Posts: 167
Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:32 pm
How to?...classify your RP/SL
Your roleplays and storylines are classified under the following categories, each described below:
RP that any player can join, as the set rules of the Universe are followed. It is open to all, and usually stems (though not always) from spontaneous storylines.
RP that any player can join, as long as they agree to a special premise or premises that may be outside of the rules of the Universe. It is open to anyone who cares to accept it, but if they do not, the RP does not include them. Closed RP usually works in conjunction with planned storylines. Players should PM for permission to join these, to avoid making a faux pas with the setup of the RP.
This type of RP may only be joined by invitation or accepted request. It may or may not use the set rules of the Universe and/or any special premises. It may work with spontaneous, planned, or scripted storylines.
These storylines just 'happen' with no planning between one player and his 'allies' and the player he is playing against; no contact is made prior to the event. Battles are frequently spontaneous storylines. These SLs work best in Open RP format; in order to make them Closed RP, at some point during the battle, the premise that is outside of the Universe's rules must be proposed and accepted by all sides. Usually, the emphasis is on the result of the story, rather than the writing.
In this type of storyline, the scenario is set up in advance. A player invading a planet might inform the defender OOC, for instance. Planned SL does not go through to the conclusion, preferring instead to leave it up to chance, or perhaps becuase the players have not yet thought up a good ending. Planned SL may work with Open, Closed, or Private RP. Emphasis may be on either the writing or the result, or both. Players should communicate via PM or the OOC boards to ensure that all players in the SL know what is planned.
In the Scripted Storyline, the end is known in advance. It usually works best with Private RP, as it will cut down the likelihood of interference, which would detract from the story. In this type of SL, emphasis is put on the writing, not the result. Sometimes, however, a Spontaneous SL may wind up having a planned ending in the event of an OOC agreement to, for instance, lose a battle but have a player's character live. In this case it becomes Scripted. Players should communicate via PM or the OOC boards to ensure that all players in the SL know what is planned.
When you, as a player, are deciding what type of RP/SL to classify your scenarios as, or perhaps when writing your Traveler's Guide entry, you might want to use these as guidelines.
When you do use these to classify your scenarios, it is your responsibility as a player to make sure that everyone involved is aware of what type of RP/SL you are beginning. For instance, if you are performing a Closed RP that breaks a Universe rule such as the rule on rifting, and another player joins but you do not inform them that this rule is accepted, then you are risking an infraction report. If an infraction report is filed and there is evidence of OOC collaboration, during which time you neglected to mention that it was part of the Closed RP, then you will have lost your ability to claim that you were initiating a Closed RP and instead will be found guilty of using a banned power outside of a Closed RP. Be aware of this.
Furthermore, if you are taking part in a Private RP, you must also be prepared to inform players wishing to join of the fact that it is Private. All parties should agree on this point; if they do not, you risk being "restrictive" of RP, depending on the circumstances. But, if you are open-minded and offer a means in which the player at hand might play a part in the Private RP, then perhaps they will at least understand why you turned them down, and realize that you weren't restricting RP, but instead trying to reconcile their wishes to your own.
In general, when doing this sort of classification, a general courtesy is required. This is more important to keep in mind than looking at specific scenarios, which could be constructed over and over again.
If you have any questions, please feel free to PM a Whill.
- Open RP:
RP that any player can join, as the set rules of the Universe are followed. It is open to all, and usually stems (though not always) from spontaneous storylines.
- Closed RP:
RP that any player can join, as long as they agree to a special premise or premises that may be outside of the rules of the Universe. It is open to anyone who cares to accept it, but if they do not, the RP does not include them. Closed RP usually works in conjunction with planned storylines. Players should PM for permission to join these, to avoid making a faux pas with the setup of the RP.
- Private RP:
This type of RP may only be joined by invitation or accepted request. It may or may not use the set rules of the Universe and/or any special premises. It may work with spontaneous, planned, or scripted storylines.
- Spontaneous SL:
These storylines just 'happen' with no planning between one player and his 'allies' and the player he is playing against; no contact is made prior to the event. Battles are frequently spontaneous storylines. These SLs work best in Open RP format; in order to make them Closed RP, at some point during the battle, the premise that is outside of the Universe's rules must be proposed and accepted by all sides. Usually, the emphasis is on the result of the story, rather than the writing.
- Planned SL:
In this type of storyline, the scenario is set up in advance. A player invading a planet might inform the defender OOC, for instance. Planned SL does not go through to the conclusion, preferring instead to leave it up to chance, or perhaps becuase the players have not yet thought up a good ending. Planned SL may work with Open, Closed, or Private RP. Emphasis may be on either the writing or the result, or both. Players should communicate via PM or the OOC boards to ensure that all players in the SL know what is planned.
- Scripted SL:
In the Scripted Storyline, the end is known in advance. It usually works best with Private RP, as it will cut down the likelihood of interference, which would detract from the story. In this type of SL, emphasis is put on the writing, not the result. Sometimes, however, a Spontaneous SL may wind up having a planned ending in the event of an OOC agreement to, for instance, lose a battle but have a player's character live. In this case it becomes Scripted. Players should communicate via PM or the OOC boards to ensure that all players in the SL know what is planned.
When you, as a player, are deciding what type of RP/SL to classify your scenarios as, or perhaps when writing your Traveler's Guide entry, you might want to use these as guidelines.
When you do use these to classify your scenarios, it is your responsibility as a player to make sure that everyone involved is aware of what type of RP/SL you are beginning. For instance, if you are performing a Closed RP that breaks a Universe rule such as the rule on rifting, and another player joins but you do not inform them that this rule is accepted, then you are risking an infraction report. If an infraction report is filed and there is evidence of OOC collaboration, during which time you neglected to mention that it was part of the Closed RP, then you will have lost your ability to claim that you were initiating a Closed RP and instead will be found guilty of using a banned power outside of a Closed RP. Be aware of this.
Furthermore, if you are taking part in a Private RP, you must also be prepared to inform players wishing to join of the fact that it is Private. All parties should agree on this point; if they do not, you risk being "restrictive" of RP, depending on the circumstances. But, if you are open-minded and offer a means in which the player at hand might play a part in the Private RP, then perhaps they will at least understand why you turned them down, and realize that you weren't restricting RP, but instead trying to reconcile their wishes to your own.
In general, when doing this sort of classification, a general courtesy is required. This is more important to keep in mind than looking at specific scenarios, which could be constructed over and over again.
If you have any questions, please feel free to PM a Whill.