How to make a good RP into a great one

[Holeypaladin]

Been running a fairly good RP for a bit now, and I'm seeing a common theme. Players see a good thing, a great idea, a successful and intriguing plot, and then they fill in a CS...

And they either never join, or post a few posts and then drop out.

It doesn't seem to matter how much I as a GM try to help them out, fill them in on what's going on so that they can more easily participate.

To me, a great RP requires several things. You need a good GM. You need a good story. And you need good participants who are willing to get involved and stay involved with the plot.

All too often, it seems there are too MANY RPs on this site. Too many options... if you have difficulty one, quit it and join another. That to me seems like a horrible idea... it just makes every RP suck because players are constantly quitting and joining others and filling in apps only to never post IC.

One of the worst things I've seen is when people don't join because they perceive the RP as being "too crowded." Others don't want to join something that has been going on for a bit, because they feel they have no place in the story. That to me seems like the worst thing to think... a RP cannot succeed unless it has a constant inflow of new characters to replace the inactives and quitters.

Perhaps I'm just trying to run a plot that's beyond the ability of most casual writers, or perhaps original ideas are just not popular. But I like to run a good story that someone can get involved in.

In some cases, I think the labeling might actually do more harm than good to some RPs. I like to run something that doesn't require paragraphs of description so that casual writers can participate (and also because excessive description bores me), but maintain a level of plot and universe complexity that most people would associate with advanced RPs. So my problem is... advanced writers don't want to join, because it's in the casual section. Casual writers don't really have the patience to keep up with the plot. And I myself don't like to make excessively lengthy posts describing the color of a flower.

There's also a possibility people perceive me as "new" because most of my experience running RPs comes from other sites. Until my post count builds up, I suppose people may always think of me (incorrectly) as a newb GM.

Are there any ideas how to fix this problem? Has anyone tried running an "advanced-level" plot with "casual-level" writing requirements? Has anyone actually been successful in doing so?

[MaloBeto]

I agree. I've been looking for an rp where I didn't have to worry about post length but still has a well designed plot. I consider myself to be a decent writer, and I'd like to have a book published someday, but I just don't see the point in having paragraph after paragraph of description when it does nothing to further the plot or characters. I have school to keep up with, books to read, stories to write, and I'd like to play a bit of Skyrim and watch an episode or two of Doctor Who every once in a while, I don't have time to write 1000 word posts!

[The Monstah]

Well the first assumption that you need to clear up is that Advanced writing involves over the top description.

Sure, Advanced writers do tend to have longer posts due to excessive details, but that isn't always the case. An 'Advanced' post doesn't require uber-details or long paragraphs. It only requires a bit more thought and creativity, which by no means is exclusive to Advanced writers, and the ability to further a plot by adding new elements of the rolelpayer's own. A character or setting that really sets the flow of the roleplay, and propels it further by interacting them properly together.

To me, that is the only difference between Casual and Advanced. The ability to better interact with the story. For some, excessive details are how they do it. Others have the 'Quality over Quantity' mantra. Me? As long as I don't struggle trying to keep up the pace or grow bored from the lack of one, then I'll join in. It just takes a little perspective, and Advanced seems to have a bit more of that.

- - - Updated - - -

Also, in answer to the 'better keep a roleplay going', well, that just takes a little luck on getting the right teams together.

Around here, Dead roleplays are very common. It's not uncommon for your problem to happen. Happens to me all the time. People just lose the muse, or just don't have time. That's no fault of yours. You just have to hope and keep trying if it dies.

[MaloBeto]

Personally I don't have the time to write (or read) multiple paragraphs, every post. I feel like you can get just as good of a story out of a few lines. Every advanced role play I've looked at so far just seemed like wall of text after wall of text, and if I'm going to spend that kind of time writing something I would rather just write my own story. Another problem I see is dialogue. If I'm trying to have a conversation between one of my character's and another PC I don't want to feel like I need to post more than just what my character needs to say. That just seems like bad writing to me.

[KnightShade]

I think you make a few assumptions about the differences between Casual and Advanced that aren't universally true but I can understand them in that perhaps you're more talking about how people perceive these areas, which can be a big stigma. I'm gonna move straight on to GMing anyway. I think a lot of GMs come across similar problems with recruitment and there are ways to get around it. One is to get a reputation as a good GM which will gather peoples interest, but of course it's hard to do this if you're RPs can't get of the ground. I'm really not an expert on this one.

The other way I think is to go into a few RPs and try to find people that you write well with and who show commitment to their RPs and friend them. Try to gather a little group around you, make a list of those you'd want on board and once you have them try to encourage them to be creative about the setting. Get them invested in the RP but also in other RPs you're in so quitting one becomes paramount to quitting all. If they start an RP that interests you join it to. It probably sounds kind of pragmatic the way I put it but groups that build up like this have always appeared to form the most stable RPs to me so there really is no harm in encouraging them.

[Holeypaladin]

Actually, KnightShade, most of my most devoted participants come from a background exactly as you described. We more or less all came to RPG together, and they asked me to GM a couple things because they know I'm good at it and are familiar with my style.

But unfortunately on this site, I'm starting over from scratch. Aside from the people who know me and a couple others who've stuck with my RPs, most people are completely unfamiliar. I suppose in the future, I might have better luck.

[guinness]

I've never really noticed too much of a difference between casual and advanced rps outside of the speed the rp moves and the amount of depth people put into characters. I suppose you could say grammar use is better as well. Can't say I've ever been in a advanced rp that required me to make 1,000 word posts either. You could easily find interest in the advance section while having like a two paragraph minimum or something along those lines.It all depends on the depth of your idea and if it will interest others.

On this site rps are going to die no matter the section you put them in. As others have said people get busy and other people are just all around impatient or flighty in where their interests lie. I've never been a gm so it's hard for me to really give you any tips outside of being patient and willing to listen to your players. No one likes a hardass after all. If you do end up deciding on giving the advance section a try, patience will most likely be the biggest key. The post rate just tends to be slower.

Another problem I see is dialogue. If I'm trying to have a conversation between one of my character's and another PC I don't want to feel like I need to post more than just what my character needs to say. That just seems like bad writing to me.

That's why you collab a post with the person you are talking to. It allows short responses without flooding the Ic with a dozen or so posts.

[MaloBeto]

That's why you collab a post with the person you are talking to. It allows short responses without flooding the Ic with a dozen or so posts.

Ah that makes sense.

[Kestrel]

Ironically in the Library I have short term goals, or rather, missions, that are seperate stories on their own and can be joined mostly without prior knowledge. Ironically the overarching plot is at a snail's pace, but the game remains very active and has recently had an influx of new players despite being over a year old. This can partly be attributed to it's older players recommending it as well. Or just playing in it sometimes seems to attract their pals. This way you get pre-existing social cores, but players often need to maintain excitement (and more importantly; feel significant) in order to have this. Posting an interest check for a running RP is rarely fruitful. A more personal form of advertisement usually does a better job.

Plot on that note, is highly overrated. You can cut the 'literary' needs in three bite-sized snacks; direction, interaction, significance. People need a goal to move toward to, because aimless wandering kills their interest. They need to stay in touch with each other, because... Well that's the reason you RP over writing a short novel in the fist place? They need to have a significant impact on the events that are going on, because if they don't (and this ties in with direction) what they're doing might as well be aimless. Plot is key for novels. For RP'ing on the other hand, it's just one of your many, many tools, and far from the most important one. Remember that; it'll serve you well.

Advanced is a 2 paragraph minimum. I'll admit, a short burst of info sometimes doesn't make it to advanced standards. That's why we've got so many collabs going on in there. However, try to add some things, like environment, or use a character to convey the information. It's not ideal, but at least advanced has slow posters who take their time to read anyway and you got a bare minimum to hold up.

Also there is no such thing as an 'advanced-level plot' silly :,) But let's assume there is. If you've got a batch of people not interested or, as you call it, 'capable' (I really hope for you your game isn't still running cause putting this shit up publicly can potentially hurt your RP) then don't try something they can't or won't. It's one step away from railroading, which we all know is bad. You're always gonna have to find a compromise between GM and players. Be it spoken or unspoken. Give some players less complicated tasks and use the results for your 'advanced' plot. Focus on small tasks rather a universe of plot. Baby-steps. Although preferably, fast-paced baby steps.

[Aragorn]

I believe the most important part of it is having a great GM. Someone who is willing to go out and pester the members of the RP to post, and is willing to go around asking people to join. And is willing to discipline the players if they do something like god-modding.