Discuss On RP Creation [Informative Thread] [E]

[cancer]

[COLOR=Navy]I am starting this thread for all aspiring RP/story creators out there who aren't sure exactly how to start an RP or just have trouble coming up with a good idea. Also, this thread can be used for sharing of story ideas and advice.

First of all, I'd like to ask everyone who could to give input on how you go about creating a role-playing story. Tell where you get your ideas, what kind of things you look for in a quality sign-up, and any other useful information.

Now, I will tell how I go about creating my own role-playing stories:[/COLOR]

[U]The Idea[/U]
First, I wait until an idea hits me. Usually when I'm reading stuff online or looking through my bookshelf I will think of something. If you can think of nothing, then think of the most basic/common plotlines and try to model a story from that. (e.g. If I can't think of anything, I might base my story structure on the zombie plotline, like you?ve probably seen in Resident Evil or Dawn of the Dead.) :p

[U]Your Story[/U]
Next, you?ll want to use your own imagination purely to create a more specific plotline. You?ll want to come up with the setting, the types of characters you?ll have (Knights, Vampires, Pirates, Regular People, etc.), maybe a timeline, and also the ?big picture? of your plot. The other writers will obviously decide most of the details, but you still need to think of any major events you?re going to want to throw into it. Remember, you?re in control of this thing (unless of course it?s a cooperatively-led story) ;)

[U]The Intro[/U]
Okay, this is the first part of what you will actually be posting in your sign-up thread. You?ll want to include all the background information for your story that everyone needs to know. Sometimes it is also a good idea to write a prologue of your story so people can get a better understanding of what it?s about, and it?s a nice way to express the basis of your story. I?d recommend getting creative with the intro so that you can attract plenty of individuals: try using some graphics or music, and make the text part of it nice to look at. Presentation can really help in attracting people, and it?s pleasing to the eye ^_- If you aren?t sure how to spice up your threads, just ask someone who would know. I can help as well?to an extent :animesigh

[U]The Sign-Up Form[/U]
All right, sign-up forms can include many things; there is no real rule for making them. Basically, you?re just asking for all of the essential information on the characters. This really isn?t too hard to figure out. The most common elements you?ll see on sign-up forms are: Name, Gender, Age, Bio, Personality and Appearance. Below I?ve posted an example of an average sign-up form. Out from each element of the form, you may want to specify what you want (e.g. after age, you may put: 18-40) As I said, yours may look different.

[COLOR=DarkGreen][B]name[/B]

[B]age[/B]

[B]gender[/B]

[B]weapon[/B]

[B]personality[/B]

[B]bio[/B]

[B]appearance[/B] [/COLOR]

Alright, those are the basics of creating an RP. Following are some tips/reminders.

If you have any questions about what you should include in your RP, check the sticky thread for the basics. If that doesn't answer your question, PM someone who you think may know.

Don't forget to put ratings in the titles of your RP's.

[Jokopoko]

[color=teal][size=1]This is a good example of the sort of general discussion thread I'd like to see in the Underground so lets try and save this before it falls into obscurity.

Currently I'm working on a Legend of Zelda RP which will have elements of Steampunk in it. For those not in the know Steampunk is modern technology but achieved through less advanced means, such as Steam powered Tanks and Coal powered missiles (Of course Zelda won't have this but it's an example.)

The tentative title is "The Legend of Zelda: The Eternal Gear". I'll get back to this thread when I've done some more work on it, so I hope other people see the benefits of a thread suchs as this. Kudos to you cancer.

[i]Jokopoko[/i][/size][/color]

[Sandy]

[QUOTE=Jokopoko][color=teal][size=1]This is a good example of the sort of general discussion thread I'd like to see in the Underground so lets try and save this before it falls into obscurity.
[/size][/color][/QUOTE]

Why don't you stickify this, then?

I do agree that this thread is an excellent guide to new members who are eager to start their own games but don't really know how it's supposed to work.

People should also remember that this is only a base formula from where to advance further when they feel comfortable to do so. Trying new things that deviate from the usual is always welcomed to this section, I feel that sometimes games in the Arena get so repetitive and stale that a fresh of new air is almost obligatory at that point.

Be brave with your games, everybody!

[Doublehex]

One advice I can give is regarding the pros and cons of using a licensed setting against an unlicensed one.

Now, not all of us are creative guineses. I mean, it is very difficult to create a brand spanking new setting, full of unique cultures and species and the such. Thus, alot of people prefer to set their roleplays off of animes, videogames, movies, or even books. This lets the creator skip a level of world building and jump straight into crafting the story. However, that means that all of the RPers have to follow the cannon of the said setting, and that can be restricting. There's also the fact that unless it is a wildly recognisable trademark, like Zelda, the chances of you getting alot of sign ups will be kind of slim.

But, there are those among us who are very creative, who can create a brand new setting with some effort. For those of us out there, there are a world of possibilities. Our imaginations, and our roleplayer's, can go wild with our characters and plots. There IS no cannon - what we say IS the way the setting is ruled. However, as a result, not many people may be attracted to it because they may not know much about it. Thus, it will be up to the RP creators to FORM that attraction.