What do "you" consider Role Play?

SantieClaws

Khajiit does not understand all this rolling and playing. How can we be enjoying our yarn on the floor when still dragons land on our meditating bandaari and Imperials ruin our cities with their sulking and legal codes yes?

Yours with paws
Santie Claws

WolfingHour

I role play in a very passive way - my characters have names appropriate to their respective races. Whenever possible, I try to coordinate mount, pet, outfit and adornments.

My biggest achievement is my warden khajiit that has a monocle, dwemer spider pet and mages guild jerkin.

That about it. I sometimes reply in character in guild chat, but that is very rare.

THEDKEXPERIENCE

SantieClaws wrote: »

Khajiit does not understand all this rolling and playing. How can we be enjoying our yarn on the floor when still dragons land on our meditating bandaari and Imperials ruin our cities with their sulking and legal codes yes?

Yours with paws
Santie Claws

You are a national treasure.

barney2525

Aireal wrote: »

Nemesis7884 wrote: »

It usually involves my wife in a lusty Argonian maid costume...

<eye roll> sooo whips and chains or just candle wax and wine?

sticks and stones may break my bones but whips and chains excite me

- song writer unknown

StormeReigns

https://youtu.be/7WIXTAvElyE

tuxon

For me RP means making a back story for the character and LORE - friendly outfit.

Nimrhys

Roleplay is pretending to be a character. Whether you do that in your own head or with a community.

Starlock

Across all genres, there are are just two essential elements of role-playing: character (or persona) and story (or narrative). In most respects, role-playing is just another name for theatrical acting and is a fundamentally creative exercise. You take on the role of a character and act within that specific persona while telling a story. What exactly that means in specific contexts will vary. In tabletop roleplaying, which is my primary background, you have multiple player characters or "actors" whose stories are facilitated by a "director" or game master. In computer RPGs, which have traditionally been single-player, the player may be a single character or multiple characters and the stories are facilitated by the game designers. In forum RPGs, it looks a lot more like a cooperative writing exercise with various authors writing for different characters but collectively directing the story and developing the setting.

In the context of Elder Scrolls Online, while it is a multiplayer game, I treat it as a single-player game. The role-playing is expressed in both character and story, as always. What that specifically looks like is something like this:

Character Creation
I usually spend a minimum of one hour (if not several) figuring out who the character is and how that best translates into game mechanics.

For aspects of character, I usually start with a personality for reasons that will become apparent in the next section. Are they easygoing? Serious and somber? Wickedly devious? Eloquently educated? Then I start thinking about what the character's role is in the world. What do they do? Are they a mage? A sword swinging warrior? What culture are they from? What race? How do they feel about thievery? Often, I make broad strokes rather than get too specific right away for background and history. Doing it that way leaves more breathing room to let the narrative evolve naturally.

It is a significant challenge to figure out how to realize the characters I envision within the limitations of game mechanics. Since ESO isn't classless, the first big decision is class. From there come the particulars of what skills they would learn and use while still building a character that works for the kind of content I want to do. Sets are a very significant consideration as well and can sometimes make or break the realization of a character. The style system adds an additional wonderful layer of characterization that bypasses numbers games and is always enjoyable to design.

Character Development and Gameplay
Once the character concept is laid out, then it's time to start role-playing them! My favorite thing about Elder Scrolls Online - the thing that keeps me playing this game - is the vast narrative potential it has. The game world is huge. There are tons and tons of stories just waiting to be told. And each character I create approaches those stories a little differently. That's where a lot of the role-playing comes in. As they quest and journey through the game world, I abundantly deviate from the provided dialogue responses provided for quests and write my own, usually speaking it in character voice aloud (yes, I do voice acting). Sometimes this creates hilarious moments. I get to know the character better, further flesh out their persona, and develop more of their background doing this. Some quests they just won't do because it isn't in character. Sometimes their thoughts and persona will change in response to events they experience. I let them grow and be dynamic.

Linaleah

I've been playing tabletop campaign for the last few months and honestly, for me at least the main difference between roleplaying a character in a tabletop and roleplaying one in a video game is degree of control over combat outcome.

in tabletop campaign, final outcome of my choices is determined by a roll of a dice. even if my character is geared and stated to the gills, if I roll a natural 1 - things don't go well (and I've rolled a few of those already as well as a bunch of generally low rolls)

in a video game, at least modern video game that is not something like original Morrowind - the outcome of my actions is more dependant on my own reflexes and actions. my arrow only misses when my own aim is off, not because a wolf i'm aiming at got a higher dice roll cause GM got luckier then I did with one of those.

aside from that. you are playing a character going through a story. I suppose in homebrew campaigns - there is more flexibility where that story goes, but in a campaign we've been playing - even when we as players end up making some very odd choices, in the end, we still end up progressing down the predetermined story path. the roleplaying happens in HOW we get there. what our characters do and why, whether its combat or conversations with npc's. we are quite literally playing roles of our characters, deciding what they would do in any given situation, based on what sort of character we have decided they are going to be before starting a campaign. and I'm rambling, but I hope this makes sense.

Dracheimflug

THEDKEXPERIENCE wrote: »

I was recruited into a RP guild once. It was funny but after about 2 days I was so confused as to how someone can log onto a game every day simply to do that. To each their own and what not.

The last I talked to them I said I was going to PVP and I got a gasp and like 5 people asking me why I’d ever do that. Very odd to me, but hey, it’s their game too. Just not my thing past a few jokes.

So you give an in character line like 'There is a real enemy out there. The <insert enemy faction name here> are relentless and unfortunately, lounging around here does nothing to stop their advance. Wish me well, my brave comrades. I am off to war.'

Or alternatively, 'Lounging around here has gotten boring. I am off to compete in the gladiatorial games: Wish me luck! Don't worry, lads, lasses, lizards and cats'es, I do plan on coming back alive to tell any of you who wish to hear of my glorious victories.... or spectacular defeats.... either way, glorious!'

FierceSam

I would not describe my level of play as Role Play at all.

Yet each of my characters has their own distinct persona. And I don’t feel as if I have had anything to do with that. It’s more the way they have interacted on the game and how that has shaped them. So my Breton Templar is essentially a gung *** fundamentalist zealot who is consumed with hate, while my Khajiit nightblade is very casual for a stoney sneak killer. But I wouldn’t say that pushes them into the world of role play.

I would consider role playing in game to start with the deliberate projection of the character into the game experience of others - so in character conversation in chat (super easy to fall into when playing a khajiit) would be a starting point. After that I guess you’re only limited by your imagination.

Kiralyn2000

bulbousb16_ESO wrote: »

Considering ESO is an MMORPG, your character should have a persona. You should have some idea of your character's backstory and motivations. And have them act accordingly.

I'd honestly be surprised if more than 5-10% of "MMO" players fulfil this.

(hell, I barely fulfil that requirement in my single-player TES games. I might have a couple general thoughts beyond the skill build I'll be trying - like, "helpful" or "selfish" or "neutral good". Backstory? Nope.)

...thinking about it, most of my tabletop RPG characters don't have any backstory. Of course, the groups of people I've played tabletop with were mostly Engineer/Math/CompSci types, not Drama/Literature/Art types. We paid a lot more attention to the numbers & rules. /shrug

jircris11

SantieClaws wrote: »

Khajiit does not understand all this rolling and playing. How can we be enjoying our yarn on the floor when still dragons land on our meditating bandaari and Imperials ruin our cities with their sulking and legal codes yes?

Yours with paws
Santie Claws

Thank you I needed the chuckle today

jainiadral

FierceSam wrote: »

I would not describe my level of play as Role Play at all.

Yet each of my characters has their own distinct persona. And I don’t feel as if I have had anything to do with that. It’s more the way they have interacted on the game and how that has shaped them. So my Breton Templar is essentially a gung *** fundamentalist zealot who is consumed with hate, while my Khajiit nightblade is very casual for a stoney sneak killer. But I wouldn’t say that pushes them into the world of role play.

I would consider role playing in game to start with the deliberate projection of the character into the game experience of others - so in character conversation in chat (super easy to fall into when playing a khajiit) would be a starting point. After that I guess you’re only limited by your imagination.

Yep, totally agree. I find my toons start to develop personalities as I play just via their actions and responses in the story. Who or what they kill and avoid. It feels almost organic in a way, like they're individuals distinct from what I want them to be. So I kind of let them take control and let their story flow from the sum total of their actions.

I don't ever see them as me, or become them. To me, that's what roleplay is on a fundamental level.

Royaji

There was enough posts on more direct use of the concept so I just feel like adding some opinion from a "different" side.

In certain circles "roleplaying" can be and is used ironically to describe something that is not done in the most efficent way ("I'm roleplaying on my bow/bow warden today") or just some general actions not focused on doing something efficently ("that's my first time in Frostvault so I'm going to roleplay" - i.e. read the quest).

Before all the proper role-players get mad at me I will reiterate, this is used ironically and usually only towards people with the same mindset. Words can have different meanings to different people and in different context. Just saying.

Kalik_Gold

Creating a background story for my character(s). Using that story in-game... and intertwining it with game events if possible.

Recremen

If you consider your characters to have their own personalities, interests, motivations, and other such characteristics that would make them more than just a collection of pixels used to win the game, then I'd called that role playing. Anything beyond that is just varying degrees of RP decadence.

Goregrinder

Playing the Role of a character you create in a game.

max_only

What do I consider roleplay? Completing quest decisions that make sense for each character’s personality. Typing without internet speak and using in universe references. Minimum requirement.

“By Azura you lot are quick!” “Happy hunting” “travel well” stuff like that. If I meet another Bosmer on my Bosmer I will use “brother” or “sister” when I type.

The rest is in my head. And there’s a lot in my head lol

Nightowl_74

I consider role play staying in character when you interact with others. I enjoy creating a backstory for mine but don't think of myself as a roleplayer because if someone talks to me in-game I'm just going to respond as myself. If it's obviously an attempt to RP I'll say something to the equivalent of "nice weather we're having, good to meet you but I must be off" because I don't log in prepared for that, my character doesn't have a personality to speak of or reason for being at that particular location.

It did irritate me that after going to the trouble of naming her it's my PSN ID, which includes numbers and only exists out of necessity, that shows up in communication. So, maybe there is some roleplayer in me despite how I run from anything beyond in-the-moment situations.

Sylvermynx

Ilsabet wrote: »

I internalize my roleplay, coming up with identities for my characters that inform how I would play them as I go through story content. In most cases it has more to do with personalities than gameplay mechanics, although there are usually explanations for why they use a certain combat style or how they gained their abilities. I don't RP with other people, so it's all about how I approach the game content through the eyes of a character I've created.

WolfingHour wrote: »

I role play in a very passive way - my characters have names appropriate to their respective races. Whenever possible, I try to coordinate mount, pet, outfit and adornments.

My biggest achievement is my warden khajiit that has a monocle, dwemer spider pet and mages guild jerkin.

That about it. I sometimes reply in character in guild chat, but that is very rare.

Starlock wrote: »

Across all genres, there are are just two essential elements of role-playing: character (or persona) and story (or narrative). In most respects, role-playing is just another name for theatrical acting and is a fundamentally creative exercise. You take on the role of a character and act within that specific persona while telling a story. What exactly that means in specific contexts will vary. In tabletop roleplaying, which is my primary background, you have multiple player characters or "actors" whose stories are facilitated by a "director" or game master. In computer RPGs, which have traditionally been single-player, the player may be a single character or multiple characters and the stories are facilitated by the game designers. In forum RPGs, it looks a lot more like a cooperative writing exercise with various authors writing for different characters but collectively directing the story and developing the setting.

In the context of Elder Scrolls Online, while it is a multiplayer game, I treat it as a single-player game. The role-playing is expressed in both character and story, as always. What that specifically looks like is something like this:

Character Creation
I usually spend a minimum of one hour (if not several) figuring out who the character is and how that best translates into game mechanics.

For aspects of character, I usually start with a personality for reasons that will become apparent in the next section. Are they easygoing? Serious and somber? Wickedly devious? Eloquently educated? Then I start thinking about what the character's role is in the world. What do they do? Are they a mage? A sword swinging warrior? What culture are they from? What race? How do they feel about thievery? Often, I make broad strokes rather than get too specific right away for background and history. Doing it that way leaves more breathing room to let the narrative evolve naturally.

It is a significant challenge to figure out how to realize the characters I envision within the limitations of game mechanics. Since ESO isn't classless, the first big decision is class. From there come the particulars of what skills they would learn and use while still building a character that works for the kind of content I want to do. Sets are a very significant consideration as well and can sometimes make or break the realization of a character. The style system adds an additional wonderful layer of characterization that bypasses numbers games and is always enjoyable to design.

Character Development and Gameplay
Once the character concept is laid out, then it's time to start role-playing them! My favorite thing about Elder Scrolls Online - the thing that keeps me playing this game - is the vast narrative potential it has. The game world is huge. There are tons and tons of stories just waiting to be told. And each character I create approaches those stories a little differently. That's where a lot of the role-playing comes in. As they quest and journey through the game world, I abundantly deviate from the provided dialogue responses provided for quests and write my own, usually speaking it in character voice aloud (yes, I do voice acting). Sometimes this creates hilarious moments. I get to know the character better, further flesh out their persona, and develop more of their background doing this. Some quests they just won't do because it isn't in character. Sometimes their thoughts and persona will change in response to events they experience. I let them grow and be dynamic.

Y'all posted so nicely for me, I didn't have to say all that myself. All I have to do is agree that this is how I roll - and role - play! By the time I'm done with chargen (last one took me almost two hours), I know who s/he is as a person, and how s/he is going to approach the game's stories and challenges.

I don't tend to write the stories about my MMO characters. But believe me (and Aireal knows....) when it came to Skyrim (and Oblivion, Morrowind and Daggerfall before Skyrim), wrote REAMS of tales about my characters. In Skyrim, I even wrote just about a whole book about the Morthal family (with my own additions to same), Serana and Valerica - all while playing my girl at the time through the whole of the MQ, plus Dragonborn and Dawnguard.

My MMO characters live in the back of my mind until I'm playing them in game, and then I approach everything they do from their own inimitable POV. It's harder with males than females, but I do manage it somehow.

@Aireal, this is an interesting thread. Thanks Sis!

Strider__Roshin

The only role playing I do is with my wife

FR0STDEE

People who walk to locations instead of running.

Chrysa1is

for me, role play is how my guild functions. people following the rules and conditions. its essentially like the way of life of the guild that i like people to play. no calling eachother master etc or sir. just like minded individuals who want to ensure guild rules and ways are followed and enforced in the correct way

EtTuBrutus

Lame

Aireal

@Sylvermynx ...your welcome!!

And thank you to everyone who's written!! I have been reading, on breaks and lunch at work! I will post more when I get home!

MartiniDaniels

I never fancied role-playing myself in game. Most of the times I take some fitting character of other universe and try to create something similar to him. I always fancied to roleplay necromancer wielding huge sword and capable of casting spells which can wipe population of whole buildings in one cast. Morrowind provided such opportunity and thus it's best role-playing game I ever played.
Second best role-playing game is Mass Effect 1-3, amount of decisions/consequences allow you to role-play a lot of different personalities.
ESO is so-so as RPG since we are extremely limited in builds and so role-playing available mostly only through outfits and overall character looks, so yeah ESO as RPG is

EtTuBrutus wrote: »

Lame

Caff32

GTA 5 - No pixel. That’s role-play.

Gilvoth

i simply pretend to actually "be" my character and living in Nirn, i speak and live and act ingame as if its real.

Linaleah

Recremen wrote: »

If you consider your characters to have their own personalities, interests, motivations, and other such characteristics that would make them more than just a collection of pixels used to win the game, then I'd called that role playing. Anything beyond that is just varying degrees of RP decadence.

personaly, i'd have to agree with that. IMO roleplaying doesn't require interaction with other people, it only requires that when player is playing a character they are not thinking in terms of "what would I do in this situation" but rather "what would this particular character that i'm playing right now - would do in this situation"

that is not to dismiss that sometimes we base our characters on ourselves and IMO that is totally fine, but as long as they are still their own distinct characters that just happen to share their set of morals with a player - it still counts.

P.S. becasue thoughts occur to me in batches - roleplaying is essentially not unlike writing in real time, sometimes colaboratively, sometimes - on your own. its creative expression.