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Hyperspace Beacon: Tips for roleplaying in The Old Republic
I had a game developer tell me recently that he wished more players were like roleplayers because roleplayers are easier to cater to. Having been in MMO roleplay communities for the last nine years, I have to both disagree and agree with him. Roleplayers need special tools and good quality-of-life mechanics (like sitting in chairs!) in order to find a game extremely enjoyable. However, he was correct when talking about content. When the content runs out -- when every raid is on farm, when PvP is no longer a challenge, or when all that's left is dailies to grind -- the majority of players start to slip out of the game. But when developer content runs out for a roleplayer, she begins to make her own content, if she hasn't already been doing just that. And the game is still fun! When I started roleplaying in an MMO for the first time, a friend of mine who started with me summarized my feelings about roleplaying that game: "This is the reason I started playing in the first place." What he meant was that when he started playing Star Wars Galaxies, he wanted to live in the Star Wars universe, and roleplaying actually allowed him to do that. Star Wars: The Old Republic offers its own opportunities for immersion. It's not the same as SWG, but it does share the same universe. So how do you get involved in the fun that roleplayers have in SWTOR? I'm glad you asked. I have some quick and dirty tips for you on how to get started in your epic Star Wars MMO adventure!
Hyperspace Beacon: Four reasons in-character reporting is good for SWTOR
A few weeks back, I wrote an article about why I played Star Wars: The Old Republic. I drew on references from my childhood and how much Star Wars influenced my life. Although I did mention the impact of the roleplay community, I didn't talk about the roleplaying side of my MMO gameplay and how that influences my enjoyment of the game. When the quests dry up and PvP becomes stale, RP and the RP community hold me to this game. Multiple readers of the Hyperspace Beacon and fans of The Republic have asked how they can get involved in the roleplay in SWTOR. I usually point them to one place: SWTOR-RP.com. I could go on and on about this site and what it has done for the roleplay community, but nothing stands out more than the metagame that it's created with in-character articles. These news reports and editorials have been a launchpad for many in-character conversations. So let me draw you in and show you what I'm talking about.
Storyboard: The leveling effect
A couple of weeks ago, I took a look at some of the issues that crop up when you start considering in-game details in the context of roleplaying. Today, I'm doing something very similar but in the opposite direction. Instead of fitting verisimilitude into the game world, I'm trying to fit game mechanics into the game world. And if you've ever tried to explain in-character what level you are, you should understand that this is an arduous task to say the least. Of course, to some people, the very idea is ridiculous. There's a reason why gameplay and story generally remain in two different baskets: When you start trying to mix them too closely, everything gets dicey. The problem, of course, is that level isn't just a mechanical concept; it's tied to almost everything in the game world. And that begets all sorts of questions, the same sort that you start asking when you ask yourself about time, but from a different angle.
Storyboard: Duel me!
Let it never be said that roleplaying lacks drama if it has no violence. Many times, the confrontations and conflicts in roleplaying happen without a single threat of physical injury or even interaction. Even when threats are involved, frequently that's all there is -- a threat, a wayward mention, a confident statement that if one party undertakes an action, there will be very short and brutal repercussions. Not every scene, or even most scenes, end with characters locked in combat. That having been said, when you have a couple of characters whose day-to-day lives involve turning vicious critters into fine red mist, sooner or later someone is going to solve other problems with the same toolset. It's not like violence isn't a valid means of dramatic expression; look at how many of Shakespeare's plays ended with some kind of swordfight if you really need backup. (Several of them, and the ones that don't merely lacked a way to add in a CGI army at the end.) The problem is more that MMOs do not handle this sort of conflict between players very well, if at all.
Behind the Mask: Roleplaying in a modern way
This week on Behind the Mask, I faced a startling dilemma. On the one hand, the developers have proposed the most universally disliked gameplay change ever. The issue is very troublesome, and I could probably write a pretty convincing argument on the subject. My hope is that the devs give in to the wailing voices of the playerbase begging not to implement the changes. If these changes hit the test server, Behind the Mask will be right there with the coverage, but it's important to not jump the gun too early. Instead, we're going to talk about roleplaying. Champions Online has a very unusual roleplaying culture. Unlike other MMORPGs, Champions is pretty respectful of the people that don the roleplaying hat. It is not strange to find a group of roleplayers journeying through Millenium City or one of the other hot zones for heroes. The devs understand the plights of roleplayers, and a lot of the various features that are implemented in CO have no real "value" except as roleplaying tools. Often roleplayers can be seen as "losers" or "nerds." Not so much in CO. Hit the jump, and we'll explore the place I call "IC."
Choose My Adventure: Week 4 recaps and leveling advice
Choose the adventures of the WoW.com staff as we level our characters in <It came from the Blog> on US Zangarmarsh-H. We have recaps from last week after the break and personalized leveling advice on page 2. But first, here is the schedule for the rest of the week: Elizabeth Harper as Faience, the troll shaman, and Robin Torres as Robinemia, the undead mage: Wednesday, 11 p.m. to midnight EDT Michael Gray as Grayfields, the tauren hunter, will be making appearances as he can this week. Amy Schley as Patent, the troll rogue will also be making appearances as she can. Matthew Rossi as Andrenorton, his new troll mage: some time Saturday. Adam Holisky as Adammentat, the tauren druid, will be making appearances as he can. Fox Van Allen as Foxlight, the blood elf paladin: Friday, 8 p.m. EDT.
Choose my Adventure: Exploring Fallen Earth's PvP
Oh you evil, evil readers. Voting for us to PvP like that. You should be ashamed. Although I have to admit, it was really quite fun. That's right, this week the Choose my Adventure clan in Fallen Earth tried their hands at PvP and I'm very excited to bring back news from the front lines. In addition to the regular in-character journal format this week, I'm also going to explain a good bit about the clan's impressions of this first jump into PvP, how Fallen Earth handles it and how you can make that first leap yourself. Follow along, won't you?
Choose my Adventure: Just like a Rolling Clone
Join me as I brave my way through lands unknown in an adventure dictated entirely by you, the Massively readers! Vote for everything from game played to character creation to ultimate goal and watch it unfold in a series of journals and galleries here on the site. Then, as our two months is up, we'll do it all over again in a new game! Our first real week getting our hands dirty in Fallen Earth turned out to be a lot of fun. Despite the fact that I play this game quite often anyway, I'm always learning new things in it, especially considering the fact that there are so many different starting cities, depending on your playstyle preference. My first time in Terance was almost like playing a new game, which certainly makes my addiction to "alting" more fun. Follow along after the jump for my new Fallen Earth character's in-character journal and more of my thoughts on the game.
Choose my Adventure: Newly-cloned in Fallen Earth
The votes are in and we're very excited to begin our latest version of Choose my Adventure by introducing you to our shiny new character: Gator Boudreaux. He's a rifle-wielding (eventually) assassin traveling the Grand Canyon wasteland in search of his next meal, a few extra chips and the perfect headshot. We start our Fallen Earth story this week with a bit of an in-character journal. Then, of course, we get right into the poll for next week and an explanation of those polls. Finally, we'll list the play session times so you can come in game and play along with me for the next six weeks. Follow along after the jump to learn more.
Choose my Adventure: Stormcleave Outpost
Join me as I brave my way through lands unknown in an adventure dictated entirely by you, the Massively readers! Vote for everything from game played to character creation to ultimate goal and watch it unfold in a series of journals and galleries here on the site. Then, as our two months is up, we'll do it all over again in a new game! This week's Choose my Adventure: DDO takes us into Stormcleave Outpost, a long group instance found within the House of Deneith. Once that was finished, we took on the second-choice vote, the Church and the Cult quest, which didn't go quite as smoothly towards the end. Still, we conquered them both and lived to tell our story here! Next week will be the last time we'll be in DDO with this series, but don't fret! This also means that next week you'll be able to vote on a new game in which my next adventure will begin. Follow along after the jump for our hero's in-character journal, my thoughts on Stormcleave and the poll for next week.
Choose my Adventure: Sorrowdusk Isle
Join me as I brave my way through lands unknown in an adventure dictated entirely by you, the Massively readers! Vote for everything from game played to character creation to ultimate goal and watch it unfold in a series of journals and galleries here on the site. Then, as our two months is up, we'll do it all over again in a new game! With a new Adventure Pack to explore, the Critical Mass guild faced their newest challenge head-on. Your votes last week chose the Sorrowdusk Isle Adventure Pack (400 Turbine Points) for us, and in this installment of Choose my Adventure, I'm happy to report back on my impressions. Follow along after the jump for those impressions, Fahryn Brygo's in-character journal, another poll for next week and more!
Choose my Adventure: Reaching Rivendell
Join me as I brave my way through lands unknown in an adventure dictated entirely by you, the Massively readers! Vote for everything from game played to character creation to ultimate goal and watch it unfold in a series of journals and galleries here on the site. Then, as the ultimate goal is reached, we'll do it all over again in a new game!As the Massive Hobbits recovered from last week's beating by Grimbark, we spent this week showing Book 3 who's boss. Now well into the eastern North Downs, the Trollshaws and finally Rivendell, we're suited up and ready to finish out the LotRO edition of Choose my Adventure in style next week. So what will we do for our final adventure in Middle-earth? Vote on this week's poll, follow along on Gibbi the Hobbit's in-character portrayal and read my impressions of how the game has been going so far -- all after the jump.
Choose my Adventure: Grimbark stole my lunch money
Join me as I brave my way through lands unknown in an adventure dictated entirely by you, the Massively readers! Vote for everything from game played to character creation to ultimate goal and watch it unfold in a series of journals and galleries here on the site. Then, as the ultimate goal is reached, we'll do it all over again in a new game!It has finally happened. After all of this time, the Massive Hobbits have finally met their match in Garth Agarwen. Underleveled? Perhaps, but enough of it was completed to still get a good story out of it -- even if we were 5-6 levels too low for the instance in the first place.So what does this week hold for the pint-sized adventurers? Vote on this week's poll, follow along on Gibbi the Hobbit's in-character portrayal and read my impressions of how the game has been going so far -- all after the jump.
Choose my Adventure: Weathertop has been taken
With Bree-land and the Barrow-downs behind them, the Massive Hobbits set off eastward to the dusty Lone-lands and Weathertop. Despite saying I wanted more of a challenge for last week, retaking Weathertop proved to be quite easy for us. So in keeping with the previous plans to stay with more advanced quests, we're going to make this one more of a challenge. Especially since our time in LotRO is approaching an end within the next few weeks.What does this week hold for the pint-sized adventurers? Vote on this week's poll, follow along on Gibbi the Hobbit's in-character portrayal and read my impressions of how the game has been going so far, all after the jump.
Choose my Adventure: Meet Gibbi the Hobbit
Join me as I brave my way through lands unknown in an adventure dictated entirely by you, the Massively readers! Vote for everything from game played to character creation to ultimate goal and watch it unfold in a series of journals and galleries here on the site. Then, as the ultimate goal is reached, we'll do it all over again in a new game!All through the week you voted on what type of character I should make to begin my journey through this Choose my Adventure in Lord of the Rings Online. My new male Hobbit Warden has begun his new life on the Brandywine server and is ready for action! So without further ado, I present to you Gibbi of the Harfoots! His story is a sad one, but he has determined that his life needs some adventure, which is very unbecoming of a hobbit. Unless you count those meddlesome Tooks, of course. Follow along after the jump for his background story, another poll for next week and a list of playtimes where we can all play together and you can have your chance to be involved in his evolving story.
Choose my Adventure: The Ring of Fire Islands
Join me as I brave my way through lands unknown in an adventure dictated entirely by you, the Massively readers! Vote for everything from game played to character creation to ultimate goal and watch it unfold in a series of journals and galleries here on the site. Then, as the ultimate goal is reached, we'll do it all over again in a new game!As we approach the end of the line for Moira Zonk, we can't help but feel sad that our time in Guild Wars will come to a close next week. Of course, at that time we'll give a complete overview of our time spent there, but for now we focus on our ultimate goal.Last week's vote directed us towards the Ring of Fire Islands, where we now sit, anticipating those final three missions and bonuses. Follow along below for more on our experiences, including Moira's in-character journal and her personal gallery, documenting her time through Tyria.
Choose my Adventure: Return to the Shiverpeaks
Join me as I brave my way through lands unknown in an adventure dictated entirely by you, the Massively readers! Vote for everything from game played to character creation to ultimate goal and watch it unfold in a series of journals and galleries here on the site. Then, as the ultimate goal is reached, we'll do it all over again in a new game!Last time on Choose my Adventure: Guild Wars, our heroine Moira Zonk became ascended and finally conquered her Doppelganger. The road is getting more difficult for her, but her newly-maxed level and the recent addition of two new Elite skills to her bar are helping to cushion the blow.This week, you voted for her to simply capture an Elite skill in the Southern Shiverpeaks before moving on through the final missions in the game. Now that she's done that, we have two more weeks with Guild Wars and it's time for you to vote on her next moves. Should she go for the gold and finish up her ultimate goal of completing all missions and bonuses, or should she enjoy her second-to-last week doing something fun? You decide!
All the World's a Stage: Out of Character
All the World's a Stage. It really is. All the World of Warcraft is a actually a stage -- and all its orcs and humans merely players, each one with a role to play.When people hear about roleplayers in WoW for the first time, some get the impression that we take our little game of "let's pretend" way too seriously, that everything we do in the game has to be some sort of mind-blowing expression of our innermost true feelings. But the truth of the matter is that only a portion of what we do in the game involves stories and character -- a lot of what we do and say to other players is not "in character" at all. In fact, our out-of-character (OOC) communication is essential in order to properly enjoy the in-character (IC) elements, and good roleplayers do a lot of cool things to help make both sides complement each other.Much of what roleplayer does is out of character, and rightly so. Even just pushing buttons in order to activate abilities could be considered "OOC" -- in a way, the only character you can ever totally immerse yourself in is... yourself. Any time you play a role that isn't yourself, there's always some part you which is there in the background, knowing that it's all just a show. You can't really ignore your true self -- you have to let it guide and inform every part of the role you play.The same is true when roleplaying in WoW. Roleplay is strengthened when you open up and accept OOC communication with others, establish real relationships in addition to those your characters create. Actors in a play have to support each other as real people or their play will fail, and in the same way, the honest communication we open up with our roleplaying friends can sometimes be what defines our roleplaying experience and gives it true meaning.
Choose my Adventure: Becoming Ascended
Join me as I brave my way through lands unknown in an adventure dictated entirely by you, the Massively readers! Vote for everything from game played to character creation to ultimate goal and watch it unfold in a series of journals and galleries here on the site. Then, as the ultimate goal is reached, we'll do it all over again in a new game!Last week, you voted to keep our notorious Necro in the Crystal Desert of Guild Wars and work on her Ascension. Not only has she complied with your demands, but she's done it in style!This week she aims to leave the arid desert and continue her journey through the Southern Shiverpeaks, and eventually, onto the Ring of Fire Islands. With three weeks left in her journey through Guild Wars, we can't help but feel a bit sad that our first Choose my Adventure hero will retire soon to that big persistent world in the sky. But not before we get her through the remaining missions and bonuses of Guild Wars! Follow along after the jump below for more on our travels, as well as this week's poll.
Choose my Adventure: Reaching the Crystal Desert
Join me as I brave my way through lands unknown in an adventure dictated entirely by you, the Massively readers! Vote for everything from game played to character creation to ultimate goal and watch it unfold in a series of journals and galleries here on the site. Then, as the ultimate goal is reached, we'll do it all over again in a new game!When last we saw our Guild Wars heroine, she had just finished exploring every city in Kryta and was off to do the same in the Maguuma Jungle. According to your votes, Moira Zonk the Necromancer headed off to unlock each of the eight cities in the Jungle and ultimately reach the Amnoon Oasis in the Crystal Desert.Now that she sits at the Oasis, recovering from her travels, she's ready to head off in whatever direction you'd like. Keep reading below for more on her travels and the newest poll where you can vote on where she ventures next.
