I'd like to see a space added on here that can allow for the Out of Character planning for RP threads. What I mean is, the Open RP Forum is mainly a place for people to see the open topics that need more players. The forum that I'm referring to would be one where people could lay out actual plots for roleplay threads, and recruit members there. When they are finished recruiting and plotting, they start an In-Character topic and close it to those that didn't sign up. This can be very helpful, as most of the topics that are started in-character have no set direction as far as plot goes, and the people that come in other than the starter of the topic are perhaps uncomfortable with shifting the plot a little. If they were able to plan it out beforehand, knowing who exactly the players are, and a loose structure of plot at the very least, would be enough to get a compelling topic rolling. The members involved in the topic would be allowed to deviate from the plot's basic outline, and maybe even other members would later be allowed to come in as surprise characters if the situation called for it. What I'm saying is, a new Out of Character Planning Forum opens up a lot of possibilities for getting more compelling topics started :)

I believe there's a forum that already performs such a function. It's named "Open RPs"

I was under the impression that the Open RP Forum served a different purpose, I even stated that in my original suggestion. That forum does not hash out new plots for currently nonexistant topics, it instead attracts attention to topics already started. A few people have decided to use the Open RP Forum in the manner I described (using it to plan another topic), but I think it could really make much more intelligent RP topics available if people were aware of the fact that they can plan a roleplay OOC, and then delve into it once they have members and a plot. This would occur if a new OOC forum were added that said in its description that its purpose is to plot out new topics before they are created. It would also allow for a place for the members in the roleplay to talk out of character and discuss the events that are going on in the In-Character thread.

EDIT: As an example, I am currently in a topic that Vaul started called "Mirage?". At the moment, the characters involved are only really talking about how they all ended up in the same spot at the same time. But where is it going to go from there? We had nothing planned, it was just started. As I was not the originator of the topic, I would feel uncomfortable shifting its focus and developing more of a plot. In the same topic, another member wasn't sure if Vaul wanted to make a post right then, or if he was waiting for some more posts before he typed out another one. Such confusion could be avoided if we had started an Out of Character thread to plot it out. Note that Vaul did start a topic in the Open RP Forum... his post there was intended to invite more members in. However, he did not list anything about a plot, because he couldn't really make one. He didn't have any idea of the characters that would come into the story, and now the story may not go anywhere at all. However, if people were given an OOC Planning Forum, I'm sure they would use it. It would make roleplays go much smoother, with everyone being aware of the plot. Deviations from the plot are accepted of course, there'd be no fun in playing everything out to a tee. Just some loose plot structure, a sign-up sheet, and a place for the players in the roleplay to be able to congregate and talk about the events would be included in the OOC Thread.

What you may be asking for might have been the initial purpose of the "Open Rps" forums. I suppose your suggestion can still be done however things would have to be implemented by the thread creator. He would have to post a note stating that the ooc thread's purpose is for planning and with it, the gist of the situation. For me, I don't see the real need for a new forum category if Loth could probably add to the forum description.

That's really all I'm asking for: a new forum description. So that the general public of Arda know that they can create a topic after planning it out and figuring out who will be in it. That may have been the initial purpose of the Open RP Forum, but I don't think that purpose succeeded if that were the case. Very few topics are actually being planned out beforehand, and therefore they die before they really go anywhere. Unless the topic's point is to start a big fight, the more subtle topics generally have all the characters get through introduction, and then sort of fumble along without clear direction.

Sadly, there isn't much planning going on since for the most part, the story is left in the hands of impromptu posting. The only planned rps I know of are those quests managed by dungeon masters or by the gods.

Exactly my point. This is the downfall of many an RP, as I have seen. An RP that is planned lightly, with a general plot and story flow, is what everyone should be aiming for. A place that has the explicit purpose of letting people design a roleplay the way they want would inspire well crafted RPs that would be fun and exciting to join.

I think it's a good idea.
HOWEVER
I think it's work for nothing. The correct use of PMs and the Open RP forum (and even the general discussion, if you want) would perfectly suffice. I've never had any issues planning out a RP with others using the current facilities provided. :)

I agree, there is no need to add more forums when the forums that we have at the moment will do just fine.

I understand that right now there are ways to plan it out. But I think it needs to be flushed out a little. There are certainly many RPs right now that are struggling because they lack a plot, and hopefully the amount of dead threads would decrease if people had a spot directly intended to let them plan it out. And I don't think it's a problem adding more forums on here, there's quite a few at the moment and I don't think one more would hurt anything. Some people don't know WHO to reolplay with: they need the people to come to THEM. Therefore, PMing doesn't really work. I think they need a place where they can put their ideas for a plot, and let the interested people join there and add to the discussion, before they start playing it out.

I think I've laid out my intentions for this idea clearly enough, so I'll stop now. :-P I'd just like to know what the people in higher places think about the idea. It wouldn't take much room, just a small forum under the OOC boards. But I think the idea really has merit for those that don't know what to do with their ideas because every topic they start doesn't go anywhere. And it may possibly give inspiration to those who don't even have ideas at the moment if they were given a spot where future ideas could actually become an in-character reality.

It seems to me that, rather than actually suggesting a forum for RPs to be planned and plotted in, you are advising other members to add more of a storyline to their RP to keep it interesting in general. Something with which I wholly agree, don't get me wrong, but as noted earlier, a change in the description of the Open RP forum would suffice. I wish my own quest (Voice of the Soul, see siggy) had progressed somewhat further (it can't since Anesuri is away at the moment). Because I'm doing exactly the plotting you're suggesting, in the Open RP forum, and I'm sure it would work out fine that way.

On a side note, pre-planned RPs are fine, but I don't think you should think of a complete story and start writing around that frame. Instead, start writing and weave a story throughout during posting, letting the others participate in brainstorming through RPing, and not general discussion. Creativity, originality and adding unexpected twists to a story (with permission from the topic originator through PM) are what sparks many RPers to actually join a thread. I know it's a great factor in my decision to write or not. Analyzing a fantasy-story would ruin much.

A change in the description of the Open RP Forum would be fine for what I am suggesting, as stated above. I am advising that more people plot out their RPs, but I'm not saying they have to. But the option should be out there in the open. I also very much agree that the whole thing should not be plotted out in its entirety, but rather just have some loose plot structure that allows the members of the topic to take it in a satisfying direction. ANY direction would be a step up in many topics that I see.

Hmm...how to say it? I agree that many threads have been started out with good hope of evolving into something interesting, but have stopped due to lack of ideas. Or museless-ness. Usually, that would be a great disappointment to the RPers, who have spent their time to type up posts. If a thread had a better structure, things could possibly be led in the right direction.

But, it wouldn't be good to have an already-hammered-out storyline laid out in front of you. It would be pretty boring just to RP something already planned and finished, with no promise of blossoming it into something else. In this case, what I think Aloric means is just an /optional/ place where RPers expectant of starting a good thread can come together to discuss some good possibilities (or posting habits ;) ). I don't see anything wrong with that. :) It might actually help the threads a little, and make others interested. Adding an /option/ wouldn't hurt anyone. Just a slight tilt and an additional sentence to the 'Open RPs' forum, and it could help some hopeful people out there.

My two cents added.

>Amy

As this is already part of the intended use of the Open RPs forum, and a whole forum for plotting is a bit repetitive, I will simply edit the forum description to mention that you can plot storylines in there as well.

Just an update. :) I renamed the Open RP forums because of this topic, and because I had already been considering it due to the large amount of people that mistook it as an RP forum because of the name :lol: