Actually reading people's posts.

[Animus]

You'd think this would be the norm.

I really dislike it when people skim through posts so they can focus on their own. It's really obvious when they repeatedly miss details that they would have noticed if they actually bothered to read it properly

[Ruby]

You'd think this would be the norm.

I really dislike it when people skim through posts so they can focus on their own. It's really obvious when they repeatedly miss details that they would have noticed if they actually bothered to read it properly

@Animus

After being around a decade or so on the Guild...I would NOT think actually reading posts to be the norm. I would know better. ^_^

I try to, I can't always. But I do try if I'm involved in a game.

Some games it's worse than others. It does seem to me that the "good games" have more people reading the posts than not.

[Ellri]

We generally don't have a problem with people not reading posts in our RPs. Mostly because that kind of player rarely passes the tests we use during the CS process. If they do get past, they don't last long in the RP.

But this is far too big a problem in any case. Its ok for someone occasionally to miss an OoC post, that happens to everyone. But to not read IC posts before replying, thats just bad sport.

[RomanAria]

Well, it kind of depends on the length of the posts and the group size. When you have 30-45 characters, as some RPs do, with people in ten or more different locations, its hard to keep track of all the storylines and it's tedious to read all of those posts, especially when each character has four or more paragraphs written about them.

[Ellri]

Our RP is only at 26 characters currently, but we do hope that number will grow as people get started making a mess. Granted, it'll also shrink a bit now and then as PCs die.

Even with massive player character counts, we consider it only right to read everything.

[ethanjory]

Everyone should read my posts but I can hardly be bothered to read the posts of anyone else.

[Rilla]

Reading posts in a game you are in should happen. If there is a lot of people, then reading the ones that are directly related to you(Or your area) should happen. If it doesn't, then the mistakes will be glaring and you can usually pick them out of the line-up.

[Animus]

Everyone should read my posts but I can hardly be bothered to read the posts of anyone else.

@ethanjory

So many people with this mindset.

Reading posts in a game you are in should happen. If there is a lot of people, then reading the ones that are directly related to you(Or your area) should happen. If it doesn't, then the mistakes will be glaring and you can usually pick them out of the line-up.

@Rilla

I agree with most of what you said. While its more forgiveable, I honestly feel that even if other people's characters are heading in a different direction, people should still read them. What makes the RP enjoyable is being involved and attached with not only your char but other people's chars as well. Otherwise, why even roleplay? People could just write their own fanfiction and fantasize over how their character is the main protagonist who is really strong, really capable, have a dark past and etc etc.

Btw, I'm not shooting you or anything. Just elaborating more on my opinion on the matter.

[Ariamis]

On that note, is it better to respond to everything you think your character would have a say in, even if it's a conversation between other people, or should one be more selective with what they respond to, to keep up realism? The first option would have a lot more content and interactivity between the characters, but I understand how it could get annoying if someone interrupts your dialogue with their own opinions or thoughts on the matter.

[Animus]

On that note, is it better to respond to everything you think your character would have a say in, even if it's a conversation between other people, or should one be more selective with what they respond to, to keep up realism? The first option would have a lot more content and interactivity between the characters, but I understand how it could get annoying if someone interrupts your dialogue with their own opinions or thoughts on the matter.

@Ariamis

Never do the first option you gave. You should keep your character, in character.

Anyway, if it's in your character to respond, then yeah? Like if he's a vocal person who hates liars and notices the conversation about a liar between two others, he SHOULD react. People usually don't mind if you join in on their conversation. However, this is totally different from attempting to join every conversation and so forcefully.

[Vahir]

...I'm guilty of this. 95% of the time, reading other people's posts is a chore; I have to force myself to read them, not do it for fun.

I that's the common answer here.

[Vilageidiotx]

Reading my posts aren't a chore. I'm a fuckin' artist.

But yes, this is definitely a pet peeve. I read everyone's posts in RP's I am involved in. Hell, sometimes I do it more than once, and the RP's i'm involved with average at least 2k words a post.

Like, if you want to write but don't want to read other peoples shit, that is fine. Don't RP. Go write short stories for yourself, that's perfectly cool too.

[Vahir]

Reading my posts aren't a chore. I'm a fuckin' artist.

But yes, this is definitely a pet peeve. I read everyone's posts in RP's I am involved in. Hell, sometimes I do it more than once, and the RP's i'm involved with average at least 2k words a post.

Like, if you want to write but don't want to read other peoples shit, that is fine. Don't RP. Go write short stories for yourself, that's perfectly cool too.

@Vilageidiotx

Problem is, not everyone is as talented with words as you seem to be. You're telling me you've never looked at a long wall of text, filled with grammar errors and illogical wording, and skipped reading it?

[Vilageidiotx]

<Snipped quote by Vilageidiotx>

Problem is, not everyone is as talented with words as you seem to be. You're telling me you've never looked at a long wall of text, filled with grammar errors and illogical wording, and skipped reading it?

@Vahir

Not if that wall of text was in an RP I was involved with. I'm just not that kind of people.

And i'm not shitting you. GM of an RP I am involved with, @Dinh AaronMk, once made a post that was 15k words. Took me an hour and a half to push through, but I read it all.

[Dinh AaronMk]

<Snipped quote by Vahir>

And i'm not shitting you. GM of an RP I am involved with, @Dinh AaronMk, once made a post that was 15k words. Took me an hour and a half to push through, but I read it all.

@Vilageidiotx

I can confirm this.

[Inertia]

Well, I, for one, enjoy reading other people's posts.
When they ignore others I just get annoyed but when they do interact its the best feeling.

[Ellri]

If someone posted a text wall in one of our RPs, we would do two things.
First we'd tell them to fix that.
Second we'd copy the post to a doc and break it up every three sentences or so. Then we'd read it.

If their posts regularly lack a basic level of grammar as well, we'd question their presence in our rp. But we'd also consider what they achieved in said post(s). More often than not, lacking grammar + text wall also comes with a side order of either doing very little or godmodding/metagaming or such.

Granted Mary Sue characters may make such, but we don't let those in through our strict CS approval process. We've found that being strict on CS reviews avoids most post issues. Not all, of course.

[Mokley]

It's the GM's responsibility, I think, to read every word that is written, to interpret the sum of the characters' actions, and to ensure everyone involved understands what's happening and why. Even great players who read everything commonly misinterpret other players' posts, so everyone reading everything isn't necessarily the solution to all problems.

I've had a couple players tell me that it felt like cheating to read posts that have nothing directly to do with their character, which is an understandable mindset. In a large group, reading everything can feel extremely confusing, since the narratives are never in exact chronological order.

When I GM I run under the assumption that players will only read what is directed at their character. I've experimented with quoting key points from players' posts, summarizing everyone's locations/actions in the mod post, and encouraging @Mentions in everyone's IC posts, with mostly positive results. The OOC is a great tool for discussing what's going on, too.

[Ellri]

We expect players to read everything, or at minimum specify why and what they do not read. For example, some might have a problem with romance or torture, both of which can happen in RPs. Everyone should have a problem with rape, but as long as it is not described in detail, it's not against guild rules. Its not a tool that should be used indiscriminately, though. And never without consent between all players involvedin the scene.

If players can't read stuff that is not directly aimed at their characters because they feel it is cheating or it gives them information they cannot avoid abusing, then they have no place in our RPs. It is very simple.

We had one player in one of our former RPs skip reading stuff, then reply. He created a mess every time. Thus we will not permit such again.

[Animus]

I've had a couple players tell me that it felt like cheating to read posts that have nothing directly to do with their character, which is an understandable mindset. In a large group, reading everything can feel extremely confusing, since the narratives are never in exact chronological order.

@Mokley

That's actually a really interesting point of view. However, it'd also mean said people would miss out area type events. For example a big fight happening in a classroom but they never noticed it because their in a conversation and they they didn't read the posts of others.