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[indent](Image provided by: [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/8]EXMEDIC[/url][/b])[/indent]

[b]New Guild Features[/b][indent]- [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/18248/posts/ooc]Writer of the Month (WOTM) is up and running again![/url]
- [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/17891/posts/ooc]How to Report Incidents for Moderation[/url] and deal with trolls by not feeding them.[/indent]
[b]In Their Words: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/340]Kaga[/url][/b]
[indent]Guild user and RP GM [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/340]Kaga[/url][/b] sits down with [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/173]Brovo[/url][/b] of the RPGN to discuss Fandoms, a type of roleplay that is popular, but often mis-characterized within our community.[/indent]
[Hider=Player Interview][b]Defining a Fandom[/b][indent][i] The way I see it, it’s definitely canonized work that defines a roleplay as being a Fandom RP. When you see a roleplay based on another roleplay, for example, the word “fandom” doesn’t come to mind so much as “spin-off” or maybe “sequel”. Even if you’re consciously aware of the fact that the RP is based off of another person’s idea, it doesn’t set off the flag in your mind that seeing the words “Harry Potter RP” would, for example. Seeing a label like that makes you instantly categorize the RP in your mind as ‘Fandom’, and thus, you’re likely to treat it differently than an RP based off of another RP, even if they’re both based off of a pre-existing work.

So, it might not be the most technical definition, but in terms of the trends associated with Fandom RP’s and the way many roleplayers perceive them, it makes more sense to define Fandom RP’s as roleplays based off of a canonized series, as a roleplay based on another roleplay would be treated as a very different beast. [/i][/indent]
[b]Myth and Reality: Fandoms and Originality[/b][indent][i]I’d say that Fandom RP’s should have some level of original content – but really it’s almost impossible to find one that has none. Despite the criticism Fandom RP’s generally receive for “not coming up with their own ideas”, there’s only so much a Fandom RP can borrow from its respective fandom. They’ll usually use the universe they’re basing the RP off of, but many, like you said, will use original characters in that universe. But even if they use both a pre-existing universe and pre-existing characters, they’d still need a new plot, explore areas of the world that the canon didn’t – something. If there’s nothing original, then you’re just copying everything that happened in-canon, and that’s really not a roleplay anymore. Thankfully though, I’m fairly certain nothing like that exists on the Guild. Every Fandom RP brings you something that their canon didn’t, whether that be placing original characters in a pre-existing world, or taking pre-existing characters and putting them in situations they’ve never had to face before.

So really, I don’t know what I think they “should” be, since all of them already fit what I think Fandoms are supposed to be. [/i][/indent]
[b]Harshing on the Fandoms[/b][indent][i]In short, I’d say it’s because Fandom RP’s are simply misunderstood; many are unaware of how “original” these RP’s actually are, as well as why they tend to be so successful and popular. As mentioned above, many roleplayers consider Fandom RP’s to be unoriginal, and show laziness and lack of imagination in their GM’s and participants – thus making them inferior to non-Fandom roleplays. While I can understand where this perception comes from, it simply just isn’t true!

I can’t speak for every Fandom RP out there, but many of them show plenty of effort – be that from the plot GM’s create, the characters the players create, or even just from the dedication, teamwork and enthusiasm required to keep any roleplay going. Even on top of a pre-existing idea, there’s plenty of room for creativity, and I think that’s something people sometimes fail to acknowledge. For example, Pokemon RP’s are common, right? Well, even in a Pokemon RP that uses the general formula from the video games – catch all the Pokemon, earn all the badges, defeat the evil Teams, etc – you’ll still find plenty of people getting creative and re-designing the idea a little by going at the plot from a different angle, designing their own antagonists and opponents, creating a new region, etc. And that’s just what you’ll see in Pokemon RP’s that stay truest to the canon. Now think about all the “dark” or “realistic” Pokemon RP’s that float around, also common. GM’s of these RP’s use their creative efforts to paint is popular children’s game in a completely different light, all creating unique new versions of the Pokemon universe that, at least in my experience, all turn out wildly different from one another, and are all vastly different from the original canon they’re based off of. And I’d say that’s hardly “unoriginal”.

Additionally, there’s a good reason why Fandom RP’s are so popular – familiarity. Fandom RP’s are easier for GM’s to recruit players for, and easier for players to join, because the target audience for the RP already has a lot of the base knowledge needed in order to play. If you’re already familiar with the universe and concept, it’s easier for you to get hooked on the idea and start playing. If you see an RP with a more original but more obscure plot and concept, you may find the idea either too strange to interest you, or too information-heavy to invest your time in. Going back to the previous example, Pokemon is very popular on this forum, and Pokemon RP’s are some of the most popular Fandom roleplays. The Pokemon canon contains literally hundreds of different monsters that those joining the RP would already be expected to know, and so players can join already knowing of those creatures. That gives a Pokemon RP a huge advantage over, say, a medieval fantasy RP containing a dozen or so made-up races that the players have to read about, try to understand, and attempt to accurately portray. I’d say a lot of you would agree that keeping track of a dozen races could be difficult, but imagine an RP with 700+ original monsters! The advantage is clear. In fact, let’s say that instead of 12 original races, the fantasy RP uses orcs, dwarves, goblins, fairies, etc – things we know. Suddenly it’s not as hard to join, is it? You’ll see here that a pattern will start to develop. The more original something is, the harder it is to understand. That’s why even “original” RP’s really aren’t all that original at all. That’s why we have medieval fantasy, sci-fi, zombie apocalypse, high school, wolf pack, and of course, Fandom RP’s.

So you could say that Fandom RP’s are less original than non-Fandom RP’s, or that they don’t show as much effort as non-Fandom RP’s, but really, those things just aren’t true. I think that if more roleplayers acknowledged how equal the two types are, and that you can find higher and lower levels of effort in both, Fandoms wouldn’t so often be thought of as always inferior. [/i][/indent]
[b]It's All RP to Me[/b][indent][i]I just don’t differentiate between Fandom and non-Fandom RP’s. If I’m browsing the interest checks looking for something to join, I’ll click whatever I think I might like, be that a unique and interesting idea, or a good concept based off of a series I enjoy. Whether it’s a Fandom RP or not holds little bearing over my decision to join. Same goes for RP’s I come up with myself; each one is just another idea that came into my head and I think would be fun to run, regardless of what inspired it. So ideally, I’d say it’s 50/50, but thinking back statistically to what I’ve done in the past, I think in practice I have a tendency to participate in a few more Fandom RP’s, perhaps just because of the reasons above. Hah. [/i][/indent]
[b]Changing Attitudes, One Hard Head At a Time[/b][indent][i]Like I said, the only real reason people seem to think of Fandom RP’s as inferior is because they misunderstand them. I really wish the knowledge of how Fandom RP’s truly compare to non-Fandom ones in terms of true effort and originality was more common among Guild members, but I feel like there’s not much to do to enforce that Guild-wide. Hopefully the newsletter helps, though! ^^

If you’re referring to the way they’re organized in the Guild, I really think they’re just fine the way they are. Fandoms have as much justification to be put in their own categories as other genres do; I don’t think they need to be put on their own little island. After all, their titles and labels generally make them easier to recognize and pick out from a list of roleplays, making them easier to avoid/find, depending on whether you like them or not. [/i][/indent]
[b]Words of Wisdom[/b][indent][i]There’s not much advice to give specifically to Fandom RPers, really, since they’re really not that different from non-Fandom RP’s – not where it matters, anyway. If you’re a GM, use the same GMing skills that you would for any other roleplay. If you’re a player, same idea. I’d recommend that GM’s use the canon they’re basing their RP off of for inspiration, and to think of all the fun things they can do with a pre-existing idea, but isn’t that already how GM’s come up with ideas and plot lines for a fantasy or sci-fi premise? None of it’s really different at all. The only thing you specifically need in order to participate in a Fandom RP is just to be comfortable with it.

If you’re good at non-Fandom RP’s, the skills should transfer over. The only real difference between the two is just where the ideas come from.>[/i][/indent]
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[b]The Conversation: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/18419/posts/ooc]Godmoding: Appropriate or Necessary to Forward the Story?[/url][/b][indent][b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/4917]blackensign[/url][/b] wonders if godmoding (a user controlling someone else's characters) might be a useful tool to keep a storyline moving smoothly, and asks others for their opinions.[/indent]
[b]Up and Coming[/b][indent]Interest checks are often the first stage in recruiting players for an RP, and a really good one can net you a lot of applicants. These are some of the interest checks that caught our attention recently. Best of all, they're looking for players![/indent]
[hider=Notable Interest Checks][b]Free Interest Checks[/b][indent]- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/18274/posts/ooc]RP of Minions[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/4018]BlitheCrescent[/url][/indent]
[b]Casual Interest Checks[/b][indent]- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/18706/posts/ooc]World of Deities: Desnia[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/1010]TheLastRunaway[/url][/indent]
[b]Advanced Interest Checks[/b][indent]- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/17193/posts/ooc]When The Smoke Clears - Steampunk RP[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/726]Sini[/url][/indent]
[b]Tabletop Roleplay Interest Checks[/b][indent]- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/17945/posts/ooc]For the Overlord![/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/1170]Asura[/url][/indent]
[b]Nation Roleplay Interest Checks[/b][indent]- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/17726/posts/ooc]Precipice of War - Oh Woe the West[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/5761]Dinh AaronMk[/url][/indent][/hider]
[b]Current and Cool[/b][indent]Roleplays on this list have already started (but may still be recruiting, please consult the GM) and also caught our attention; the hard work the GM and players put in to setting up the RP, writing their sheets and hashing out the details have paid off and now they're writing their in-character (IC) posts.[/indent]
[hider=Notable Roleplays][b]Free[/b][indent]- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/11535/posts/ic]The Black Tide[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/291]Casterlyrock[/url][/indent]
[b]Casual[/b][indent]- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/18321/posts/ic]Villains "R" Us: Inauguration[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/2280]Absolute Grace[/url][/indent]
[b]Advanced[/b][indent]- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/6072/posts/ic]De Seil Carnival - Soul Collecting Carnival[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/2575]SweetCinderella[/url][/indent]
[b]Tabletop Roleplay[/b][indent]- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/7697/posts/ic]Fire Emblem Battle Royale[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/3497]Light[/url][/indent]
[b]Nation Roleplay[/b][indent]- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/17726/posts/ooc]When Smoke Filled the Skies (A Diesel/Steampunk-styled Nation Roleplay)[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/2700]Kilo6[/url][/indent][/hider]
[b]Tough Mudders[/b][indent]These are the RP's that kept going through the Guildfall; some of them have been around for years, and we're giving them a special recognition, because it takes dedication as well as talent to keep one of these going this long -- and the patience of a saint. These RP's are establishments within the Guild, and a little thing like Guildfall isn't keeping them down. (Note: Because of Guildfall, we;'re also recognizing sequels, since we know a lot of stuff was lost.)[/indent]
[hider=Tough Mudders][b]Old Guild Survivor RP's[/b] :toot [indent]- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/15895/posts/ooc]Naruto: The Rise of the New Generations[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/5653]New Generations[/url]
- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/83/posts/ooc]Star Wars: Coruscant Sacked: Aftermath[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/107]Ellri[/url]
- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/6331/posts/ooc]Apocalyptica[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/1046]Aweena[/url]
- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/2683/posts/ooc]Legend of Zelda: The Templar Crusade[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/690]ColonelCaboose[/url]
- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/411/posts/ooc]The Legend of Heroes: Tales of the World[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/458]Pachamac[/url]
- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/14152/posts/ooc]Teen Titans: A New Era[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/124]Stryder[/url]
- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/549/posts/ooc]Oh Waiter! They're Gone! (Supernatural RP)[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/855]TheDoctor[/url]
- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/629/posts/ooc]Mobile Suit Gundam - Those Who Correct - Crossover[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/365]vancexentan[/url]
- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/3793/posts/ooc]Sekirei - The Beauty of Truth[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/365]vancexentan[/url]
- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/923/posts/ooc]The Midnight Train to Nowhere[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/1180]Fox of Spades[/url]
- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/109/posts/ooc]The Library[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/154]Kestrel[/url]
- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/15635/posts/ooc]Star Wars: Return of the Force 2[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/129]Kadeaux[/url]
- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/528/posts/ooc]Myriad Reality[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/4382]Etcetera[/url]
- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/1396/posts/ooc]The Elder Scrolls: Vengeance of the Deep[/url][/b] - GM: [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/1387]Dervish[/url][/b]
- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/1635/posts/ooc]Return of the Dragon Tamers: The Plague of Ogual[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/1462]soulserenity20[/url]
- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/3601/posts/ooc]Edged Horizon[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/170]ERode[/url]
- [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/1147/posts/ooc]The Prophecy[/url][/b] - GM: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/246]Dark Jack[/url]
[/indent][/hider]
[b]On Display[/b][indent] - Art: [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/9260/posts/ooc]ℭαrα's Uniquely Titled Art Gαllery[/url][/b] - [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/206]Caratathraiel[/url] has a Guildfall survivor gallery that she's revived and has her character art commissions prominently on display.
- Writing: [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/14066/posts/ooc]Dark Origins - The Life and Times of Alec Demonbane[/url][/b] - [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/576]Deamonbane[/url] shares the fantastic adventures of Kelor, a traveling poet with the ability to experience the worlds he reads about as if he were actually there. One dark book, shrouded in mystery, sets him on a journey to uncover secrets of the past. "Dark Origins" has the distinction of being the longest active story of the new Guild. It's a patient and thoughtful narrative, and there's more to come, so keep an eye out for updates! [/indent]
[b]About RPGN[/b]
[indent][i]RPGN is produced by a volunteer staff of Adams College scholar-athletes active in the Greek community who share the goal of bringing Guild members current and useful information about goings-on in our community. We are always accepting suggestions on categories and content. We're particularly interested in displaying people's artwork as a banner (and will fully credit it and link your gallery -- woo). For more information, feel free to [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/5597]PM RPGN.[/url] [/i][/indent]
[Hider=Get Involved][b]Get Involved![/b][indent]Do you make banners? Are you a circa-1995 big-haired news reporter with a 'SCOOP?' Here are some of the ways you can help with our next issue of RPGN:
 - [b]RPGN banners[/b] - Be creative, do what you want! Get exposure (we credit banners). Submissions should be 700x200px, please!
 - [b]Let us know if your RP has a birthday coming up or is successfully concluded[/b] -- We want to give credit to the commitment that both players and GM are showing in keeping their RP's going strong in the long-term.
 - We are recruiting staff. If you wish to be involved in the next edition of the RPGN, please hit up the [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/5597]RPGN[/url] PM box! (Note: You will be cut into the loop for the issue after the upcoming one, so if you PM between today (3.14) and the next issue (3.28) you will be working on the issue after that (4.11 in this case.) The way the PM system works, we need to have who is doing the work set a couple weeks in advance. In the event of a large number of applicants, we will establish a queue for subsequent issues.)[/indent][/hider][hider=RPGN Staff][b]RPGN Staff[/b] [i](in order of Adams College alumni endowments to the Alpha Beta Fraternity Organization)[/i][indent]
 [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/1116]mdk[/url]
 [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/173]Brovo[/url]
 [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/9]HeySeuss[/url]
 [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/126]Drakel[/url][/indent] 
Letter jackets, hotties and banner provided by: [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/8]EXMEDIC[/url][/b]
Stomach pumping after too much brewski provided by: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/463/posts/ooc]The Trauma Ward[/url]
Liquid Heat sold at: [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/16050/posts/ooc]The Pharmacy - EXMEDIC's Request Thread/Shop[/url][/hider]