PerniciousIntent said
This is a question I've always had. I always stick to less then five, but I know some people who do like 10 at once (which is crazy).
What else effects it? Interest? Level(free, casual, advanced)?
Just like a poll thing, I guess. I've always wondered what others would say to the same question.
Once upon an era, in a forum far far away, at any given time and across all boards, the maximum RP count was four. Since I am prone to running off in all directions like a mad thing, it burdened me like running shoes that don't fit. There were no "I'll give this a try" or "Ooh, what does this button do?". There was only the Four. I came a long way thanks to that. The 'narrowed scope' helped me slow down and appreciate the stories already unfolding around me. It enabled me to achieve a higher level of planning, character development and storywriting. Often, these roleplays would survive half a year, and more, thanks to the shared circumstances . The OOC did grow exponentially, in some cases resembling IRC, and for it, we became a tighter, stronger, more effective unit. Nowadays, I am guilty of breaking that rule since straying from that forum, and often flit to and fro, bumping that count up to six at most. Any more and I'll rupture a vessel.
Various factors come into effect such as the standard, the cast, the setting and the pace, though all are ultimately dependent on the how I am performing IRL. I say 'standard' as a more generalised term in reference to the expected literacy level, story depth and detail, and the complexity of a roleplay's mechanics (PVP, nation-based, political campaigning, strategic war games, creation, etc.). Committed GMs that offer an abundance of detail in their story setting and writing, I tend to give all, if not ten times, that amount back in effort. If the cast are quite involved and open to embarking on side-projects - as I tend to be - then I usually put more time into communicating ideas and the developments that form from them. Right now, I am trying for roleplays that have a regulated turn system, or go at a pace I am confident in keeping up with. We all have our naughty moments, however. I'll usually forego any and all such inhibitions if I find a roleplay based on something I can get excited about
TL;DR It's all about knowing your own limits as a writer and having a clear, if not mature, respect for balance.
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