Dear RPG section- What is wrong with OCR?

[Fluridimus]

Personally, I prefer OCs in any role playing. Actually, other than Rider-related things, I tend to shy away from fan-based things in general in favor of completely original worlds. That is at least partly because my knowledge of anything tends to be in pieces - I rarely get to see all of any show (even more so with shows from Japan for some reason) so I always think that there will be some important element that I didn't know about (even if I read articles to try and get the rest of the story) that will cause me to mess things up. I've had experiences like that, so playing Canon sometimes makes me uncomfortable - much like having an OC could make people who've experienced godmoding uncomfortable. Another reason is that I just enjoy making things up (often even more than playing them).

I do my best to be original and not go overboard with the powers.

I'd also like to address a little quote: "Because really, what's more important? Your fun or everyone else having fun?"

Not to make any accusations, but that feels dangerous close to 'if you don't like what we like then get out'. Okay, that's a little extreme on the interpretation, but really, isn't there some middle ground that would allow people who much prefer OCs and people who prefer Canon to both have fun, rather than sacrificing one or the other? (I mean, why would I want to play at all if I'm expected to not have fun in any of the games to slightly increase the fun of the more accepted players?)

I don't know, maybe take more time in the sign-up stage when everyone playing can discuss why original Rider X could exist in the setting and anyone can give suggestions for changes to make X more original or be at the right power level. And have a more detailed character sheet for OC Riders, clearly defining every ability they have and the overall strength of these abilities and general physical strengths of the Rider. This could be comparative with Canon Riders, it could be in real measurements like 'can run at x mph', or it could be on a comparative number scale, like a 20 in some special move but 10s in normal stats and a 5 in basic weapon for one guy, and a 20 in speed, 15 in the special, and 5s in other things for another. Just to help with fears of godmoding because everyone can basically tell what a certain Rider is capable of and call BS on things that shouldn't work. Before the game starts everyone could approve the OC Rider, and any new forms to be added later would need similar approval before being used.

Maybe not the best idea, but it's an idea. And I'm not saying that every RP should allow OC Riders, just that there could possibly be a way to work the occasional one started by people who want them without ruining it for everyone else.

 

[RagnorokKing]

I beleive evrything runs in spurts.
As i recall, a while ago there used to be a lot of RP's (relatively) that hhad OC's.
Now there's not a lot.
I think a real problem is custom riders tend to be fanfic material, riders that can solve any problem and only get stronger, like in the actual shows.
But having to balance OC's with other characters becomes difficult.

I think it could be pulled off by the right moderator.

 

[ClimaxHeroDen-O]

Dear denizens of the Henshin Justice RPG section. I have observed that many RPs here do not permit the creation of Original Character Riders. And those that do ALWAYS seem to die out very quickly? Why is this? Why do people like Knight IXA abhor the creation and use of OC Riders? Now I am not saying that Knight IXA is a bad person- everyone has their own tastes and preferences. But I am just wondering why it seems that the use of OC riders is practically an unspoken taboo? Some may argue that ‘they are overpowered’ some others may say ‘it just doesn’t work’.

I just want to know why some RPs that don’t allow original characters- and have crap for plot and story(AND disrespect the characters that are used in it), manage to thrive while a clearly better story and plot manages to be dropped off?

Ya know, maybe citing me isn't the best idea for this kind of thing. it's not just OC riders that I don't like, I personally don't like putting original characters into an RP, and prefer RPing with pre-existing characters. out of the two RPs I tried making, one consisted of only pre-existing characters, while the other consisted of mostly pre-existing characters. the reason I don't like that is because I feel that it goes too much into being interactive fanfiction. that's just me, but my perfect fanfiction would be something with only pre-existing characters, no OCs at all

 

[Japaneseseriesfan]

I'm having trouble as well as to getting people to sign up to my RP where people are actually ALLOWED to come up with their own form of Showa-type Rider that they've always wanted to see.

So far, I've got one guy reserving a spot. One guy. Out of possibly what could potentially be the most exciting things I've ever done in the RP, one guy decided to give it a chance.

I don't get what's up with people, but the whole "everyone has to be a hero and deny everything that comes at them so they'd be the strongest" idea is straight out bullshit. The creator of the RP is the guy anyone should PM before attacking or deflecting anyone else's power attacks. That's how it's supposed to work.

 

[Ingram Plisken]

The creator of the RP is the guy anyone should PM before attacking or deflecting anyone else's power attacks. That's how it's supposed to work.

It's a slight necro bump, but this part, right here. I have a serious problem with this, it makes no sense for starters. Why should I, the creator of a topic have to pm you to attack for any reason?

Most RPGs HJU generally fail when it comes to everybody (outside of a select few) going against the flow of what people bother to set up and do stupid things to make his or her character seem awesome. What am I forced to do? Pull out something out of left field to force them back into the creator's planned arc. Which never works because they'll rage quit or stop posting.

 

[Japaneseseriesfan]

It's a slight necro bump, but this part, right here. I have a serious problem with this, it makes no sense for starters. Why should I, the creator of a topic have to pm you to attack for any reason?

Most RPGs HJU generally fail when it comes to everybody (outside of a select few) going against the flow of what people bother to set up and do stupid things to make his or her character seem awesome. What am I forced to do? Pull out something out of left field to force them back into the creator's planned arc. Which never works because they'll rage quit or stop posting.

You see, thing is, it's best if the person who created the RPG isn't planning anything at all. What's better is if the creator discuss it with fellow players and negotiate a story line, or at least, be told what is appropriate enough to do.

A player should PM the creator because not everyone would agree on having been attacked on spot when they just posted that they have a bigger goal and then suddenly someone stops that by attacking cause they have no other purpose.

^ a situation like that shouldn't even occur in the first place. The creator needs to establish control, but at the same time allow freely any idea or discussion and agreement on what's to happen next in the OCC/Sign-Up thread. That way, everyone would be playing fair, and it will be that the creator will not rage quit because he or she did not plan anything at all, and no members will get bored because they will have to constantly try to come up with new ideas to help progress the RPG. It's a team work.

However, a situation like that ^ barely happens here because everyone's dropping outta RPG like flies because no ones committed enough to play team. I guess it's just a realization that it's not about "I play in an RPG", but more of a "We play an RPG together".

 

[Fluridimus]

You see, thing is, it's best if the person who created the RPG isn't planning anything at all.

While I admit that I don't entirely follow what you're getting at, I wanted to chime in, in response to that statement. While my attempts to start anything on this site haven't gone anywhere, from experience starting RPs on other sites things have usually gone better when I had something planned ahead of time. To avoid going on for way too long, I'll just say that I fully agree that there shouldn't be too strict a plot - usually just some bullet points of ideas spread throughout, mostly early on but maybe even further in. Having some big scene to lead up to can help it feel like the story's actually going somewhere if it loses momentum, and the RP creator can bring them in whenever works. And it's important to be able to forget about these points if need be.

So have fair discussion, use anyone's good ideas, but that doesn't mean don't have a framework in mind - albeit a malleable one - that you can draw upon or fall back on.

Actually, I will go on a bit longer than I meant. I was just thinking about why I support having things planned. Other than past success with it, I think it's more that I want to defend it than to suggest the practice to others. That's because a lot of games are started because someone has a story in mind that seems like it'll make a good RP. Often, this goes beyond a general setup to include events mid-story; it's hard to get into a story enough that you want to do something with it and not have those ideas, and then it's natural to want to use them. So I think it's more a matter of how to go about that in an RP (as opposed to just writing a story) than it is of telling people not to plan anything.

 

[Joebe]

To the original topic on original characters: I'm not quite sure what is with the rider genre either, maybe too much variety in the possibility of abilities? I've played in some long-running Gundam RPGs, where people can use custom mechas. Some of them can get REALLY spec-obsessed, but the mods managed to enforce their rules and stamp in the idea that, "You can still have fun AND keep your original ideas WITHOUT being a godmodding jerk. We can help."

And frankly, ***begin shameless self-bragging*** I don't recall that I've ever actually won a fight with another player before in the RPG (technically only one that was requested), and yet I was generally considered one of the best player, with an interesting character who did cool things and made the game more fun for everyone.

 

[Japaneseseriesfan]

While I admit that I don't entirely follow what you're getting at, I wanted to chime in, in response to that statement. While my attempts to start anything on this site haven't gone anywhere, from experience starting RPs on other sites things have usually gone better when I had something planned ahead of time. To avoid going on for way too long, I'll just say that I fully agree that there shouldn't be too strict a plot - usually just some bullet points of ideas spread throughout, mostly early on but maybe even further in. Having some big scene to lead up to can help it feel like the story's actually going somewhere if it loses momentum, and the RP creator can bring them in whenever works. And it's important to be able to forget about these points if need be.

So have fair discussion, use anyone's good ideas, but that doesn't mean don't have a framework in mind - albeit a malleable one - that you can draw upon or fall back on.

Actually, I will go on a bit longer than I meant. I was just thinking about why I support having things planned. Other than past success with it, I think it's more that I want to defend it than to suggest the practice to others. That's because a lot of games are started because someone has a story in mind that seems like it'll make a good RP. Often, this goes beyond a general setup to include events mid-story; it's hard to get into a story enough that you want to do something with it and not have those ideas, and then it's natural to want to use them. So I think it's more a matter of how to go about that in an RP (as opposed to just writing a story) than it is of telling people not to plan anything.

Ah yes, you have a point. Sorry about that.

I agree. The RPG starts because someone has a basic story in their mind. Yes that's true. And yes, it's good to use that. I agree. But what I don't encourage is trying to spread that story like a piece of clay too much. It's just if you plan a little too much, you might get to a point where others will only be bored of the story you have for them. Giving a basic idea as well as working a bit of a story out is fine. :thumbs:

 

[Matrixbeast]

I don't know other people's reasons for not joining in OC stories, but here is mine in specific:
When I look to join a story involving OC Riders, I get excited, and begin to think up a design. Now, I think I'm creative and imaginative. The issue I encounter is the physical description. I could tell you about his backstory, personality, and abilites in a snap. But I cannot for the life of me describe what they look like, despite having a clear image in my head. And because I can't draw whatsoever, I'm left with a character in my head, and I think any description I could write (Rather, type) out would be inadequite and misleading. And then I back out of the thread with another character that will never see the light of day...
Rinse and repeat