Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: The roleplayer's guide to SWTOR event planning]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/hyperspace-beacon-the-roleplayers-guide-to-swtor-event-plannin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/hyperspace-beacon-the-roleplayers-guide-to-swtor-event-plannin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/hyperspace-beacon-the-roleplayers-guide-to-swtor-event-plannin/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon Roleplayer's guide to event planning in SWTOR
Amidst the critiques and patch reviews, the reasons I stick with Star Wars: The Old Republic sometimes get lost in the shuffle. Despite being irritated by the way BioWare handled specific parts of this Star Wars MMORPG, I still find the setting and the storytelling to be superb. These interwoven tales of adventure and chaos provide an incredible platform for my favorite thing to do in an MMO: roleplay.

I've covered several topics about roleplay in this column. From breaking into the community to an RP wishlist to resolving RP-related conflicts, I've might have covered everything except for one of the most basic of roleplay elements: How do you host a roleplay event in SWTOR? Although Star Wars: The Old Republic varies in its presentation and tools, the types of events you can throw are pretty similar to the ones you can throw in any other MMOs. The tiny details vary, but the three basic type of events can be narrowed down to social, PvE, and PvP.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: The roleplayer's guide to SWTOR event planning

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: The roleplayer's guide to SWTOR event planning originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecampaigneaelectronic-artseventsf2pfeaturedfree-to-playguideguide-to-eventsguide-to-roleplayhyperspace-beaconin-game-eventslucasartsopinionplayer-run-eventsroleplayRolePlayingscenariossci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 18 Jun 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Roleplaying hasn't gone anywhere]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/storyboard-roleplaying-hasnt-gone-anywhere/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/storyboard-roleplaying-hasnt-gone-anywhere/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/storyboard-roleplaying-hasnt-gone-anywhere/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I think I used one of these before? Not sure.
Certain phrases just tend to stick in my craw. For example, the idea that back in the day MMORPGs really supported roleplaying, but now they don't any more. You can't really lose yourself in modern games. You get the idea; I've talked about this before.

The calls that roleplaying is dead are quite convincing except for the fact that roleplaying continues and does not appear to be going anywhere. If anything, I'd argue (from anecdotes, so without much scientific merit) that roleplaying populations seem to be expanding, which makes sense, since with more and more people playing games online, more and more of them are going to be totally keen on pretending to be an elf.

But I can understand the sentiment because from another perspective it can seem totally on the mark. So I'm going to just go for the simple version and discuss the ways in which things haven't changed all that much after all.

Continue reading Storyboard: Roleplaying hasn't gone anywhere

MassivelyStoryboard: Roleplaying hasn't gone anywhere originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredhistoryopinionrantingrecollectionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardFri, 14 Jun 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: The soft launch scam]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/11/the-soapbox-the-soft-launch-scam/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/11/the-soapbox-the-soft-launch-scam/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/11/the-soapbox-the-soft-launch-scam/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Neverwinter
Back in the golden days of video games, there was no such thing as a soft launch. Nintendo didn't send out test copies of Super Mario World to special "backers," and Sega didn't ship half-finished Sonic games with promises of further content updates. Games, for the most part, were played only after they were finished, printed, packaged, and shipped. Even on PC, beta testing was more of an earned honor exclusive to players that showed dedication to a title and its community.

Here in these modern times of Internets and always-ons, however, things are different. It would seem as though developers need only make enough game content to shoot a reasonably convincing trailer before the publishing team can begin collecting money by slapping a "BETA" sticker on the webpage and offering fans early access.

Over the last few years soft launches have become increasingly common -- especially for creators of online games. The line between "in testing" and "done" is becoming blurred, and publishers are reaping the benefits while players suffer.

Continue reading The Soapbox: The soft launch scam

MassivelyThe Soapbox: The soft launch scam originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmobetacash-shopclosed-betacrypticcryptic-studiosdndeditorialf2pfantasyfeaturedfoundersfree-to-playMicrotransactionsneverwinterop-edopen-betaopinionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwerantrantsroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpsoapboxsoft-launchstorystoryboardthe-soapboxTue, 11 Jun 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: For me, it was Tuesday]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/07/storyboard-for-me-it-was-tuesday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/07/storyboard-for-me-it-was-tuesday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/07/storyboard-for-me-it-was-tuesday/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Yes, they're code names. If you think you know who they are, you're probably right.
I want to tell you a love story. It's not a happy one. It's about Daniel and Rachel.

Rachel loves Daniel. She didn't expect to fall for him, but she did. The problem is that Daniel doesn't love Rachel back. More than that, he can't even conceptualize feeling for Rachel what she feels for him. She acquiesces, acts as a friend, listens to Daniel talk about his true love Samantha. She watches Daniel date Olivia. She gets attacked by Olivia for her affection. She pays attention to the fact that Daniel still talks about Samantha when she's been gone for a year, even though Daniel doesn't mention Rachel at all if she's not around.

This is not a happy dynamic for Rachel, but it is certainly dramatic. The problem is that Rachel and Daniel are characters, and Daniel's player is making a point of being aloof and dismissive toward Rachel because that's the whole point. So how do you ignore Rachel without making Rachel's player feel left out of roleplaying?

Continue reading Storyboard: For me, it was Tuesday

MassivelyStoryboard: For me, it was Tuesday originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Jun 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicedynamicsfeaturedfriendshipsopinionrelationshipsroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardFri, 07 Jun 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Getting back the spark]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/31/storyboard-getting-back-the-spark/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/31/storyboard-getting-back-the-spark/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/31/storyboard-getting-back-the-spark/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

You've lost that loving feeling. Whoa, that loving feeling.
People occasionally ask me, "How is it that your roleplaying is so exciting?" To which I can only ask, "How is yours so boring?"

A lot happens when I roleplay. Relationships start and stop, alliances are made and broken, plots are hatched, crazy schemes are set into motion, and things generally just happen. I've had characters kill other people off permanently, had characters killed off, run through cycles of desecration and redemption. Some scenes have gone better than others, but at the end of the day, I can say that my roleplaying has been full of stuff happening.

But I see a lot of people who feel their roleplaying is stagnant. Their groups have dissolved, their stories have been told, there is no more spark there. So today's column is all about getting back into the paint and turning your roleplaying experience from stagnant to dynamic, taking you from a boring set of routines into a series of stunning and enrapturing revelations. In other words, here's some advice to get the spark back in your roleplaying.

Continue reading Storyboard: Getting back the spark

MassivelyStoryboard: Getting back the spark originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 31 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicebreaking-habitsfeaturedhabitsopinionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrprutsstorystoryboardFri, 31 May 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: As stupid does]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/storyboard-as-stupid-does/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/storyboard-as-stupid-does/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/storyboard-as-stupid-does/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ironically, I felt too dumb to write this column effectively.
Playing a stupid character is oddly frustrating because it's incredibly difficult to do.

This should not be the case. This should, in fact, be the opposite of the case. Playing someone with the mental alacrity of a ball of twine should be much easier than your brilliant wizard. But when you try to play a dumb character, it's easy for that character to wind up slipping into periods of pointless stupidity without acting like any of the nitwits you've actually dealt with over the course of your life.

Intelligence is a hard thing to quantify at the best of times, but some of our characters are meant to be just plain slow. I've played a few, and it's always a challenge to make the character feel like a person instead of a caricature. So here are some tips for making your big dummy feel appropriately oafish and endearing instead of just being a strawman.

Continue reading Storyboard: As stupid does

MassivelyStoryboard: As stupid does originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airheadsbad-choicesdimdopesdumbdummiesfeaturedmoronsnimrodsnincompoopsnitwitsopinionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardstupiditytwitsFri, 24 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: The way it was for three years]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/storyboard-the-way-it-was-for-three-years/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/storyboard-the-way-it-was-for-three-years/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/storyboard-the-way-it-was-for-three-years/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Going back in time.
Roleplaying is the same as it ever was. People are still shoehorning in lore characters into backstories, someone is a sparkly magic vampire, and you can still turn a corner in a tavern to find two people with a decided lack of gear or public shame. (In Second Life, that corner is the one you turn to download the game.) But I've had three years of talking about it, so it's at least a little different than it was.

I don't know if I'd go so far as to say it's better.

Every year I like to take a look back at the past year, talk about what worked well, what didn't work at all, and what I'd like to do in the future. So it is for this year, complete with a nice big surprise down at the end there. Regular readers may be less surprised, but you can just bear with me.

Continue reading Storyboard: The way it was for three years

MassivelyStoryboard: The way it was for three years originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 May 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featurednew-featuresopinionretrospectiveroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardstoryboard-librarythree-yearsyear-in-reviewFri, 17 May 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Making villains work]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/storyboard-making-villains-work/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/storyboard-making-villains-work/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/storyboard-making-villains-work/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

So how am I going to make the header screwy next week? I have a few ideas.
A while ago, I talked about the fact that roleplaying in MMOs most closely resembles comic books. This is apropos of the current discussion because both mediums have a fundamental issue with how villains are supposed to work. A good villain should be roundly trounced by the end of a story, but you also want to bring back a villain for more antics later on. So as I begin the follow-up to my recent column on the topic, the question becomes how you can make a villain who's entertaining and satisfying to encounter without becoming boring or making everyone wonder why no one has stabbed him yet.

To be fair, there's no way to absolutely fix this problem. Someone will always have the idea that stabbing the villain to death will alleviate the problem, and that assumption is pretty much right. But there are ways to minimize the issue without making everyone seem like a colossal twit or creating the soap opera problem (wherein everyone is a malicious jerk every so often and no one seems to make long-term changes). This week I want to examine how both antagonistic and malicious villains can be played to avoid those pitfalls.

Continue reading Storyboard: Making villains work

MassivelyStoryboard: Making villains work originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antagonistscharactersfeaturedjerksopinionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardvillainsFri, 10 May 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Does gamification stymie your roleplay?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/the-daily-grind-does-gamification-stymie-your-roleplay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/the-daily-grind-does-gamification-stymie-your-roleplay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/the-daily-grind-does-gamification-stymie-your-roleplay/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Star Wars Galaxies - Corvette dungeon
Some colleagues and I were discussing roleplay in MMOs the other day, and the conversation briefly touched on our preferences for MMOs as games or MMOs as virtual worlds. One of my co-workers explained that mass gamification and an inability to affect the world or other players isn't a detriment to his roleplay because it's private and personal, whereas I find myself roleplaying much less than I used to because my actions can't affect anyone or anything in most current MMOs.

What about you, Massively readers? Does gamification stymie your roleplay?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Does gamification stymie your roleplay? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daily-grindgame-vs-worldgamificationopinionroleplaytdgthe-daily-grindvirtual-worldsworld-vs-gameMon, 06 May 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Just the artifacts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/storyboard-just-the-artifacts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/storyboard-just-the-artifacts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/storyboard-just-the-artifacts/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

There are a lot of powerful items in our everyday life. Smartphones, for instance.
There's something inherently alluring about objects of power. That much is obvious; games are already fairly littered with them, ranging from weapons to vehicles to various items whose powers are invariably decided by needs of the plot. It's inevitable that as a roleplayer you would want to create something of power for your own purposes, something that has a purpose that only you know, hopefully a purpose with more careful thought than "being the most scary thing ever."

Items like this are what I'm calling artifacts. In some settings they're actual artifacts; in others they're just exceptionally well-programmed computers or bits of otherwise lost technology or whatever. They're useful for extended roleplaying, they create an additional element of your characters, and they're also really problematic in a variety of ways. Still, the drawbacks aren't significant enough to make them useless, just significant enough that you'll want to use a careful hand when adding in your own hidden wonders.

Continue reading Storyboard: Just the artifacts

MassivelyStoryboard: Just the artifacts originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 May 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artifactsfeatureditemsobjectsopinionrelicsroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardFri, 03 May 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: Introduction to MUD May]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/free-for-all-introduction-to-mud-may/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/free-for-all-introduction-to-mud-may/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/free-for-all-introduction-to-mud-may/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Gemstone IV character description screenshot
For the month of May, I will be using this column to cover the world of MUDs aka multi-user-domains or dungeons. MUDs are text-based MMORPGs, and playing one is sort of like playing through a choose-your-own-adventure book with potentially thousands of other players. I'm not so arrogant to think that I could cover the decades of MUD development within the span of five articles, but I've had a go at it in the past and want to examine the topic more. Why?

There are many reasons, and to kick off this series, I'd like to talk about them. After today, my columns will concentrate on interviews with developers and players to explain how and why MUDs still work, and I hope that all of this will encourage many of you who have never tried a MUD to pick one out now. The recent buzz surrounding Twine-based games and interactive storytelling is perfect fuel for MUDs to come back into the spotlight. Unless, of course, many of the issues with the insulated community of MUDers sabotage the perfect timing.

Let's get started.

Continue reading Free for All: Introduction to MUD May

MassivelyFree for All: Introduction to MUD May originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achaeabeau-hindmanf2pfeaturedffaforced-rpfree-for-allfree-to-playfreemiumgemstone-ivmudMUD-MayMUDsmulti-user-dungeonopinionroleplayRolePlayingthreshold-rpgvelvet-ropeWed, 01 May 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Villainy afoot]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/storyboard-villainy-afoot/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/storyboard-villainy-afoot/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/storyboard-villainy-afoot/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In that moment you will realize that you are not the hero of your own story; you are the villain. You are the source of anguish. You are what must be demolished for the good of everyone.
I really thought this was a topic I had revisited on a few occasions, but apparently the only time Storyboard has discussed villainy was back in the column's infancy when I was still properly finding its voice. (Not that I feel that project has ever stopped, but that's another matter.) And it's an interesting topic for many reasons because villainy as a concept really gets put through the wringer in RP to begin with, especially if you tend to let morality be muddled into a few million shades of gray like I tend to.

The thing about villains in roleplaying is having a character solely meant as A Villain generally doesn't work as well, simply because no real people are as malicious as that might require. Instead, you wind up with several people serving as the villains in a particular timeframe. So we need to define what we mean by villains, what role they can play in roleplaying, and what the pitfalls are in the first place.

Continue reading Storyboard: Villainy afoot

MassivelyStoryboard: Villainy afoot originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antagonistsenemiesfeaturedjust-plain-jerksopinionopponentsroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardstorytellingsuggestionsvillainsFri, 26 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Dramatic community]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/19/storyboard-dramatic-community/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/19/storyboard-dramatic-community/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/19/storyboard-dramatic-community/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

A subtle shift in process has yielded positive results with these headers.
A couple of friends of mine recently found themselves knee-deep in roleplaying community drama. For those of you who have not seen this dread beast before, let me assure you that it is the most vile of all forms of drama, in which people wind up angry at one another over elements that virtually no one else cares about. I've seen it strike many times, and it's always frustrating and unpleasant due in no small part to its sheer pointlessness.

I've talked about community drama on one occasion when it comes to the Final Fantasy XIV roleplaying community, but the fact that I'm seeing it passed around elsewhere means that it's a topic worth addressing in a general sense. This isn't drama centered around what happened within the game but drama about the managerial aspects of the community, about handling site ownership and moderation and all of the associated stuff. And there are a few tricks to help minimize this before it starts.

Continue reading Storyboard: Dramatic community

MassivelyStoryboard: Dramatic community originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>argumentscommunity-dramacommunity-organizationcommunity-sitesdramafeaturedopinionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingroleplaying-communitiesrpstorystoryboardFri, 19 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Profession discussion - the Builder]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/storyboard-profession-discussion-the-builder/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/storyboard-profession-discussion-the-builder/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/storyboard-profession-discussion-the-builder/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Anyone who mentions the name Bob in the comments is earning a disapproving look.
Human beings like to make stuff. It's in our nature, presumably because the humans who liked making things were able to create important inventions like clothing and weapons and homes and portable DVD players. That stuff gives you an edge over the guy hunting with a rock and a decent pitching arm. A lot of jobs and hobbies alike revolve around making things or changing existing made things into new made things.

The Builder isn't just someone who enjoys making things but someone who lives by making things. Our previous professions have all focused around providing something, but the Builder is the person responsible for making those things. This is a profession that's all about creating, something near and dear to most roleplayers to begin with. But it's also a profession that has a bit more to it than simply being the guy down the road who puts cabinets together at a discount.

Continue reading Storyboard: Profession discussion - the Builder

MassivelyStoryboard: Profession discussion - the Builder originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buildingcharacter-conceptscharacter-creationcharacterscreatingcreativityfeaturedopinionprofession-discussionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardthe-builderFri, 12 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Moral framework]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/05/storyboard-moral-framework/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/05/storyboard-moral-framework/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/05/storyboard-moral-framework/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Good, bad... I'm the guy with a column.
Every so often, I start a column and it just doesn't come together. So my original plans for this week's article are being changed. I could technically go back and edit last week's piece to erase any evidence that plans had changed, but that would just be wrong.

That segues nicely into this week's actual topic: morality. We generally paint morality in broader strokes than is necessarily beneficial, as evidenced by the fact that I just said that something as harmless as editing an old article could be considered wrong. Obviously it's not harming anyone, but because of standards that I impose on myself, I feel as if it's the wrong course of action to take.

Pretty much all of your characters have moral codes, and if you're not thinking about them consciously, those codes can easily default to the same ones that you have. I've touched on that idea before, but there's more to it than that. When you get right down to it, your characters need their own codes, some of which you might even find personally repugnant.

Continue reading Storyboard: Moral framework

MassivelyStoryboard: Moral framework originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-moralsevilfeaturedgoodmoralitymoralsopinionphilosophyrightroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpsituational-moralsstorystoryboardwrongFri, 05 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: RP in the key of C]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/29/storyboard-rp-in-the-key-of-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/29/storyboard-rp-in-the-key-of-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/29/storyboard-rp-in-the-key-of-c/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Chase the high ground, where you'd rather be, where you might be found. Face all aglow to leave from here, to pack up and go.
Music is kind of a big deal. The right choice of music can change a scene from being happy to ominous, and intentionally mismatching the scene and the music can lead to hilarious results with minimal effort. In-game music makes use of this, naturally, and it's rare to find something stirring and peppy in the midst of a zone filled with volcanoes and demons. We rely on the background music to set a mood and underscore what's taking place at any given moment.

All that goes for roleplaying, too. But the odds are that the game music isn't going to provide the romantic music you need in the Undercity in World of Warcraft or the driving combat music you need on your bridge in Star Trek Online. Game music is meant for people who are playing; the music you need is closer to scoring a film.

So given the importance of music, let's talk about it just a little this week. After all, having the right tune playing can make a lasting impression, even if it's just on the people within earshot.

Continue reading Storyboard: RP in the key of C

MassivelyStoryboard: RP in the key of C originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Mar 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acousticsadviceaudiofeaturedmusicopinionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpsoundssoundtrackstorystoryboardFri, 29 Mar 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: The characters you like]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/22/storyboard-the-characters-you-like/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/22/storyboard-the-characters-you-like/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/22/storyboard-the-characters-you-like/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I'm almost sure I've used one of these before.
Some of my characters are pretty awful people. Some of them aren't people in the strictest sense of the word, to be fair. But there are some pretty awful types among them. And I enjoy playing them, but I sure as heck don't like them. They're terrible people who deserve to meet with terrible fates, and the glory of roleplaying is that they serve as a bit of anarchistic fun until someone gives them what they deserve. I don't like them as people.

But that's not universal. I have other characters who will frequently do awful things but aren't fundamentally bad, just misguided on several occasions. Sometimes the line can get a bit blurry between one well-trained spy and assassin when one of them is a character I like and the other one is meant to be awful. So I started thinking about the distinguishing factors and what it means to play a character you like personally compared to one just meant to cause trouble. The answers were a bit odd.

Continue reading Storyboard: The characters you like

MassivelyStoryboard: The characters you like originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-experiencecharacter-traitscharactersfeaturedopinionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardFri, 22 Mar 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Profession discussion - The Merchant]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/storyboard-profession-discussion-the-merchant/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/storyboard-profession-discussion-the-merchant/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/storyboard-profession-discussion-the-merchant/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Everything must go!
People want stuff. It's a given. Part of this is because in the earliest days of human history having a sharpened stick was the difference between eating and starving, but part of it is just the way that we've structured our societies. And a lot of the things that people want are things that they can't make themselves, which means those people need someone to come to the rescue. That's where this profession comes in; the Merchant is all about getting people the stuff that they want.

This is easily the strangest profession discussion I've done yet because it's easy to understand how you could have a lot of different people in the role of a spy or an aristocrat, but it's less obvious how you could have a character with certain archetypes be a merchant. The thing is that the merchant isn't just about selling things and making money. Being a merchant is what a character does on the road, and that ranges from selling mushrooms to selling your sword in the name of a good cause.

Continue reading Storyboard: Profession discussion - The Merchant

MassivelyStoryboard: Profession discussion - The Merchant originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycharacter-typesfeaturedmerchantmerchantsopinionprofession-discussionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpsellingstorystoryboardFri, 15 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Working with mechanics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/storyboard-working-with-mechanics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/storyboard-working-with-mechanics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/storyboard-working-with-mechanics/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

If you look closely, there is a hidden meta tale.
One of the points I've harped on in the past is the idea that game mechanics don't encompass your entire character. They can't, almost by definition. Mechanics are in place to ensure that everyone plays by the rules and works according to a standardized system, while individual characters are meant to have their own unique traits and abilities. So no matter what, when you create a character in an MMO, you're creating the best possible approximation rather than an absolute copy.

The odd thing is that as I recreate one of my favorite characters yet again, I find that she's a lot easier to build and understand as a result of the limitations of many games. While there's a definite case to be made for the awkwardness of fitting a character into a system, I think we give the limitations of most systems too little credit in terms of narrowing down character ability and making for a better environment. So let's talk about the benefits of having mechanical limitations.

Continue reading Storyboard: Working with mechanics

MassivelyStoryboard: Working with mechanics originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I've got a legacy to consider.
So there's a beta going on right now that is really relevant to my interests. Yes, that does mean that there is an unofficial beta roleplaying server, also relevant to my interests. Long-time readers will know both what I'm talking about and why I don't have a whole lot of other things on my mind right now.

This actually dovetails nicely with an obvious topic, however: roleplaying in the beta for any given game. If you plan to roleplay when the game goes live, beta is a great time to get started, possibly building up character relationships and dynamics before the game has even launched. That's all good stuff.

The problem is that beta is not, in fact, a prequel to the live game. It's a test version of the real game. And even beside the obvious repercussions of rollbacks and the like, there are reasons why roleplaying in beta might not be a great idea.

Continue reading Storyboard: RP-Beta

MassivelyStoryboard: RP-Beta originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Mar 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-rpbeta-testingbetasfeaturedopinionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingroleplaying-in-betarpside-activitiesstorystoryboardFri, 01 Mar 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Profession discussion - The Aristocrat]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/22/storyboard-profession-discussion-the-aristocrat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/22/storyboard-profession-discussion-the-aristocrat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/22/storyboard-profession-discussion-the-aristocrat/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

One of these people probably isn't an aristocrat.
Aristocracy is not a job in one sense. You can't apply to be an aristocrat, nor can you get a degree that leads to becoming an aristocrat, and there's a marked lack of professional guilds and unions for the field. You can't even really hope to be one when you grow up, since you're usually born into it. But in the broader sense of roleplaying character professions, "aristocrat" certainly qualifies, as it answers the question of what your character does while on the road.

Some aristocrats might hit the road because they have a duty to those of lower status. Others might be out there because they want to be anywhere other than home. Some have tastes or curiosities that can be satisfied only in a more exotic location. Whatever the reason, many aristocrats pack up their elaborate and numerous bags and head off in search of adventure, or at least the various opportunities that adventure brings along.

Continue reading Storyboard: Profession discussion - The Aristocrat

MassivelyStoryboard: Profession discussion - The Aristocrat originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Feb 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicearistocrataristocratsbackstorycharacter-creationfeaturedjobsnobilityopinionprofession-discussionprofessionsroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardFri, 22 Feb 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: Host your own Stanford Prison Experiment thanks to Die2Nite]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/free-for-all-host-your-own-stanford-prison-experiment-thanks-to/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/free-for-all-host-your-own-stanford-prison-experiment-thanks-to/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/free-for-all-host-your-own-stanford-prison-experiment-thanks-to/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Die2Nite screenshot
Whenever I wander into a new town in Die2Nite, I try to be as quiet about it as I can. I walk in, nod my head at a few people, and settle down. I also try to figure out the pecking order of the town as quickly as I can. There is almost always a pecking order. If not, it's a town of chaos and likely won't last longer than a few days of zombie invasions. I've played long enough to recognize players who are trying to lead, those who are willing to follow any instruction (even if wrong), and the fact that most players are content with popping in, making a few moves, and logging out.

The town I am in at the time of this writing is called Plagued Sanitorium. The names seem randomly generated for each town, but they always fit. I am a paid member, so I can choose the town I want to start in. Once a town has 40 members, the invasions begin. At 5:00 p.m. EST every day, the site literally goes down while the zombies come. After 10 minutes of attack, players log in to see what happened and who survived. check out any one of my livestreams on the game to see it all in action.

Sanitorium is a pretty unique experience so far, but in most ways it's as common as basic human psychology.

Continue reading Free for All: Host your own Stanford Prison Experiment thanks to Die2Nite

MassivelyFree for All: Host your own Stanford Prison Experiment thanks to Die2Nite originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanbrowserbrowser-baseddie2nitef2pfeaturedffafree-for-allfree-to-playfreemiumopinionpost-apocalypticroleplaysurvivalSurvival-Horrorvelvet-ropezombiesWed, 20 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Forming a roleplaying guild is easier than you think]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/15/storyboard-forming-a-roleplaying-guild-is-easier-than-you-think/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/15/storyboard-forming-a-roleplaying-guild-is-easier-than-you-think/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/15/storyboard-forming-a-roleplaying-guild-is-easier-than-you-think/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I'm on a plane as you read this.
Roleplaying guilds, as I have mentioned before, have a lot of problems that more normal guilds just plain don't. The Guild Counsel discusses a lot of guild problems in detail every week, and if you haven't noticed that guilds make for a litany of major issues, well, it only gets worse when you consider that roleplaying adds a new slice of potential drama and hurt feelings. I do not envy those in charge of these organizations, especially when I think over my brief stints of leadership.

As a result, forming a new roleplaying guild seems like an activity best undertaken with great care and personal protection, like installing a beehive. But it's actually far simpler than that. You can start a roleplaying guild with minimal effort and have the foundations in place for it to work. Whether or not it will work in the long run isn't as obvious, but you knew that already.

Continue reading Storyboard: Forming a roleplaying guild is easier than you think

MassivelyStoryboard: Forming a roleplaying guild is easier than you think originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicefeaturedguildmaking-guildsopinionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingroleplaying-guildsrpstorystoryboardsuggestionsFri, 15 Feb 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Making a deal with the Hutts in SWTOR]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/12/hyperspace-beacon-making-a-deal-with-the-hutts-in-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/12/hyperspace-beacon-making-a-deal-with-the-hutts-in-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/12/hyperspace-beacon-making-a-deal-with-the-hutts-in-swtor/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon Dealing with the Hutts in SWTOR
Hutts. When you say that word to a layman, he probably thinks that you're talking about grass-topped houses, but if you say that word to the Star Wars fan, the image that springs to his mind is Jabba the Hutt. The giant green and yellow slug was mentioned all the way back in 1977 when Star Wars was first released. In fact, he was supposed to show up in that movie, but due to budget restraints, the special effects department couldn't mask over the late Declan Mulholland. The scene was later added back in for the special edition, but it really nullified the mystery of Jabba and made the Hutt appear to be more of a joke than the dangerous gangster that he should have been.

Hutts. In Star Wars: The Old Republic, Nem'ro is the central figure to both the Bounty Hunter and the Imperial Agent storylines for the first 10 levels. On the Republic side, you run into an overarching story on Nar Shaddaa involving Bareesh the Hutt and Republic Ambassador Averdon, one that pits you against warring criminal organizations. These gargantuan blobs are central to both the Republic and Imperial stories on Quesh and the endgame operation for Karagga's Palace. And now, the first SWTOR expansion will center around the Hutts and the planet of Makeb.

Hutts. Where did they come from? How did they come to power? Are they different in TOR than they are in the movies? Let's take a moment to explore these criminal overlords.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Making a deal with the Hutts in SWTOR

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Making a deal with the Hutts in SWTOR originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsf2pfeaturedfree-to-playhuttballHuttshyperspace-beaconlorelucasartsopinionrise-of-the-hutt-cartelroleplayroleplayingsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstoryswtorswtor-expansionthe-old-republictorTue, 12 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Profession discussion - the Spy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/storyboard-profession-discussion-the-spy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/storyboard-profession-discussion-the-spy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/storyboard-profession-discussion-the-spy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Oddly, none of these people are spies. Even though one of them traditionally is.
Long-time readers will remember that back around the end of this column's first year, I wrote a series of columns about character archetypes. It was a series I'm quite proud of as a whole, and one that I've wanted to follow up for a while, but I had to wait until I had an idea that fit. That was when I started thinking about how that series talked entirely about who a character is rather than what he or she actually does. In reality, the two can be miles apart.

Take my first choice of profession, the spy. A spy might believe that she's doing something for the greater good. She might see this simply as part of her duty and a necessary task. She might be doing this because she's fundamentally amoral, she might be hoping to find the answer to a puzzle she's long agonized about, or she might even be doing this because she just really wants to know secrets. But today I'm not going to talk about that. You want to make a spy; let's talk about what goes into that.

Continue reading Storyboard: Profession discussion - the Spy

MassivelyStoryboard: Profession discussion - the Spy originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-creationcharacter-occupationscharacter-professionscharactersfeaturedopinionprofession-discussionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpspiesspystorystoryboardsuggestionsthe-spyFri, 08 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Play to the medium]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/01/storyboard-play-to-the-medium/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/01/storyboard-play-to-the-medium/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/01/storyboard-play-to-the-medium/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I need some more screenshots and images. Going further afield lately.
One of the greatest moments of education I had in college was when a professor sat down to discuss a story I was writing with me. He said to me, "Eliot, this story is never going to be as good as it could be like this."

"Well, I'm learning. I mean, I could rewrite the --"

"No, it isn't that you're not good enough as a writer, it's that this story isn't a novel. You're writing the best novel out of it that you can, but this is a story for a graphic novel. No matter how well you write it, it's always going to be a novelization of a comic book."

That was the first moment that I really started to understand the idea of writing something for a medium instead of just writing a story in the form available to you. That there are some stories that just don't work in certain formats, whether that format is novels or comics or movies or even roleplaying. And it's why I'm talking specifically about the medium today, because it's an easy concept to miss but an important one to keep in mind.

Continue reading Storyboard: Play to the medium

MassivelyStoryboard: Play to the medium originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Feb 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredopinionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardFri, 01 Feb 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Breaking into SWTOR's roleplay community]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/hyperspace-beacon-breaking-into-swtors-roleplay-community/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/hyperspace-beacon-breaking-into-swtors-roleplay-community/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/hyperspace-beacon-breaking-into-swtors-roleplay-community/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon Breaking into SWTOR's roleplay community
I've hit a wall in my personal gameplay. Most people run into it eventually when they are dedicated to one MMO like I am. Sometimes, I will move on to another game. Guild Wars 2 and DC Universe Online are calling me pretty strongly again. The problem I'd face if I did that is that I would be leaving behind my guild and the friends I have in Star Wars: The Old Republic. Not that I'm opposed to playing a game solo, it's just that my guild is the biggest reason I still play SWTOR.

I still want to play the game, but my fourth alt is near 50, PvP disappoints me because of the Elite War Hero grind, and my raid group seems to be stuck on a single boss fight. It's not that I don't like the game; it's just disappointing at several turns. So how am I going to keep this game interesting? Well, I didn't join a roleplay server so that I can pwn noobs in PvP; I joined because of the community.

Perhaps some of you are in a similar situation. Maybe you're looking for something else to do in the game, but don't know how to get started. Maybe you've always wanted to break into roleplay, but you weren't sure where to start. If so I have some tips for you.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Breaking into SWTOR's roleplay community

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Breaking into SWTOR's roleplay community originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecantina-roleplaycantina-rpcarrick-stationdealers-deneaelectronic-artsf2pfeaturedfree-to-playhyperspace-beaconlucasartsnexus-roomopinionroleplayroleplay-basicsroleplayingrprpersRPingsci-fislippery-slopesstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorSWTOR-RPthe-old-republictorvaiken-stationTue, 29 Jan 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are your alts unique characters?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/28/the-daily-grind-are-your-alts-unique-characters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/28/the-daily-grind-are-your-alts-unique-characters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/28/the-daily-grind-are-your-alts-unique-characters/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EverQuest II - SOGA dark elf
If you were to look over my army of EverQuest II alts, you'd see that seven of them boast identical visuals and single-letter variations on the same name. This is due to the fact that I wanted to try a bunch of EQII's classes while roleplaying a single personality.

Most of these guys were made many years ago, and the sad fact is that I don't roleplay much anymore, but if I did I'd have what amounts to Norrath's biggest jack-of-all-trades since technically there's a single dark elf out there who's a Shadowknight, a Guardian, a Berserker, a Bruiser, a Dirge, a Brigand, and an Assassin. And that's not even looking at all his tradeskill professions, either.

What about you, Massively folk? Assuming you care about roleplay, are your alts unique characters or are they class-based variations on the same individual?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are your alts unique characters? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altsdaily-grindeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfree-to-playopinionroleplaysoesonysony-online-entertainmenttdgthe-daily-grindMon, 28 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: One of us is going down]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/25/storyboard-one-of-us-is-going-down/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/25/storyboard-one-of-us-is-going-down/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/25/storyboard-one-of-us-is-going-down/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I want to redo this header, but at this point I can't help but think I'm messing with an institution.
You and your group of roleplaying companions need something new to do. You've grown tired of sitting around talking about problems in the outside world or engaging in a non-stop soap opera drama wherein someone is always sleeping with someone else inappropriately. By complete coincidence, you and your companions all appear to be heavily armed and armored, leading to an excellent suggestion -- you should go out and get involved in a conflict! A fracas of some kind! What a concept!

Sarcasm aside, long-running conflicts are a lot of fun when handled right. While I've talked about them in brief before, today I want to look at a handful of common conflict types and offer some tips about how to run them without tears. If you think drama can spill over into OOC channels when it's just a matter of pretend romances being spurned, you don't even want to know what happens when the knives come out.

Continue reading Storyboard: One of us is going down

MassivelyStoryboard: One of us is going down originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antagonistsconflictdramafeaturedfeudheroesnemesisopinionprotagonistsroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystory-arcsstoryboardvillainsviolent-conflictFri, 25 Jan 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Givin' SWTOR props]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/22/hyperspace-beacon-givin-swtor-props/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/22/hyperspace-beacon-givin-swtor-props/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/22/hyperspace-beacon-givin-swtor-props/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon Givin' SWTOR props
All MMOs could use improvements, but that doesn't negate what they have done right. And despite the negativity, SWTOR is doing well. In fact, in a recent forum post Systems Designer Damion Schubert said that the free-to-play push was working quite well: "The success of the market (and it has been quite successful) has given us the time and resources to do some ambitious things on Makeb and plan some very ambitious things beyond." Without even looking at the specific numbers, I can tell that the Cartel Market cash shop is working really well because of the sheer number of items I see on the Galactic Trade Network (auction house). As much as I hate to admit it, if the Cartel Market does well, so does the rest of the game.

I also see other hints that BioWare might be changing up its game a little bit. Direct discussion with the community appears to be on the rise, and BioWare has also admitted and is attempting to properly fix its mistakes. In the wake of Stephen Reid's departure, direct communication had become lax, and besides Ilum, I don't remember BioWare ever truly admitting to mistakes.

Let's take a look at a few of the changes BioWare has already made this year. Maybe it will give us a clue as to where SWTOR is going in the near future.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Givin' SWTOR props

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Givin' SWTOR props originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armorbiowarecartel-coinscartel-marketcash-shopdamion-schuberteaelectronic-artsf2pfeaturedfree-to-playhyperspace-beaconilumlucasartsopen-world-pvpopinionPvProleplaysci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 22 Jan 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Roleplaying for churn]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/18/storyboard-roleplaying-for-churn/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/18/storyboard-roleplaying-for-churn/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/18/storyboard-roleplaying-for-churn/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Sometimes it's an art week.
Odds are good that you're going to be moving on from your current game of choice at some point. I'd even ramp those odds up to nearly absolute under certain circumstances (if you're the sort who claims newer games aren't engaging whilst hopping from game to game on a regular basis, for example). This leads to a bit of a problem with a lot of roleplaying stories because there's a very real possibility that your character's arc is going to be truncated as a result.

It's not intentional, but it happens just the same. You spend time building up character relationships at launch, and then as the three-month mark rolls around, people start leaving, playtimes drop off, you get tired of some of the game's systems... and the next thing you know, the people who cared about the character you've been building for some time have all evaporated, leaving you to either make your character relevant again to a whole new group of players or just stop bothering.

One of the things I've been both considering and playing with of late is the idea that maybe this can be embraced instead of feared. Rather than planning something of indeterminate length, you can try working with the assumption that you've got a more limited window to work within and pace yourself according to that.

Continue reading Storyboard: Roleplaying for churn

MassivelyStoryboard: Roleplaying for churn originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sometimes I don't really have a theme. Sometimes I do. Guess which this week is!
During the last several months of Final Fantasy XIV, my main character did the unthinkable: She went to work for her old mentor alongside the Garlean Empire. Everything she was doing outside of personal ventures, up to and including rejoining the mercenary company she had previously helped found, was based around collecting information. She had quite the dossier by the time she was finished, too, having flushed out a number of secrets regarding both Eorzea's defensive plans and the Ala Mhigan resistance.

Not that anyone knew this because it simply never came up.

Part of how I screwed this one up came down to both my choice of roleplaying groups and my own work-based schedule in the game. But another part of this was the simple fact that I didn't make it clear quickly enough just what she was up to. I dropped some hints here and there, but they were lost in a rush of other events, and as a result that whole subplot never got explored, which is a shame, especially because I like to think I'm usually pretty good at dropping hints and getting others to catch on. So as I reflect on what I did wrong, let's talk about how to do it right.

Continue reading Storyboard: Hint, hint

MassivelyStoryboard: Hint, hint originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicefeaturedhintsopinionpacingplottingrevealsroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpsecretsstorystoryboardFri, 11 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: My top five wishes for SWTOR roleplay]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/08/hyperspace-beacon-my-top-five-wishes-for-swtor-roleplay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/08/hyperspace-beacon-my-top-five-wishes-for-swtor-roleplay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/08/hyperspace-beacon-my-top-five-wishes-for-swtor-roleplay/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon My top five wishes for SWTOR roleplay
A few weeks back, I was nostalgically asked, "Remember those days when talking about Star Wars: The Old Republic was all about speculation?" Those days might be long gone now, but the beginning of a new year always prompts a resurgence of dreams of the year to come. And although I still love playing SWTOR, I believe there are many areas that could use some touching up.

I attended a fantastic roleplay event this past Saturday on The Ebon Hawk server. It was just a social event, but there were added touches like prizes and an in-character scavenger hunt. As a member of the planning crew, I took a look back at what could make an event like this better. The execution of the event could be tightened up, but there are several potential additions to the game itself that would have improved the festivities. This prompted me to think about what improvements could make roleplay better in general.

So here it is: my top five wishes for roleplay in Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: My top five wishes for SWTOR roleplay

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: My top five wishes for SWTOR roleplay originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Jan 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armorbiowarechat-bubbleseaelectronic-artsemoteseventsf2pfeaturedfree-to-playgroup-PvPhyperspace-beaconlucasartsopinionPvProleplayroleplayingRPsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-ebon-hawkthe-old-republictop-5torTue, 08 Jan 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: To be the jerk]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/04/storyboard-to-be-the-jerk/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/04/storyboard-to-be-the-jerk/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/04/storyboard-to-be-the-jerk/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Find and replace every instance of the word jerk with the word pony. That's your bonus article for the week.
I've talked many times about the pitfalls of playing a jerk. What I haven't done is mention the benefits of playing one, starting with the fact that playing a jerk can be all kinds of fun. You've got your garden-variety jerks, you've got jerks who are stunningly competent and who treat everyone else as a lesser person because of that, you've got jerks who just don't care about other people, you've got jerks clinging to antiquated beliefs that don't line up with reality... so many jerks, so many ways to make mistakes.

But also so many ways to play one correctly. Heck, you can play a character who takes pretty awful actions from time to time without issue -- why not a character for whom "awful" is the default setting? There has to be a way to make a jerk who works, right?

The answer is yes, most definitely. Jerks are playable. But you have to be a bit more careful about it because as I've mentioned in previous weeks, if your first impression is "pointless jerk," no one will want to hang out with you. So let's talk about playing one in such a way that your character comes across correctly while still being worth a closer look.

Continue reading Storyboard: To be the jerk

MassivelyStoryboard: To be the jerk originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicecharacter-traitsdemeanorfeaturedjerkjerksnegative-traitsopinionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardFri, 04 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Nobody gets your character]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/28/storyboard-nobody-gets-your-character/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/28/storyboard-nobody-gets-your-character/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/28/storyboard-nobody-gets-your-character/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I get you, I just don't like you.
Odds are good that you went through a stage as a teenager convinced that no one really got you. Sure, your parents told you that they understood, but they never experienced a love like what you felt or pain like you felt or ennui like you felt, and so on and so forth. You were the first person to ever feel certain things so acutely, and it was a tragedy that others thought they understood.

It's also likely that you realized a few years later that none of the above was true, and if you were lucky, your parents were polite enough to point out that you thought you had the purest love of all time simply because you had no basis for comparison. (If you haven't gotten there yet, it's cool; we'll be here when you have.) Those around you understood better than you thought; it was more a matter of your not getting something.

There are many roleplayers who seem to believe that their chief problem is that no one understands their characters. All of the drama and poor roleplaying is a result of other people not getting something crucial. I invite readers to draw the obvious comparison.

Continue reading Storyboard: Nobody gets your character

MassivelyStoryboard: Nobody gets your character originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilitycharacterdemeanorfeaturedmisconceptionno-one-gets-meopinionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardFri, 28 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Gaining favor with Darth Jadus]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/26/choose-my-adventure-gaining-favor-with-darth-jadus/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/26/choose-my-adventure-gaining-favor-with-darth-jadus/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/26/choose-my-adventure-gaining-favor-with-darth-jadus/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Choose my Adventure
While the holidays have put a bit of a halt to most of my playing time in Star Wars: The Old Republic this week, I did manage to achieve level 16 on my Imperial Agent. He's now living it up on Dromund Kaas, getting ready to storm a castle. But some conflicting info from within the Empire's leadership has our pal Xel'es looking to possibly take orders from a new commander.

After this week's in-character story behind the cut, you can vote to choose my next move with Xel'es. Last week, you chose for him to become an Operative with Slicing, Underworld Trading, and Cybertech as his crew skills. I decided to make this week's poll something that wouldn't stop me from playing before the poll results came in, which killed a lot of potential playing time last week.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Gaining favor with Darth Jadus

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Gaining favor with Darth Jadus originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Dec 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarechoose-my-adventurecmaeaelectronic-artsf2pfeaturedfree-to-playhands-onlucasartsopinionpollpollsreaders-choiceroleplayroleplayingrpsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorvotevotingWed, 26 Dec 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: A 2012 SWTOR reflection]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/25/hyperspace-beacon-a-2012-swtor-reflection/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/25/hyperspace-beacon-a-2012-swtor-reflection/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/25/hyperspace-beacon-a-2012-swtor-reflection/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon A 2012 SWTOR reflection
To say that this year has been interesting for Star Wars: The Old Republic would be a major understatement. I think it's safe to say that in the course of this year this game has gone from being one of the most loved games to one of the most hated. Maybe I just like rooting for the underdog, but I still love the game. (There are other reasons, of course.) Love the game or hate it, 2012 has been a wild ride for the game and this column.

As this is the last Hyperspace Beacon of the year year, I'd like to take a moment to reflect on some of the past opinions and predictions I held, then test them against my current stance or the truth behind what happened.

Before I get into the meat of this column, I want to make mention of an event. The Imperials of The Ebon Hawk server are holding a gala in the name of Darth Nox, commemorating the one-year anniversary of her ascension to the Dark Council. Players are invited to come ready to roleplay and participate in in-character games. Nox will conduct a scavenger hunt, items will be up for raffle and auction, and every participant should walk away with something. If you were looking for an opportunity to get into roleplay or just have some fun, be sure to visit the market area of Dromund Kaas (instance 1, coordinates: 20, 200) at 6:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, January 5th, 2013.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: A 2012 SWTOR reflection

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: A 2012 SWTOR reflection originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Dec 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012best-ofbiowarebug-fixingeaebon-hawkelectronic-artseventf2pfeaturedfree-to-playguild-bankguild-banksguildshyperspace-beaconjames-ohlenlucasartsopinionPredictionsreflectionroleplaysci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-Ebon-Hawkthe-old-republictorTue, 25 Dec 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Mistakes at the creation level]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/21/storyboard-mistakes-at-the-creation-level/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/21/storyboard-mistakes-at-the-creation-level/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/21/storyboard-mistakes-at-the-creation-level/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Can't help but feel that I've done this before.
A lot of character mistakes come down to experimentation, essentially. You have what seems like a good idea, but it turns out in play that it's messy or annoying or unfun or whatever. There's nothing in the world wrong with that; you try something out and it either does or doesn't work. While good concept work does a lot to help you catch these things, sometimes good ideas won't work.

But then there are problems that come up time and again based on a fundamentally bad assumption. Something goes wrong right from the point that you click "New Character" because you're making an assumption that can immediately be recognized as a bad idea. So I'm going to go ahead and list a handful of these problems that are bad ways to start off so that hopefully we can all stop making these mistakes in the future and make some exciting new ones.

Continue reading Storyboard: Mistakes at the creation level

MassivelyStoryboard: Mistakes at the creation level originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Dec 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicecharacter-creationfeaturedgoofsmistakesoopsopinionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardFri, 21 Dec 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR spoiler alert!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/hyperspace-beacon-swtor-spoiler-alert/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/hyperspace-beacon-swtor-spoiler-alert/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/hyperspace-beacon-swtor-spoiler-alert/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon SWTOR spoiler alert!
Originally, I had my heart set on playing a Smuggler when Star Wars: The Old Republic went live, so I had intended on not playing one in beta. But the temptation was far too strong. I played a couple of Smugglers to try out the different specs and see the storyline from a couple of different points of view. Unfortunately, that burned me out on the class, and I could never finish the story on the live servers.

Another of my intentions when the servers went live was to max out a character as fast as I could so that I could get to endgame in a decent amount of time. Therefore, I picked a class that I didn't think would hold my interest: the Sith Warrior. Unfortunately -- or fortunately depending on your perspective -- I fell in love with the Sith Warrior storyline. I was impressed that an "evil" character could have such an interesting story arc, so much so that by the end I was really rooting for her to win.

What I didn't know was that there was a connection between the Sith Warrior story and the Smuggler story. I was right there listening to the characters speak, yet I didn't understand at first why I felt that nagging feeling as if I'd heard certain things before. Once I did discover the connection between those two storylines, I sought out other story connections. I found out that SWTOR is full of these tiny links. Since it's been a year since release, I figured that it's safe to share some of my favorites.

Yes, major spoilers follow the break.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR spoiler alert!

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: SWTOR spoiler alert! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebounty-huntereaelectronic-artsf2pfeaturedfree-to-playhyperspace-beaconJanarusjedi-consularjedi-knightLord-ScourgelorelucasartsNok-Drayenopinionqyzen-fessRisharoleplayRolePlayingsci-fisith-warriorSmugglerspoilersstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstoryswtorthe-old-republictorVetteTue, 18 Dec 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: The advantage of familiar characters]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/14/storyboard-the-advantage-of-familiar-characters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/14/storyboard-the-advantage-of-familiar-characters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/14/storyboard-the-advantage-of-familiar-characters/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

All my ladies look right! Or left.
It's kind of fitting that my character most prone to wandering has wound up in several different games now. She's existed in one form or another for years now, and while she's hardly the only recurring character I've used, she's certainly the one most prone to hopping into another game. While the are always setting-appropriate changes to her backstory, core elements of her personality and history remain, so that by this point it's quite easy to figure out how she fits into a new game even if I have to hammer out the specifics.

This leads to an obvious question: Why?

It's not as if I can't come up with other characters, nor is it that she's always the best fit for the game. For that matter, she's not even suited to every possible setting. So why keep playing the same character? There are a few different reasons, all of which show off the advantage to playing the same character across several games instead of starting fresh every time you step into a new world.

Continue reading Storyboard: The advantage of familiar characters

MassivelyStoryboard: The advantage of familiar characters originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>familiar-charactersfeaturedimportsold-charactersold-favoritesopinionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardFri, 14 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST