How to introduce someone to a universe? RP story ideas

[Holeypaladin]

So, I'm the type of GM who likes to re-use the same universe for multiple RPs. Why? Because I've put so much work into designing my corner of the galaxy that I feel I should actually put it into practice. After all, the greatest design in the world is useless if no one knows it exists.

Question is... what is the best way to build up interest in this universe? The best way to get writers interested in grabbing their own piece of the galaxy and making civilizations as well-designed as my own?

So far, I have attempted two different styles of RPs.

The first is a sandbox-style nation RP which, due to the realistic nature of the galaxy, is rather imbalanced inherently... because in a realistic world, there will be greater powers like China, lesser powers like Iraq, and superpowers like USA. If your emphasis is on a believable universe, you can't allow EVERYONE to be a superpower (because then no one is), nor can you forbid EVERYONE from being a superpower (because then again, no one is). So people with a competitive focus tend to complain about the way I nation RP in my universe, because there is a superpower, and I won't allow them all to start out as superpowers themselves.

The second type of RP I've done is an adventure RP centered around the exploits of a multi-racial privateer crew (there is a link to it in my sig). This to me seems a lot easier for people to get a grasp of what kind of character they are interested, and then begin to design a background for their character. However, since every ship needs a captain, I think people might dislike the idea of being a supporting cast for a main protaganist. Still, this style of RP is the most successful I've ever run (Some 4500 or so casual-level posts on a separate site, before coming here), but I'm finding that because people on RPG aren't familiar with me and my GM style yet, it's not as successful as it could be (though it's doing alright).

I would like input on some other ideas that can be used to get people interested and involved in my sci fi universe. What type of plot line is interesting enough that people take notice and want to get involved, but not so complex as to scare them away? Right now, I'm seeking for interest-building RP ideas, but more complex plots are also welcome for future reference.

[Foster]

Links, cold-introes, and recap events in every post.

[Herostratus]

What type of plot line is interesting enough that people take notice and want to get involved, but not so complex as to scare them away?

Exactly what I'd like to know. Wish I could help, but I'm clueless here.

[Foster]

I would like input on some other ideas that can be used to get people interested and involved in my sci fi universe. What type of plot line is interesting enough that people take notice and want to get involved, but not so complex as to scare them away? Right now, I'm seeking for interest-building RP ideas, but more complex plots are also welcome for future reference.

Well, for the ship-crew, encourage an ensamble-cast, possibly with unrealistic (or at least badly strained) romantic encounters. Best way to get a fish-out-of-water-Captain is to do what Dylan Hunt, Captain America, Rippley/Weaver, Stephan Fry, and Buck Rogers did... fly into a timehole/cryogenics...

[Lord Magroth]

In my experience, it depends. Are you going for a hard or soft sci-fi? (No DFENS, I am not promoting anything)

[Lukas Kelly]

Perhaps you could do a sort of a "seminar" or something. Start a thread which is a combination of teaching people about the universe, showing where they have creative licence, and a section on ideas for RPs. I'm sure there are several world builders who you could specifically market to that would be interested. Start up a group where you can have a little mini-forum for developing this.

[Marrone]

For my hyper-complicated universe (it has its own poetry, music and short stories), I keep people focused on THEIR story and let them understand the environment around them. They might run into a piece of that poetry on their adventure, or they might meet an NPC who'll know all about some mundane history tip. The players don't need to know the history for the past billion years because lets be real, their characters WOULDN'T know. So why, ICly and OOCly, do they need to know anything beyond what they shouldn't?

I think the worst thing a GM with a hyper-complicated universe could do is try to get everyone on the same page. Even if they're all super nerds, they'll still stop caring because your story is just another story--they can find one anywhere and you need all the edge you can to make yours more worth their time. You need to make an art out of revealing it all.

[Lukas Kelly]

I've got an idea for you. It's more of a micro-scale idea though. What about branching off your RP into another one? For example, start an interest check/OOC for some sort of RP set in your universe. They could be living aboard a pirate ship, aboard a military vessel, they could be merchants of some kind, etc. Then, instead of creating an IC right away, when there's an available time in Corsair...BAM crossover. Say you're using the pirate crew RP. The pirates and the Corsair crew come into contact, possibly fight, possibly work together to do some other shit, etc. When they're done with that, start the IC thread for the pirate crew as they go their separate ways to do pirate things.

[Kestrel]

For my hyper-complicated universe (it has its own poetry, music and short stories), I keep people focused on THEIR story and let them understand the environment around them. They might run into a piece of that poetry on their adventure, or they might meet an NPC who'll know all about some mundane history tip. The players don't need to know the history for the past billion years because lets be real, their characters WOULDN'T know. So why, ICly and OOCly, do they need to know anything beyond what they shouldn't?

I think the worst thing a GM with a hyper-complicated universe could do is try to get everyone on the same page. Even if they're all super nerds, they'll still stop caring because your story is just another story--they can find one anywhere and you need all the edge you can to make yours more worth their time. You need to make an art out of revealing it all.

Pretty much this.

Which is pretty much the exact thing I've been telling TC in every single topic about anything.