[Discussion] Developing a standardized RP format

[Chevaleresse]

Basically, what I want to do is come up with a couple things. The first is a set of rules that would more or less be applicable every roleplay, barring unusual or extreme examples. This would cover basic things like respecting the host and other players, bunnying, a standard for foul language, etc.

The second is a skeleton for a new roleplay. Having an easily readable and navigable template would help new and experienced RPers and hosts alike, by making the desired information easy to locate for the former and making the development of a new RP easier by providing some basic suggestions and making the formatting of the actual post easier.

With that, we've got a couple questions to answer.

1. What rules would you suggest?

2. What sections should the template include?

3. Is there anyone good at working with forum code that can make a pretty template?

Current rules:

State of the template:

[Yash]

This is needed.. I will try to get some suggestions in..

For Rules:

No Bunnying

Respecting Mods

Respecting Players

No unnecessary swearing

Post lengths should be at least one paragraph. Small posts do nothing to improve the quality of the RP.

Sections of the template:

I am not completely sure what you have in mind with this.. Maybe if you could explain it a little I could put up some stuff.. From what I have understood you want to restructure the forum.. Maybe have a small subsection that is visible on each page with character descriptions and a world map as well as rules.. Also for RPs like Battlegrounds, maybe have something like a resources counter for each kingdom/team.. That way it would be easy to keep track of say Gold/Food/Men etc.. This can only be changed by the Mod/Host.. It can also be used in any dystopian RPs as well, since resources would be very important.. Again just giving a suggestion on something that I feel can add another dimension to the RP..

[Code: PIRULUK]

On Rules:

Some basic ground rules should be:
No bunnying
No godmodding
Be respectful
Vulgarities are okay, but keep it reasonable. No paragraph should be made of more than 10% vulgarities. One instance per 2 sentences is a good guideline
Posts should be of a decent length, no one-word or one-sentence posts

On Template:
Here's what I would put in a template for any RP creation topic.

1) Premise. The basic idea of your RP, key elements, genre, style, level of player freedom

2) World: The base world of your RP: Racial diversity, state of the world. Geography. Laws. Cultural/Religious details. World History (i.e. where have wars been fought by who over what etc.). Inter-racial/inter-national relations/politics

3) Story: The barebones base of the plot for your RP. What happens, who will the characters be, what roles they play in the overall picture etc.

4) Character creation details: Available races/classes/genders/specialties/skills/attacks/powers/magic/weapons

5) Character creation template.

[Felicity]

A template should include the very basics of character creation that would go in any RP

Name:

Age:

Appearance:

Personality:

Backstory:

[Sutoratosu]

On Rules:

Well, most of the major rules have already been suggested, so I just add something on for the whole "Vulgarities/ Swearing", like Acquie talked about above

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PrecisionFStrike

In general, post should follow the standard described in the article above. Using strategically placed curses in order to add weight to a sentence's impact or it's emotion should be fine, however swearing simply for the sake of swearing is a no go.

Basically, it should be acceptable so long as people don't go slinging about vulgarities every other word.

Also, since I didn't see it:

-No Excessive Gore or Explicitly Sexual Content (IE, don't go overboard)

On a Template:

-A basic OOC thread should consist of a minimum of two original post, all made by the host in immediate succession. While yes, this constitute double posting, it has been done in the past and has at certain points proved far more effective than simply trying to cram everything into a single post (As many are unaware, there is infact a word limit to a post), as well as keep it far more organized.

These two post should be organized as follows:

Post 1: The actual topic post of the thread to which all else is anchored

-in this post, the basics and the most crucial pieces of information on the RP; information on the world, the mechanics of the story and game, a prologue/ exposition or a general explanation, as well as character sign up templates relevant to said RP should all be included, generally with the crucial data coming first as priority, starting with an opening/ welcoming message/ explaination, followed by the exposition to give a glimpse of the plot, followed by information on the world itself such as maps, descriptions of nations, factions, major political forces, etc, followed by information pertaining to the mechanics and other relevant information, and finally closed by a character sign up template and description for sign up templates.

Post 2: The secondary post- Characters

-In general, the second post should be utilized for information pertaining to those accepted Player Characters in the RP, and, if te host has not done so in Post 1, information on host controlled characters also. It is highly advisable to copy Player Character Profiles into this post and hide them underneath spoilers with the Character's name, followed by the controlling player, bolded outside, as this will keep things organized and the information can be readily available to any onlookers.

Host generated characters should be done in a similar fashion, however a very obvious and clear differentiation should be made between the sections detailing host characters and player characters

This is just a very basic guideline however, as it only details the two most crucial aspects of an RP, the world and plot itself and the Characters, host and player made alike.

Post 2, for the sake of uniformiality and ease of location, should be made immediately after Post 1 is made; relax, you do not have to put any information into Post 2 at the time of it's posting, you can simply enter the text [Reserved for Accepted Player Character sheets] or something to that effect

If any additional post are needed, for additional information on mechanics, things not covered in the first post, etcetera, it is advisable for the host to, immediately after posting Post#1 &2 of the thread, to post these additional "Reserved" post as well.

Examples of a multi tiered post OOC include: (Though they may not follow the exact template described, they still illustrate the basic concept very well)

Pokemon Acadamey's OOC- Created by Chimchain

Exodus: Beyond Eden(Defunct) and Exodus2: The Sons of Hope (Currently on stand by until the author's time frees up)- Created by Stratos

[Commander]

Well there are few things you want to establish. Interest Checks are generally shorter versions of a sign-ups sheet giving usually only enough info to have players understand what they would be signing up for or perk interests. While there is no standard, the more info in an interest check usually the better. Here's what should be included in a Sign-ups:

Overview: Generally, you want to hook your audience in best you can. This is usually a paragraph to try and explain what the idea you're trying to bring to life is. While not so important in fan-fictional worlds, it is very important when introducing something new. This is a stable to all Sign-ups

The World: Right from the get-go, all the players see is an empty space. A host should try to best describe this to better help the setting. Is the story set in a paradise or an apocalyptic wasteland. Every little bit you add to this section, the better. It's the meat that can make or break an RP. A paragraph for this section at the least.

Gameplay/Characters: It's always nice to know what the characters are going to be like or doing. Length of this one varies depending on the design.

Story/Setting: This category almost always tie in with the world even to the point they can be combined. Not all RPs have a story, but that's alright. Sometimes a bit of history or extra info in needed to fully understand the world.

***

As for Sign-Ups, the template is very, very close if not the exact same. If you haven't already, you'll want to fully flesh out the topics mentioned above and add everything needed for players to jump into this world. As for length, there's no exact length, but the more the better. Rules and a Sign-ups template should be included here to make it easier on everyone. Here's my basic template for Sign-ups:

Title:

Introduction: [Generally I include a little bit of story to lure people in]

Who are you?: [AKA what players will be doing in the world]

Setting: [Depending on the idea, this can have a lot of different sub-catagories]

• World/Region
• Races
• History/Conflict

NPC Bios: [Completely Optional, but recommended]

Additional Info: [RPs vary greatly so we can never have a perfect template]

Rules: [There are basic one and ones that you create]

Sign-ups Template: [Vary from RP to RP, but usually include Name, Gender, Age, Physical Description, Personality, and Backstory]

Accepted PCs: [Players you have accepted into the world]

(Note: This order is not concrete and can be shuffled around, but it's a good way to leave a good impression on Players interested in the idea.)

[Kurotsune]

Here's my problem with the word "Template". It implies a format to be followed at all times, and enforced if it is not. I don't like that. RP is about freedom, right from the start down to how your write your threads. Add guidelines to help others along? Absolutely. Defining and setting in stone a singular way to do things? Not cool.

So I suggest that the template idea is either dropped or used simply as a reference point; At least for me, I instantly lose all desire to participate or create a game if I already have to tip-toe around regulations right at the front door.

[Chevaleresse]

The latter is the intention; this isn't a rule, just a tool that a host can use if they want and edit if they need. Same with the "universal" rule set; if someone wants harsher or more lax rules for their own RP, that's their choice.

[Commander]

Actually, the template is more for the newer people who are creating an RP. I remember even when I was writing one I was like, "where the heck to I start?" I kind of copied Ymoras for anything I needed to make sure to include. I'm only doing general stuff in the template and a more detailed example of how to use it. I'll do that sometime late tonight.

[Shamitako]

Mrrp, I can make pretty things with BBCode owo

My RPs usually go something along the lines of:

Backstory/Setting

What the characters will be doing (AKA plot)

And other important world info

Rules

Info on character creation

Charrie sheet

Accepted charries

I'd suggest for a basic RP template a good setup would be:

Backstory

Rules

Setting (most new writers aren't good at intertwining the backstory and world, so it's important to describe the world separately)

Plot

Character stuff

I can try to throw together fancy BBCode stuff for you in a bit, gotta make a much awaited posts first

The reason I always put the backstory section first, is because that usually starts with your main catch line (EX: ANKL's first sentence is, "In a place far away, how far I could not begin to tell you, there is another world." The goal of which is to make prospective RPers curious of this other world)