Feral Heart

Game & Forum Discussion => Forum Discussion => Topic started by: RavenShai on August 12, 2012, 05:35:10 pm

Title: Questions about RP; New RP idea
Post by: RavenShai on August 12, 2012, 05:35:10 pm
Note: I wasn't sure if I should post this here or the Off-Topic Discussion Board. If the latter or something else entirely please say so politely. No need to be rude or all "high and mighty" because the thread has been put in the wrong place and you know where it goes :3



Hello FH members! This is Katsa☮Nóvarí, though you obviously know that by looking to your left ;D

Anyway, as you can see above I have posted a poll. The reason for this is because I want to try to get to the bottom of the lack of Roleplayers in Feral Heart. I joined the game about a year and a little over half ago, for the first couple months or so I only stayed ingame but it wasn't long until I started coming on the forums. Back then there were all kinds of new roleplays to check out along with experienced members. I remember I had to force myself to keep from joining more and focus on the ones I was already in, I used to be able to reply to RPs five times a day for each three-to-five RP groups, at least. But then suddenly it's like all of the good Rpers vanished, leaving only a few of us behind. I've seen friends leave and never come back, which made me sad that I'll never be able to RP with them again, and the RPs I was in with them die off. Over the months it kept increasing and increasing. A few times along the way I see new members with potential and I think perhaps the "RP era" would begin again, but then they suddenly disappear, too. Even so, I waited and hung on a little longer, hoping that the cause of all of this is because school was just keeping everyone busy. But when summer arrived, instead of people coming back or even having new members, it was like the exact opposite happened and everyone got even busier. Which I could understand with camps, parties, etc, but you would think there'd be a lot of free time now and then for people to go online at least, right?

Just in case anyone finds this offensive, I didn't intend for it to be. There are still good RPers around the forum, some of which I just probably haven't RPed with yet cause of our different RP tastes, so you're just in a group I haven't checked. I am in no way saying that everyone here is a terrible RPer. The main problem I'm having is that every time I do manage to find a promising RP group, members in it will post for awhile then after a few pages or so they stop replying until finally only two people are left and then it dies. I'm pretty sure others are experiencing this, too. I've even made a couple of my own, worked really hard on them and tried coming up with unique story lines and coming up with ways to make the RP exciting for everyone. It works out for awhile, but then suddenly most, if not all, stop posting. I try to bring them back up a couple of times and the members will put in some posts, but everyone just doesn't become motivated and it's like they're being forced to post, which I don't like at all. Everyone should have fun RPing and look forward to posting, not feel like they have to post just to put something there. Otherwise the post is dull, sloppy, and gives too little to go with until finally everyone is just not motivated to post. It's like a disease.


I'm hoping this poll will help me out into finding the problem. So far I just think it's because everyone's too busy, which is lame cause there's really no way of fixing that ._.
It's just weird, though, cause it seems that most literate and experienced RPers are the most busy. Please note the keyword "most" in that sentence. I didn't say "all", so I'm not pointing fingers and calling those who are regularly active inexperienced and non-literate 0.o


The reason why I'm posting this now is because I've been inspired with another RP idea. It was something I made a long time ago somewhere else and it was actually good and very fun. It lasted for nearly a year, the members in it were excellent Rpers; they were literate, active, and cooperated well together, we were able to use everyone's characters to feel involved and they included their own ideas along with mine that made everything work. In other words, they weren't "standing around picking their butt" while they made the host/hostess do all the work or having their characters intentionally seek out constant attention (no offense to anyone in particular). It was all well balanced, everyone felt important and therefore eager to reply, if there was a disagreement it was talked over and fixed instead of people bashing each other. The story was even a little cliche but somehow it remained exciting for everyone.

I want to start this up again because it was the best RP experience I ever had, but I don't really want to put in all the work if it's just going to be abandoned to collect dust. Granted I'll be changing a few things around and possibly the story line so it isn't cliche, but still. I kinda wanted to ask for help on ideas and suggestions but I've already made this introduction so long XD

Here's a quick summery:

Basically the RP was about a made up world set up in medieval times, and some people could be gifted with powers. However, disappearances have been occurring with those "gifted", no one knows who's taking them and where they've gone, or if they're even alive.

The things I kinda want to change are first the power thing. There are already a lot of Rps where people have powers, so this could just be annoying or have the reader think: I'm already in an RP where my character has powers, why would I RP here, too? I either want to change it to something else or somehow make it very unique, like limit what those "gifted" could do. If the first, I want ideas or suggestions of what could be done, like perhaps those taken are somehow special or unique, marked, cursed, things like that but more creative.
Another I'm thinking of changing is the reason why they're being taken which I won't explain here cause it'll give some things away. This may change, however, if the RP is going with powers or not. Still, feel free to offer suggestions and ideas!

That's all I have for now, I may post more depending!
Title: Re: Questions about RP; New RP idea
Post by: SoulRevenge on August 12, 2012, 06:41:38 pm
 I really like your idea that you had before for the roleplay, and changing it up abit makes it sound more interesting and well, fun. I'd most defiantly join if you were to post it again, though unfourtantly I can't think up any ideas.

And really, what I think is the problem when it comes to people just suddenly 'poofing' out of roleplays because of either lost in interest or because of` business. When it comes to his, at first, if it's the right kind of roleplay, and your not very busy, it's interesting!
 Oh, you want to post every two seconds and your even abit inpatient for others to post. Yet, after awhile, it just starts to loose that spark, and people just slip away from it all.

Another problem with roleplays might be when the host or hostess is inactive. I know that's how an Owl Roleplay went down, the creator just 'lost interest' in their own creation and the roleplay just slipped away.



Now, about when hosts or hostesses have to make their charater 'special'.
I find it sort of annoying when the host or hostess has to make their character 'special' and are forced to 'seek attention'. They shouldn't have to.
 (*Slaps self* You did that Kyeshui =w= In a way~)
Title: Re: Questions about RP; New RP idea
Post by: RavenShai on August 12, 2012, 07:22:48 pm
Thank you, that encourages me some to make it! ^.^
It's mostly just a few things I want to change, I'm going to be thinking it over and it still may be for some time until I actually go through with it haha.

Yeah, basically along the lines I was thinking. Usually what I try to do as far as activity goes is give Rpers three days to post at least once. Though if someone actually does stick to that plan, the RP just kinda moves slowly and then people start losing interest because of it X.x
Then I have to try "pushing" people to post a little more often haha.

It's this issue that may make me hold off on making the thread for awhile, I gotta make sure I'll be active for it cause on some days I can't post at all 0.o

That honestly annoys me, too ._.
It's one of the things that make me not join certain RPs, it's because the host/hostess make their character the "one and only main character". Basically their character is the star of the whole RP and everyone else is just there to help along or fill certain positions.
 However, this is avoidable if the host/hostess allows everyone else to do something similar, to have their characters involved with the story line and the plot. The problem with this, though, is that most of the time people don't do anything for their characters and basically just have them stand idly by to have the others do all the work or until someone/something else interacts with them X.x
Title: Re: Questions about RP; New RP idea
Post by: WarriorMoo on September 14, 2012, 09:31:05 pm
Nurr, this topic is old..
Bah, humbug. I'mma post anyways. Because this is interesting.

First off, I should say I haven't applied to a Feralheart group in a loooong while.
Particularly because, well, there isn't a lot about the FH roleplays that really catch my eye these days.
Most of them are the same; Realistic wolf pack! Realistic lion pack! Warriors clan!

Urgh, I apologize...the repetitive creation of numerous warriors series clans and roleplays has practically butchered it for me, I admit it....

Only a few roleplays actually interest me, but a good majority either become innactive and/or are swallowed by the constant cliche groups that are created instead. It...saddens me really.

So, these days I turn to the Off-Topic Roleplay section, where, while there are still some repetitive roleplays out there, have much more variety. Either that, or a private Roleplay with my friends ingame. When it comes to Off-Topic Roleplays, it's either loss of interest, or others lagging behind. Sure, I'm perfectly fine if someone's busy, but if you've lost interest, you could atleast let me know..

And then there's that one experience I had in my earlier days of roleplaying, which has caused me to absolutely RESENT extreme romance in roleplays, because that's what one that I had once joined turned into. It was a Roleplay based off the series "Eragon," and the Roleplay itself was supposed to be focused on a war.

At least until two of the roleplayers focused solely on their romance, to the point where they were the only ones posting. I had to expect it, since this had also happened with a few other Roleplays, a Pokemon one included, involving the same players.

...Since then, I have resented distractions in roleplays that did not follow the actual plot. Extreme romance included.
Title: Re: Questions about RP; New RP idea
Post by: RavenShai on September 14, 2012, 11:38:51 pm
Oh boy, I cannot agree with you more, WarriorMoo >.<
I have left several Rps in the past for very similar reasons. It's not that I'm against a little romance here and there at all, but if that's the main focus then forget it. I love creative RPs with unique story lines and when everyone's putting in at least a bit of effort. Makes it fun for everyone, just not a few selected people. I also love when people try connecting their characters with others, like not in a "romance" way but lets say someone made a character with a past that somehow had them loose a sibling or close friend. Then someone else comes along, sees this note, and asks to make the character of that "lost person" and if permission is granted, the roleplay becomes more interesting when they're trying to find ways to bring those two characters back together.

It's why I hang around Off-Topic more often, cause though some RPs in the General section look interesting they're all basically about the same thing. I'm already in a wolf pack so I'm good on that, and I want to find a little more action and creativity. There's only so much you can do with wolves or lions, or any sort of animal.
Title: Re: Questions about RP; New RP idea
Post by: Hawkwing on September 18, 2012, 10:54:25 am
Title: Re: Questions about RP; New RP idea
Post by: RavenShai on September 19, 2012, 01:59:26 am
Oh gosh, don't get me started on chat speak e_e
I knew this one person who used nothing but chat speak, and half the time I had no clue what she said. Every time we talked I wanted to bang my head repeatedly against the wall.

As for the wolf and lion RPs, that's why I love the pack I'm in. It's all not about the cliche stories and all (though occasionally those RPers sometimes come in but after they spend some time there they see what they're doing and change it up a bit), and all the members are wonderful RPers with great imaginations. I was able to find a lost family member for my character because someone else's character looked similar to her save for fur color: their height was almost the same along with width and such, someone pointed it out and we started joking about if they really were related and such but then grew serious when we realized their pasts would fit and their age was the same. So we Rped about them finding out they were actually related, it was awesome XD

Maps are also sometimes included and we have shared ones for allies so we can all interact with one another, and members would Rp about exploring the "new lands" and just meeting up with allies and maybe helping each other out.

Also, thanks for the compliment haha. I have it up and everything, but I'm afraid my fear is coming true and it's kind of dying :/ Some of the members are busy which I understand and appreciate that they at least told me, but others are just kinda leaving me hanging and I have no clue where they are or if they're still even joining.
Title: Re: Questions about RP; New RP idea
Post by: Hawkwing on September 19, 2012, 10:42:21 am
Too bad it's dying. If you're still accepting members I'll join once I'm done making my current map. I promise I won't use chatspeak ;)
Title: Re: Questions about RP; New RP idea
Post by: ToxicWaste on September 25, 2012, 11:36:03 pm
Oh thats nice..
Title: Re: Questions about RP; New RP idea
Post by: ZombieKitteh on September 28, 2012, 11:54:41 am
Hope this isn't a thread necro, but owning and running a few of my own roleplays I've seen a handful of problems. It's not so much thinking up of plots, advertising or even keeping people. It's keeping them active when the owner or leader isn't online. You don't need us 24/7 to roleplay do you? It's like goodness go ahead and roleplay I wont bite you I swear. I've seen it happen in other roleplays too :c It's not even that the leaders are inactive, it's jsut no one will legit roleplay unless they're on. What's.. up with that? o-e
Title: Re: Questions about RP; New RP idea
Post by: Kyugima on September 28, 2012, 11:58:23 am
Hope this isn't a thread necro, but owning and running a few of my own roleplays I've seen a handful of problems. It's not so much thinking up of plots, advertising or even keeping people. It's keeping them active when the owner or leader isn't online. You don't need us 24/7 to roleplay do you? It's like goodness go ahead and roleplay I wont bite you I swear. I've seen it happen in other roleplays too :c It's not even that the leaders are inactive, it's jsut no one will legit roleplay unless they're on. What's.. up with that? o-e

This doesn't deal with in-game RP's, but forum RP's, as far as I can see. Forum Rp's and in-game RP's work pretty differently.
Title: Re: Questions about RP; New RP idea
Post by: Tanglemask on September 28, 2012, 06:47:10 pm
Title: Re: Questions about RP; New RP idea
Post by: RavenShai on September 29, 2012, 08:29:59 am
@Zombie: I know exactly what you mean, I've experienced this a few times, one of them being with a pack I had run myself ._.
I'd come along late one night and think my pack was busy Rping, but they end up just standing there >.>' I told them they didn't need me to RP D8 Eventually the message started sinking in and it go better, but sheesh x.x
Later on when I've been in different packs, I tried Rping with others when the leaders weren't on but most of the time my suggestions were ignored until the leaders came on >.> That became a problem with the pack I'm in currently, but soon enough it got taken cared of and it's not a problem anymore haha. It's different for forum Rps, though, as Kyu said. Not everyone is on at the same time and people post mostly when they're just able to, which can range from a few times a day till once every two/other day. Which can be both good and bad, good cause it gives you plenty of time and not worry so much with activity, but bad for those who like fast-past RPs and have little patience.

@Tanglemask: If you mean me, no, you're not copying xD
Not all Rps can be 100% unique, there have been plenty where characters have powers or special abilities. Just with mine I limited on what those could be, and would only allow it if the RPers made them creative and unique as possible haha.

On your comment toward Hawkwing, I definitely know what you mean with the posts, and hence why I like literate best. Actually I was kind of having a similar problem today >.<
I make my posts rather long and give things the others can take to work with, but sometimes I come across someone who doesn't return the favor. Even though we're all mostly literate, sometimes I only have two posts to lead off of and I try typing up more that the other could probably use but it ends up being the same and they end up losing muse no matter what I do, and vise versa :/
It gets irritating sometimes when it happens more than once.

As for plots, that's exactly what I try to do. I hate having something focused on one character, I usually make plots for everyone to work with and we can start roleplaying, and I even help along with making connections or reasons behind actions and such. But (I think I've mentioned this before) the main issue I have with this is when no one really cooperates or offers assistance. It's like they always expect the host/hostess to do things for them, and because of that the plot could end up revolving one or two character(s) only. Only the creators know their characters more than anyone, so they have to type their actions for them on what they want to do, not stand idly by and watch >.<
Then everyone except maybe a few start losing muse, as you have said yourself. Then I feel bad/irritated, cause unlike some I've actually worked on trying to get them involved, but if they don't do some of the work themselves then there's not much that could be done ._. Not that I'm saying that's what happened with you, of course haha.

Title: Re: Questions about RP; New RP idea
Post by: DarkmoonNight on September 30, 2012, 05:31:33 pm
 Even if this is old, I have to say, I'll surely join! Hope to see a thread or you advertising for it asap.
Title: Re: Questions about RP; New RP idea
Post by: Alaskan on October 05, 2012, 04:07:46 am
I voted the first one and the 'Not Interested' one.

Yeah I don't think its fair when users start power playing or they're always saying, don't do this or this and this 

And it's unfair when users just leave when they're not interested, but when I don't like the roleplay anymore. I ask if we could take a short break or something similar to that.

~~Alaskan~~
Title: Re: Questions about RP; New RP idea
Post by: RavenShai on October 06, 2012, 11:01:54 pm
@Faithness: Thank you for your interest! The RP itself is still around, but unfortunately not many people have been posting regularly. We're not accepting at the moment due to having a decent number already but as I've said, not many of them have been posting. If it doesn't change in a few days to a week, then I'm probably going to just remake the entire thing, because I've worked really hard on it and I hate to just see it go to waste >_>
If you're still interested, I'll gladly send you a PM if either A) I pull through with that plan or B) we're accepting again :3

@Alaskan: I understand when someone doesn't respond anymore to RPs when they've lost interest, sometimes I do, too. But I also wish they would tell me that they've lost interest, at least, so I'm not wasting time trying to wait for them, you know? X.x

Thank you both for posting your thoughts and opinions!