Getting Started;
First of all,
anyone can be a Game Master (GM).
It is the GM’s duty to create the roleplay, maintain and direct it. You will need to make sure rules are being followed, peace is being kept and the game is moving forward.
If you are planning to create and maintain a game, you need to have an idea for a roleplay. This includes thinking about the setting, the plot and the characters you plan to have in your game. The level at which you do this is a personal choice; some GMs work better when they have little information officially set in stone whereas some prefer to create extremely detailed worlds to work within.
One you’ve planned out the cores of your game, the best step forward is to post a thread in the ‘RPG Requests and Recruitment’ Section. People post ‘Interest Checks’ here to see if anyone would be up for joining the game they plan to create. You need to provide details on the setting and the basics of the plot; sell your idea to the members of RPA. People may wish to ask questions so it’s important you keep on top of any replies you receive to your thread.
Related Links;
RPG Requests and Recruitment Section
Your OOC;
The first thing to think about is
where your OOC is going to go. Look at each genre and decide which one best suits your story.
Your OOC should include;
- A description of the setting and plot
This part is pretty simple. Where is the roleplay taking place and where in this place are the characters starting at? What kind of plot can they expect – Are they escaping something? Searching for something? Simply living through everyday life? Withholding information can lead to surprises and plot twists later on but the players need
some details to start with; otherwise, it would be impossible for them to know if they want to join!
- Any relevant background information a player needs to know
In a Fantasy or Sci-fi roleplay, this often includes information about different cultures/races. It can also include what kind of characters you are looking for, information about any NPCs (Non-Player Characters), etc.
- The rules of the game
Even though it’s your game, the rules of RPA still apply. You can enforce additional rules however. For example, a time limit in which people have to reply each round, a minimum length you want players to write for each post and unique rules that might be needed for your particular game.
- A blank character sheet for players to fill in
Character sheets are used by players to apply to the roleplay in question and to provide you, the GM, with details about the character they want to play. It is the GM’s choice as to how much information they ask for and it varies drastically across roleplays. Commonly asked information, however, includes; name, age, gender, appearance, race, weapons, personality or background.
- In the case of Mature Roleplays (see below for more details), you need an explanation of the game’s rating.
Mature Roleplays;
Before you create a Mature Roleplay, you
must have a good grasp on the relevant rules.
1. You must have a rating for your roleplay, for example, [R] or [M] that is relevant to the potential extent of mature content in your game. Because it is impossible to predict the exact amount of gore or swearing in your roleplay, you should put this at the highest level you wish the content to be. This rating is not a goal to achieve but a restriction from things getting more violent or steamy than you wish.
- This rating must be placed within the title of the roleplay, OOC and IC.
- This rating must be placed somewhere within the first OOC post along with an explanation of what types of mature content you will allow.
For Example;
Title; Murder in the Attic [M]
Somewhere in the first OOC post; This game is rated [M] for potential gore and violence.
2. It is your responsibility as much as the player to ensure content is kept to this rating and that the rules of RPA are being abided.
3. There is some content that is not allowed even in Mature Roleplays;
- Language that directly insults a race, religion, sexuality, etc. is not permitted.
- 'Mature Roleplay' does not translate to 'Erotic Fiction'. Roleplays and their plots are not to be made to revolve around sex and the act should only be used as an off-hand plot device or for character development.
- If there is the possibility of characters having sexual encounters, consensual or otherwise, they must be over the age of 18. If your character does not reach this age minimum, they cannot have any form of sexual action, written or implied, within the roleplay's timeline.
- In the event of a non-consensual sexual encounter, the events leading up to and subsequent to the trauma can be written about. The actual act can only be implied, however, and should not be described at all within the roleplay.
- If your character is overage and the sex is consensual, description of the act is allowed as long as it is done so tastefully. In the same way that movies display sex scenes without showing any intimate body parts, sex scenes in roleplays should be written without the use of vulgar or explicit description.
Related Links;
Mature RP Rules
Gathering Interest;
Remember that our members do have lives and do need to sleep; not everyone will see your roleplay the instant you put it up. Patience and proactively recruiting are an essential part of being a GM. RPA provides outlets in which you can find players;
Roleplaying Games Directory; All you need to do is fill out a form and post it in the designated thread. Being one of the last to post in the Directory shows that your game is new and looking for players.
Roleplay of the Week; The Roleplay of the Week can be seen on the front page of the site and also in the ‘Site News and Announcements’ Section. To apply, you need to send a Private Message to Shepherd or another Moderator with an advertisement summarising your game in two or three brief paragraphs as well as a link to your OOC. You will also need a banner (385px x 170px) that represents your roleplay. There is a Roleplay of the Week Banner Shop available to help you if you don’t have the skills needed to create your own.
Staff Signatures; All you need to do is post the name of your roleplay along with a link to the OOC in the ‘Staff Signatures’ thread given below in ‘Related Links’. By doing this, Staff Members will add your roleplay to the list in their signatures of those games that are recruiting.
Your Signature; This is a wonderful way to advertise your latest roleplay, whether it be through a clickable banner or a simple link.
VMs/PMs; If you are a full-fledged member, you have the option of messaging other peoples to ask if they would be interested in your particular roleplay, either through the Private Messaging System or by posting on their profile. Whilst this is often a good way to draw the attention of people to your thread, please be polite and respectful. If a person declines your offer, thank them for their time and do not try and pressure them to join.
Related Links;
Roleplay of the Week
Roleplay of the Week Advertising
Roleplaying Games Directory.
Roleplay of the Week Banner Shop
Staff Signatures
GMing Basics;
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Enforce the rules. Remember that it’s your job to keep people in check. You need to try and keep the peace as much as you are able and resolve issues before they become full-blown conflicts. If players do start fighting OOC, it is your responsibility to contact a member of Staff about the matter. Try not to advertise your fights in public and always keep them civil – A GM that dramatises a situation or acts like a jerk is going to repel players, not gain them. If players are consistently argumentative or refuse to follow the rules of your game, you reserve the right to ask them to leave.
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Be helpful. A GM does not have the right to reject a player from his or her roleplay without a justifiable reason. You do have the right to ask people to change details on their characters however. If you don’t believe a particular character will fit in your game or if you feel it is to similar to others already present, offer advice on ways they could improve it. Try to stay positive and explain what needs to be altered as clearly as you can. Do not be rude or conceited – The community of RPA is all about helping one another to become better and elitist behaviour is not tolerated.
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Be committed. If you don’t have the time to run a roleplay then wait until you do. In addition, don’t go around creating dozens at a time if you don’t have the resources to dedicate your maximum effort to each and every one of them. Why? First, it ruins your reputation as a good GM if you’re prone to forgetting about your games halfway through or at the first sign of trouble. People like a GM who will try their absolute hardest to keep the game in motion. Secondly, you need to respect the fact that it takes time and effort for players to create characters for your roleplay – To ask this of them when you’re not 100% committed is unfair on all of them.
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Communicate. Worried that a person is straying too far away from the group? Haven’t seen a post from a player in over a week? Don’t just leave their character to die! We have Visitor and Private messaging systems for a reason and it’s so you can talk to the member on the site; in this case, the players of your roleplay. Be polite and understanding. If a player won’t be able to post for while for legitimate reasons, offer to puppet their character along in the background so they’ll be able to jump back in when things clear up. Think of ways for players struggling for inspiration to get move involved. Offer to co-op with a character if they’re finding themselves without much to do. There’s a dozen ways to help players but you’ll never know how unless you take action and ask them what’s up. Try to keep players up-to-date in the OOC as well and keep them informed with what you expect of them.
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Listen to the ideas of your players. This isn’t to say that you have to accept everyone’s ideas but consider them and talk them over with the player. Don’t just outright reject people’s suggestions – You may be the GM but that doesn’t mean another player can’t have an incredible idea. Be appreciative that they are taking such an interest in your game and encourage advice.
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Always try to move the plot forward. Each round of posting should contribute either towards the plot or in furthering character development. If people are just posting for the sake of posting and not actually
doing anything with their characters, you need to be the one to move things on. There needs to be things for characters to react to each time; be it a person, event or conversation. Otherwise, you’ll find a lull in posting; people won’t know what they’re supposed to be writing about or they’ll find the posts boring to write.
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Allow for players to be creative. Although you need to have a vague idea for a plot, try to keep the less important points flexible. You should always be able to adapt if a character does something unexpected - If you don’t want a particular thing to happen, you should have warned players in the OOC or made it obvious in the IC; they’re not psychic after all. By giving players some leeway over what happens, it allows for them to develop characters as they wish and to express their creativity freely. Overall, this makes for happier players, which makes for more successful roleplays!
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Try to keep all the players included. All characters should have equal purpose within the roleplay, even your own. They should all be able to contribute something towards the plot at some point during the roleplay and none should be significantly more important than the rest. Why? Because no one enjoys writing endless posts about how a certain character saves the day yet again. Make sure that players aren’t left with nothing to react to, especially repeatedly, as this is what can contribute towards a lull in their activity. If a character needs to wander off by themselves, keep open communications with their player to make sure they know what they’re doing and they feel valued with the roleplay.
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Don’t split up the group without a way of getting them back together. Sometimes it is necessary to split up your large group of adventurers to go down different paths to a dungeon, for example, but you need to prepare for the unexpected. Sending off a pair of characters can be especially dangerous because if one player goes inactive for unknown reason, the other player is left isolated from the rest of the group. You need to always have a back up, for how to lead each separate group and reunite them, just in case all your plans are sent up in smoke.
A Guide to RPA
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