Discuss Characters

[Sara]

[color=#b0000b][size=1]How important is it to you to play a character in an RPG? (That is, [i]play[/i] a specific character, rather than generally contribute to the overall story while writing for several characters.)

And from that, how important is it to play a character that [i]you[/i] have created?

Would you rather play a canon character from an existing story, or play a character that the OP of the RPG has created?

Please don't reply to this as a numbered survey. I'd just like to hear some thoughts on the topic. My questions are just to get the conversation going.[/size][/color]

[PaganAngel]

I don't know... myself, I'm a control freak, and I'd rather be an organizer than someone actually taking part in the RP. I like the job of ensuring a smooth operation. That's why I always call Banker whenever I play Monopoly.

I suppose I'd rather be a canon character; it's so much less work, and there's the benefit of other players knowing your character inside and out and eliminates the Mary Sue risk.

[Zen]

[color=darkred][size=1]

For me, when I sign up for a RPG, I like to create my own character to play in the story. I never play as canon characters, and I've never played a pre-created character specifically for the RPG (though something like that is in the works).

Personally, I like to create my own character because it's a way for me to give my own perspective on a story, or events that occur. Alot of my characters are loosely based on myself, if not completely (alá [b]Black Horizon[/b] and [b]Digmon Elementals[/b]).

I wouldn't be against using a pre-created character or writing for an entire cast, but that's no longer role-playing per sé, but more of a collective story writing, which I'm currently doing in two person teams. I can't see how it would be much more different if more people did this, and if the story caught my eye, then I'd probably partake in it.

That's me.[/color][/size]

[TheResplendent]

When i choose a character for a RP, if it isn't an already pre-created char (i write a lot so i have a rather large list of different characters for different situations) then i almost always think about how to best contribute to the progression of the storyline. I have to be interested in the story, and i will be more inclined to be into it and create a character that fits perfectly.

I dont mind being able to use the characters i've already created, and sometimes I just change a little of this and that so that the character fits into the story and atmosphere of the RP. But essentially the character i choose to RP as whether he be created solely for the RP or a versatile character has to fit well with the storyline and if possible the other characters. I enjoy creating bonds of different types with other RPer's characters whether it be friendships, rivals, romance, bitter enemies, etc etc. It helps add intensity and interest to the story and allows for a variety of directions for the story to go.

[Doublehex]

Well, I have (and currentley still am) participated in only one RP, and I did so with an OC, ebcause there are less restrictions. You can decide how the character acts, and there is more freedom in his/her backstory. Pretty much, original characters equals freedom.

[Mr. Maul]

[size=1][color=DimGray]It all depends on the story.

If it's a RP based on a piece of literature, movie, anime, etc, then sure, it's fine by me if my character is pre-written. However, if I am allowed to create a character for that RP, then I'd probably do so, because then I have more control.

Of course, if the story is completely original, then it's a whole new ballgame. For most original RP's, I like to build my own character from scratch, but I'll often base it off of various aspects from various sources. Again, more control over the character's personality, traits, what have you. But, if it's a really great story, and I have to use an OP-created character in order to play, then by George, I'm going to use it.

I've got a new RP in the early developing stages, and I am deciding whether or not to try out a new idea with it. There would be a few characters that the RP'ers can create all by themselves, and of course there would be the OP-created characters, but also there will be characters where I tell you their personality, traits, stats, etc, at the start of the RPG. The RP'ers job will be to write the background of that character, telling why he/she is the way they are now, and then as they play, they can cause their character to evolve out of their personality, or stay the same if they so choose. Kinda confusing, I know, but does anyone else think that this could be another possibility, besides the ones stated by [b]Sara[/b]?

[/color][/size]

[Sandy]

There aren't any RPGs here that I can name that would have many characters that [I]all the players[/I] would control. Tamers v2 was like that, but that's history by now...

What comes to precreated characters, I've noticed that by a trend, if given an option to choose, people prefer to create a character of their own - which is totally understandable because they want to really relate to their "avatar".

So as a hint, if you want people to use precreated characters in your games, [B]don't[/B] leave space for original characters.

As for me, I get easily attached to my own characters, but it would be nice for a change to play a precreated one, or even multiple ones in the same game.

[Dragon Warrior]

[size=1]Acting is my life, so it's no surprise I dig roleplaying. In real life, I'm constantly in plays and making movies, playing numerous roles created by me or others. And I love it, for sure. For roleplaying, I'll do anything. I'll go about and try to play every type of role at least once, but there are so many, as you may know.

In my early years of OB roleplay, I did play characters not made by me. Such as a Mario RPG or what-have-you. Then as I grew up, I kind of left that state of mind and went only to original character creation. I felt I was far too limited when working with another's persona. But sooner or later I also realized I do that all the time when I'm acting, so what's the difference? If the RPG is interesting and calls for me to play someone already made, so be it.

When I do make an original character, I get more attached, I'd have to say. I form this character in a way I can completely understand them. Since it's my own creation, I alone know all about this character and everything there should be known about them. I get involved with any character, original or not, but when it's my own, I feel a special connection. This is the same for when I write my character for one of my independent movies I make. Roleplaying isn't far off.

There were also times where the RPG had you take a character that was already made, but add a few more details to them. So in that case, you kind of do both. But to answer everything in full, I'll play any role really since it not only improves my writing skills, but also my real life acting abilities as well. Roleplaying on OB could quite possibly have contributed to my life as an actor.[/size]

[2010DigitalBoy]

I always play as my own character, it'd be pretty lame using someone else's creation. Even if I'm playing with a licensed series, I always make up my own character and wedge them into the story. I like to have total control over my character's personality, appearance, and the like. After all, as a writer, it's my duty to design characters.

[Horendithas]

[COLOR=DeepSkyBlue][QUOTE=Sara][color=#b0000b][size=1]How important is it to you to play a character in an RPG? (That is, [i]play[/i] a specific character, rather than generally contribute to the overall story while writing for several characters.)

And from that, how important is it to play a character that [i]you[/i] have created?

Would you rather play a canon character from an existing story, or play a character that the OP of the RPG has created?

Please don't reply to this as a numbered survey. I'd just like to hear some thoughts on the topic. My questions are just to get the conversation going.[/size][/color][/QUOTE]Well first of all I?d like to clarify that I?ve done very little in the way of role playing. However I can state what I think based on what I?ve done so far.

For one thing, I?ve never played an RPG where I wrote for several characters, so playing for a specific character is just fine. I?ve done one where I had to choose from a list and others where I had to make the character up. Both of them were quite fun.

So to only play a character that I created, well it just doesn?t seem that important to me. On some level I think it?s fun to try and learn to be a character that you did not create, it requires a bit more creativity on my part to try and fit that character. To write in a manner that is consistent with who and what they are.

As for playing a canon character or one that the OP created. Both sound like they would be fun. Again my lack of RPG experience is coming in to play so I have yet to experience the downside of both aspects.

Overall, I?ve just been enjoying doing RPG?s even if the character is something I created or one that I picked from a list. [/COLOR]

[Solo Tremaine]

[color=#503f86]I've done a little of everything, heh ^_^;

Generally when I create an RPG, I'll have a character that acts as a catalyst that helps develop the story, usually a villain that the participants are playing against. I'll play as my character and as the villain so that everyone else has something to fight against. I've never really known how well it's worked, but I feel more at home with controlling the storyline from there rather than leaving it more open-ended where it runs the risk of grinding to a halt if nobody can think or agree where to take the story next.

I've created an RPG based on my own fictional set of stories where I've needed people to sign up as pre-created characters, and if people are interested then they'll pick up on them. If not, I've never objected to people creating their own.

[quote name='Tical Blue']I always play as my own character, it'd be pretty lame using someone else's creation.[/quote]I don't know; I quite like the idea of being given a character and then being told to play it. I get a little frustrated with myself that all my characters tend to end up fairly similar either in appearance or personality. Likewise, I wouldn't mind if the OP told me they wanted me to change something for whatever reason if it helped fit in with the game's canon.

When it comes to signing up for other people's RPGs, I'm incredibly fussy over which I'll sign up to in the first place. If there's one aspect of the story or the conditions of the sign-up I'm not that keen on, I generally won't go for it. So I end up taking part in fairly similar RPGs, and tend to form pre-sets depending on the type of RPG it is I've gone for. I have certain traits that I'll always try and encorporate one way or another, but I won't play the same character in every single one. That'd be boring.

I don't mind playing canon characters either, but if given the choice then I won't. Just because you've already seen them develop in a movie/series/book and I don't feel right trying to add more to that character. There isn't really anywhere you can take or develop them, and one thing I love doing is exploring a character and drawing them out through the course of the game.[/color]