The Concept of Jump-In Roleplays (Full Version)

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Arthur -> The Concept of Jump-In Roleplays (6/3/2015 12:16:04)

Hey guys,

It's been really long since I posted in this section, what with all my end semester burden on me. Well, vacations are going on now so I am here till end of July.(Love college holidays)

I wanted to know how many here know and are interested in Jump-In Roleplays. Here's something to help.

What is a Jump-In Roleplay...?

A Jump-In RP is basically a kind of RP that focuses almost completely on IC Interaction. RPers just jump in with their characters and start RPing. So while these kinds of RPs are IC-Centric, they are not completely devoid of OoC's. OoC's in this case are important for plot discussion and furthering. Also, since the GM always plays the biggest role in plot-making, it can help the GM to maintain a list of all who've joined. Basically anyone and everyone can enjoy a Jump-In RP.

Now the challenging aspect of a Jump-In RP is that you won't have the information that you usually have in the OoC's. You will have absolutely no info on any new characters that join the... fray, to say. So RPers will genuinely have to discover each and every character. The contrast here is that you usually have this meta-information about each and every character that joins the RP, but your character doesn't so in a way, you know what to expect but your character doesn't. The difference here is that neither of you know what to expect. The surprise, the anticipation and the challenge increases that much more.

The disadvantages that I see are the immense possibilities of godmodding. If in a magic-based RP, a character joins in and starts using what can be called World-breaking powers, then there's no space for rectification in the IC itself. Secondly, the writing levels which are bound to vary from person to person, especially those who frequent the RP Section and those who don't(I don't mean to offend anyone.). But I am pretty sure these can be worked out.



Some very important plot possibilities come to mind when you come to think of it, wouldn't you say...?

A few such as:

1. A Dragon-Hunting RP where 2-3 factions roam around in the wilds looking for Star-Dragons with the ability to make the wielder of their cores all-powerful. Each faction(maybe one good, one evil) wants it to further their own plans.
2. A Post-Apocalyptic Survival RP(with Zombies or something else) with survivors who join every day and set out on expeditions for food and supplies. A Plot could be made out of it.

This can help the activity of the boards as well.
What are your opinions...?



Starstruck -> RE: The Concept of Jump-In Roleplays (6/3/2015 13:31:40)

I think it might be fun, but I dislike the idea of just allowing people to dive in without making a bio. That can cause all kinds of trouble, not only for other players, but also for the person who dove right in!

However!

I absolutely love the concept of not being able to see the bios of others, and I think that if you were to send your bio to the GM vis-a-vis the PM system, it would neatly sidestep the issue of super-powerful characters and inexperienced writers. To preserve the spirit of the thing, they could take a lax attitude towards approving bios and take in any characters who are not obviously overpowered or show clear evidence of extreme inexperience.



Arthur -> RE: The Concept of Jump-In Roleplays (6/3/2015 14:04:19)

But then again, that would defeat the point of a Jump-In.

The RPer has the bio made in his head and that's how he plays the characters. It's like playing a friend or family member of yours from memory.



Dragonnightwolf -> RE: The Concept of Jump-In Roleplays (6/3/2015 14:40:10)

The problem with such a thing Arthur is there's no real way of setting any real limits as to what a character can do. If it's written in a bio everyone can read. Then it is easier for others to know what person has what ability, skill etc.

The most you can get out of an apocalyptic role-play involving a zombie infestation is different statures of pretty much human (or what have you) relying specifically on their physical attributes. Ie Camo, strength, etc.

Now I've seen jump in role-plays (in fact I was in a Jump-in role-play for one from Vampire the Masquerade) Unfortunately at the time I had joined it, I knew absolutely nothing about the plot, about the character interactions, about their skills or anything and I was killed off rather quick. Which is due to the fact that people didn't bother to explain anything.

You have to be kind of familiar with a specific setting. Let's say you are in a jungle. Clearly you would want something that corresponds with Jungle type attributes such as a tiger or a gorilla or something.



TJByrum -> RE: The Concept of Jump-In Roleplays (6/6/2015 9:25:33)

While it may be unrelated, I sort of like the idea not knowing a single thing about the other characters. It would provide incentive to have my own character ask, observe, and learn about the other characters via character-to-character interaction. So your 'avatar', so to speak, would be gathering information at the same rate your actual self would be. This would provide a new type of immersion for the players, expanding the player-to-character relationship one can form. Your characters would act as a sort of conduit that connects you to the actual RP.



dethhollow -> RE: The Concept of Jump-In Roleplays (6/8/2015 17:40:45)

I feel like this could be really cool, but there are two VERY important things people need to know for an RP. What a character looks like and what a character can do. Knowing these two things is sort-of a necessity for the GM and the other players. I love the concept, but players should at least have to PM their skills to the GM and submit a mini-bio with their character's name and appearance.

I mean, while it would be good for players to just post their appearance in their first post or something, it's just more convenient and useful to have it written down in an OoC thread so we know what the heck we're looking at, if this character has any special items they're wearing, stuff like that. Everything else can be figured out as the RP goes on and could end up being a really fun experience.



Kooroo -> RE: The Concept of Jump-In Roleplays (6/18/2015 15:42:51)

Several things it relies on, yes.

Firstly, rules. Making sure people stick by a few house rules such as 'vague character description in first post' can prevent character appearance and things from being a hold up.

Abilities and whatnot are a slightly, uh, fickle matter. There's this thing called 'trust'. I don't know a huge amount about it, but there'd be a fair reliance on trust to make sure participants in the RP don't metagame and make characters that outscale the rest if no Bios are to be posted.



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