The act of joining an RP that has been running for months...

[Ellri]

What does it take for you to commit to it? Are there any things that might turn you away?

If you never even consider doing it... Why?

[Vilageidiotx]

It can definitely been done. I'm Co-gming an rp that has been running for five years, and we still get people to join now and then.

[Ellri]

In that time, what techniques have proven themselves as good/bad for getting recruits, @Vilageidiotx?

We've had both success and failure ourselves, but figure that sharing experiences might help others succeed too.

[AlteredTundra]

I don't care if a RP has been going on for one month or one year. Odds are, if it interests me and if the GMs will have me, I will join it. I'm actually in the process of joining one right now, so there's also that haha.

As for what may possibly turn me away, the attitude from certain members. Like, if they are so elitist that they will judge me for everything that I offer up, then that could possibly turn me away. Aside from that, however, I can't think of anything else that could possibly turn me away.

[Vilageidiotx]

In that time, what techniques have proven themselves as good/bad for getting recruits, @Vilageidiotx?

We've had both success and failure ourselves, but figure that sharing experiences might help others succeed too.

@Ellri

I can't honestly say that I have figured this one out, to be honest. A long running RP can be a daunting thing to join, so I think the best thing a person can do is be open handed with information and quick to answer questions.

[Ellri]

Typical. We'd hoped you had that figured out, seeing how we've yet to figure that out ourselves, @Vilageidiotx.

Clear information that is updated regularly
Available summary
Easily/clearly/respectfully answered questions
Nice appearance & kind welcome
Luck

These things seem to have worked for us. At times, at least.

[Engel]

I think it's better to go for RPs that have been going for months. At least you can be somewhat certain they won't die right away like all the others. One of the longest group RPs I was ever in was one I joined after it had been going for a year or so, and I stayed for about a year and a half. Unfortunately they're not all like that. Another one I joined recently has some seriously rude members, like my god, which is off-putting to say the least.

[Shin Ghost Note]

I personally can't join an RP unless it just started because I honestly can't gather the motivation to get my character into the mix of things that have been long established.

But, ironically enough, I wish more people joined my RPs months in. My RPs are usually open enough for new scrubs to jump right in.

[ArenaSnow]

Personally, my biggest issue with such a thing is catching myself up. I like to know the lore of what I'm doing, and that can be a little difficult when there's hundreds of pages of IC to catch up on.

Summaries for new folks, therefore, I consider invaluable.

[NuttsnBolts]

"So I like this rp. It looks really cool and interesting, but do I have to read 4 pages of posts so I don't lore break? Also, how can my character enter and not feel like they don't fit in or know way too much?"

Pretty much my thought process. Its possible, but it's not easy considering.

Summaries help, good gms help, and an explanation of expectations for the future can help too so you have a goal/motive.

[vancexentan]

It's simple enough. Ask the gm(s) for information that is important, make a character based around the setting, and see if you can fit your character in either right away or wait a bit for whatever reason until you get a chance to come in. You don't need to read the roleplay to understand it completely. There's a chance your character may even not know what's going on in the first place.

[Fillet]

Personally, my biggest issue with such a thing is catching myself up. I like to know the lore of what I'm doing, and that can be a little difficult when there's hundreds of pages of IC to catch up on.

Summaries for new folks, therefore, I consider invaluable.

@ArenaSnow

This.

And for ease, a tl;dr version of what must be adhered to and what others can be optional in the lore/world/character knowledge, because sometimes the summaries can be essays long.

[Vilageidiotx]

Typically for me and my people, we just encourage people to ask questions. Since we have a solid group that has been there since the early days, that is usually enough.

[Mortimer]

I would certainly enjoy joining an RP that has been running for a while. However, if it is in the middle of something important, or several important arcs have concluded (or are about to beging), then I might reconsider it.

[Ellri]

Aye. Some summaries do get quite lengthy, simply to cover events sufficiently.

We know that the one for our RP is long, but it is covering half a year of posts. We'll just have to continue following the same patterns as before for recruiting additional players.

Another thing that can be important to consider when trying to acquire new recruits is timing. If there’s ten RPs starting up at the time in the same or a similar setting, finding prey might be harder. It might be wise then to wait a while.

[FacePunch]

It mostly depends upon how friendly the players are and how much they're willing to accept new people. My favorite RP atm was running for a year before I showed up. They were able to compress and summarize what had happened in a manner that was easy to understand and were willing to answer any questions I had about the lore/setting.

[xodus]

Joining a well established RP has its perk.

For one you know it has a solid place, by that I mean it is not in danger of evaporating.

Next it will also have more substance. An evolving lore, depth of story and perspective.

But there are also flaws.

It may have become monotonous. The mechanics may appear overly complicated. The learning curve maybe steep.

Over all the latter is the problem which most tend to fear, the dread of a steep learning curve may act as a strong deterrence.

I suppose best solution is to see how engaging the community is. If they are willing to explain said game mechanics, help ease the transition etc. Utilizing these simple factors you can quite easily get a strong footing in what ever RP you are placed in.