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I always write a detailed back story for my RPs, but the entire story might not be posted as a single unit. The back story is often contained in the introduction/overview, the locations lists, and things like that. That way there is a developed background but the posts also point out to the reader what they should be learning for their character creation. As an example, brief descriptions of several locations in the RP might all add to the details of the background story, but what the player will really care about is picking where their character comes from and learning about that particular place. In an RP universe that is highly developed, players don't actually need to know/remember every thing about the world, just like we don't have to know/remember every thing about ours. Spreading the backstory through the other posts helps account for this fact-- and not bore or overwhelm the reader with details that they will never use again.

And yes, our system does focus on form. That's because form is easier to count objectively. It's also because I noticed that, at least when we started the system, form correlated highly to substance. Having separate posts for an introduction, character creation, locations, etc., encourages (but doesn't require) the writer to add substance. Otherwise the posts look empty regardless of how pretty they are. Lastly, an RP can be full of substance and still fail if it's not made presentable to the reader.

Alright so I stickied this and added a section to structure, after the no reserve posts bit, Horray!

As you've said, it is definitely true that people look for what is familiar; hence there are so many school RPs and vampire romance RPs and all the cliche genres. Still, I think it should be noted that all but the most dedicated (and obsessed) roleplayers get bored of these settings very fast if they are not original. People are looking for things which haven't been done before, or if they have been done before, they're looking for new ways to present them.

My favorite setting to create is a Sci-Fi/Fantasy compound setting incorporating both magic and technology. When I create a backstory for these I draw from my knowledge of a whole bunch of different religions to create a backstory which is familiar but unique so that it doesn't alienate players but it's not a "stock story," or a very generic setting.

This concept can be seen in games/stories/etc. that are put out today. I will only talk about fantasy and sci-fi settings in this section as real-life RPs are obviously based off of real life. All settings in fantasy novels are derived from a real life society. LoTR (and many other fantasy settings, such as Dragonlance, Ravenloft, Midkemia, Warcraft, Warhammer Fantasy, etc.) are different interpretations of Medieval or Reniassance Europe. Rising in popularity in MMORPG games recently are settings based off of a traditional Oriental setting. There are also many other settings which have been used, such as Middle Eastern settings, Indian settings, and modern settings (as is the case in Harry Potter and many TV shows such as Sabrina the Witch).

Science Fiction novels tend to gravitate towards either Dune-like settings (warring factions fighting for control of the universe through force and intrigue), Asimov-like settings (conservative predictions of mankind's future), or other familiar genres such as Cyberpunk, Alien Conflict, Biotech, etc.

Fantasy/Sci-Fi fusion settings are usually a combination of the above. W40K is based off of Medieval Fantasy but taken to the 41st Millenium. Roger Zelazny's settings (Amber, Lord of Light, Creatures of Light and Darkness, and others) are often based off of a traditional setting (Medieval Europe/Modern Earth, Hindu/Buddhist lore, and Ancient Egyptian and Greek Mythology respectively in the above books) but do many things to make themselves unique. Amber, for example, has a series of infinite worlds and settings based around one central setting--Amber--with one thing in the center--The Pattern. Lord of Light presents a technological interpretation of Indian Mythology. Creatures of Light and Darkness does the same, but with a combination of Egyptian and Greek mythology. In fact, Lord of Light and Creatures of Light and Darkness are not fantasy at all: they are pure science-fiction but presented in such an odd way that they appear to be fantasy novels.

Also, it is always a good idea to scavenge ideas from other settings. One of the most successful settings--Starcraft, created in 1997--is extremely similar a previously successful setting--Warhammer 40,000, created in 1987--and yet it is essentially different in many ways so that, while w40k fans like myself accuse Blizzard of entirely ripping w40k off, the settings are noticeably different.

My main problem, at least as far as I have noticed upon my part, is that once I begin, fill, and then finish my opening for an rp, it feels as if it is lacking.

I am always wanting to add more content because it feels short, but I never know what to add. My current rp I am trying to remake is a good example. It feels like I need more information, but I do not know what information that would be.

This thread has helped some though. I am glad I came across it. You may delete this post if it should not be here. I just wished to say thanks for this knowledge you have helped pass on.

I am currently working on getting my rp up to standards, and as such found this very helpful. I do have a few questions though, number one being how long is too long? Iv hit a point in my rp, where even though we have only 4 active members at the moment, I'm noticing the character profile post getting lengthy. I have the post set up with a list of "Actors" that I am looking for and who we have, then directly under it the individual character bio's. At what point should I make a seperate thread for character bio's and/or place bio's?

If you would take a look at it that would be amazing, I would like all the advice possible in order to move my rp, and maintain it in a top notch fashion.

My second question pertains to ads. What is the right level of advertising? I don't want to appear too abnoxious, but I want people to know my role play is here and need's them. I'v never been good with advertisment so any hints would be helpful.


And third Should I have a "Message board" post? I have an updates post, and besides that I'v been sending private messages to my players evaluating how their doing and asking them if they have any suggestions for the rp. I want to remain active and keep my players informed and to know what they think of the rp.


Here's my rp thread, http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=1&t=17554216#201899762
if you could take a look and give advice on it overall that would be amazing.
I dont want to run a mediocre Roleplay, I want a top notch Roleplay.
Thank you!

The inconsistancies on the index is my fault, Iv been working alot, and haven't had to time to finish that aspect, I didn't compete the reformating yet,
So are you sayin the align right,left,right and so forth on the characters looks good?

Im having quite a bit of trouble aligning things right, the inconsistancy you were talking about, I tried to align it well, but one thing, on top of many others is my banners don't seem to want to center themselves well.

Any tips on how to fix this or a link to an outstanding example of a well done layout.

I would think in general people prefer to play characters of their own creation, but it's perfectly acceptable for you to make the characters for your story; you will have to accept that they probably won't play them exactly as you expected but beyond that it's just one of those things that you'll have to try a bit harder to overcome.

Since you know the characters best I would advise you to try to find the players, instead of waiting for them to find you. Go to other RPs, read their characters, read bits off play, try to find someone you think would fill the character well, and invite them.

All in all one of the best things you can do for that sort of situation would be to have a good varied network of friends who you are experienced with playing with.