Role Playing?

[Isanov]

Re: Role Playing?

I've only just (re)started the game, but so far I have had nothing but good experience with role-playing. Now I try not to do anything annoying like macro quotes and IC conversations near populated (read AH) areas. Every once in a while I'll say something like "Windhurst, I shall have my revenge!" to nobody in paticular just because I feel like it.

When I talk to someone (conversationally) I find its not difficult to stay IC if you dont try to "accent" yourself (no "Thou" or "It's Hiptaru!") since it just ticks people off. Its also important not to abbreviate (except in battle), (its hard to avoid saying "Sandy" instead of San D'Oria). I try to only break character if I'm /tell or put it in brackets (yadda yadda) style. I keep one (of two) characters as non-RP for when I get tired of RPing.

My RP character is Vicairs, a young elf who moved to San D'oria as a child when his home was destroyed,father and sister killed by (not sure what race yet) who he holds a vendetta with. After coming of age, Vicairs decided to learn the ways of the far-off nations so he could become worthy of becoming a Knight of San D'Oria.

On my way to Windhurst I ended up in (city within V. Dunes) only to realize I had left all my cash with my other char. I asked for money (96 gil) that i would repay when I reached windhurst , phrasing it in a RP way. Immediately two people offered me money, the one who took from gave me 3k and told me to keep it. I realize stuff like that doesn't happen all the time, but I think my RPing it instead of just begging helped.

Now I am looking for a RP linkshell, but I dont know if there are any in Midgardsormr. If you want to RP just do it, even if you are talking to nobody in paticular. I have fun with it and if you can too then more congats! I think a little more Roleplay and a little less Lewtspeak makes a better experience for everyone on the server.

[Blood Red Poet]

Re: Role Playing?

I bet most people won't know how to roleplay in FFXI. Maybe its easy to act like a snobish Elvaan or nonstandardize Hume, but people just don't know a lot. I have no experience at all with role-playing in online games, but I can already imagine people over emphasing Tarutaru's accents and playing Mithras as total sluts.

On the other hand, this game has an actually storyline, unlike MMORPGs where people actually say "You have to make up a story, lawl". You are genetic hero #1, with no backstory, unable to visit your home village, and Link-ish responses. However, FFXI is getting closer and closer with letting you build your own 'personality'. I can imagine in two or three expansions, we will have a mission or large questline where personality plays a big role.

[Icemage]

Re: Role Playing?

I think the big problem with roleplaying in FFXI vs. other MMORPGs is that you aren't stuck to a single job per character. It makes a lot less sense to "role play" a cowardly thief when you're on your Paladin or Black Mage job, for instance.

Other MMORPGs don't allow you to change professions on the fly, so locking in your RP personality traits is much more natural, but every time you change your subjob or main job in FFXI, you're most likely out of character.


Icemage

[Prettz]

Re: Role Playing?

I think the big problem with roleplaying in FFXI vs. other MMORPGs is that you aren't stuck to a single job per character. It makes a lot less sense to "role play" a cowardly thief when you're on your Paladin or Black Mage job, for instance.

Other MMORPGs don't allow you to change professions on the fly, so locking in your RP personality traits is much more natural, but every time you change your subjob or main job in FFXI, you're most likely out of character.

That's a very good point and it is difficult to RP that out. I've seen players RP the job change as a "different style of combat" or something like that. Using a subjob would be like appying your knowledge of that style to your current style.

"I'm trained as a Red Mage, but in order to focus more on the use of White Magic, I must train as a White Mage." -- for my case as a RDM/WHM.

It's kinda cheesy, but sometimes you can't escape the cheese.

[Isanov]

Re: Role Playing?

I think the big problem with roleplaying in FFXI vs. other MMORPGs is that you aren't stuck to a single job per character. It makes a lot less sense to "role play" a cowardly thief when you're on your Paladin or Black Mage job, for instance.

Other MMORPGs don't allow you to change professions on the fly, so locking in your RP personality traits is much more natural, but every time you change your subjob or main job in FFXI, you're most likely out of character.


Icemage

Its not that difficult if you plan what you want to do. For my elf, he naturally starts training as a war (elfen boy growing up in a knight society). I will train theif a little (he grew up desolate so he already gained those skills, doesnt mean he is a theif in the traditional sense). I will then go DRK/WAR as he sacrafices his humanity for power (cliche I know) so-that he can become strong enough to revenge on (undecided beastman race/NM that killed his father/sister). Later he might give up the DRK to take up RDM/BLM when he realizes the fast-track to power that is DRK is costing him his humanity.

Now I have my basic career path down in a RP setting that makes sense. Changing to something for a few days (like going THF for farming) shouldn't be considered OOC, and if you want to you could RP it as doing something different for a few days. I.E a great warrior stoped in his adventures for a time to help the villagers build a fence, he is still a great warrior despite the fact that he is working in construction.

[Blood Red Poet]

Re: Role Playing?

Its not that difficult if you plan what you want to do. For my elf, he naturally starts training as a war (elfen boy growing up in a knight society). I will train theif a little (he grew up desolate so he already gained those skills, doesnt mean he is a theif in the traditional sense). I will then go DRK/WAR as he sacrafices his humanity for power (cliche I know) so-that he can become strong enough to revenge on (undecided beastman race/NM that killed his father/sister). Later he might give up the DRK to take up RDM/BLM when he realizes the fast-track to power that is DRK is costing him his humanity.

Now I have my basic career path down in a RP setting that makes sense. Changing to something for a few days (like going THF for farming) shouldn't be considered OOC, and if you want to you could RP it as doing something different for a few days. I.E a great warrior stoped in his adventures for a time to help the villagers build a fence, he is still a great warrior despite the fact that he is working in construction.

Like I said, people don't understand FFXI. You have already failed RPing at it.

-There are no Elves. Simply Elvaan and Tarutaru, the two close to it.
-Assuming you mean Elvaan, Elvaan are always in a knightly society. They have been tribal and foresty back when Windurst ruled the two continents, but now they are very far from it.
-There are three NPC specific jobs: DRK, SMN, and DRG. In Vana'diel, one has to encounter Zeid, Carnbuncle, and obtain their wyvern to reach those points. More over, all jobs have their own stories, but you can decide to void that since there are an unlimited amount of the other jobs.

[Isanov]

Re: Role Playing?

Like I said, people don't understand FFXI. You have already failed RPing at it.

-There are no Elves. Simply Elvaan and Tarutaru, the two close to it.
-Assuming you mean Elvaan, Elvaan are always in a knightly society. They have been tribal and foresty back when Windurst ruled the two continents, but now they are very far from it.
-There are three NPC specific jobs: DRK, SMN, and DRG. In Vana'diel, one has to encounter Zeid, Carnbuncle, and obtain their wyvern to reach those points. More over, all jobs have their own stories, but you can decide to void that since there are an unlimited amount of the other jobs.

I assume these forums know I mean Elvaan when I say Elf. Another of those slipups that are hard to avoid in-game. As to the Elvaan (its really 2 A's?) background, I dont really see what you mean. San D'Oria is a very RPG-traditional knight-oriented kingdom, it says as much when you start there. I have not had the priviledge of playing thru all the story, but I assume many Elf, excuse me Elvaan, live in huts and houses in the surrounding forest and Sandy region. I originally thought to make him a refugee from (whatever that nation that was destroyed) but it clashed with the idea of a young idealistic character.

As to the NPC thing, what is problematic about that? I dont see why I cant journey to meet with some NPC that scuttlebut says will show you the secrets of SMN/DRK/ETC. Its not like you have to dedicate yourself to whatever job you currently have. If you are a DRK then you are a Warrior using a DRK fighting style. If you are a RDM then you are a mage using red magic. You dont have to sign into the Union of Red Mages and wear a button or anything.

I wont be ignoring the story when I quest. I will simply get caught up in those events as I prepare for my greater personal quest: To avenge my family by slaying the NM that killed them, Earning a trusted spot in San D'Oria's council (un-doable, but its a life-long goal and Elfs live a long time) or whatever else I want to lead my character to. The story I have woven for my guy should last thru months or more of playing before I actually have to resolve anything (Kill that NM) and move onto a new goal.

[Blood Red Poet]

Re: Role Playing?

I assume these forums know I mean Elvaan when I say Elf. Another of those slipups that are hard to avoid in-game. As to the Elvaan (its really 2 A's?) background, I dont really see what you mean. San D'Oria is a very RPG-traditional knight-oriented kingdom, it says as much when you start there. I have not had the priviledge of playing thru all the story, but I assume many Elf, excuse me Elvaan, live in huts and houses in the surrounding forest and Sandy region. I originally thought to make him a refugee from (whatever that nation that was destroyed) but it clashed with the idea of a young idealistic character.

As to the NPC thing, what is problematic about that? I dont see why I cant journey to meet with some NPC that scuttlebut says will show you the secrets of SMN/DRK/ETC. Its not like you have to dedicate yourself to whatever job you currently have. If you are a DRK then you are a Warrior using a DRK fighting style. If you are a RDM then you are a mage using red magic. You dont have to sign into the Union of Red Mages and wear a button or anything.

I wont be ignoring the story when I quest. I will simply get caught up in those events as I prepare for my greater personal quest: To avenge my family by slaying the NM that killed them, Earning a trusted spot in San D'Oria's council (un-doable, but its a life-long goal and Elfs live a long time) or whatever else I want to lead my character to. The story I have woven for my guy should last thru months or more of playing before I actually have to resolve anything (Kill that NM) and move onto a new goal.

When you say "elfen" raise in a knighthood style, you make it appear that he is an outsider because he is like the traditional 'elf'. You also say Elfs live a long time. Nay. You need to realize FFXI is very anti-tolkien. At the very most, Elves live about as long as Humes and they age very clearly. Tarutaru on the other hand... do not and cast magic and live in and among trees. We do not see villages, but its clear Elvaan only respect trees in passing interest and are not at all Tolkien-ish. They don't cast spells, they are extremely lawful(not very free-spirited like elves) and religious, they wear more heavy armor than another other nation, they are racist, and they are very tall and built. Elvaan is so very unelvish. San d'Oria = France.

Tarutaru on the other hand is exactly what an Tolkien elf is, -3 or 4 feet.

http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/index.shtml

Study it. Welcome to Vana'diel to Gameplay. Also look at the expansions.

Double Post Edited:
PS.

It's Windurst.

[Jekk]

Re: Role Playing?

I don't care how people roleplay or if they "fail" at it, it's a game, they can do what they want (as long as it isn't against the rules =/).

[Blood Red Poet]

Re: Role Playing?

They can roleplay all they want, they don't have to listen to me, I'm not telling them what to do. I'm just making it clear they are doing it incorrectly.

[Jekk]

Re: Role Playing?

I know =P If I roleplayed, I'd look like a moron @_@ Sorry, hopefully I didn't look rude... I was just saying I don't care how people roleplay.

[Murphie]

Re: Role Playing?

Icemage kind of hit the nail on the head (it's the point I was making earlier with regard to the game structure making RP a bit more difficult in this vs. other MMOs). Since you generally play one character during your time in this game, and you can't easily change servers, etc. it's a lot harder to hone in on one personality for your character. I'm not saying it can't be done, but rather just that the game isn't set up to make it easy on you.

Now, someone who very clearly knows which jobs they want to play from the get go might have an easier time, because they can rationalize the myriad changes that their character will go through to get to their goal (spending time leveling subs, farming, NM camping, etc.). But someone like me, for instance, who fully intends to level just about everything, and who changes his mind quite frequently, it's a bit more complicated to keep up the suspension of disbelief necessary for RP.

In other MMOs, any time I wanted to try out a new personality, I just made a new character. You could do that in FFXI, but man, that's a lot of work just to RP. Doing various quests, missions, limit breaks and so on several times can wear a person out. It's just easier to stick with one person, and do your best to explain why your Paladin character is suddenly a Black Mage or a Thief, or a Beastmaster, but then goes back to being a Paladin for the afternoon when some of his friends need to go on a mission or something.

God I'm rambling...

Anyway, to sum it up, I think if FFXI had allowed folks to choose servers, and had designated different servers for various communities at the start, we'd have a different situation. As it is, every server is essentially the same, and even though some folks might like to get together with people from other servers to form a community around a common interest (RP, or PVP, whatever), the game mechanics don't make that very easy.

[Blood Red Poet]

Re: Role Playing?

The trick is to not role-play a Paladin, role-play a Temple Knight.

Jobs are just a set of skills, traits, and equipment to be placed on the appearence of your character.

[Murphie]

Re: Role Playing?

Recategorizing the jobs is a start, but some of the roles of various jobs are too different to easily justify. So, instead of a Paladin, I'm a "Temple Knight". Or maybe I'm a "Royal Knight". But when I want to level my Summoner, or when I want to be a Blue Mage or a Puppetmaster, I have to figure out how to explain away such a huge change in behavior, skill sets, etc.

Like I said, it's not impossible, but the game mechanics don't make it as easy as other game systems do. Not that other games are perfect vehicles either (I got a kick out of the intro to the Night Elves in WoW where the narrator says "As one of the few remaining Night Elves", meanshile the servers were literally crawling with NE's) but by not locking you into one character they do provide a bit more flexibility.

[Blood Red Poet]

Re: Role Playing?

Exactly, my example of a Temple Knight was bad. Temple Knights are all NPCs.

Mercenary/Adventurer is the only way to go really.