What genres do you like?

[Knight101]

I'm just curious what genres you guys are interested in your Role-Plays and, to a lesser extent, some tropes that I've seen from time to time.

Do you like?

Western

Sci-Fi

Fantasy

Super-Heroes

Real World

Historical

Medieval

Modern

Fantasy/Sci-Fi (I know I already listed this, but it's a common thing I see in TV programming when they combine the two).

Horror

Supernatural

[PaulHaynek]

All of them.

Except for Slice-Of-Lifes. I'm already RPing in one everyday.

[Carlyle]

Ultimately, for me, it depends more so on the concept rather than the genre unless I'm specifically looking for said genre(s). However, I have taken to fantasy/historical/medieval/horror RPs like a fish to water in the past (and still do). Such a thing happens when you have grandparents (especially my grandfather who I found out was RPing AD&D back in the day) that enjoy stuff like that, though my interest in horror stems from myself. Personally, I'm not a fan of spooky, scary physiological horror like you'd see in your common slasher flick, but rather, more so survival horror like that you'd find in apocalyptic stories. Dark Fantasy is another good "horror" genre, but it usually teeters the edge between actually being horror-inspired or edgy and grimdark.

[mickilennial]

I’m generally flexible with genre as long as the plot or writer interests me.

[Dion]

I'm okay with any of them -- far more important is the group (or person) I am writing with, the plot, the characters, and my motivation during that time.

[NuttsnBolts]

I stick to sci-fi and cyberpunk stories, maybe some Japanese mythology, and then some supernatural stuff. Steam punk, diesel punk,and pirate themes do interest me occasionally, but unfortunately fantasy and historical stuff on the most part bore me a bit.

[SleepingSilence]

I’d reply “basically anything if the concept and plot spoke to me, and even sometimes just trusting the writer can write and actually will while effectively communicating is all I really want.” But that’s not really an answer to your/the thread’s question. So I’ll share an explanation for my favorites instead. As it often goes, acquiring taste comes from experience with them. What I find to be true and what happens to make most stories and classics well remembered and popular in the first place is having an engaging conflict.

Dark Fantasy is my bread and butter in that regard. Because not only is it often is the easiest to create it for newer players. (Sci-fi, another I enjoy from time to time, is too often self-limiting as players will try to stick to what they consider to be futuristic/logical. Or slice of life's will also limit themselves on focusing on the mundane like it’s an anime/sitcom. Without having most of the actual reasons watching those are comforting.)

At the same time can be the most engrossing experiences for veterans of the genre. Super Hero and Horror genres would be closest to getting the simplest thing right, but they also have more narrative barriers to break through.

For brief examples of what I’m talking about, Superheroes are quite easy to make and make well for that matter. But you’ll notice they bleed into each other and almost always are far too similar to one another. A genre over-saturated with tropes and 'a been there/done that' feeling. (May not even be the “genres” fault.) But the people making stories or roleplays about them. Just look at all the new awful DC/Marvel comics made now. (But I digress.) Horror can potentially get into this too. All zombie stories trying too hard to be 'The Walking Dead' or all ghost stories trying to be 'Paranormal Activity'. It’s all mediums that seem to be currently dealing with this problem, roleplaying very much included, is my point. (And Horror from personal experiences also gets too easily screwed up by trolls or idiots.) But still both the genres can be a lot of fun, so consider them runners up.

I also love mysteries and the genre. Maybe even more than Dark Fantasy. But I’ve almost never seen RP versions of even the best of them go without hitches. It’s so easy to screw these ones up, even accidentally.

[rebornfan320]

Well, I may put myself in the 'all-around' category but I'll list my interests too. Though a topic like this is interesting with different views (though I feel mine is not perfect in some ways).

Action because I did a film with this along with an adventure feel in the film back in high school and I enjoyed it a lot. Romance also seems to follow suit with action and adventure film, also it can be used in different ways in film and in anime so there is plenty of diversity.

Drama can bring the unpredictable feeling and vibe in roleplay as well, rather if it is good for one character or it presents a challenge to overcome.

Sci-Fi brings some different elements that I would like to use a bit more often but I know they can be quite fun to do.

Fantasy is also a favorite of mine for the different races, worlds, and opportunities to use them bringing in these different characters in as well. Plus from playing Skyrim I do have an understanding.

Super-Heroes I think everyone can have the desire to do a super-hero in a roleplay or even a villain turning hero in a story it presents plenty of potential.

Real World is a mixed one because some people don't want to do a real world because of their world being crappy, but I think if planned in a positive manner it can actually work and wrap around in the story.

Medieval is good to kind of get out of a modern setting and also to test your creativity in this knowing tech is not as advanced so even research in this is also vital as well.

Modern, it is vice-versa to the Medieval setting and it is as straightforward as it gets but it is a general sample for a roleplay plan but it works solo but better with other things around it.

Slice-Of-Life I think gets mixed up in the 'Anime' or 'Fandom' category, I could be wrong but at the same time I do apologize if I am but with these two along with a slice of life roleplay it also has it own creative synergy.

Supernatural I think it is from the show or things that can't be explained, is it tackled outside of here no but the idea of not being alone in a room or house gives a horror vibe or even joined up with thrills too.

Magic I love to do because it can be explained but also it has it's own flexibility as well and it applies a lot of ways and it has been used/done in tv shows, animes and it has been a success.

Historical for me it can work but never had that opportunity but kind of limited in this field.

[DELETED jdl3932]

I love genre's, but when it comes to roleplays, I look for good concepts.

[coffeeflower]

Maybe Sci-Fi and modern or modern Sci-Fi, Western sounds like a good idea

[Nara]

Fantasy
Urban Fantasy
Slice Of Life
Medieval
Science Fiction
Supernatural
Modern
Action Adventure
Post Apocalypse
Futuristic

[Sparrowhawk]

Whatever sparks a character idea. It can be literally anything, so long as there's something that makes me feel engaged or inspired.

[One Who Tames]

I find myself drawn to these settings in this order:

Sci-Fi
Modern/Near Modern
Historic (Ancient and Medieval)
Classic Fantasy Elements (any era)

RPs based in the following settings can eat a dick:

Slice of Life
Anything with Anime
Steampunk
Romance
Anything related to popular culture

Anything not listed can safely be considered under "Indifferent".

[pugbutter]

I'll give any Low/Dark Fantasy a shot which isn't Urban Fantasy (yuck) or otherwise set to a familiar, modern backdrop. I play Fantasy to escape this mediocre-ass garbage world, not to revel in it with the addition of minor gimmicks.

Science fiction is cool but usually as either post-apocalypse or as cyberpunk. Not fond of the generic Mass Effect aesthetic when weird and interesting shit like Dune exists.

Historical/alternate history fiction is always good, outside of Victorian/Steampunk stuff which is cringe af.

Things like horror, romance, and slice of life depend entirely on the caliber of the GM. He makes it or breaks it with the execution.

[Ruby]

Things like horror, romance, and slice of life depend entirely on the caliber of the GM. He makes it or breaks it with the execution.

@pugbutter

[mickilennial]

I’m generally flexible with genre as long as the plot or writer interests me.

@Inkarnate

To expand on this, there is no bad genre for me.

Certain genres, like Pugbutter mentioned, require a little more finesse and nuance, but I’ve never in my history of role-playing shied away from one thing or another. It’s a lot like music for me – if I don’t like a thing, maybe I haven’t found the right author/band yet within that genre.

That said, there are things I can write without much forethought. I’m a fantasy author by trade (I’ve been writing fantasy tripe since I was ten years old) and I have a huge preference towards anime tropes. So if its “weeb shit” or has “sword and sorcery” elements it’s probably my wheelhouse; especially if its both boxes checked. Beyond those two things I’m a fan of survival horror, dystopian science fiction, and suspense stories. Ultimately, at the end of the day it depends how inspired I am or how nuanced the author/player presents their prompt. Give me something good and I’ll give it a chance.

[Chulance]

REAL WORLD, NUMBER ONE!!!

Modern (School based, military, police based, slice of life) (LOVE LAW & CRIME based RP's think Starz Power, The Wire, Breaking Bad)

Horror (Set in Modern Times)

Supernatural (Set in Modern times or past 100-200 years at most)

Low Sci Fi/Semi Modern ( Think Alien invasion in today's time or time period in past 100 years)

Historical

Post Apocalyptic

[LePouvantail]

I'll dabble around in a lot of things, but I find mystery, horror, and the supernatural tend to be my go-tos. Even if those aren't the base plot, they always end up creeping in sooner or later. If it has monsters, I want it.

Superheroes is another one I'm more likely to get behind, simply because it's so easy to AU. If you don't like modern day, try putting some of those characters in another era and see what comes up.

I also like slice of life, but it has to be with extraordinary characters/situations (fandom-specific, give me a handful of inmates at Arkham just getting on each other's nerves, forming alliances, and making enemies over who took the last pudding cup). I don't care about Susie worrying about who's going to take her to prom; I want the Riddler and the Music Meister being forced to share a cell, learning each other's tics, eventually planning an escape utilizing both of their talents, then becoming on-again-off-again partners in crime (did that once; it was tons of fun).