So, here's this little article I wrote last year for another blog....over at Ongoing Worlds. Give them a gander if you're interested in reading more about roleplaying and characters and what-not. Of course, you can find that stuff here too. So without further ado:
We all have those things in life that aggravate us. Just
like there are things in Roleplay that annoy us. And on the occasion,
tremendously….Some, more than others and some people more than others. No, I am
not saying some folks are annoying, even if the fact is sometimes true. I’m
saying that some people tend to get annoyed more easily than others might. And
some things are just plain more annoying than others.
That being said, I’ve come up with a list of ten things
that annoy roleplayers. This is just in general. And heck, it might not annoy
you…. But who’s to say it doesn’t annoy someone else? Enjoy!
Quantity over Quality- Not everyone can wax lyrical
prose. And not everyone can write a five paragraph post per character. Now
sure, we as roleplayers, don’t like getting, or even writing “one-liners”, but
why should the quantity matter more than the quality? I just don’t get it. It
seems that having a good, well written post beats having a too long, too wordy,
didn’t you just type that in your previous post, post.
Mary Sue characters- This one really is a given, but we
can’t not mention it here, now can we? Every time I myself create a character I
wonder if this newly created character is too ‘Mary Sue’. Pretty sure I’m not
alone in that thought! Roleplaying with a Mary Sue tends to take the fun out of
roleplay. It leaves no room for character development in game, nor should any
one character be the best, most intelligent, strongest, etc…. Except prettiest,
definitely have to have one of those… Joking!
Attention Seekers- I know everyone likes to be
appreciated, but there are some that take things a little too far, always
calling attention to themselves, or to their characters. And I’m being nice here by calling them
“seekers” and not the other choice word others tend to use! This type of
annoying is those that tend to make, at every available opportunity, a post –or
thread- about themselves. Or, one of
their characters. Whatever…doesn’t matter as long as it is about them and they
get the attention.
Nit-Picking/Pedantic players- We all know folks like
this, right? Every little detail has to be just right. Rules, rules, rules….Yes,
every game, every club needs rules but when you have created a game (sim),
there is usually a tad bit left open for creativeness. Role-play is a pastime,
a hobby – it is supposed to be, and should be fun! Everyone makes mistakes, and
no single person is perfect, so it is only natural for one to have a post where
a word is misspelled and overlooked. It’s not like they did it on purpose. I
for one am notorious for mixing up the words who and how when I type. Guess
sometimes, my fingers can’t keep up with my sporadic thoughts. Seriously
though, plain and simple, it just isn’t nice to nit-picking another player’s
post or the GM.
Being ignored! –You’ve posted a reply, a response in a
group role-play thread. It’s a good one, too… complete with something witty.
And then others post and your character was ignored. Why? Who knows…. But the
fact that it is rather on the annoying side doesn’t change.
Cliques – Every site, group, club, and community, has
them. Yes, I did just write that! And it is true, because they do. Even if they
say they don’t, guess what? They do! Now, don’t get me wrong, as this is not
always a bad thing for newcomers. While some are evil and picky and don’t like
to let new folks in, there are those that are very friendly and welcoming. So I
guess in all actuality, this one of those things that is borderline annoying!
Overly long Character applications- You’ve stumbled onto
a most awesome RP site, or game, but one look at the character app and all the
details upon details they want included, makes you ask “why?” And ok, maybe
freak you out a smidgen…maybe! But it does risk the possibility of deterring
one for joining not only the site, but the game. Honestly, leaving room for
character development, in character and through actual roleplay, is not that
bad of an idea. And neither is it some kind of sin.
In character bullying- Odd one? I hope it is. But after
actually witnessing such first hand, there really is some sense in having it be
annoying. Now I completely understand that not every character will get along….and
what’s the fun in that? And also that not every player will get along, either.
But, if you cannot stay in character while rp-ing with someone you don’t like,
or someone whose character has a fly off the handle temper (which has been
stated in the cio/app), then how good of a roleplayer, and adult, are you?
Sorry if this one pushes some buttons, but this does actually happen, folks.
Meta-gaming (mind reading)- Another given annoyance, I
know. But bear with me here…. It is a bigger issue to some, than Mary Sue’s, at
least in this gals humble opinion. Some also call this mind reading…ya know…that
small itty-bitty detail other players know about your character, but their
characters dont’t –that gets mentioned anyways? Or…. You’ve written something –
your character’s thoughts, so to speak- about something and suddenly the other
character KNOWS! Gasp! *clears throat* Excuse me?
Lack of Respect- This folks, is without a doubt my number
one… the thing that annoys me the greatest. In most of our RPG’s, not matter
which type they are, play-by-post, tabletop, PBEM, just to name a few, everyone
should respect each other. You never know the demon’s that are hiding behind
another person’s eyes, or in our case, their words…their characters, etc. No
one person is the same and neither do they create or write the same. Respect on
another, and I will venture to guess that your community will flourish.
Maybe one of mine is actually a Mary Sue after all –*Runs
to check!!!
