Dharzee wrote:I'm not familiar with Twitter so I'm sure I'm asking a stupid question but how does following someone introduce you to them? Does it automatically share both parties names, information and pictures with each other? (maybe it does do that, which could be a little creepy.) In real life, I've stalked GSP DJs (and other staff) on Facebook but just because I see their names and faces I wouldn't walk up and say hello if I saw one of them in a bar or restaurant. "Hi <insert name here>, you don't know me but I know you since I've been following you on the internet."
I'd say the TSW Twitter RP scene is similar to RL Twitter/FB use but probably a bit more active. You'd be surprised how well our characters can get to know each other from the amount of time we spend roleplaying on Twitter (and I'm *very* guilty here...I've already passed 1,000 tweets LOL). Twitter accounts do have a picture attached to them (often either a celebrity likeness like I chose with Trevor or a screenshot profile of themselves), and many of us will share other pictures on our feed. Twitter is a bit more interactive than the FB stalking scenario like you presented...particularly since we're all there to actually use Twitter to interact with other characters out-of-game. So it's not uncommon to say "Hey, you're so and so right? We finally get to meet in-person!"
Dharzee wrote:I've heard people say LOL when in 'real life' so is it unreasonable to think some characters might not do the same thing?
Absolutely not! If that's something your character would actually say, than that certainly falls into the exceptions category I mentioned. I don't ever say "LOL" in real life, but I might often say "OMG." I think it's how the terminology is being used (in association with other actions) that makes it clear whether or not someone is being in-character.
Dharzee wrote: And if the RP people want to tune someone out or /ignore them, is that such a big deal?
Nope! Not a big deal at all. I only brought that up to help anyone that might be wondering why they may be not getting replies or were hoping to interact more.
![smile :)](./images/smilies/smile.gif)
Dharzee wrote:I mean no offense but they sound a lot to me like rules or suggestions that are aimed at trying to make non-RP people unwelcome. Maybe an automaton is not a typical pet or familiar for a witch.. oh wait, there aren't any rules or game mechanics in TSW applying to playing a witch. Silly me. But wait, there aren't any 'game' rules for playing a vampire or demi-godling or 'normal' person either. Yet I've seen RP descriptions and biographies indicating people are 'playing' those kind of characters. I have no problem with it if it's what they wanna do and their friends want to play along with them.
Sure. You'll see characters bending the rules all the time, but they're doing so with a roleplayed explanation. They act out those exceptions. Let me give a better example on the pets thing. Would anyone really bat an eye at a dog or cat or even a wolf when there are some pretty bizarre creatures already roaming the Crusades? (and I'm not talking about our listeners) Of course not. If, however, you had a filth creature running around? Do you see my point there? People are going to react to it. If you're okay with that, then who cares? I'm trying to point out things that people new to RP may not think of.
Dharzee wrote:People could be using magic to change their clothes too... or people could not be participating in role play and just change their clothes whenever they want and people could be polite and not care.
Of course they could! (though that's some pretty impressive magic
![smile :)](./images/smilies/smile.gif)
) Again, it comes down to whether you're RP'ing that or not. Would most RP'ers probably just be polite and not care? Most likely. And, I haven't seen any RP'ers at my shows pointing fingers at anyone or making a stink about OOC behavior. In fact, they've been pretty understanding. What I have heard from OOC players is some confusion about how to better integrate at a RP show. If you, the player, doesn't mind flying through outfits during a show and gives no mind to explaining why or how...that's certainly your perogative. And, it's not likely going to cause anyone to gang up on them pointing fingers at them.
![wink ;)](./images/smilies/wink.gif)
Again, these are meant to be tips based on pretty standard RP server behaviors. As with most guidelines, they're not hard-and-fast rules.
Dharzee wrote:On a somewhat related note, when RP folks go to a show on a non RP dimension, should the non RP people have to look and see what dimension the visitors are from before deciding to be nice and saying hello?
I certainly wouldn't think so. If a show is on a non RP dimension, then anything goes. Some RP'ers may decide to stay in-character, and that's their choice just as it's a non-RPers choice to not roleplay when on an IC dimension.
Dharzee wrote:"And if the RP people engage in RP on a non RP dimension like Daemon, will they be in danger of being /ignored for doing so? I think that would be kind of silly myself.
I agree that it would be kinda silly, but it's happened. Just as some players who are used to being OOC all the time feel a bit ignored (and I don't mean the in game ignore feature when I say that, btw) on a RP server...I've seen those RP'ing on Grim at Ashval's shows be kinda shunned as well. It really comes down to the admittedly frustrating quandry of "meeting someone." A RP'er often feels hesitant to roleplay an introduction to someone who is clearly OOC, so they'll possibly RP with someone they know and trust or make the decision to go OOC (some aren't willing to, just as some OOC players aren't willing to try RP'ing). I HATE that there's always this rift between OOC and RP behavior, but it's why RP'ers are so appreciative of having a RP dimension for their own. It takes some courage to put yourself out there and RP, and there's a trust factor in knowing they won't be made fun of for trying. I don't know any way to really resolve this. For my own benefit (and sanity), I've made the decision to RP when on Arcadia or Leviathan and be OOC when on a OOC dimension. I started out trying to RP back at folks at Ashval's shows, but lately I've decided that it's just easier to tell them I'm OOC. Which leads me to your next comment...
Dharzee wrote:I think I've only ever seen one person say "I'm going to be all OOC tonight since I'm not on an RP server" or something similar to that.. and I don't think it was someone from Arcadia or Leviathan to begin with.
That was me on Ashval. Announcing to other RP'ers that I would be OOC because my show was on Grim. Ash has done shows on a RP server before, so I consider it a courtesy to just let others know in advance.
Dharzee wrote:Also on a somewhat related note, maybe the Gridstream chat promo could be played at RP shows sometimes to be a friendly way of helping remind people of an alternate means of communication.
I would play that more, but this is me being a hardcore roleplayer when I say this...it refers to an OOC channel when I'm doing an IC show. I try very hard not to cross that line on Trevalin because it's really easy for me to get sloppy with it, and I like the challenge of trying to stay as in-character as possible with that show. I'll take your advice though and maybe try to play it in my lead-in more often...before I actually go live.
Dharzee wrote:In closing, if we don't want to fit in we are free to ignore these helpful hints? Or maybe these are official, Funcom sanctioned guidlines to role playing in The Secret World and I've just been too lazy to look them up on the forums. Technically, in my mind, just by showing up at *any* GSP show (AO/TSW/Arcadia/Daemon,etc.) I'm role playing because the real me would not do any such activity. Never mind trying to be polite and 'fit in' with any other persons idea of 'how' to role play, eh?
And, this is where the struggle occurs. OOC players get their hackles up because they feel like they're being asked to conform to basic etiquette that is standard and understood by roleplayers. Roleplayers get their hackles up when people are being blatantly OOC because they often feel shunned and poked fun at for wanting to play a certain style. We're back to that dilemma again that there's no easy answer to. It's why I chose to add a second show, because I didn't want to alienate any of my regular Ashval listeners. I've already lost some people who tried hanging out at Trevalin's shows because they don't feel like they fit in, or don't want to really try roleplaying. And, that's perfectly fine! This was a bonus show from me, and I absolutely LOVE doing it.
I would hope that anyone who loves and supports GSP would understand why these shows make sense for us. I'm able to draw literally four to five times the crowd already at Trevalin's shows because of how social roleplayers are. And, I have seen some of those listeners willingly come to Ashval's shows and be OOC.
Not everyone wants to RP. Not everyone wants to be OOC. There's nothing wrong with that. Please don't disregard my suggestions/tips though as being snooty or out of line. They're meant to be helpful for people who want to try to roleplay or have questions.
I may be retired, but I'm GridStream for life.