[Locke Cole]

I vote Darken for RP coordinator 2012!

[Xyn]

I do wish we had an active RP coordinator to take over right now. With the current state of things, RP has all but died.
I am not the most experienced or knowledgeable when it comes to roleplay, but I still try since I have RP rewards.

What really irks me and actually discourages RP is when I run into people who bash people for their roleplay. It's nice when I am sitting inside my guild HQ with a horde of players outside spamming things like..

"LOL RP *****"
"COME OUT *****"
"LOLOLOLOL"
and other things that apparently require all caps.

Not to mention people claiming I am just griefing rather keeping to my RP. That's a bit of a different situation.

[Loki]

Sorry, but If a GM knows nothing of RP, they shouldn't be handing out items.

"Role Playing", is the act of setting an imagined/created role or personality for your character, and staying in it at all times.
How is that not understandable?

I think it should be every staff members duty to at least keep a seldom eye on the supposed RP'ers AT ALL TIMES,
even with an RP Coordinator on board.

It is not one persons job to maintain the RULES of IN in aspects of RP.
Every staff member should be responsible for helping maintain the RULES.

Bottom line.

Edit: Sorry for my frustration, but things are really getting out of hand.
Just because of the sudden growth in player base doesn't at all mean it will continue,
especially when people don't follow the rules and theres no one enforcing them.

Regards.

It's okay, this is an important part of the game for you and I understand that. But you also have to understand that the staff are unpaid volunteers with real lives, and even player characters of their own (though personally I've managed about 10mins in the last month on mine). This means we cannot be ever-present and always watching.

If I see someone breaching the RP rules (or any rules) I will take action, but I don't have time to stalk players, I am very busy, not only as a GM but also with other things. Also, staff who do not know about RP do not give out RP items, I am not sure why you'd think otherwise, I for one never give out things like RP items, most the items were given out by our RP coordinators who were very interested in enforcing the rules, but unfortunately real life got in the way of the game for both of them, and cannot do anything about that, real life is always more important than UO no matter who you are.

Now we are aware of the need to replace our RP coordinator(s) but this will take time. Currently Discord has stepped up and taken on some of the duties but as a Counselor it is difficult (extremely limited powers) so like I said, we have to ask for your patience.

In the end it's difficult, if the RP coordinators were still here we probably wouldn't have this problem, but then if I had quit instead the PvP testers would be angry that their aspect of the gameplay was being ignored. The truth is we care about all gaming styles and all aspects of the game, but sometimes shit happens as they say, and it takes some time to get back on track.

[Thenu]

I am tired of seeing no activity on recent topics in the RP section of the forum,
as well as no supervision of supposed Role Players in game.

It is giving IN a bad name in regards to RP,
and it is not being taken seriously.

Perhaps this will get the attention RP needs.

Edit: I DO NOT MEAN RP SHOULD BE FORCED ON EVERYONE ON IN. JUST THE RULES FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO RP, BUT FAIL TO COMPLY.

Out of curiousity, what are the rules of RP on this shard? What would be criteria for staff to claim someone is not RPing?

I ask this as I have played on a 50/50 RP/Normal shard where the only way to access the RP world was to prove yourself to RP in the normal world. And all wanted to go to the RP world as it was better organized. Even the pvpers as there were town factions you could join which lead to huge town wars. However, on this shard 2 x failing to RP would mean your out of that world, and had to apply again. RPing there also meant that you could not engage in PvP before an introduction. For example: someone is fully dressed, cant see skin so you first have to obtain this person's name and intentions as how else would you know that this person is an enemy/ not an ally and worthy of killing (If he gets away due to that so be it, it was your choice to RP)?

Im not suggesting there should be a different world but my question is, how serious is RP taken on this server?

I like RP and will always respect their wish to roleplay (by leaving them alone or making an excuse to leave when conversation is struck), but I do not take players RP serious who are not taking it serious themselves (E.g. I've tried to make someone come out of their house by trying to trigger their RP claims and when they do not I remind them to it).

My curiousity struck again, I might get flamed again by people saying I shouldnt reply to posts I have no relation but with. So to those who intend to, dont bother, your flaming will not be replied to.

[Elia]

I don't see the connection between the thread's title and the poll.

I vote for having an RP coordinator, but I don't want RP to be enforced. Actually, I'd create Trammel and Felluca - one for RPers, and another for the others.

So, if you want to RP, go to Trammel. If you're tired of it, go and spend your time in Felluca, with all the rules-free PvP. Don't cry, if you go to Felluca and someone is ruining your RP. And make RP coordinator do his work in Trammel only. Taking the poll into account, I'm one of the idiots.

[Darken Rahl]

It's okay, this is an important part of the game for you and I understand that. But you also have to understand that the staff are unpaid volunteers with real lives, and even player characters of their own (though personally I've managed about 10mins in the last month on mine). This means we cannot be ever-present and always watching.

If I see someone breaching the RP rules (or any rules) I will take action, but I don't have time to stalk players, I am very busy, not only as a GM but also with other things. Also, staff who do not know about RP do not give out RP items, I am not sure why you'd think otherwise, I for one never give out things like RP items, most the items were given out by our RP coordinators who were very interested in enforcing the rules, but unfortunately real life got in the way of the game for both of them, and cannot do anything about that, real life is always more important than UO no matter who you are.

Now we are aware of the need to replace our RP coordinator(s) but this will take time. Currently Discord has stepped up and taken on some of the duties but as a Counselor it is difficult (extremely limited powers) so like I said, we have to ask for your patience.

In the end it's difficult, if the RP coordinators were still here we probably wouldn't have this problem, but then if I had quit instead the PvP testers would be angry that their aspect of the gameplay was being ignored. The truth is we care about all gaming styles and all aspects of the game, but sometimes shit happens as they say, and it takes some time to get back on track.

I can understand your point of view/stance on this and yeah I know you tend to most of the PvP oriented tasks at hand.
Although, there are more staff members than yourself and Discord lurking around.

Also, when people who are supposedly RPing... and they are clearly breaking the RP code say... in public chat? ALL through out the day?
I really don't understand why there is absolutely no confrontation. (.hearall maybe?)
There are several ways staff can actually manage RP without having to "stalk players".

In regards to that, it takes two seconds to send someone a PM or pop up and give them a warning etc...

I understand there is life outside of UO as a player or staff... trust me on this.
But I don't think that is completely appropriate in regards to this argument due to the fact that;

your a staff member for a reason. You have decided to try and dedicate most of your free time to policing this shard in hopes that it will grow strong.

with that.. if you have time to log into UO as a staff member for any means of work you aim to accomplish, (and this is my opinion) you should automatically have enough time to answer pages to the best of your knowledge, as well as respond to the random person spouting some none sense out of character. As long as you see it happen then and there, perhaps before you get knee deep into scripting work etc..

I have seen public announcements by staff members and people acting out of they're RP's simultaneously. I would love to hear a response to that, as I know I can't be the only one who has seen it happen.

I understand the number of PvP players weighs over the number of RP'ers by a long shot, so maybe perfecting the PvP on IN is pretty up there in concerns of importance.. but I will tell you a lot of players are getting fed up with how RP is being handled.

I would go ahead and say that all of the work outside of RP the staff has been performing is outstanding, and I appreciate your hard work thus far.

I feel like the staff as a whole could be and should at least try to compensate for the loss of the RP coordinator(s),
working together and communicating with one another to try to help out with the "Role Play" aspect of this shard, as a team.

It's not one persons job to maintain PvP, so it shouldn't be one persons job to maintain RP.. right?


Again, I do appreciate you.

Regards.

[Darken Rahl]

Out of curiousity, what are the rules of RP on this shard? What would be criteria for staff to claim someone is not RPing?

I ask this as I have played on a 50/50 RP/Normal shard where the only way to access the RP world was to prove yourself to RP in the normal world. And all wanted to go to the RP world as it was better organized. Even the pvpers as there were town factions you could join which lead to huge town wars. However, on this shard 2 x failing to RP would mean your out of that world, and had to apply again. RPing there also meant that you could not engage in PvP before an introduction. For example: someone is fully dressed, cant see skin so you first have to obtain this person's name and intentions as how else would you know that this person is an enemy/ not an ally and worthy of killing (If he gets away due to that so be it, it was your choice to RP)?

Im not suggesting there should be a different world but my question is, how serious is RP taken on this server?

I like RP and will always respect their wish to roleplay (by leaving them alone or making an excuse to leave when conversation is struck), but I do not take players RP serious who are not taking it serious themselves (E.g. I've tried to make someone come out of their house by trying to trigger their RP claims and when they do not I remind them to it).

My curiousity struck again, I might get flamed again by people saying I shouldnt reply to posts I have no relation but with. So to those who intend to, dont bother, your flaming will not be replied to.

Please check out the Yarn Spinners Tavern thread and take a look at the RP rules there.
They are posted in detail regarding what is and what isn't acceptable RP behavior.

I do wish we had an active RP coordinator to take over right now. With the current state of things, RP has all but died.
I am not the most experienced or knowledgeable when it comes to roleplay, but I still try since I have RP rewards.

What really irks me and actually discourages RP is when I run into people who bash people for their roleplay. It's nice when I am sitting inside my guild HQ with a horde of players outside spamming things like..

"LOL RP *****"
"COME OUT *****"
"LOLOLOLOL"
and other things that apparently require all caps.

Not to mention people claiming I am just griefing rather keeping to my RP. That's a bit of a different situation.

I have experienced this myself.
There is definite player harassment going on towards RPer's from some non RP players, but not all.
It really does get frustrating and makes people lose interest...why play a game that isn't fun to you?

Like Loki said...I'm sure there would be a loss of players if the PvP wasn't given attention and worked on...
why would the RPer's stay if they're sense of fun in the game is being neglected...? :/

I vote Darken for RP coordinator 2012!

I would not turn down such a movement.
I do not claim to be the best RPer around by any means...
but I do believe we deserve a chance to enjoy our favorite part of the game as well.

Everyone who plays UO is a special kind of gamer...
some of us just prefer different aspects of the game and would like to see them improved.

[Loki]

I can understand your point of view/stance on this and yeah I know you tend to most of the PvP oriented tasks at hand.
Although, there are more staff members than yourself and Discord lurking around.

This is true, but they each have their specialties and their own limits of free time. For example Echo does a lot of coding, Talos is busy designing non-PvP quests and events, and so on. This is why we have had specific RP coordinators.

Also, when people who are supposedly RPing... and they are clearly breaking the RP code say... in public chat? ALL through out the day?

Actually we don't enforce RP in the public chat. If you are unhappy with this you are free to start a separate thread about it, decisions of that nature are not taken by a GM like me.

I really don't understand why there is absolutely no confrontation. (.hearall maybe?)
There are so many ways staff can actually manage RP without having to "stalk players".
In regards to that, it takes two seconds to send someone a PM or pop up and give them a warning etc...

Actually I never use .hearall, it's just too much on a server with a big population. And actually it doesn't take 2 seconds, it would take 2 seconds if the player says "ok I accept" but this is not how it goes down. Confronting players over breaking rules to give them warnings, jail or whatever often spirals into quite a lengthy process. Especially since I think it is important a player knows why they are being rebuked and that it isn't random or a vendetta, otherwise why bother giving a warning or punishment at all?

I understand there is life outside of UO as a player or staff... trust me on this.
But I don't think that is completely appropriate in regards to this argument due to the fact that;

your a staff member for a reason. You have decided to try and dedicate most of your free time to policing this shard in hopes that it will grow strong.

This is not accurate. I play UO and as part of that staff in some of my free time, I have no intention of UO taking over my free time completely, and I do not begrudge any other staff or even Taran the same attitude. Also I chose to staff because Taran is my friend and I want to help out. I do want the server to be better, and I do my best with the time I have, given my skills (coding and maths) I do the jobs most appropriate to my ability. I have no intention of driving myself to burnout though and I would not ask the same of any other GM/staff either.

with that.. if you have time to log into UO as a staff member for any means of work, you should automatically have enough time to answer pages to the best of your knowledge, as well as respond to the random person spouting some none sense out of character. As long as you see it happen then and there.

I have seen public announcements by staff members and people acting out of they're RP's simultaneously. I would love to hear a response to that, as I know I can't be the only one who has seen it happen.

We all answer pages when we can. Since when was this thread about pages? Some pages can only be handled by an admin or by a specific GM, this is the only reason that sometimes the page number sits at 5 or 6 for a while. e.g. Donation pages, account issue pages, or pages asking for a specific GM for help with an event or suchlike.

See above for public chat.

I understand the number of PvP players weighs over the number of RP'ers by a long shot, so maybe perfecting the PvP on IN is pretty up there in concerns of importance.. but I will tell you a lot of players are getting fed up with how RP is being handled.

I would go ahead and say that all of the work outside of RP the staff has been performing is outstanding, and I appreciate your hard work thus far.

I feel like the staff as a whole could and should be compensating for the loss of the RP coordinator(s),
working together and communicating with one another to try to help out with the "Role Play" aspect of this shard.

Again, I do appreciate you.

Regards.

We aren't prioritising PvP over RP, it's just that the GMs who dealt with RP have gone and the ones who deal with PvP (me mostly) are still here. I would hope my replying here would tell you that we do care, I am not replying just to argue with you, I am replying to say we are aware of the problem, we want to get a/some new RP coordinators and to tackle this problem and also process RP stories and so on faster. But this takes time, we have to find candidates, we have to have time to trial them as Counselors. It isn't ideal but it is necessary. Other staff do try to help out with RP stuff and we have threads about it on the staff boards, but most staff are up to the eyeballs in their normal duties, I know I am, so it's hard to carry on as if nothing has changed when a staff member (or members) with a lot of (RP) duties leaves.

[Loki]

Just quick reply about the Trammel issue: Even as an RPer, would you want to separate yourself into a world of safety? Either way, if we made two facets we would be splitting up the playerbase and I fear this would have negative repercussions for how many people you see around or get to interact with.

[Darken Rahl]

Just quick reply about the Trammel issue: Even as an RPer, would you want to separate yourself into a world of safety? Either way, if we made two facets we would be splitting up the playerbase and I fear this would have negative repercussions for how many people you see around or get to interact with.

I totally agree with this. 100%.

Also: I know your aren't deliberately prioritizing PvP over RP, I wasn't meaning to make that a point...

I know you don't want UO to consume your life, as it can easily happen.

But come on...being a staff member and a player are two different animals,
although both usually take a required amount of time.

And I'm definitely not complaining about pages going unheard, so don't take that in offense either.
In regards to pages I was just giving you a typical scenario a staff member would be undergoing in most cases (but not all).

As for breaking RP rules in public chat going un noticed/care about... this is new news to me and perhaps it should be more apparent that it is not illegal. (Perhaps I missed this somewhere?)

I do appreciate your quick responses on this Loki, that shows a good amount in a staff member.

[Loki]

Well the issue of public chat came up some time ago and I think it was decided that RP would not be enforced there. I am not sure if it is publicised, most the staff do not have access to changing the website, hopefully if Taran or Eru read this and have time they may make a note about it.

[Echo]

We police when we can. If you are being harassed for your RP you can page and use the verbal harassment option and it will give us access to a speech log where we can possibly see evidence of the harassment.