Post by NPC on Oct 21, 2009 11:11:48 GMT -5
What is an Island?
An Island is a term referring to a player, not so much as a character. This is because an Island is an Island because of what they do with multiple characters. Multiple characters are important, because they allow one player to drive plot in several areas, but there are right and wrong ways to use multiple characters.
An Island is a player with multiple characters who doesn't use those characters properly. Specifically, their characters will know each other and interact with each other, share the same plots, and well... the term "Island" refers to a body of land that is cut off in all directions, because an Island actually doesn't seem to need other players at all.
In more advanced cases, an Island can more or less just sit around and roleplay with themselves if they want. This is entirely pointless in a role play setting, though. One player fiction is called fan fiction, or fan fic. Writing your own story.
The purpose of role play is to interact with your creative writing. You aren't simply writing a story. You can do that in microsoft word. In role play, you are working together with other players to create the story. You're just one of many writers, and the story is a group effort.
What are the right and wrong ways to use multiple characters?
Ideally, they should advance the plot in different areas, rather than forming their own clique. There is usually no real need to make characters that are in the same groupings, the same factions, the same plots, in other words, role playing with yourself.
Get out there and spread yourself throughout the world!
If you have multiple characters, whether they know each other or not (it's usually better that they dont as it encourages a healthy and more positive level of interaction with other players' characters), they should be used in different factions, different subplots, and different angles to further the plot.
This also diversifies your multiple roles in the overall plot, and in general. Think of it as choosing between a plate with a steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni and cheese, and a salad, versus choosing a plate with three scoops of mashed potatoes, and a bowl of... mashed potatoes.
You shouldn't only stick to one thing if you are playing multiple characters. It isn't as fun at all, and it's usually a waste of energy, especially when it becomes stagnant.
By spreading your characters out throughout the various plots and factions, throughout the game world, you will experience much more variety in play, and be much more involved. You'll also meet more people that way.
How do you spot an Island?
Well, an Island doesn't always put all of their characters into the same factions. Sometimes, they create their own story, and carry it out with themselves in the rp world (which is kind of pointless). They may create their own heroes and villains, with every intention of playing them against each other in such a way that when you think about it, other players' involvements seem superfluous or extra.
An Island may also make their alternate characters friends of their main character, play them in the same faction and the same plots, as if the alternate character is nothing more than an extension of the main. This is also Islanding.
Should my characters know each other at all?
To some degree, it can be permissible, but it's something that should be done very sparingly, if at all. Think of it like the fat in your cheeseburger. The more you do it, the worse it is, and you don't really need to do it at all.
Characters knowing each other is mild, but the real danger comes in when they are being role played with each other. Playing with yourself is silly! You don't need to sign onto an RP site to do that!
However, some minimal interaction between your own characters for the sake of character development and personal story arc can be okay. One or two threads or such, may be okay, if done well and involving other characters in a way where those other players' characters are actually important to the events unfolding (not just there to validate island rp'ing as being a multi-player affair).
If you must put multiple characters into the same faction, be urged to see that their interactions are made minimal by actual plot and RP. This can be very challenging, so the best advice is to just spread them out! It's better to RP with another player than yourself.
Oh em gee! I'm an Island! What do I do?
Role playing is creative writing in social form. Pull the creative off of your tool belt and use it! Do you have multiple characters who are in the same faction? Find other players to RP with, and find ways to develop your characters so that they part ways in some fashion. Give them different angles, different motives, etc. Seperate them.
Have you set your multiple characters up to be their own nemesis and allies? Please do the right thing and make a change of plans. You won't regret it! It's much more fun to RP with other people than just to RP with yourself.
I guarentee you, if you find another player to play your character's nemesis, allies, etc. you will find it much more enjoyable than just playing with yourself and giving others a front row seat to a one-man-show.
But, I do have stuff I need to do between my characters!
That's fine. If you keep it to a minimal degree, you should be okay. Keep it minimal in RP. If it's a constant and steady thing though, you have a problem, and you need to make use of one of our boards, the Fan Fics section. There is nothing wrong with writing Fan Fics, but please, if you find yourself islanding, try to sort through what important roles you can give to other players, and what you need to shift into Fan Fics so that it isn't cluttering the RP for everyone with bouts of self-play that aren't as entertaining as RP, and are certainly not as entertaining from the exterior in most cases.
[--Fan Fics--]
Hopefully this helps! Have fun RP'ing!
Credit to Moonflax for this lesson
An Island is a term referring to a player, not so much as a character. This is because an Island is an Island because of what they do with multiple characters. Multiple characters are important, because they allow one player to drive plot in several areas, but there are right and wrong ways to use multiple characters.
An Island is a player with multiple characters who doesn't use those characters properly. Specifically, their characters will know each other and interact with each other, share the same plots, and well... the term "Island" refers to a body of land that is cut off in all directions, because an Island actually doesn't seem to need other players at all.
In more advanced cases, an Island can more or less just sit around and roleplay with themselves if they want. This is entirely pointless in a role play setting, though. One player fiction is called fan fiction, or fan fic. Writing your own story.
The purpose of role play is to interact with your creative writing. You aren't simply writing a story. You can do that in microsoft word. In role play, you are working together with other players to create the story. You're just one of many writers, and the story is a group effort.
What are the right and wrong ways to use multiple characters?
Ideally, they should advance the plot in different areas, rather than forming their own clique. There is usually no real need to make characters that are in the same groupings, the same factions, the same plots, in other words, role playing with yourself.
Get out there and spread yourself throughout the world!
If you have multiple characters, whether they know each other or not (it's usually better that they dont as it encourages a healthy and more positive level of interaction with other players' characters), they should be used in different factions, different subplots, and different angles to further the plot.
This also diversifies your multiple roles in the overall plot, and in general. Think of it as choosing between a plate with a steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni and cheese, and a salad, versus choosing a plate with three scoops of mashed potatoes, and a bowl of... mashed potatoes.
You shouldn't only stick to one thing if you are playing multiple characters. It isn't as fun at all, and it's usually a waste of energy, especially when it becomes stagnant.
By spreading your characters out throughout the various plots and factions, throughout the game world, you will experience much more variety in play, and be much more involved. You'll also meet more people that way.
How do you spot an Island?
Well, an Island doesn't always put all of their characters into the same factions. Sometimes, they create their own story, and carry it out with themselves in the rp world (which is kind of pointless). They may create their own heroes and villains, with every intention of playing them against each other in such a way that when you think about it, other players' involvements seem superfluous or extra.
An Island may also make their alternate characters friends of their main character, play them in the same faction and the same plots, as if the alternate character is nothing more than an extension of the main. This is also Islanding.
Should my characters know each other at all?
To some degree, it can be permissible, but it's something that should be done very sparingly, if at all. Think of it like the fat in your cheeseburger. The more you do it, the worse it is, and you don't really need to do it at all.
Characters knowing each other is mild, but the real danger comes in when they are being role played with each other. Playing with yourself is silly! You don't need to sign onto an RP site to do that!
However, some minimal interaction between your own characters for the sake of character development and personal story arc can be okay. One or two threads or such, may be okay, if done well and involving other characters in a way where those other players' characters are actually important to the events unfolding (not just there to validate island rp'ing as being a multi-player affair).
If you must put multiple characters into the same faction, be urged to see that their interactions are made minimal by actual plot and RP. This can be very challenging, so the best advice is to just spread them out! It's better to RP with another player than yourself.
Oh em gee! I'm an Island! What do I do?
Role playing is creative writing in social form. Pull the creative off of your tool belt and use it! Do you have multiple characters who are in the same faction? Find other players to RP with, and find ways to develop your characters so that they part ways in some fashion. Give them different angles, different motives, etc. Seperate them.
Have you set your multiple characters up to be their own nemesis and allies? Please do the right thing and make a change of plans. You won't regret it! It's much more fun to RP with other people than just to RP with yourself.
I guarentee you, if you find another player to play your character's nemesis, allies, etc. you will find it much more enjoyable than just playing with yourself and giving others a front row seat to a one-man-show.
But, I do have stuff I need to do between my characters!
That's fine. If you keep it to a minimal degree, you should be okay. Keep it minimal in RP. If it's a constant and steady thing though, you have a problem, and you need to make use of one of our boards, the Fan Fics section. There is nothing wrong with writing Fan Fics, but please, if you find yourself islanding, try to sort through what important roles you can give to other players, and what you need to shift into Fan Fics so that it isn't cluttering the RP for everyone with bouts of self-play that aren't as entertaining as RP, and are certainly not as entertaining from the exterior in most cases.
[--Fan Fics--]
Hopefully this helps! Have fun RP'ing!
Credit to Moonflax for this lesson
