Interested in Roleplaying?

For those of you who don't really know what roleplaying is, let me try to explain. Simply put, roleplaying is assuming the role of someone or something other than yourself. It's very much like acting. The stage can be somewhere locally where you live like a park or auditorium. Roleplayers get together and play-act their made-up characters with each other creating scenes or storylines either planned or spontaneously. This type of roleplaying event is often referred to as LARP (Live Action RolePlaying). With the Internet and it's graphical interface, we can now do such impromptu role playing (or acting) online. The use of chat rooms, instant messaging programs and online games now makes it possible for us to roleplay from the comfort of our homes any time we want, for as long as we want.

I started and learned about roleplaying when I discovered AOL's Virtual Places. A number of people had created virtual castles and realms using graphical websites. Then they created and used tiny square graphic images called "avatars" to be their characters. These avatars could be dragons, knights, ladies, animals, any graphic that was possible for use on the Internet and in Virtual Places. The special Internet program, Virtual Places, enabled us to chat by typing in special "chat boxes" at the bottom of the screen. Dialog was instantaneous and we were able to move the avatars around or change them as we wanted. Stories and friendships were created and I spent many a late night hour glued to my computer. It was so much fun and I was hooked. I collected avatars and created my own realm which still exists to this very day: The Dark Forest Ream

Yes, you can play many types of games without doing any roleplaying but why should you? Roleplaying adds depth and interest to a 2 dimensional game character and a good roleplayer should have the ability to act to a certain extent. Being a fiction writer would also help with creating a character by adding a personality and background. Reading genre related books and following the other roleplayers you associate can also help. It doesn't happen overnight and let no one tell you that there is only one style of roleplaying. There are many! Everyone roleplays in their own special way. Their characters can be mysterious, happy, silly, friendly, intellectual, evil, or dumb! Some roleplayers are always in-character when they are in the game or program. Some roleplay with big story lines while others only roleplay at certain events or times. Some people like to roleplay their characters that are very different from themselves while others are very much like themselves.

Roleplaying games, while very popular, are not the only way to roleplay. Dungeons and Dragons is a game that involves a lot of roleplaying amongst players seated around a table. You can still buy the box game and its large collection of gaming books at places like Hastings Book Store and Barnes & Nobles.

Online chat rooms created with certain themes like Medieval Land, Western Land or Fantasy Land are also popular. This form of roleplaying is almost totally done with text and no graphics. Just two good examples of this would be www.white-wolf.com and www.myrealms.net. There is something for everyone who wants to enjoy this form of entertainment on the Internet. Try doing an internet search using the words "Free roleplaying chatrooms" on any search engine and you will see that there are quite a few out there.

I even learned it was possible to roleplay using instant message programs like MSN Messenger, Yahoo Chat and AIM. If the other person you are chatting with is a roleplayer, then the two of you can come up with some interesting plots and stories. Again, roleplaying only requires a bit of imagination and a medium to interact with others either personally or artificially, like the Internet.

When you join a roleplaying game like Everquest2, also known as a MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer RolePlaying Game), you will start by creating your character. If you are just starting out, create a simple character and watch what others are doing until you think you are able to participate. When I am in Everquest, I participate in any of the RP (roleplaying) events possible. The world of Norrath there is like a huge online community theatre and events take place often. Anyone who wishes to learn how to roleplay need only join up with a roleplaying guild to get some guidance and practice.

Roleplaying gives everyone the freedom to be as creative and as imaginative as they want to be so long as it doesn't take away from another roleplayer's enjoyment. Never, I repeat, never ever tell someone how to RP their character. If they are being rude, vulgar or mean, leave their company and avoid them. Because of the social nature of a roleplaying program, chat room, or game, those that are rude or mean will eventually find themselves alone and unwelcomed. Also remember that things like rape and torture is not for everyone. If you don't find this fun, don't roleplay it. You should never feel obligated to do it. If someone tries to force you, leave their company right away. You roleplay to have fun: not to get upset or angry. No one can kill your character either without your consent. It doesn't matter where or how you roleplay. Your character is yours and you control it 100% of the time.

In time and with practice, you will enjoy your character much like writers do their characters. Add personality traits and think up an interesting background. Personal quirks and noticeable habits like a stuttering or limping will make your character more interesting. Give your character a trade or have them work their way to the rank of officer in your RPguild. All this may sound like a lot of work, but don't let it be. Do what you can, little by little, because roleplaying is meant to be fun and fascinating. If you still think you need more information, there are many guides available on the Internet to help you create a fun character.

I have been roleplaying for a number of years now and the joy I get from it never fades. In fact, it is like a muse that whispers into my ear what my next story is going to be about. I wasn't much of a writer back then, but my imagination took me to magical kingdoms and I made many good friends while gaming. Now I log my roleplaying scenes so that I can capture possible plots, ideas and even dialog that can be used when writing my next short story. I have laughed and cried with my gaming friends. We react similarly over a good movie or good book, but in this form of recreation, there are real people involved behind the avatars on the PC monitor. Some roleplayers become such good friends that they even call or email each other. Some discover they live close enough to meet and share real hugs. I have been lucky to meet such wonderful people.

Yes, it's true that one must always be careful on the Internet. We have to keep our computers protected from hacking and viruses. We need to be sure we don't give out too much personal information. Parents need to monitor their children and make sure they don't go into the wrong kind of chat room or play mature roleplaying games. In roleplaying, as in real life, we all need to be care who we associate with and how open we should be. So if you want to try roleplaying, go ahead, just be careful and use your common sense.

In closing, let me give you the number one rule about roleplaying: Real Life Comes First! Any good friend you roleplay with will understand and endorse this rule. I can't stress it enough. REAL LIFE COMES FIRST. If you have to leave a game or event because your family, job or loved one needs you. You leave. The game and your true roleplaying friends will still be there when you are able to return. I agree that it can become addicting for some. I have seen it and still hear about it all the time. Lives have been broken because players made gaming more important the their real lives and families. I have heard of players losing their jobs over gaming. It's even been talked about many times on television. Roleplaying is only for fun and should never ever harm your real life in any way, anymore than a TV program or a good book can.

Always remember, roleplaying may be fun, but it's not real!