What is Roleplay? Episode Four

Our Guildmaster, Overon is emphatic about Roleplaying. Recently he encouraged Vision of Excellence members towards a simple rule. Say what you need to in party or guild chat but keep /s (‘say’) for in-character dialogue.

For myself I added an extra rule. Be nice.

Like most people I don’t want to be famous for looking down my nose at people. Like everyone I have some real-life friends on the server, and sometimes that entails discussions about real life.

I found it easy to implement Overon’s simple rule, and to encourage others to do the same, without ever needing to mention it.

‘Are you from Sweden?’ someone asked me in /say last night. I replied in /whisper and the entire conversation switched channel without anyone being scolded. Even if it hadn’t, I’d have quietly followed the simple rule without passing judgement on the other person.

Anyone pulling their hair out over the state of role-play on their server might consider how they can quietly lead by example. An appropriate emote or inspiring comment will often stir others to join in the flavour of the moment.

It worries me that many are very quick to define themselves as not being role-players. This feeling is reinforced by the behaviour and complaints of those who consider themselves the ‘real thing’. Such behaviour makes role-playing seem like an unattainable holy grail, available only to those with a degree in Drama.

However I find it hard to believe these ‘non role-players’ do not become as immersed in the experience of adventure and danger as the rest of us. You’d really have to be swimming against the entire stimulus of WoW not to feel some immersion in the experience. We can add to that immersion by staying in character ourselves. That includes not going OOC to complain.

Let’s try to treat everyone as role-players. Lead by example. Not bash those who don’t conform to our own approach (mine or yours) and encourage role-playing by portraying characters that actually have some character.

And be nice!