The "Perfect" RPG

[Republican_Man]

I've made discussions similar to this in the past, but I want to ask it again, somewhat differently and more complete: What makes the "perfect" RPG? What things would make the "perfect" RPG? What would make the "perfect" RPG? What plots, what class of ship, what time period, etc. It doesn't have to be Trek, but that would be ideal to answer this question.

[Founder]

To put it simple, a loyal group of RPGers and a loyal GM. If an RPG does not have those two aspects, it almost always fails.

[Ziona]

I agree with Founder. The perfect RPG shouldn't be based completely on plot and ship type. It's about the people in it. They need to be loyal. People need to enjoy posting on the RPG. The moderator has to be stern with how the plot should move and how people can deviate but they also have to allow for creative juices to flow, so to speak.

The problem is getting people to cooperate and to all enjoy and feel safe in the same location.

I've only really been on one RPG that was that sort of environment, and that lasted for a good five years before we finally all got bored and, as a group, decided to shut her down.

[Lord Borg]

I also want to add having char's taht are actuall, real people when thier supposed to be.

[Republican_Man]

Now, let's assume that you have all those things. What, plot-wise, would make the "perfect" RPG?

[Founder]

Plot is a subjective thing. Getting those things is what is difficult.

If you're asking what each person PREFERS or THINKS is a perfect RPG, that is a different question.

[Republican_Man]

Well, from the very start it was meant to be a subjective discussion of opinions on all this stuff, so yes, that's what I'm asking.

[Hitchhiker]

I think what Founder was pointing out is that there is no one perfect RPG. What works for one person won't work for another, even if both of those people are really active or really great roleplayers.

I like stuff that's original, for one thing. One of the things I'm noticing is that a lof of the RPGs which people make and then abandon tend to be the same old post-TNG action adventures that don't really have a lot of thought put into them. They may have flashy tech specs and huge, megabyte-sized images of their shiny starship that is armed to the teeth, but to me this smacks as a bit of over-compensation (and quite irritating, waiting for the page to load. I don't want to see images, I want to see text!)

Details are nice. I'm a bit lazy, but details are nice. There is a fine balance to details and overcrowding that RPG's first page. It's the KISS principle: keep it simple, stupid.

Edit: Oh, and one other thing that I find annoying. So-called "trailers" for roleplaying games. It's fine to ask for suggestions and such, but I'm really not interested in skimming over a topic that is little more than images interlaced with a few sentences of backstory. I can make up my mind whether or not to join an RPG from its front-page when it gets posted . . . I don't need any sort of prelude.

I think I've just sort of defined what, to me, a perfect RPG is "not". I have a tendency to do that (define things by what they are not). I do like variety, and I like dedicated posters and GMs, and people who aren't afraid to make stuff up. I like people who know their Trek and who are willing to explore different avenues rather than repeat stuff over and over--even stuff that has worked in the past.

If it's not broken, you obviously haven't been hitting it hard enough!

[Founder]

I've noticed people reacting negatively to the whole trailer thing and I don't understand why. If you don't like it, thats fine. But it is a lot of work to find those pictures and place them in a way so it flows in unison. I can understand if people wouldn't want to do it themselves or even look at them, but I never did it to lure people into RPGs.

To tell you the truth, I've done it plainly for fun. I like doing it. I liked putting togethere the DSG one especially.

If I was using the trailer to intice people to join the RPGs, I would have made it it's own topic. Not with RM's topic which is made purely for fun, or at least, that is what I gathered from it. It was an idea made by RM a while ago and I thought it a unique way to add more to the RPG. I liked seeing things be done that other don't usually do.

I think in many ways that is what made DSG work. Not a trailer, but certainly the idea and it's crew. I noticed no one else made a station RPG. So I wanted to try something like that. I even thought it would fail. It didn't because of the crew. Everyone was unique. RM with his alien. Dan with S31. HH making the computer a sarcastic ass. The list goes on and on.

As for the picture use in RPGs, I do it not to over-compensate but just for something interesting. I've noticed that a lot of people get bored reading the text. Especially if its a lot. I don't know how many times people PM and say that they didn't read through the big paragraphs I make. Maybe they are boring I dont know. But I add the pictures so that it gives it something unique to look at. It adds an element to the story. It also helps people understand what is going on, at least for those who don't like to read my post. You don't have to read it, if I put a picture of a Borg Cube. Chances are, we're under attack. I try to make them low quality and small sized pictures, so it doesn't hurt people's computer fighting to load. Perhaps I did not do such a good job of that, I don't know...

Anyways...

Its hard to answer your question RM if you're asking what makes the perfect RPG in general. Now if you're asking for my opinion, I wasted a lot of time.

My opinion is obvious. I like station RPGs usually. But a unique story, maybe Dominion involved , is what I find fun. What I like more than anything is unique type RPGs. Chris did that by making a mirror-universe RPG. HH made a unique one by having the ship be a Delta Flyer class and us being scientist. Valathous did by creating an entire fantasy world. Everything in his RPG, he made. Republican_Man did by his new RPG. After he told me what the story will be, I knew it would be cool. Exalya made one that forced everyone to be a low rank. It was unique. To me, uniqueness is what makes the RPG...

[Tuvok8917]

I do not make perfect RPG's, i omly join them. I have seen several "perfect" RPG's fade away... Even if you have created a good story plot etc. etc. If other people are going to ruin it, it won't go far

[Lord Borg]

I'll say a word that was said before: 'Loyalty' With out this with the GM and members, the RPG is DOOMED.

[madlilnerd]

My perfect RPG would have to come together in a really unexpected, surprising way. Like dramatic irony or something. I don't want something predictable, and I need to work around other people's 3 dimensional characters otherwise I find it hard to work with them. There needs to be a driving force for each of the characters, something that keeps them going. It can be collective, like everyone working together to get to a goal, or a single journey of one person.
Development is good in a RPG. Change that happens so fluidly that you hardly realise that it's happened at all.

[Lord Borg]

[Lord Borg]

I also want to mention the GM. IF the GM barly posts, or dont pay much attention to the RPG, then you can't expect the members to

[La Forge]

Yes, the GM is very important.

Also, it is important for every to feel needed, y'know? No one should leave other members out of fun parts of the RPG. Include everyone (when you can). Some members might just want to leave if not.

[Arellia]

What makes an RPG for me is giving the characters room to become something more. The plot's important, naturally, but to me, personally, it's the character depth. Kind of like DS9. DS9 had a ROCKIN plot () but I watched it because the characters stole your heart, you loved all of them.

[Lord Borg]

[La Forge]

*sniff*

Maybe I should quit all of my RPGs, then...I wouldn't say that any of my characters have developed ('sides Victoria in AR, but...that's a totally different story, isn't it?) at all...*shrug*

But, yeah...I think that character development is important, too. I am a big plot person, though. If I don't like the plot...ugh...still...there are exceptions. When there are great and loyal RPers participating, no matter the plot, you know that it is going to be good.

Though...I'm proud of the plot of my new RPG...yeah...blatant advertising...

[Lord Borg]

you havent been in all the other rpgs along time yet

In short

GM, good plot. Loyal members

[La Forge]

I would consider 3 months awhile for a new member...heh...but...not that long, compared to others. Yeah, I s'pose you sum it up right there, LB. Don't forget respect, though!

[Republican_Man]

[Founder]

[Lord Borg]

[La Forge]

Two and a half, I believe. I came in halfway through Episode 23...I think...*shrug*

Well...I hope I can have my character develop a bit. Sort of like Victoria in AR. However...she developed in the wrong way, wouldn't you say? Heh...

Yep...I know...most of the DSG members have been in it since the very beginning. While...I see that some have left...I stay active...'cept...as I have said before...the CMO isn't the most important job in the world. But...I'm fine with that. Kind of laid-back, I guess. Gives you a little leisure. The only drawback, I see, is that you spend a lot of time alone or with NPCs...yeah...in DSG, right now, I'm talking to myself...yep...

[Lord Borg]