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SiteWhy Do People Roleplay?
Now, I fully intended to make a post last night. In fact, the post — which was a follow-up to Tuesday’s post “Dispelling the Myth: Roleplaying Servers” — was already finished. All I needed to do was log in, peruse it quickly to make sure that I liked what I had written, and then hit the Publish button. By the lack of post last night you can assume that something happened that prevented me from doing so. And if you did you’d be right!
You see, I sat down at my desk last night, my Gameboy DS firmly grasped in my greedy paws because I’d recently acquired the latest Ace Attorney game, “Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney.” My plan was to play the game until a good stopping point (or a clue left me stymied) and then make that post. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to play the game because I fell asleep. In the chair. Before 8.oo. And I didn’t discover that this happened until I fell out of said chair and ended up on the floor — at which point I crawled into bed, shedding various articles of clothing as I did so.
When I told this story to my beloved significant other, he laughed. He then asked me if I literally fell out of the chair or if I slid out of it. I told him that I honestly couldn’t remember which, but the large bump on my head this morning left me thinking that I fell out of the damned thing.
Do me a favor, though. Don’t tell any of my fellow raiders — they think that I’m broken of that habit!
That said, let’s return to what I really wanted to blog about tonight: why people roleplay. As I mentioned Tuesday, there are a variety of rules in place on roleplaying servers that should be followed by their numerous inhabitants. These rules — and the standards set by the communities as well as their numerous — could overwhelm future potential roleplayers. Looking back on my own coerced switch to Feathermoon following my stint on various PvP servers, I know that I probably would have changed my mind had I known about everything in place. Rules are boring and sometimes feel rather stifling, and could potentially feel like a chore. So why would anyone want to subject themselves to that?
Let’s take a moment to explore just that topic.
People Want Something New to do in the Game
You’ve played the game since open-beta. You’ve trotted around the globe, scoured every dungeon for weapons and armor to better your character, and you’ve downed your fair share of dragons in your day. Maybe you have a stable of alts, each in a-whole-lotta amazing gear — and are finding that it means absolutely nothing in the end because the game just doesn’t seem fun any more.
Now, months or even years later, you find the game tedious and dull. You log in each day, chat with a couple of people, maybe even run a dungeon or two, but it’s not fun. In fact, the game has become a chore: log in, check in with your friends or guildmates, maybe visit the Auction House to see how your auctions are doing, and then log out. I mean, really, there’s nothing more for you to do other than hang out in a major city, sporting your awesome gear and feeling absolutely bored out of your mind, right?
Wrong! Roleplaying presents a new dynamic to the game that is unexplored for most people. It’s a fresh breath of air, something to experience that you’ve never experienced before. I know that after rerolling on a roleplaying server, the game felt entirely new and exciting to me. That was something that I’d missed in recent months after the drudgery of raiding over and over again or leveling yet another alt.
People Want to be Creative
I liken roleplaying to like being an actor on a stage, but with the server your stage and every individual you encounter a member of an audience. It’s a wonderful creative outlet, whether you’re initially imagining your character and her personality or interacting with other people out in Azeroth.
Roleplayers tend to be very creative people. Many write, often about their characters and their adventures in the World of Warcraft. Others are artistic and take the time to create beautiful pieces of art depicting their characters. I think there’s something about roleplaying that makes you want to explore your characters further; in creating this individual, this persona, you end up wanting to expand and express that more.
People Want to be Sociable
Roleplaying is inherently a very social activity. It’s inclusive. It has to be; an individual who roleplays alone will find that his character and his story stagnates. You really need other people to serve as a catalyst and help develop your story and your character’s personality. Whether you’re out reclaiming the halls of Karazhan or telling a story of your exploits over a mug of Dwarven ale, you’re interacting with others.
Furthermore, individuals who begin roleplaying often find themselves suddenly becoming members of an elusive but very tight-knit group. While the roleplaying community can house its fair share of asshats and elitists, I’ve generally found that roleplayers band together like fans of any other interest. Theorycrafters share the fruits of their labors; raiders tells others of their exploits and share strategies; and roleplayers are no different.
Take, for example, the wonderful people that can be found at Feathermoon.net. It was shortly after I was directed to this site that I first considered myself a contributing member of the roleplaying community. I got involved. I participated in events and even helped organize a few with others. I became vocal and knowledgeable and enjoyed talking with like-minded individuals. Many roleplaying servers have similar communities that have developed over the years; take advantage of that resource and get involved!
People Just Want to Have Fun!
As a self-proclaimed roleplayer I’m admittedly biased, but I find roleplaying to be a lot of fun! I love just being able to relax and interact with other people. I love being able to weave wonderful stories, sometimes with friends and other times with complete strangers. I love not knowing the story behind each person I encounter — and then having that story unravel over the course of days, weeks, and sometimes months of interaction. Roleplaying is immensely appealing to me and, to be honest, there have been days where I’ve turned down the opportunity to sub into a raid or even level an alt because I’d much rather sit down with a complete stranger and have some fun.
So, fellow roleplayers, did I get it right? Or is there another reason why you roleplay?