Forums » Role Playing
Where's the RP in this RPG?
I was a long-time mudder, and since I stopped have been pretty jaded about graphic MMOs, as they are RPGs only in system and name. Most MMOs have very little roleplaying beyond the character name, VO doesn't even have that enforced. Some players take real names for their pilots, others are just "l33t h@x0r" and stuff like that. I use my handle here, but in game I use a name. When I'm in a station bar and there happens to be (by some random act of chance) another player there, I try to be in character.
What I like about Vendetta is that it bears great similarity in terms of gameplay to the EV series, but in 3d with a multiplayer element. The problem is, without good roleplaying elements you lose the fine storylines a single player game offers. In short, VO needs good roleplaying to fill the void and keep the game worth playing. people who like PvP might be happy, but I keep hearing that they'd rather go play Worlds of Warcraft if they want that kind of MMO. I know the game is still in its early stages, but this is where we can plant the seeds of roleplaying that will grow VO into more than a flight sim MMO.
So let's gather suggestions for the roleplaying element of the game. Ways in which RP can be promoted, rewarded, and more thoroughly incorporated into VO.
My first suggestion would be a concensus on naming standards. Do we want to let anything go? Should only legitimate sounding names be allowed? Should hotrodding pilot names like "Ace Striker" and "Bomb Scooter" be allowed, but not crap like "l33t h@x0r"? Also, who would enforce this?
Voice communication in game would add another element too, and filtering would allow you to alter your voice, add radio distortion, etc.
What I like about Vendetta is that it bears great similarity in terms of gameplay to the EV series, but in 3d with a multiplayer element. The problem is, without good roleplaying elements you lose the fine storylines a single player game offers. In short, VO needs good roleplaying to fill the void and keep the game worth playing. people who like PvP might be happy, but I keep hearing that they'd rather go play Worlds of Warcraft if they want that kind of MMO. I know the game is still in its early stages, but this is where we can plant the seeds of roleplaying that will grow VO into more than a flight sim MMO.
So let's gather suggestions for the roleplaying element of the game. Ways in which RP can be promoted, rewarded, and more thoroughly incorporated into VO.
My first suggestion would be a concensus on naming standards. Do we want to let anything go? Should only legitimate sounding names be allowed? Should hotrodding pilot names like "Ace Striker" and "Bomb Scooter" be allowed, but not crap like "l33t h@x0r"? Also, who would enforce this?
Voice communication in game would add another element too, and filtering would allow you to alter your voice, add radio distortion, etc.
No to name enforcement.
Voice communication would take too long/eat too much bandwidth.
Voice communication would take too long/eat too much bandwidth.
If you want to roleplay, talk to Miharu ingame. Or anyone in the "Make a Profile for your Character" thread, for that matter.
When I am in game I am always RPing, I use this as my forum personna because it is my most recognized character and most people know me by it.
RPing in the game is an example of a glass half filled with water, or half empty, depenind how you see it.
Most so called RPG limit your character to the story lines, you can only do a limited number of actions in certain senerios.
Vendetta on the other hand provides you with the backstory and climate to RP then lets you go about it however you want. If you wish to be a pirate, there is no computer controlled pirate mission, you just go start being a pirate, and soon people will know you thus.
I find this system of RP much more fun then any others I have seen for many years.
I can do what I want without having to do what the computer tells me I should do, or have to do.
The only thing the current system is missing in Vendetta is immersion(sorry for spelling, its a failing I know).
The game does not yet make you feel like you are part of it easily. This needs to be worked on for sure.
As for voice chat and name restrictions...
Voice chat is better left to outside programs for reasons others have pointed out already. The game works well with TeamSpeak and others.
Character Name limitation I do not like, this is your call sign and speeks something of who you are as a character and a person. If somebody wants their callsign to be @#3l1t3f00l well then that works for me and does not hinder RPing in any sence.
RPing in the game is an example of a glass half filled with water, or half empty, depenind how you see it.
Most so called RPG limit your character to the story lines, you can only do a limited number of actions in certain senerios.
Vendetta on the other hand provides you with the backstory and climate to RP then lets you go about it however you want. If you wish to be a pirate, there is no computer controlled pirate mission, you just go start being a pirate, and soon people will know you thus.
I find this system of RP much more fun then any others I have seen for many years.
I can do what I want without having to do what the computer tells me I should do, or have to do.
The only thing the current system is missing in Vendetta is immersion(sorry for spelling, its a failing I know).
The game does not yet make you feel like you are part of it easily. This needs to be worked on for sure.
As for voice chat and name restrictions...
Voice chat is better left to outside programs for reasons others have pointed out already. The game works well with TeamSpeak and others.
Character Name limitation I do not like, this is your call sign and speeks something of who you are as a character and a person. If somebody wants their callsign to be @#3l1t3f00l well then that works for me and does not hinder RPing in any sence.
I'm with Durgia on this. If you want to RP, you can do so within the game already by interacting with other players, instead of relying on hardcoded gameplay elements. Ultimately, RP is how other people view you, not how the server judges you.
The thing about RP that the last couple of posters are missing is that RP'ing is kind of ruined when some are not participating.
You get a nice bit of faction vs faction you suck convo going RP style and then some butthole comes on talks about how much he wants to hump shrubya's leg and well... It's time to turn off the channel.
This is why most games that even attempt any kind of RP environment usually have a dedicated RP server. This probably won't be possible in VO for a long time, if ever as we don't have the people.
So, in closing, I would be more likely to RP in VO than any other game I have ever played. I would support any initiatives to promote RP'ing but I won't recommend any. I think that since the game was in beta for so long and most of the beta players are still around/used to having their own way. Any sort of changes in regard to RP are unlikely.
You get a nice bit of faction vs faction you suck convo going RP style and then some butthole comes on talks about how much he wants to hump shrubya's leg and well... It's time to turn off the channel.
This is why most games that even attempt any kind of RP environment usually have a dedicated RP server. This probably won't be possible in VO for a long time, if ever as we don't have the people.
So, in closing, I would be more likely to RP in VO than any other game I have ever played. I would support any initiatives to promote RP'ing but I won't recommend any. I think that since the game was in beta for so long and most of the beta players are still around/used to having their own way. Any sort of changes in regard to RP are unlikely.
Durgia and Chao are 200% right.
Perhaps there should be more ingame events like CTC. The news system should also bring some additional background for RP.
Perhaps there should be more ingame events like CTC. The news system should also bring some additional background for RP.
Roleplaying takes place on channel 300
...check here:
http://www.vendetta-online.com/x/msgboard/1/7218#86696
...check here:
http://www.vendetta-online.com/x/msgboard/1/7218#86696
btw if you see some person wanting to hump anothers leg, or talk about stuff thats really stupid...
Have you never seen a drunk person before? Perhaps not, but go watch some and all that stupid behaviour makes sence RP wise. The bar is doing well some nights.
Have you never seen a drunk person before? Perhaps not, but go watch some and all that stupid behaviour makes sence RP wise. The bar is doing well some nights.
I agree. People butting in RP conversations can always be ignored. I myself RP all the time while in-game, even when discussing game features or real life (which annoys (Sp?) some people).
I'm rarely at the bar, though, because I mostly like to take in the vistas of VO.
I'm rarely at the bar, though, because I mostly like to take in the vistas of VO.
What a great idea... I've never played Vendetta drunk... sweet!
entropy, if you do, you won't be the first, and definitely not the last ;)
prerecorded voice message Is a solution (with filter it's light and you can customise it)
and speaking computer (this feature must can be turn off) could help for immersion.
(maybe jutse simple sentence about Jump "jump coordonate for Divinia H10 confirm, jumpind in bound"
"entering to divinia H10" and all other computer text message about ion storm and no fiht area and ....
"recevieng incomming transmission" when message recieve.) not to hard to add and increase the immersion so much.
and speaking computer (this feature must can be turn off) could help for immersion.
(maybe jutse simple sentence about Jump "jump coordonate for Divinia H10 confirm, jumpind in bound"
"entering to divinia H10" and all other computer text message about ion storm and no fiht area and ....
"recevieng incomming transmission" when message recieve.) not to hard to add and increase the immersion so much.
i suggested a sound for when private messages came in, but now that you mention it i think it would be even better to have "incoming message" announced... awesome idea :)
roleplaying in online space games can be taken two ways. The first is that everyone is roleplaying - after all, we're all flying spaceships, l33tsp34k might be a prevalent language, we shoot each other, we trade. The second is that very few roleplay.
In the other space MMORPG this issue has come up a lot recently. Many RP'ers ask for more ways to RP, as if just becuase they decide to out-and-out RP they should get something special. This isnt how MMORPG's work, it ends up forcing players to RP who dont want to and leads to friction.
The other issue with roleplaying is that Rp'ers often want to make themselves more important than everyone else. They like titles, unique items, status symbols. The truth is that very few can become leaders, and some Rp'ers cant take being 'normal', its hard for them to roleplay it.
One of the recent posts on my guild's forum (Elite) was about out guild's backstory/RP. The guilds are going to be very important to RP - how they act and respond to the rest of the galaxy will provide the majority of the RP. There are already anti-Itani and anti-Serco guilds, they will be expected to try and coerce other guilds to join their cause etc.
IMHO channel 100 should be general OOC discussion. Its important that players can ask questions without having to wade through a load of RP. A separate channel for roleplay exists, which is a good idea.
In the end players need to realise that RP starts with the players. If you roleplay it, Devs will usually help when they have time. Player-made content is by far the best kind, as it helps with immersion and feels more genuine than spoon-fed content.
Just my thoughts...
In the other space MMORPG this issue has come up a lot recently. Many RP'ers ask for more ways to RP, as if just becuase they decide to out-and-out RP they should get something special. This isnt how MMORPG's work, it ends up forcing players to RP who dont want to and leads to friction.
The other issue with roleplaying is that Rp'ers often want to make themselves more important than everyone else. They like titles, unique items, status symbols. The truth is that very few can become leaders, and some Rp'ers cant take being 'normal', its hard for them to roleplay it.
One of the recent posts on my guild's forum (Elite) was about out guild's backstory/RP. The guilds are going to be very important to RP - how they act and respond to the rest of the galaxy will provide the majority of the RP. There are already anti-Itani and anti-Serco guilds, they will be expected to try and coerce other guilds to join their cause etc.
IMHO channel 100 should be general OOC discussion. Its important that players can ask questions without having to wade through a load of RP. A separate channel for roleplay exists, which is a good idea.
In the end players need to realise that RP starts with the players. If you roleplay it, Devs will usually help when they have time. Player-made content is by far the best kind, as it helps with immersion and feels more genuine than spoon-fed content.
Just my thoughts...
to truly RP, you shouldn't be in any channel...
sending messages spherically to the ends of the universe (to be received by all ships within) is impractical, not to mention impossible.
sending messages spherically to the ends of the universe (to be received by all ships within) is impractical, not to mention impossible.
nothing is impossible, just statistically unlikely.
i just want to say that the guy who started this forum thread sounds like the Comic Book guy from the simpsons
STOP BEING SO DAMN CRITCAL
STOP BEING SO DAMN CRITCAL
Impossible? HAH *cough* *internet* *cough*
[Locked, whilst wearing a fursuit]