Ever since it hit Graal, people have seemed to create their own definition of Graal roleplaying.
However, roleplaying on Graal is, as sad as I am to say this, non-existent. "What do you mean non-existent? I'm Joe Bob the 1337 mage with dark powers!" No Joe Bob, you aren't roleplaying.
This is a common form of "Roleacting". Roleacting occurs when the player must create their own story. When the gameplay is solely based on your character killing monsters to gain levels, and you are making up backgrounds for your character, that can't actually exist, this is Roleacting.
For example, I get on 2k2. What seems to be the main objective? Killing thousands of monsters, so that you can gain levels and become super powerful? Pretty much. This isolates players a lot of the time, as most players tend to go off and fight on their own, which they could easily do in an offline game.
Players roleplay to become part of the game they are playing, while players roleact to get ahead in the game. The common thread that is holding back true roleplay on Graal, is that things are designed via "Character Advancement". When a player can simply go sit in a corner and kill monsters all day, they become isolated, and it is not roleplay. No matter if you have a whole storyline written about your character, and detailed background information, the character is still roleacting.
To get into the roleplaying aspect, there are several things that can be done. First, there needs to be plenty of ways to contribute to the "community" of the server. Such as helping to build something in the game, having festivals, wars, anything that the player can help be a part of.
Events should NOT be silly minigames, but things that happen in the world which a player can take a part in. Like houses catching on fire, and players rushing with their water cans trying to put it out. Even small things such as a calendar with monthly/weekly events will bring more roleplaying towards the server. Have holidays for the world, and not just holidays on christmas and halloween, but create new holidays.
These events do not have to be difficult and definitely shouldn't take weeks to plan and make. However, as long as the players are frequently involved, roleplaying will be stronger.
The biggest problem with Graal, is that most people roleact, and gain lots of items and stats, just to lock them all away like a hermit and brag to others of their hard work. This causes things such as scamming, players only caring for themselves, players stabbing eachother in the back if they get an opportunity to advance because of it, etc.
Roleplaying isn't mandatory, players have a choice in whether they would like to roleact, or roleplay. However, roleacting IS mandatory, as the players have no other option, since everything is based around character advancement.
What are your thoughts?
08-01-2002, 11:07 PM
Besides, Jagen can't do much to me, we will just morph eachother alot, then he edits my account, then I get my items back. etc... etc... Getting on topic now. Koni's Suggestions are great. I totally agree with him because I see it happen. Even during a RP event. *cough* Samurai *cough*
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