What does RP(role player) mean.

Nox_Aeterna · July 2014

Nope , not the same.

I RP on table top RPGs , which i quite like btw , play almost every week.

I dont RP on video games , i just play them , but i dont act like im in character or nothing like that.

Elf_Boy · July 2014

Nox_Aeterna wrote: »

Nope , not the same.

I RP on table top RPGs , which i quite like btw , play almost every week.

I dont RP on video games , i just play them , but i dont act like im in character or nothing like that.

Not even a little bit? Not ever? Not with an in character name? Nothing, all min/max and statistical charts, never read the quests?

Well, if that works for you cool. Kinda stale and empty from my viewpoint, but each should float their own boat.

Zorrashi · July 2014

Hmm, what is RPing you ask? Why, it is when you put yourself into the shoes of your avatar/character.
From then on, you can create anything as you wish so long as its through your character's eyes; back story, personality, abilities etc. You can even change it up constantly if you so wish.
You are no longer human player -insert real life name-, you are a -insert race- called -insert name-.

But once you get past those meager basics, RPing becomes a social art of sorts, the way 'you' talk and act in harmony (or disharmony) with others, it is a type of socialization on the grand stage of the what the MMO provides. Be who you want to be. It is the you who is not you yourself.

Wolfshead · July 2014

DanteVFenris wrote: »

Like if assume that if you are playing an rpg like this game, everyone would be considered a RP. But there seems to be a difference were people talk as if it's a different way to play. What do they mean by RP?

Technically everyone is role playing, so i don't exactly get what people are trying to say when they say stuff like "do you want to RP" because I am RP by playing the game itself as it's an rpg.

RP can simple be explain like this all movie actor is basically RP that take on a role as character the play that character role follow a manuscript just like everytime you login to ESO you are also RP for that character you are playing is not the real you.

Thing with RP is that you take on role that a write have made up and you follow those guide line and you add some of you own idea to make it work for you (in case of movie or live RP but there write is call GM, DM or GameMaster, DungeonMaster in Live RP)

In mmo you can also RP but you have no manuscript like you have in movie or tv-series but you make up how you want act toward other player if you are RP with them some people do write down how there character are and go react towards other and basically all computer game is like RP in there own way but mmo make more free toward person play the game.

Circuitica · July 2014

IMO RP is letting yourself to see the universe with someone else's (real or imaginary) eyes and act like that one would. There are many ways to RP - it's not bounded only to games. Some would think cosplay, lucid dreaming and sexual fantasies as some sort of RP.

I consider myself as a RPer. I agree it's a form of escapism which I've found a very important way to get through difficult times - or just to make life more interesting.
I've always "suffered" from overactive imagination and in games like ESO, I can let it flow, build my own adventure and live a life of someone else's.

pavelcherepanskyrwb17_ESO · July 2014

I don't do RP but I think RP players do what role-playing games were supposed to be before they came to the current status of an instrument to measure whose d*ck is bigger.

As many people have noted above, when you do RP you act as if it was you, not some random character living in this world. You have a back story and you act in accordance with it. You stop caring about your level or the equipment you have, because really you don't need anything fancy. A lowly khajit merchant wouldn't be fighting daedra or Molag Bal - they would just run away screaming and so would you if you're roleplaying.

Also you sleep when your character is supposed to sleep, when its raining you find shelter, unless you're an Argonian who like being wet. You have food or drink not because you want to increase your stats but because you (the Tamriel 'you') needs to eat regularly

With hard RP you also wouldn't swim across the river wearing all heavy armor, wouldn't jump of a cliff just because it's shorter way, wouldn't be sprinting everywhere, because it's tiring.

So, again, you play like Tamriel is the real world and your character is real too... and then you get a dissociative identity disorder and go to asylum for a long-long holiday

Dryyab · July 2014

as a matter of fact simply asking if you want to RP isn't RPing...
although if for example you are a dunmer in glenumbra and the guy tells you : " Well hello there stranger ! It's rare to see a dunmer in these parts , what brought you here?" in the "say" or "yell" options, that is RPing... also real RP players won't use the zone or guild chats

Mondo · July 2014

I Remember my first RP experience in WoW. A young Drainei talked to me and 5 Minutes later extremely strange things with Worgs and Horses and Pregnant Elfes was going on........ Oh my Lord.... That was Awesome!

Edit : My English is aweful

kassandratheclericb14_ESO · July 2014

Dryyab wrote: »

as a matter of fact simply asking if you want to RP isn't RPing...
although if for example you are a dunmer in glenumbra and the guy tells you : " Well hello there stranger ! It's rare to see a dunmer in these parts , what brought you here?" in the "say" or "yell" options, that is RPing... also real RP players won't use the zone or guild chats

Well that depends. We would often use OOC (out of character) chat for basic game communications. It would be like this:

((Anyone need to go kill bossX this evening))

Or some other thing but have a reason for our characters to be doing what they are doing.. I mean there are some basic game mechanics one can not sometimes avoid. I wouldn't wipe a dungeon for someone just to keep in character though I would try to communicate in-character. So I might say,

"I read in some ancient tome that the bosmer would shoot poison arrows....blah blah"

Then perhaps explain further in OOC how a boss might operate.

I always kept some characters that were IC (in character) all the time and a few that were not RP characters to play for a rest.

It was always nice for example, in WoW when you used the dungeon finder to have a group of a few RPers mixed with non-RPers and the RPers would chat IC in a dungeon (nothing that would ruin anyone else's experiences-I mean I love RP but would never mess up a non-RPers experience just because I was a RP-er.) Perhaps making comments about the area we were in and so forth. Then have a non RPer throw in and give it a try. It happened more than once and I thought it was great that we could offer a new experience to someone that maybe had not tried it out before. It made what maybe was a 20th run through a place a bit different and fun.

Dryyab · July 2014

@kassandratheclericb14_ESO
True... I didn't really consider IC and OOC in my post since when I wanna RP I tend to stick to IC...

Akiainavas · July 2014

Reading some of the comments, I begin to realize that this community is a bit pathetic...

Anyway, RP is sadly dead I'd say... I was never a big fan of it, but for me RP is reading the quests, using the chat in game-like manner, discussing the lore from character's point of view etc. And I honestly miss that a little bit because now people usually focus on "kill, click, get reward, level up" etc.

SantieClaws · July 2014

I sort of a bit RP and a bit not. My characters all have their own personalities. It doesn't start out that way but they sort of aquire them as I spend more time on them. I would not stand in a tavern and spout out stuff about "yay my journey tireth me and lo my guar dost hath too much corkbulb today" but I will occasionally emote to other players and generally walk in my characters shoes.

Guild chat tends me to be mostly me with some of whichever character I am on creeping in there from time to time.

For example I remade my LOTRO dwarf character Hodorf as a short(ish) Nord. He is not too bright. Says Hodorf a lot. Will be making a living as a seller of guts and other fishing bait because he seems to like hitting rats and I already have all other crafts covered by other alts.

stefan.gustavsonb16_ESO · July 2014

A player of a computer game telling some other players of the same game that they need to "get a life"? Pot, meet kettle.

We are all childish and immature to a very large extent, because we are humans, and as a species we retain the ability to enjoy playing for our entire lives. And this is what I love about being alive. I am 49 years old, and I sincerely hope I never lose the ability to role play. I take great enjoyment in trying to get into other people's shoes, whether real or imaginary, and it is one of the reasons I like talking to people, watching movies, reading books and playing computer games.

Oups. Did I say I was human? I meant to say I am an Elf. Sorry.

Crumpy · July 2014

wenxue2222b16_ESO wrote: »

For example I remade my LOTRO dwarf character Hodorf as a short(ish) Nord. He is not too bright. Says Hodorf a lot.

That's original.

SantieClaws · July 2014

Crumpy wrote: »

wenxue2222b16_ESO wrote: »

For example I remade my LOTRO dwarf character Hodorf as a short(ish) Nord. He is not too bright. Says Hodorf a lot.

That's original.

Hodorf

Akiainavas · July 2014

Crumpy wrote: »

wenxue2222b16_ESO wrote: »

For example I remade my LOTRO dwarf character Hodorf as a short(ish) Nord. He is not too bright. Says Hodorf a lot.

That's original.

Is it really ? :P But funny though, I'll give him that.

KleanZlate · July 2014

I'd say it was sad if someone plays a game like ESO without any elements of RP. I mean, you must think a little about your character when you're creating it. Is he a mage or a nightblade? Tall or short? Does he have a scar? Why? Will he only think of himself or will he help others? These are all RP decisions. So unless you're a thoughtless end game grinder you're an RP player to some extent.

I'd love to go deeper into RP. I think it would add a whole new chapter to the game. What's bad about that?

Akiainavas · July 2014

vestmanneb17_ESO wrote: »

I'd say it was sad if someone plays a game like ESO without any elements of RP. I mean, you must think a little about your character when you're creating it. Is he a mage or a nightblade? Tall or short? Does he have a scar? Why? Will he only think of himself or will he help others? These are all RP decisions. So unless you're a thoughtless end game grinder you're an RP player to some extent.

I'd love to go deeper into RP. I think it would add a whole new chapter to the game. What's bad about that?

What really is sad is that there are people who play ESO which is basically an RPG game, ans ES in general is the roots of old-school cRPG genre, and complain about quests, story and lore being an obstruction they "have to do" before they can pvp and do veteran dungeons... Sometimes I really think a part of mmo players should definitely switch games...

KleanZlate · July 2014

Akiainavas wrote: »

vestmanneb17_ESO wrote: »

I'd say it was sad if someone plays a game like ESO without any elements of RP. I mean, you must think a little about your character when you're creating it. Is he a mage or a nightblade? Tall or short? Does he have a scar? Why? Will he only think of himself or will he help others? These are all RP decisions. So unless you're a thoughtless end game grinder you're an RP player to some extent.

I'd love to go deeper into RP. I think it would add a whole new chapter to the game. What's bad about that?

What really is sad is that there are people who play ESO which is basically an RPG game, ans ES in general is the roots of old-school cRPG genre, and complain about quests, story and lore being an obstruction they "have to do" before they can pvp and do veteran dungeons... Sometimes I really think a part of mmo players should definitely switch games...

Yeah I know what you mean. I've been playing since early release and my character is "only" VR10. Lack of content has not been a problem for me. I'm actually still in VR8 zone since I've levelled quite a bit in PvP. So I still have two zones I haven't even entered before, I've haven't done any VR dungeons and I haven't touched on Craglorn either. I play a couple hours, at least, every day and I sometimes spend entire weekends in PvP. Could someone point out to me what the rush is? Why burn through everything when you know very well that all you can after that is PvP or rinse/repeat dungeons?

LariahHunding · July 2014

There are different levels of roleplaying. If you are just consistent in the choices you make (good/evil for example) in the game, you are engaging a minimum form of RP.

rbenkepub19_ESO · July 2014

I tried playing on an RP server in another MMO. I couldn't get into it; I felt silly. But to each his own. I can see why some people would be into it.

smeeprocketnub19_ESO · July 2014

BenS1337 wrote: »

It's basically what kids do.
They role play certain subjects they like - Dinosaurs, power rangers ect.
- It's basically pretending to be something else, (Playing a game)

Kind of like playing a video game, right? Kid stuff.

Eirikur · July 2014

I RP in the sense that I like to immerse myself in my character. I choose a character name which fits the setting, I have a clear idea of his personality (always an aspect of my own), and I make in-game decisions based on what suits his personality. However I never RP with other people in MMORPGs, because I keep coming across so many RPers who simply creep me out.

Dryyab · July 2014

lol creeping people out is part of the fun !!!

Sengra · July 2014

Some people have said that it means putting yourself in your RPG character's shoes, but for me gameplay and RP are entirely seperate. When I play PvP, I play PvP. When I go RPing, I put on different clothes and roleplay. My char is neither the saviour of the king/queen nor the soulless one but a normal person.

And yes, as a RPer I don't always read every bit of dialogue and every book (although I screenshot most of them to fill my lorebrary). I'd rather make up my own story and have things happen spontaneously when other RPers come together. It's like PvP: You never know who might turn up and what could happen next. I like the unexpected.

And then there are people who invent whole plots and surprise everybody with, say, a murder mystery. Like a theatre play where you're one of the characters/actors but don't know the script. It can be real fun if you don't know something's going to happen.

Of course, you could say the same about RL, but my flat just isn't big enough for a horse (and on a real horse I would probably only get seasick).

Korozenn · July 2014

Something I want to elaborate on here on this thread:

There are a good number of role-players that take things to the next level, and it can drastically change the flow of play from one character to the next, which is why I personally choose to role-play in any game that calls for it, period. It's no different here in The Elder Scrolls Online, but as many other role-players will point out, there is still not enough flexibility with the choices you can make in the game and not enough reward for playing the game this way; a reason you don't see the majority of people play The Elder Scrolls Online in the same respect as people like us, who 'do' role-play.

This is a known issue that ZeniMax Online Studios has already confirmed they know about and will be addressing in future updates majorly over the course of the next year. Most of our concerns will be alleviated when the Justice System Update is released, with even more of them fixed when The Dark Brotherhood and Thieves' Guild have their presence accounted for in-game and can be joined, with their own separate questline. There are also those of us role-players that have been calling for more zones to quest through, both for PvE and PvP, because some characters that are role-played may not be a part of the conflict going on in Cyrodiil, others might be explorers that want to go through every nook-and-cranny in Tamriel seeking the dangers those corners may bring, and others may be solely fighting for their own faction's side (not going into Aldmeri Dominion or Ebonheart Pact zones if you're on the Daggerfall Covenant, for instance).

Something many players don't take to, regardless of whether they role-play or not, is the long-term consequences such builds can have as a result of this.

If you're only playing on your faction's zones, or other general zones that don't belong to any faction around that vicinity, as well as Cyrodiil, you don't have many skill points at all to work with. While players who 'do' quest through each zone will accumulate upwards to 300+ Skill Points, you may only have about 150-180 Skill Points, if even that many, to work with as a role-player. This should be alleviated as the game continues to progress through its phases, but an issue is an issue nonetheless until it gets fixed later on.

With all that taken into account, it's why I haven't been able to manage a character that has any type of negative effect on the environment other than hunting critters/monsters of some kind. When those aforementioned updates do release, and as the game continues to expand in its amount of playable zones, so does the amount of possibilities you have with role-playing as a character within the game, which is always something to look forward to.

So, to sum everything up in a few shorter statements (especially towards ZeniMax here):

The two main issues with role-playing as it stands: Your character's actions don't have any noticeable effect on the outcome of how other NPCs in the world or events/quests may or may not trigger in certain zones or the environment, and role-players do not get enough beneficial rewards for pursuing that method of play. In fact, we have more consequences in the form of not getting enough XP/Skill Points/Achievements than other players to make it feel as worthwhile; something which poses a major issue for some hardcore role-players (myself included as it makes me forego certain ideas I have for my characters as a result).

Possible Solutions: Actions need to have more noticeable benefits and consequences with them. If ZeniMax can workout scaling PvE and PvP better to suit the needs of role-players like myself, it'd make a huge difference. It's the reason why so many of TES fans still do take qualms with this game in that respect; there is just a major lack of choice in the matter with getting out of a rather linear level-progression across each faction in the game's current state vs. TES games that have encouraged you to go anywhere you feel like from the outset.

- If I kill a certain NPC character after the Justice System update, I can no longer initiate that side-quest, and all related side-quests (if any) would be unavailable to get; on the other hand, maybe newer side-quests can be formed by killing that particular NPC as well.
- If I don't want to join the Mages' Guild, it makes sense for Spellcrafting to be unavailable to that character, and it would be best to keep it that way when it gets added in a future update.
- If I'm of a particular race, more NPCs need to acknowledge that change differently, including guards. Same with how they should react to me based on my reputation.
- Etc.

kassandratheclericb14_ESO · July 2014

Though I agree with much of what you said...and agree more negative consequence in the game would be great (even if it is just if you belong to one faction by choosing its quest then you can not do another's as they will hate you.)

But game mechanics (or lack there of) have never stopped RP-ers from RPing negative consequence. No you will not get negative reactions from certain NPCs but you can still RP these things and the people you RP with can help you make this a more fulfilling and enjoyable experience.

As I say when in RP...RP In-Character actions should have RP in-game consequence.

Perhaps you are in a RP guild. As part of this "family" in game perhaps you decide upon a life of crime (or murder as the Dark Brotherhood in the future?) and there are very lawful folks in your "guild family" then you should not be having the exact same interactions with them if you act this way. Some people RP and they ignore these things. I was in a guild that though a person was still OOC in the guild...they could and did get ostracized IC by the IC characters. It made for some interesting play.

So I basically try not to let the game mechanics dictate my RP. I admit I have not yet started RPing yet as I am working on a character I feel some attachment to in game. I got some things working. However I am always willing to slap on a persona and RP with people randomly. Feel free to whisper me on the NA server (I really need to get a EU set up) and I would be happy to talk OOC or try some RP IC with anyone who wishes to honestly try to seriously RP (assuming I can make the chat work the way I wish it to...lol. I am not creepy (ok..well..if I say I am not creepy does that mean I am creepy? ha ha)

Just whisper me in game or send me PM here. Some of my characters are getting close to 40 and I need to get this going.

Sengra · July 2014

Korozenn wrote: »

This is a known issue that ZeniMax Online Studios has already confirmed they know about and will be addressing in future updates majorly over the course of the next year. Most of our concerns will be alleviated when the Justice System Update is released, with even more of them fixed when The Dark Brotherhood and Thieves' Guild have their presence accounted for in-game and can be joined, with their own separate questline.

I couldn't care less what NPCs think of me or if I can change the reality of the world as far as game mechanics are concerned.
As far as I'm concerned, those changes cater to the needs of single player RPGers, not to my needs as a roleplayer.

A separate RP channel for IC talk and a solution to the phasing problem would be much higher on my list, whereas game mechanics have almost no influence on my characters.
RPing (for me) is interacting with other players and "community story-telling" in a three-dimensional world, not interacting with NPCs and reading quest dialogues.

Taz · July 2014

RPing is a great way to make content for yourself and others. You can get involved in some pretty awesome storylines that you'll remember for years to come.

I myself lean towards playing criminal characters; brigand, thief, pirate and what have you. It's fun making conflict in-character (while still being polite and upstanding out of character, of course!) and seeing how the story branches out in unique and potentially unexpected ways. It's a sort of 'sandbox' gameplay style because players dictate it almost entirely, the game simply gives us the tools to do so with emotes, outfits, guilds, RP phasing (I hope this gets implemented soon!), instruments, housing (this too), etc.

Sometimes you end up even putting a show on for others! I've had non-RPers stop for a while and just quietly observe us, only to get a whisper from them saying, "Wow, that's so cool. It's like watching a movie!" Which is a pretty nice experience all around.

smeeprocketnub19_ESO · July 2014

Yea the RPers I've met in game have been creepy.

I have nothing against RPing, I love me some tabletop roleplaying, but the people I have met that RP I would comfortably say are probably at least a little unbalanced.

But then, I had my real life threatened in the very first interaction with an RPer I had. Then I joined a guild (for like a day) where I expected RP, but everything in group and guild was ooc. Which means they were just doing staged events, which is pointless imo.

I originally stayed in character, talked in third person and what not, on my khajiit, but when I started my own guild I threw that out the window too.