I understand this a bit too well. Over the 10+ years I've been roleplaying, there is probably no end to the amount of OC's I've been through. I would create them, then eventually just draw apart from them and they'd vanish. As of the last couple of years, if I created or purchased characters and drew apart from them, I'd just "retire" them persay. I always have them there to remind me of what I used to have with them. Characters like Azura however, since she's a Sona, no matter how much I never rp her anymore, she will never ever "retire" or vanish or even belong to someone else. Azura is me, as much as I am her.
Sorry for my random ramble but that's usually my thoughts on it. Do I feel sad when I detach from characters, especially ones that I love? Yes. A whole lot.
I love reading all of these replies, so different from each other!
I understand this a bit too well. Over the 10+ years I've been roleplaying, there is probably no end to the amount of OC's I've been through. I would create them, then eventually just draw apart from them and they'd vanish. As of the last couple of years, if I created or purchased characters and drew apart from them, I'd just "retire" them persay. I always have them there to remind me of what I used to have with them. Characters like Azura however, since she's a Sona, no matter how much I never rp her anymore, she will never ever "retire" or vanish or even belong to someone else. Azura is me, as much as I am her.
Sorry for my random ramble but that's usually my thoughts on it. Do I feel sad when I detach from characters, especially ones that I love? Yes. A whole lot.
I always used to throw in my old characters as like Easter eggs in later rps, it was neat when one of us noticed it and got a little excited because it was such a surprise from such an old character. I think my type of retirement is going to be a huge tribute art piece where a little bit of all of my chars are mixed in. Good idea calling it retirement lol
this really is just a case of growing up.
i still enjoy roleplaying from time to time, but not with the zealous mindset i used to. where i practically lived to play out a story, as short-lived as some of them might be.
now i entertain myself in other ways, whether it be actually writing or just going out with friends.
i barely even remember the older roleplays i did when i was younger, much less the characters involved in them. and that's just perfectly fine for me.
I remember certain characters that were in the older rps but I hardly remember the actual plot to them. I used to be so motivated as well, but when that one person kinda slows down it's like "what else can I do?"
Growing up sucks.
I tend to revamp their design and flick them a few changes in their backstory/history, making them more complex and reigniting my interest with them. There's no deleting when it comes to my mains, Such as Nomang; she's had six rebirths and has changed into quite the character that I relate to for when I was struggling with my mental health as a young teen. Even when she dies, she'll probably come back again and again.. or be my icon for my future job as a therapist assistant for my business.
But whenever she burns out, and I feel its' her time (when she's older, when the role plays are more focused on the new generation and she's no longer fitting along..) I'll kill her off and play her children, as she leads one of the branches of a big bloodline I'm building out slowly. She'll always be a part of me, though. If I ever am really guilt-ridden, it's for the terrible way I built characters in the past without good individualistic personalities. However, the current rebirth of her is one that washes it all away through her and my past and future struggles.
I've been around since December of 2014 and I am sure to continue role playing, even at the elderly ages if I reach them. It's a part of my life, now.
I've heard of people reviving their chars and changing them to keep the interest alive. I wish I could have the guts to do that with my characters lol. I would feel guilty changing them so much, I think. It is awesome that you are still full of the rp spirit and it would be amazing if you continue it!
This is actually something I've had on my mind for a long while now. You beat me to the punch!
Personally, if it's a character I've really been attached to, I generally wouldn't delete them due to wanting to hold onto the sentiment and emotional value their in-game model holds. I do that because I know at some point down the line I'd log in years later, granted this game is still running (which I believe it is still running strong in some regards) and look through all of those characters. Some I may not remember at all, but then running across those gems that make you go "Oh my gosh! I remember this one- oh, and that one rp we had, oh those were the days!" Just to tug some of those cherished and amazing, fun, and maybe emotional memories back your way. That's why I'd hold onto them, personally. To me, some, if not all, of those characters stand as a reminder of something you did. Something to remind you of your time. A reminder of all the hardships, and fun, unforgettable times you had in that place. Those characters also stand as a mark of your growth as a person. One to remind you of your noob days, edgy days, power playing days, and so forth up until wherever you left off. Even if they are just characters, they are indeed special.
Now some people don't get attached to characters and can easily move on from them as a stage of "growing up." Which, it is. People do grow up and move on from the things they do as a child or young adult. But some of the things they did in the past will always stick with them. Good, or bad unfortunately. But, chances are, some of those characters are still with them somewhere.