old Hickory ]
One man with courage makes a majority.
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Tarquinn had this to say about Punky Brewster:
That's why you are a munchkin or pow3rg4m3r if you prefer.
Uh, no, that's why I'm not retarded.
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Old Hickory wrote, obviously thinking too hard:
-snip-
I'll rephrase that for you:
"PLEASE FLAME ME!"
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Maradön? had this to say about Matthew Broderick:
Uh, no, that's why I'm not retarded.
Thank's for proving my point.
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Tarquinn had this to say about (_|_):
Thank's for proving my point.
You've proven mine very nicely as well.
Stop and read the post next time around. I also suggest thinking about it. [ 12-18-2001: Message edited by: Maradön? ]
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Maradön? impressed everyone with:
I reiterate, how is that sort of behavior at all relevant to staying in character?I know if I had a bunch of stuff to carry around in real life, and I was somehow granted the ability to carry eight backpacks, I'd sure as heck do it.
I know if I were a catman in real life I'd sure as heck want to branch out my beverage selection.
I know if I were a real life halfling who hated wearing things on my feet, but came across a pair of shoes that granted me magical benefits, I'd bear the discomfort.
I know if I were a warrior and I came across a sword that was sixty times more powerful than my beloved old grandfather's rusty old broadsword, I'd sure as hell use the good sword and set the antique up on my fireplace mantle.
The thing about all this is that, despite being "in character" in a sense, they really aren't realistic. Realistically a character would do whatever was in his capacity in order to survive or become more powerful.
The reason the halfling wears no shoes and calls it roleplaying is because the halfling is really a two hundred pound man with three kids and a wife. He has the luxury of being able to sacrifice competence for...whatever it is he gets out of wearing no shoes.
The reason the halfling wears no shoes and calls it roleplaying is because the halfing really isn't staying in character at all.
Sometimes it's fitting, sometimes it isn't.
Example: In one of the games I'm in, my character is from a small island country. He was one of the few chosen to go out and adventure, trusting in the gods to guide him to where he was needed. As he left, the clerics and mages gave him a sword made of something very valuable to them. Metal...
Needless to say, he's now finding metal all over the place. His sword is nothing special (in game terms), and he can find better ones to use. However, he would die before giving up his sword. He regards it as a symbol of the trust his people and his Gods placed in him. To him, that sword is a holy relic.
His stone tipped fishing spear, however, is going to be replaced as soon as he sees something better. It's nice, but something with a steel tip would work better.
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Maradön? had this to say about Punky Brewster:
You've proven mine very nicely as well.Stop and read the post next time around. I also suggest thinking about it.
Now...the master of "selective reading" is telling me how to read.
Funny.
No need for a comeback Mardön, I will end this here.
You are omscient, I am dumb.
Thank you for showing me the light.
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We were all impressed when Maradön? wrote:
I'm certainly not entertained by only carrying one backpack or not wearing anything on my feet, so it's a given that it puzzles the hell out of me and strikes me as extremely odd when I hear of people who do get off on carrying around only milk and refusing to use slashing weapons.How is that sort of behavior relevant to staying in character anyway?
First off, he's a rogue. HE DOES NOT USE SLASHING WEAPONS. He's a stabber, not a slasher. You want a good RP explanation? Puncture wounds don't splatter blood nearly as much as slashing wounds, and he keeps his black armor CLEAN.
He absolutely REFUSES to drink water. His backpack is full of milk. RP explanation? Easy enough, he's a VAH'SHIR Kitty hates water, LOVES milk
That is why. I get tons of people amused when I say 'Water? Blegh! I carry around MILK!' and they see that I'm a kitty rogue
How long has Maradon's little box been gone? Five minutes? And he's already getting into another bitchfest?
*claps*
You truly are the master, Maradon.
too much bad roleplaying
I agree. (and am apologising for the fragmented state of this ramble. It's 3:45. I'm tired. Chew my ass.)
The term you were searching for, however, is charicatures. I DO find the occasional, real, well-rounded character in EQ, one that makes me treat it as an actual person rather than some odd cookie-cutter version of a character. Anyone can decide to be the valint paladin with shining armor and a flaming sword (no offense to said paladins, I know many and think they're spiffy folk). Anyone can be the brainy Erudite wizard, the good yet tough Elfin Druid. These are charicatures. These are the cookie-cutter shapes that all characters, usually, start off as. These are the basic ideas. They are NOT characters. Characters build on the charicatures, they make them seem more, well, human, more tangible.
That being said, I have encountered far, FAR more charicatures in EQ than I have in any other game I've played. I eventually do come across the few actual characters, someone playing a necromancer with a raging conscience, someone playing a slut cleric... I can't even describe these, someone playing a character, a real, fleshed out character, rather than a charicature. But this is very, very rare, and they're usually the people who have been roleplaying for a long time, either on EQ or off of it, and already got the gist of it. I'm not claiming to be an expert on RP here, but I've seen a lot of amateurish and, well, new-looking characters there, ones who only have the noble paladin, the tough but good druid, the eeeevil necromancer to go on.
EQs whole environment is not conductive to roleplay. Some places, some people are, and if you go through your first motions without talking to anyone you could get a real feel for how the game world is, for now Norrath as a world is, and not Norrath the horribly broken god DAMN am I ever going to get out of this hell level, uh, ith? I'm not blaming Verant. I'm not blaming the players. I'm not blaming anyone, I'm just saying EQ isn't a place people go to roleplay. It's a place people go to play.
I've noticed that most of the best EQ roleplay has happened OUTSIDE of the game, in short stories composed out of the game, in roleplay on messageboards, EQ-based DND campaigns, while the stuff that goes on inside the game seems dry, cliched and, well... charicaturish. Compare this to DAoC, to AO (I know, I know, you all hate it, and you can all chew my ass), hell, compare this to your average MUD, where most of the roleplay takes place INSIDE THE ACTUAL GAME.
EQ, in my opinion, is a great game, lots of fun to play, but absolute crap in the way of RP. It's a great STIMULATION for RP, but it never quite gets there.
There. Done. *dons flame-proof, I-stated-my-opinion-please-don't-loose-the-hungry-dogs suit*
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Khyron had this to say about dark elf butts:
Bad, good, I don't care either way, I do what's fun for me.
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Khyron had this to say about Robocop:
Bad, good, I don't care either way, I do what's fun for me.
ype I guess that pretty much sums it up
yer not the kind to get in L60s and use real gear
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Solstyce had this to say about Captain Planet:
I'll say this.
I play my character the way I damn well choose. If someone comes up to me and says 'Gah, such bad roleplaying!' I'd call him an elitist bastard. Truth be told, I truly get into playing my character. I have him drink only milk because it makes him more amusing, because it gives him those little personality traits that make my character so much fun for me. My rogue drinks milk only. He doesn't like cooked meat. He eats sammiches, LOVES almonds, keeps his armor clean, refuses to wear better armor unless it's dark like his current armor. He's a rogue, he's a kitty. He's my character. I could do a ten-page-long biography on him, his history, his traits, flaws, et cetera. I get into playing my character. Go ahead, tell me how bad my roleplaying is, tell me I suck at it, watch me shrug and keep on doing it, it's fun, it's my character.
it's just funny how many stereotypes you have there
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Tier had this to say about Duck Tales:
ype I guess that pretty much sums it upyer not the kind to get in L60s and use real gear
If my 'real' gear you mean AC/HP/Stat gear that doesn't look good, or looks mismatched, you're damn right. I don't care about that. If I wanna be a powergamer I play one of my FPS games, camp the rocket launcher/BFG/whatever big spawn it is, and tear the unholy hell out of my opponents assholes. But if you wanna put me in EQ, I won't wear it if I don't like the way it looks. I won't use the uberweapons if they're not piercers(rogue) or slashers(bard). I will eat what I want, drink what I want, despite criticism that I'm stupid for doing so. It's what makes EQ fun. Powergaming isn't fun. Powergaming makes it just a hack and slash game. Powergaming makes EQ like diablo 3, with food and water mixed in. If I want diablo, I'll play diablo. I want a role playing game, so I'm gonna play a role playing game, I'm gonna put thought and effort into my character's history, background, personality... and I'm not gonna treat it like yet another 'hack/slash/loot/sell/ding/yawn/go off to play better things' game.
til they totally nuked that with Luclin.. a L40 druid in pretty armor with decent stats will look the same as that L2 druid in full tattered crap
So I got those Eboots I was waiting for, im going to get a Mithril Runed tunic, everthing that looks bad cause im sick of the littel you can do to have a better 'character'
Has anyone else noticed that, despite the fact that a flask of water and a bottle of milk are both "a drink", Vah Shir drink the milk faster?
Or is that just me?
But in any case, there's more than one level of regular drink, that's what I meant.
