Difference between revisions of "Roleplay"

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== What is Role Play? ==
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== What is role play? ==
'''Role Playing''' is acting, just without a script. If you've ever been in a play or had some sort of part, you have role played, or played a role. Role Playing is more like life, though. You have a part that you play, whether it's school, work, boyfriend, girlfriend etc.., it is unscripted. Role play is unscripted. You figure things out as you go along, putting up with rough patches (not ignoring someone, flamming, or getting your nation deleted over it), and most of all, try and have fun.
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'''Role Playing''' is acting, just without a script. Role Playing is more like life than things like plays or other scripted acts. Everyone has a part that they play, whether it's school, work, boyfriend, girlfriend etc., it is unscripted. Role play is unscripted. Players figure things out as they go along, putting up with rough patches, and most of all, try and have fun.
  
== Role Play on NationStates ==
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== Role play on NationStates ==
'''Roleplay''' is an extension of NationStates [[gameplay]]. The great thing about NationStates' [[forums]] is that they are "free form." Free form means there are no rules regarding Role Play. There are rules governing behaviour in the forums, but not how you role play. That means, you can decided to pick 20 random [[nation]]s and invade them, yes, this is frowned upon by many, but it is just an example of what free form means.
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'''Roleplay''' is an extension of NationStates [[gameplay]]. The thing about NationStates' [[forums]] is that they are "free form." Free form means there are no rules regarding Role Play. There are rules governing behaviour in the forums, but not how players role play. That means that players can decide to pick 20 random [[nation]]s and invade them. This is frowned upon by many, but it is just an example of what free form means.
  
=== The Role of the Forums ===
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=== The role of the forums ===
On [[NationStates]], a main part of role play is [[war]].  These sorts of battles most often occur in the [http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=1230 International Incidents] forum. There are many happening everyday, yet, none seem to work out well. When roleplaying a war, remember one thing. That is not to try to win. Far too many times, one nation will be losing a battle, when the owner gets mad out of character and goes ballistic and starts to flame. [[Flaming]] is arguing beyond the point of a valid debate, and more along the lines of "You f***ing [[n00b]]! Your mama!" ... Which is really scary when you consider that this game gets to users that much.
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In [[NationStates]], a major part of role play is [[war]].  These sorts of battles most often occur in the [http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=1230 International Incidents] forum. There are many happening everyday, yet many fail. When roleplaying a war, players often try to remember one thing: not to try to win. Far too many times, one nation will be losing a battle, when the owner gets mad out of character and goes ballistic and starts to flame. [[Flaming]] is arguing beyond the point of a valid debate, and more along the lines of substanceless personal attacks. Flaming is worthy of moderator action against the player partaking in it.
  
The [http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=1223 NationStates] forum tends more towards [[character]]-based roleplaying and [[sports roleplaying]], though wars and battles are also fought there.  Each topic there is its own separate roleplaying event: some standalone, others tying to one or more other threads, some as spin-offs or continuations of previous roleplays, etc.  Such is the nature of free-form role play - even [[game time|time itself]] is a variable.  Entry into these roleplays is often more formalized: check the topic title and/or first post to see if it is an [[Invite RP]] or open to anyone.  There may be both [[IC]] and [[OOC]] topics for a given roleplay.  Make sure you're posting in the correct topic for your type of response.
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The [http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=1223 NationStates] forum tends more towards [[character]]-based roleplaying and [[sports roleplaying]], though wars and battles are also fought there.  Each topic there is its own separate roleplaying event: some standalone, others tying to one or more other threads, some as spin-offs or continuations of previous roleplays, etc.  Such is the nature of free-form role play - even [[game time|time itself]] is a variable.  Entry into these roleplays is often more formalized: the topic title and/or first post shows if the RP is an [[Invite RP]] or open to anyone.  There may be both [[IC]] and [[OOC]] topics for a given roleplay, and IC and OOC posts should be put into their correct topic.
  
There is an element of roleplay in [[http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=1225 The United Nations]] forum, but often there will be a mixture of OOC comments mixed in with the purely diplomatic comments made IC.  The [[UN]] is only semi-RP, and posts there are subject to more [[mod]] intervention for inappropriateness than in the other two RP forums.  The UN Forum is limited to UN business in the context of the [[General Assembly]]: if a UN nation is discovered to be in violation of UN [[resolutions]], challenges to that nation should move to NationStates or International Incidents.
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There is an element of roleplay in the [[United Nations forum]], but often there will be a mixture of OOC comments mixed in with the purely diplomatic comments made IC.  The [[UN]] is only semi-RP, and posts there are subject to more [[mod]] intervention for inappropriateness than in the other two RP forums.
  
Roleplay in the other forums is strongly discouraged, though Gameplay does permit a bit of Regionally based RP in the form of [[regional ads]].  The other seven active forums have specific purposes, and the Archives can't be added to even if you wanted to.  Stick to '''NS, I.I.''', and the '''UN''' for your national and in-character roleplaying.
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Roleplay in the other forums is strongly discouraged, though Gameplay does permit a bit of region-based RP in the form of [[regional ads]].  The other seven active forums have specific purposes, and the Archives can't be added to even if you wanted to.  Players generally stick to '''NS, I.I.''', and the '''UN''' for national and in-character roleplaying.
  
=== Offsite Roleplay ===
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=== Offsite roleplay ===
Roleplay also occurs in many of the larger [[offsite forums]] and on [[IRC]].  Sometimes they are used for planning purposes, and the conversations end up in the NS [[forums]], other times they are complete and separate, although they use NS-related nations and characters.  In short, you can roleplay your nation in multiple places with great ease
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Roleplay also occurs in many of the larger [[offsite forums]] and on [[IRC]].  Sometimes they are used for planning purposes, and the conversations end up in the NS [[forums]], other times they are complete and separate, although they use NS-related nations and characters.  In short, players can roleplay their nations in multiple places with great ease.
  
 
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== The Basics: (Economy, Budget, Military) ==
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== The basics: economy, budget, military ==
A common question new [[nations]] ask is "What does a "good" economy mean, what is my national budget, and how big is my military?" Remember free form? All of those things could mean anything you want. Good could mean each person makes one dollar a year, your budget could be infinite, and your military could be your entire nation. That usually makes for bad RP. You want to try and keep it as realistic as possible, no, NationStates itself is not entirely designed to be realistic, but you want to try and mimic real life as much as possible for countless reasons. The main ones are:  
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A common question new [[nations]] ask is "What does a "good" economy mean, what is my national budget, and how big is my military?" All of those things can mean anything players want. Good could mean each person makes one dollar a year, nations' budgets could be infinite, and militaries could be an entire nation. That usually makes for what most players consider bad RP; most prefer to try and keep it as realistic as possible. Although NationStates itself is not entirely designed to be realistic, mimicking real life as much as possible has its benefits. The main ones are:  
 
# No one will role play with someone that has a military of 500 million people or buys everything in a storefront.
 
# No one will role play with someone that has a military of 500 million people or buys everything in a storefront.
# It really isn't fun. If being an arse is your thing, make your own forums or spam somewhere else.
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# It isn't much fun for many people.
Most people don't keep track of their nation's budget, they just buy, but not too much. This is ok. Some people use the GDP [[Calculators]].  Raw data can be obtained from the [[XML feed]].
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Many players don't keep track of their nation's budget, they just buy within reasonable limits, which is generally accepted. Some people use the GDP [[Calculators]].  Raw data can be obtained from the [[XML feed]].
  
 
== Ignoring ==
 
== Ignoring ==
[[IGNORE|Ignoring]] a nation means you do not recognize it AT ALL. It doesn't mean you get pissed, flame, ignore, then harass the next day, it means that to you, that nation no longer exists. And it doesn't mean that all nations owned by that same person are also ignored, just that one. A tip for good role play: Use ignoring as a final tactic if nothing else works.
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[[IGNORE|Ignoring]] a nation means a player do not recognize it at all. It doesn't mean that all nations owned by that same person are also ignored, just that one. Most players try to reserve ignoring as a final tactic if nothing else works.
  
All [[invader|invaders]] and most [[defender|defenders]] completely disregard roleplay actions, and can thus be considered to be ignoring them.
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Most [[invader]]s and [[defender]]s completely disregard roleplay actions, and can thus be considered to be ignoring them.
  
== Additional Information ==
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== Additional information ==
* [[Getting Started in Roleplay]]
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* [[Getting started in roleplay]]
  
 
[[Category:Roleplaying]]
 
[[Category:Roleplaying]]

Latest revision as of 15:58, 15 October 2006

This article deals with Roleplay as it relates to NationStates. For more general information, see the Wikipedia article on this subject.

What is role play?

Role Playing is acting, just without a script. Role Playing is more like life than things like plays or other scripted acts. Everyone has a part that they play, whether it's school, work, boyfriend, girlfriend etc., it is unscripted. Role play is unscripted. Players figure things out as they go along, putting up with rough patches, and most of all, try and have fun.

Role play on NationStates

Roleplay is an extension of NationStates gameplay. The thing about NationStates' forums is that they are "free form." Free form means there are no rules regarding Role Play. There are rules governing behaviour in the forums, but not how players role play. That means that players can decide to pick 20 random nations and invade them. This is frowned upon by many, but it is just an example of what free form means.

The role of the forums

In NationStates, a major part of role play is war. These sorts of battles most often occur in the International Incidents forum. There are many happening everyday, yet many fail. When roleplaying a war, players often try to remember one thing: not to try to win. Far too many times, one nation will be losing a battle, when the owner gets mad out of character and goes ballistic and starts to flame. Flaming is arguing beyond the point of a valid debate, and more along the lines of substanceless personal attacks. Flaming is worthy of moderator action against the player partaking in it.

The NationStates forum tends more towards character-based roleplaying and sports roleplaying, though wars and battles are also fought there. Each topic there is its own separate roleplaying event: some standalone, others tying to one or more other threads, some as spin-offs or continuations of previous roleplays, etc. Such is the nature of free-form role play - even time itself is a variable. Entry into these roleplays is often more formalized: the topic title and/or first post shows if the RP is an Invite RP or open to anyone. There may be both IC and OOC topics for a given roleplay, and IC and OOC posts should be put into their correct topic.

There is an element of roleplay in the United Nations forum, but often there will be a mixture of OOC comments mixed in with the purely diplomatic comments made IC. The UN is only semi-RP, and posts there are subject to more mod intervention for inappropriateness than in the other two RP forums.

Roleplay in the other forums is strongly discouraged, though Gameplay does permit a bit of region-based RP in the form of regional ads. The other seven active forums have specific purposes, and the Archives can't be added to even if you wanted to. Players generally stick to NS, I.I., and the UN for national and in-character roleplaying.

Offsite roleplay

Roleplay also occurs in many of the larger offsite forums and on IRC. Sometimes they are used for planning purposes, and the conversations end up in the NS forums, other times they are complete and separate, although they use NS-related nations and characters. In short, players can roleplay their nations in multiple places with great ease.

A Brief Introduction to the Terminology of NationStates
Game Terms Military Abbreviations Political Abbreviations

The basics: economy, budget, military

A common question new nations ask is "What does a "good" economy mean, what is my national budget, and how big is my military?" All of those things can mean anything players want. Good could mean each person makes one dollar a year, nations' budgets could be infinite, and militaries could be an entire nation. That usually makes for what most players consider bad RP; most prefer to try and keep it as realistic as possible. Although NationStates itself is not entirely designed to be realistic, mimicking real life as much as possible has its benefits. The main ones are:

  1. No one will role play with someone that has a military of 500 million people or buys everything in a storefront.
  2. It isn't much fun for many people.

Many players don't keep track of their nation's budget, they just buy within reasonable limits, which is generally accepted. Some people use the GDP Calculators. Raw data can be obtained from the XML feed.

Ignoring

Ignoring a nation means a player do not recognize it at all. It doesn't mean that all nations owned by that same person are also ignored, just that one. Most players try to reserve ignoring as a final tactic if nothing else works.

Most invaders and defenders completely disregard roleplay actions, and can thus be considered to be ignoring them.

Additional information