(originally posted by Sarafina)
Reactive role play - Reactive role play is when your character observes something or has something done to them and then they respond to it.
Proactive role play - Proactive role play is when your character causes something to happen that others can react to. This can be done a lot in tandem with reactive role play, but it can also be done without any initiation what so ever.
How do I role play reactively?!
Explore the environment and respond to it.
Look at the things around you! Know that the chair is on the opposite wall when your character walks into a room. That way you can actually role play your character walking to that chair, since it’s not right in front of them it wouldn’t make sense for them to just sit down.
Orient yourself and your character with a scene
When your character enters a room with other characters in it, a scene is in progress. The scene has not started just because your character entered. Figure out WHERE the other characters are in the room. Stop and look to see what they are doing. In real life you would not walk into a room full of people walk right up to someone and start talking to them. You’d orient yourself. Figure out if characters are in the middle of the conversation. Look to see if characters are sitting or standing, etc.
Look at other characters.
Looking at characters can really help you figure out what’s happening in game. You never know when a character is going to be wearing something or carrying something interesting. If they are – ROLE PLAY. Take the opportunity.
Respond to other people’s role play
Respond to role play. Even if your response is to ignore someone, role play that. Though that comes with a caveat, ignoring someone is also role play blocking. So don’t do this often. Also, passive aggressive emoting (ex: X really hates Y) is also not great role play. Other characters cannot respond to this because your character has done nothing. All you’ve done is take a jab at the character for other players to see. Not doing anything with your character does not develop your character or any sort of story.
React appropriately
It’s important to react to role play in a way that is realistic. If your character is at 15% health, they probably aren’t going to trot off to a safe place in the cave and mine for a few hours. Your character is actually bleeding, react, respond, role play!
How do I make reactive role play successful?
The easiest way to make this successful is to have reasons for the reaction. The most common reason would be that it is your character’s personality. It is often hard to have your character react in a separate way than you as the player would react, however, this is important for the story telling aspect of role play games. An erratic character is tiresome, unless it’s their personality to be erratic. Also, let your character change and grow in response to the role play you’re involved in. Role play should affect your character. No one reaction to a certain event is right either, but a good story justifies a reaction no matter what it is.
How is reactive role play harmful to game play?
When all you do is react react react and never create role play this makes the game stagnant. Do not wait for staff or other players to provide role play opportunities for you. Create role play. If something is out of the scope of your characters ability, devise an idea for a plot and present it to staff. We’re more than willing to help you through a feasible plot, and can even toss in some characters to make it happen. Do not limit yourself to only reactive role play. React to something and then extend it into the game further.
X happened to my character so now X is making me go do Y.
This is especially important in plots run by staff. We are not going to walk you through an entire plot. Staff run plots are designed to introduce a certain situation into the game and then allow for characters to flesh them out. We have an idea of how we would like them to end or be resolved or to remain unresolved, but it’s ultimately up to the characters to determine which of these happen.
How do I play proactively?!
Tell others what you’re doing
Proactive role play involves telling a story through the parser system. Give details, really show others observing your characters actions what is going on.
Don’t do this: X arrives through west door. X moves from west door to elevator. X presses elevator button. X leaves through elevator doors.
Do this instead: X arrives through west door. X acknowledges Y, and Z. X ambles casually toward elevator doors. X reaches for elevator button. X presses elevator button. X leaves through elevator doors.
The latter does two things. First it gives everyone a sense of what your character is doing. It engages other characters and tells us a little about your character at that moment in time. And finally it gives other players time to allow their characters to react.
What can my character do to generate role play
Your character should always be interacting in some way that allows for a reaction. This is especially important for The Lazarus Project because a lot of what your character spends their time doing is interacting with different game systems: fishing, hunting, etc. In order to really develop the potential of the game systems within the role play environment is to create role play out of it.
Create a plot that involves other characters
Plots do not need to come from staff and they do not need to be extensive. If you see an idea for a potentially good story, that makes sense within the theme and stories of the environment then go for it. If your character can do this without staff help then do it. This doesn’t necessarily mean the story will go exactly how you wish it to, but that’s some of the richest role play and really develops your character. If you want staff help on a plot, ask! But please make sure that your plots are not purely to benefit your own character. They should include others and allow others to win. A good plot may sometimes be BAD for your character.
Explore
You never know when your environment is going to change. Explore places your character hasn’t been in awhile. Ask other characters what they’ve been hearing around the Colony. Role play is everywhere and you can be the one to create it.
When is proactive role play bad?
Proactive role play is bad when you ignore the fact that you want it to generate reactive role play. Don’t just do something to another character or a scene. Even if someone has the consent function on allow, wait for consent. Indicate that you want to do something to another character and wait for them to either allow you or deny you through role play.
Example of what not to do: X hugs Y.
Example of what to do: X inches closer to Y. X attemptingly embraces Y. (then wait for Y’s reaction and respond accordingly)
This is especially important in a combat situation. Don’t always assume your character would pummel the other character. Don’t always let your character win.
A happy medium of reactive and proactive role play is needed. Though the current state of the Lazarus Project seems to be of a reactive nature. Always role play. When in doubt role play. If you’re confused about a scene or the interactions you’re having, @assist, and the guides will help you through! If he you need help with personal role play issues or suggests @assist to my attention and I’d be gladly to sit down with you.
Happy Gaming!
Storyguide Sarafina