I was thinking about this the other day. Let's say there was an RP with no character introduction, only some basic environmental exposition, and the players were thrust into a hostile encounter right off the bat. (So maybe they're part of a SWAT team, or they're in a city together under siege). Would that work out?

Just a thought experiment.

Probably to some, but I can't see it really. I've tried things like that in other RPs and it's broken apart really fast. Usually when someone that assumes an important role doesn't post for one reason or another. So fundamentally you'd need writers who you know will be able to write without complaining they can't write anything to their stylistic satisfaction.

But also on some fundamental story-telling principle you need some manner of character establishment. Some starting point that establishes a character's norm and their personality. This will serve as the basis of that character and as a comparative point as the story moves and they evolve as a person. A hot start for all characters may fundamentally remove this aspect unless it can be handled creatively and organically over the course of the story.

It would take the right crowd of players, the right setting and the right GM to work out right.

There's many things that could go wrong, but if all the above worked out right, there's no reason it won't be able to finish.

If the characters (and to some degree their relations) are hashed out in the CS process, it might go easier.

The quest is a classic setting element, so characters that would otherwise not work together might work well then.

As has been stated by the people before me, it doesn very much depend on the people involved; their writing styles, expectations and motivation for the roleplay. I've seen it executed brilliantly and horribly, but even if it's done right it doesn't always guarantee success for the roleplay. In my experience roleplays generally need character development of some degree for it to have longevity because then people become invested and feel like they're part of the roleplay themselves. But it isn't impossible to develop characters while there is action going on; just because your character undertaking action, doesn't mean they can't still be feeling.

I guess in that vein action can be very much a strong engine for driving character development as it shows their natural instinct and base feelings without so much conscious thought as say a social conversation. But it very much does depend on the people involved and even then the chemistry of how it works with all the writers.

I guess in that vein action can be very much a strong engine for driving character development as it shows their natural instinct and base feelings without so much conscious thought as say a social conversation.

I hadn't ever thought about that and it makes a lot of sense!

First-hand experience but never really noticed it, just went with the flow and it was a great one at that.

That said, @Camerch, if you decide to do something like this, I'll be subscribing and stalking that Interest Check and go ballistic with the OOC.

You have been warned!

It would be fairly difficult and may need some hard discussions in the OOC beforehand. Failing to do so could end up with many complications with loosing control of the plot, conflicting characters and the risk of burning out quickly.

Take the example of a Bank siege. Without the right planning you could have all characters run to the safe. That's a factor that simply would not make sense in real life and would be immersion breaking.

All I can say is give it a shot, and see how it goes. May need a few runs to get the right formula/members.

All depends on the organization of the roleplay. Personally, I think it could do quite well - it just depends on the roleplay being structured in a way that it won't be destroyed by poor planning.