I don't think this has been asked lately as I went through a few forum pages to see whether a topic already existed, but when you're looking for a roleplay to enter what is it that catches your attention and what do you make the effort to look for?

Do you look through the interest checks or are you happy with looking at established roleplays that you can enter at a later date?
Is formatting or structure something that you keep an eye out for?
Or are you happy with an idea, however presented, as long as it's clear and precise?
Does the reputation of the GM matter or are you willing to give each roleplay, no matter the GM, an individual chance?
In the case of 1x1s, do you look for plot ideas, or people with a similar mindset and desires?

I suppose that there's many, many more questions that can be asked but I'm just curious as to what everyone does when they skim through the forum to find their next RP to enter.

If it isn't GMed by a known quitter and if it's an idea I can get behind I'll prolly join it.

Alternatively I'll join really mediocre stuff if I'm craving some mediocre stuff.

Also, if it's Yu-Gi-Oh!, there's about a 95% chance I'll join it no matter the quality.

EDIT: As to how I find it... I basically click on every single interest thread and look at the first few key words.

I am beyond picky when it comes to joining an rp. I look at it as if I was hiring someone.

The interest check is the resume, if it isn't organized and well thought out I go right passed it to the next.

Then there are the "references" and "background" checks; I check the Gm's posting history to see what other rps they have run and how they ran them, if I don't know the Gm I'll ask people that their thoughts are about the person.

Now that isn't to say I won't give a new Gm a chance but I like to not only know the type of rp I am getting into but who I will be rping with.

First and foremost: I hate joining Roleplays after they have already begun. If the RP has already begun, there's a very slim chance that I'll be jumping in as I prefer being able to follow both the OOC and IC from the beginning and that is pretty difficult in a RP that has already begun. The exception tends to be RPs that are moving at a snail's pace or ones that began within a short period of time (give or take, less than a week).

When it comes to interest checks, graphics and wall of texts tend to grab my interest almost immediately. Given, my interest doesn't always remain as the RP may not be as interesting as it seems and this seems to happen quite a lot. If a RP involves certain fandoms, superheroes or extremely "normal" slice-of-life, then I'm usually immediately out.

It also depends on the title "tags", sections and individuals.

Title "tags" refer to something similar to a title that may include "18+" as that probably includes a search for someone to smut with in PMs (or I might just have this mentality because I usually just visit 1x1). I'm actually eighteen myself, but I'm not interested in those type of RPs, they're just not my cup of tea.

As for sections, that's pretty self-explanatory: I'm really only comfortable in Free, Casual, and 1x1 due to having spending a fair amount in all of those sections. While I'd at least consider Advanced, it would be with much anxiety. There's no way I would consider Arena because I'm atrocious at Roleplay fighting. I would also not consider Nation and Tabletop purely because I have literally no idea how any of those sections even operate. If a Roleplay includes any of those tags even in a Casual or Free interest check, I'm usually still a little wary.

The last one is a little petty, but individuals. Out of the hundred people on this site and the five or so years that I've spent here, there's only about six people that I have ever "blacklisted" in my mind that are an automatic "no" when it comes to Roleplaying. If I see any of those people in a Roleplay OOC or interest check. . that's just a gigantic "no" from me.

I'm rather picky when it comes to searching for Roleplays, but if it seems well-written, grabs my interest and I don't struggle making a character, then I'm on board in a heartbeat.

I would also not consider Nation and Tabletop purely because I have literally no idea how any of those sections even operate.

Ignorance is not an excuse. Ask someone...

Ignorance is not an excuse. Ask someone...

This sounds a little hostile, no offense. I have no interest in those sections, hence why I don't have any idea how they operate. It's not ignorance, it's just not my cup of tea.

The last one is a little petty, but individuals. Out of the hundred people on this site and the five or so years that I've spent here, there's only about six people that I have ever "blacklisted" in my mind that are an automatic "no" when it comes to Roleplaying. If I see any of those people in a Roleplay OOC or interest check. . that's just a gigantic "no" from me.

I don't see this as petty, just common sense. If someone has done something to the point where you feel you need to blacklist them it seems prudent to just stay away from them. I have a list and I am the same way. Certain people pop up in an rp and I am gone. Saves me a lot of hassle.

Title "tags" refer to something similar to a title that may include "18+" as that probably includes a search for someone to smut with in PMs (or I might just have this mentality because I usually just visit 1x1). I'm actually eighteen myself, but I'm not interested in those type of RPs, they're just not my cup of tea.

I will note this isn't always the case. For me personally I have 18+ because 1. I'm open to the possibility of smutty things (But it's not a requirement and definitely not a focus), 2. I don't enjoy RPing with anyone under 18. It feels weird and uncomfortable, especially since I like to include romance. (Not necessarily smutty romance, but romance).

I want romance RPs with more to them than just person A bones person B. I like to explore relationships. And that often involves sex. So I leave it open as an option.

My actual answer, because my roleplays tend to involve romance of some kind, I tend to specifically look for FxF pairings because I'm a queer woman and that's what I want to see. There's enough MxF in the world (personally I'm tired of it) so I pursue FxF.

As well as that I pay attention to their interest checks. It's hard to say what specifically stands out. I generally get a 'feel' for the person and someone not bothering to explain much about what they want and just throwing shit against the wall with no details shows laziness and seems very unwilling to do more than the bare minimum.

I guess I look for actual effort.

<Snipped quote by Cynder>

I don't see this as petty, just common sense. If someone has done something to the point where you feel you need to blacklist them it seems prudent to just stay away from them. I have a list and I am the same way. Certain people pop up in an rp and I am gone. Saves me a lot of hassle.

I think many players will have a small list of some kind containing people they wont RP with. For instance I can understand when a Roleplay dies off due to various circumstances but I know of a few people that have pushed the boundaries of acceptable actions with their attitude alone... and then its funny to see other people come to that same conclusion about the individual in question. xD

Presentation is a big thing for me, if someone's willing to put in the effort to make a nice, well constructed OOC and CS Template, i'm much more likely to give the RP a go. To me, the more effort put into the set up makes me think the GM will put in more effort to the RP itself.

The character sheet is probably the big one, I like to make character sheets and I like to read them, so I like nice looking, long and detailed ones. Even if I like the look of an RP itself, whether or not I actually give it a go comes down a lot to the detail and style of the CS.

I don't like to join roleplays that aren't organized and well thought out, meaning that I won't join any roleplay that has canon characters (DC and Marvel roleplays for example, because I don't believe that anyone can't portray a canon character correctly enough that I would be happy). I don't join roleplays where people only post one or below paragraphs, that means that I will never check out the Free Section.

Graphics and wall of texts immediately grab my interest for the roleplay along with a nice, well constructed CS/NS Template. I would join a roleplay, even if It isn't well constructed, if the players are active and willing to help advance the story. Since I am a busy person, I don't often join roleplay that make you post within a few days rather than a week. I understand why they have it in place, but I take time in my posts and they take almost a week or so to finish. And one more thing that makes me happy, players talking to each other in the roleplay that I am in.

I also check out the GM's posting history as well. If I see that he/she has let many of his roleplays die, then I won't join. If I see that they are trying to keep their roleplays active, then I will consider joining. Plus, it comes down to their writing style and how long they can write in a single post. I need to explore beyond the Nation Section and join more Advanced and Casual roleplay to meet more people. 1x1 roleplays are the same thing as Casual and Advanced roleplays. I always look for well constructed interest checks with tons of different plots.

I would also not consider Nation and Tabletop purely because I have literally no idea how any of those sections even operate.

I understand why some people won't be interested in the Nation Section, since the place is home to roleplays that last only a couple weeks before being replaced by the same person. Plus, it's difficult for many people to understand how nation roleplay work. I don't think that you're ignorant for not trying it out. I don't want to try out Arena at all, because I don't think that it's interesting to me.

I guess that would make both of us ignorant.

I guess that would make both of us ignorant.

We're not ignorant. We just don't care for those type of Roleplays, that's all.

<Snipped quote by ArenaSnow>
This sounds a little hostile, no offense: I have no interest in those sections, hence why I don't have any idea how they operate. It's not ignorance, it's just not my cup of tea.

Ignore me. I've been a shit all week, really. I think it's time to take some time away from the guild...

I tend to be more of a "Why not" kind of person. I don't get annoyed easily. In fact, I probably won't get annoyed at a GM or player unless they are being an asshole, and even then as long as it's only at me, I'll probably let it slide for a few times until I put them down.

I feel as if I throw out a line in enough places, a few of them will get a big bite and will become long running and fun. I agree with @Pundii though. Presentation is good. If I see an OOC with only a paragraph of info that looks sloppy, probably won't join it myself.

I will say I only like moderate character sheets though. A good middle ground, with enough to where I have worked on them but not to an extreme. I dislike small ones, but I really hate overly complicated sheets, even if I begrudgingly do them. I have an ideal for a character ready that I want to play, and I enjoy letting them evolve and learning their history myself through the RP. I guess that's just the writer in me though. The best kind of characters are ones that write themselves, so over planning it is pretty much a death sentence to a lot of interesting characters. I feel like RP's with really complicated sheets are very tame when it comes to the IC with little actually happening because people are too concerned with the little things. (Not that you shouldn't be responsible and have info down of course).

Whoever is GMing and the players are of course something I notice. But there's no one on the RP guild that I hate/loathe/have a problem with. If I see someone I recognize, then it's either a "oh, it's them" or a "SWEET MY MAIN MAN IS HERE. FUCK YEAH."

I think what I mainly look for is if it is an interesting concept. Dragon Age or Star Wars or some other post apocalyptic nerdy shit? I'm probably in. I also am 70% Advanced, 25% Casual, and 5% free. I'll hardly join a Free Roleplay unless it's just a fun little thing like the Tavern. I enjoy Nation RP's, because I am a huge fan of strategy games and I love me some military history (or just history). I am also a big fan of combat, but I haven't tried the Arena yet. Guess I am thinking that I put that kinda stuff on a pedestal and if I join I might be really let down. Oh well.

I like this topic. Expect my long response in a few days. Canadian friends visiting (read: hoisting me out for a social life).

For those who spent time formulating your thoughts into elaborate, comprehensive musings, I luv you all.

@Pundii @POOHEAD189 And this is why I can't get rid of you two. I just make my Cs's and OOC's soo damn sexy. :P

@Pundii @POOHEAD189 And this is why I can't get rid of you two. I just make my Cs's and OOC's soo damn sexy. :P

Teach me your ways, good master.

I need a really good hook at the very top of the interest check, preferably accompanied by an inspirational image. Then, a concise premise that complements the hook with most of what I wonder about. Lastly, layout and formatting.

@Lady Amalthea

I need a really good hook at the very top of the interest check, preferably accompanied by an inspirational image. Then, a concise premise that complements the hook with most of what I wonder about. Lastly, layout and formatting.

I concur

@NuttsnBolts Allow me to maybe answer some of your questions:

Do you look through the interest checks or are you happy with looking at established roleplays that you can enter at a later date?

For me, it's both. This all depends on what one is interested in. Interest checks are mostly for those who want to earn a spot at the very beginning of the RP. Of course, this can still happen in a recently established RP, but one can still join in a more developed RP as long as it's open. Again, it's all based on how big your interest is for the RP you're looking at.

Is formatting or structure something that you keep an eye out for? Or are you happy with an idea, however presented, as long as it's clear and precise?

Eye-Candy always grabs attention. If done correctly and beautifully, it can gain a lot of interest. The more professional your OCC/intro is, and the more popular/interesting the idea is, the more the players become interested. While this isn't always the case, for the most part, it's pretty important.

Does the reputation of the GM matter or are you willing to give each roleplay, no matter the GM, an individual chance?

That depends. If you know the GM is a shite-lord, then maybe it's better if you look elsewhere. If the GM is well-known and well-liked however, then the more you'll probably enjoy the RP and be able to communicate with him more reliably.

Hope this helps. :) This also comes from a GM/Co-GM of several RPS both in the past and even now in the present.