Define Role Player

Jemcrystal

What makes some one a role player?

Neherun

Personally, I think anyone who immerses with the game world more than he has to can be included in role/lore- player categories.

 

Calkrow

Originally posted by Jemcrystal
What makes some one a role player?

As in generally, or in the context of an MMO player?

Phaserlight

One easy definition might be "Someone that believes the world."

An obvious exception to this would be one who roleplays a skeptic or a paranoid schizophrenic. For example, one who plays a character that believes the world s/he is in is not real could be considered as good a role player as one who brings to the table perceptions that enhance the cogency of the world.

In that case, a better definition might be "One who believes the actions his/her character takes have reality in the context of the game."

For further reading, I recommend "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance"; I think this applies to role playing, also.

As a footnote, it should never be overdone, or more than what is necessary; this is not good role playing.

Unknown

Originally posted by Jemcrystal
What makes some one a role player?

For me, it's someone who pretends to be the character they are controlling while playing, rather than being a person at a computer.

 

They would make decisions in-game based on what the character would do, instead of what they would do if given the choice IRL.

Sovrath

Originally posted by mastercotcot

Originally posted by Jemcrystal
What makes some one a role player?

For me, it's someone who pretends to be the character they are controlling while playing, rather than being a person at a computer.

 

They would make decisions in-game based on what the character would do, instead of what they would do if given the choice IRL.

I agree with this.

while I don't "role play" with other players, I do adopt a personality for the character and will make decisions based upon that character.

For example, my main in Skyrim is a lot more broad minded, albeit always making "good" decisions based upon the moment and what he thinks is "right".

Whereas my second character always does "good" but it's a narrowminded, zealous, strictly by the code of conduct "good".

There is a Dragon that helps the dragon born and you can kill him or let him live. My first character let him live because he viewed the character as being mostly "good". The second character has the stance "dragons are evil and can never be good for humans" and therefore will kill him when the time comes.

Same with the Vampire download content. My first character is friendly to Sirana whereas the second character has nothing but vitriol (when the dialogue allows it) for the character.

I do the same in mmo's but it usually comes down to "not" taking certain quests or not finishing certain quests because the outcome would be against the character.

Vrika

A person who wants to be called a role player.

maybebaked

Originally posted by Vrika
A person who wants to be called a role player.

Pretty much. They define themselves as roleplayers and act accordingly.

Bladestrom

You can label yourself a roleplayer ^^ but who would do that If they don't like to roleplay. As comment mention above roleplayer is someone who allows themeselves to pretend they are their character. E.g a roleplayer will treat stealing as a moral decision, whereas a non roleplayer will steal based on convenience and perceived value.

ArtificeVenatus

 

nariusseldon

Originally posted by mastercotcot

Originally posted by Jemcrystal
What makes some one a role player?

For me, it's someone who pretends to be the character they are controlling while playing, rather than being a person at a computer.

 

They would make decisions in-game based on what the character would do, instead of what they would do if given the choice IRL.

You just ruled out a big majority of gamers. In fact, I have been gaming for decades, and i have yet to meet a role-player by your definition (not counting playing pnp RPG).

ArtificeVenatus

 

Aethaeryn

There are many levels:

 

To me it is someone who plays the character as someone separate from themselves.  Maybe they have different goals or treat situations and people differently than the player would.   

Most players will be a hybrid where they think of a personality for their character that is an extension or exageration of themselves.  Basically taking one part of their personality and amplifying it.  They tend then to take things more personally.

Most gamers are light at the most and think their character is a game persona but really a true extension of themselves.  This seems to be most common and I don't consider that role player myself. 

 

nariusseldon

Originally posted by Enbysra

Originally posted by nariusseldon

Originally posted by mastercotcot

Originally posted by Jemcrystal
What makes some one a role player?

For me, it's someone who pretends to be the character they are controlling while playing, rather than being a person at a computer.

They would make decisions in-game based on what the character would do, instead of what they would do if given the choice IRL.

You just ruled out a big majority of gamers. In fact, I have been gaming for decades, and i have yet to meet a role-player by your definition (not counting playing pnp RPG).

Yes, that does rule out the majority of "gamers"... That is just it though, not all "gamers" are, should be, can be "Roleplayers." And defining "roleplayer" is the subject as per the title of this thread. Defining "roleplayers" also by definition, tells quite well the issue with today's Massive Multiplayer Online ROLEPLAYING Games.

well, today's MMO "Roleplaying" Game has no audience ... if they define roleplayers as you do.

The audience is gamers, not roleplayers. The words "RPG" are just incidental. It is not important to the business at all.

 

5Luck

Sticking to a "role" or a certant previously outline criteria. Weather that be speaking like a pirate or min/max-ing these are both roles defined by the player.

 

nariusseldon

Originally posted by 5Luck

Sticking to a "role" or a certant previously outline criteria. Weather that be speaking like a pirate or min/max-ing these are both roles defined by the player.

 

So I am a "roleplayer" when i play the "role" of a middle age professional playing some online game in front of the computer controlling a toon, and chat about the latest Marvel movies all day?

aesperus

Another thread where we attempt to re-define a term which already has an established meaning?

Role Player has a definition. A very simple google search can give that to you. What people choose to believe the term is on an individual basis is all fine and good, but it doesn't change the fact that it already has an accepted meaning.

Wizardry

You are playing the role of your character in a plausible way.Example A warrior riding in a space ship or flying kites would be way out of realistic proportions and looks silly to dumb.

The funny part about the word ROLE is that you get some terrible designers who think "ok lets get rid of the role",umm no, your not a rpg anymore then.Also it is highly unrealistic that you would as  some meaningful Warrior be soloing your life every day yet again we get these weak developers thinking they have some cool idea to change the whole concept of what a RPG is supposed to be.

Also the idea of playing multiple roles is sometimes skewed by again bad developers.There is no way you should be fully skilled  in every profession,there should be some sort of limits to bring back the plausible realism.

Distopia

Originally posted by Bladestrom
You can label yourself a roleplayer ^^ but who would do that If they don't like to roleplay. As comment mention above roleplayer is someone who allows themeselves to pretend they are their character. E.g a roleplayer will treat stealing as a moral decision, whereas a non roleplayer will steal based on convenience and perceived value.

WHat about someone roleplaying a thief?

Archlyte

The market says that a role-player is anyone who tries to get a sword with +750 instead of +600. I say that's a bunch of shit.

AlBQuirky

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Originally posted by Jemcrystal
What makes some one a role player?

---

I have found that every player seems to have their own definition, which is fine for they are the ones "role playing"

Generally speaking, it can be as literal as "playing a role", from Mario in Donkey Kong to the spy in Impossible Mission to the "box loader" trying fit boxes together in Tetris.

It can also be as complicated as the player desires, from a big, dumb brute to a highly intelligent scholar to a Don Juan type of romantic role or even playing a character so unlike the player's real life personality.

Most of the time, I think players think "the best" is a role that they play. Number crunching can also be "role Playing."

Good luck getting a definitive answer

[EDIT]
I think Gorwe and mastercotcot have the right idea, for me

Archlyte

Originally posted by AlBQuirky

 

---

Originally posted by Jemcrystal
What makes some one a role player?

---

I have found that every player seems to have their own definition, which is fine for they are the ones "role playing"

 

Generally speaking, it can be as literal as "playing a role", from Mario in Donkey Kong to the spy in Impossible Mission to the "box loader" trying fit boxes together in Tetris.

It can also be as complicated as the player desires, from a big, dumb brute to a highly intelligent scholar to a Don Juan type of romantic role or even playing a character so unlike the player's real life personality.

Most of the time, I think players think "the best" is a role that they play. Number crunching can also be "role Playing."

Good luck getting a definitive answer

[EDIT]
I think Gorwe and mastercotcot have the right idea, for me

Al if that is true then the term Role-Player simply doesn't mean anything. With all respect, I just think that is a bit of a cop out. It's cool to be adaptive to people's preferences, but at some point to me it just becomes fad speak. No to me Role-Playing has a definition and Tetris doesn't have any role-playing in it.

Number crunching is number crunching, it's not role-playing.

Bladestrom

That would be a role playing moral decision to be a thief there distopia concrete example, I don't steal items that belong to people in ESO as I role play the good wizard and don't feel that fits in with my role.

Distopia

Originally posted by nariusseldon

Originally posted by Enbysra

Originally posted by nariusseldon

Originally posted by mastercotcot

Originally posted by Jemcrystal
What makes some one a role player?

For me, it's someone who pretends to be the character they are controlling while playing, rather than being a person at a computer.

They would make decisions in-game based on what the character would do, instead of what they would do if given the choice IRL.

You just ruled out a big majority of gamers. In fact, I have been gaming for decades, and i have yet to meet a role-player by your definition (not counting playing pnp RPG).

Yes, that does rule out the majority of "gamers"... That is just it though, not all "gamers" are, should be, can be "Roleplayers." And defining "roleplayer" is the subject as per the title of this thread. Defining "roleplayers" also by definition, tells quite well the issue with today's Massive Multiplayer Online ROLEPLAYING Games.

well, today's MMO "Roleplaying" Game has no audience ... if they define roleplayers as you do.

The audience is gamers, not roleplayers. The words "RPG" are just incidental. It is not important to the business at all.

 

You're missing the point entirely. MMORPGs are meant to be widely acceptable, so yes they include elements that try and cover large demographics, but the question presented here, isn't really about MMO's or monetary gains (whos the bigger audience) it's about an act...to roleplay, which has a definitive meaning, you're taking on a different persona and are playing it out. Many MMO's have roleplaying communities, some have supported servers for it, they are the servers I always pick because they usually have less nonsense going on in my experience.

 

Distopia

Originally posted by Bladestrom
That would be a role playing moral decision to be a thief there distopia concrete example, I don't steal items that belong to people in ESO as I role play the good wizard and don't feel that fits in with my role.

I know, just being silly, I'm the guy you see walking in these games, blending in with the rest of scenery. I actually miss Morrowinds stamina drain when running, it made you slow down otherwise you had no stamina for a fight. I understand perfectly well what you're saying, that's exactly how I approach most RPG's.

nariusseldon

Originally posted by Distopia

Originally posted by nariusseldon

 

well, today's MMO "Roleplaying" Game has no audience ... if they define roleplayers as you do.

The audience is gamers, not roleplayers. The words "RPG" are just incidental. It is not important to the business at all.

 

You're missing the point entirely. MMORPGs are meant to be widely acceptable, so yes they include elements that try and cover large demographics, but the question presented here, isn't really about MMO's or monetary gains (whos the bigger audience) it's about an act...to roleplay, which has a definitive meaning, you're taking on a different persona and are playing it out. Many MMO's have roleplaying communities, some have supported servers for it, they are the servers I always pick because they usually have less nonsense going on in my experience.

 

uh? You didn't say anything contradicting what i said? It is fair game to point out that the question posted here is unimportant if there are so few roleplayers out there anyway.

You may like it ... but it is not very relevant to devs.