Why Do You Rp?

[1000phoenix]

I've been thinking a lot lately about "why do I rp?" And I've come to the conclusion i rp because i like the stories that me and other people come up with. To me its like reading a book where i can control where the plot goes. It becomes my escape from my own life and a way to relax. To me this is better than tv. I write the story. Then i started wondering what is everyone else's reason for rping. So this is a post where everyone can state why they enjoy rping.

 

[Simcity_4]

is fun

That's literally the actual reason, that and suspense.

 

[Lizmun]

Because I like experiencing things that I don't think I could experience IRL through rp (Like getting my face gored off, or being a vampire, Or being a blacksmith) Stuff like that.

 

[1000phoenix]

If that is true then ive experienced death three times

 

[SilentRuination]

I roleplay to have fun and express my many personalities through multiple characters.

 

[Magivore]

๖ۣۜI roleplay because in reality, I am not the most social person, nor am I really as accepted as some would depict. "Aged soul in a body of a single age" is what I've been called by one of my teachers, when she was noticing me sort of hunker down and keep that way. I might be 14, but my mind wants to go farther; I want to try and work my way into life already, I want to become a difference and be a bigger worth to society, but I really can't do that at this age. I can act, sure; I can't become famous for it. I can play the trumpet; can't become famous for that either. I can write; that's all anyone has ever really treasured before. And it wasn't even that large of people. It was that teacher that claimed I was trying to live in an older manner... Finding roleplay to me was wonderful, it became a sort of release, an escape. Really more of a way to fit in. I can do what I choose and get the same feeling as though a reality. I can fight and feel an anger, I can laugh and actually laugh. I can be told I am unique, that I'm different. Roleplay is really the one place I can be told that and loved because of it. Call me a no life all you want, but if you are me, it kinda is where you feel it really is a big portion of you life.

I really couldn't help but just pop that out of my system there. Thanks for at least reading.

 

[Cruallassar]

The final antagonist of the SWTOR Jedi Knight storyline, the Sith Emperor, has the goal of attaining immortality for the purpose of experiencing life in all its forms, from the humblest farmer to...well...Sith Emperor I guess. The only problem with that dream is the part where he wants to kill everyone in the galaxy to gain it, then move on to another galaxy and experience life. But that part is irrelevant here. I roleplay for a similar reason, I want to experience as much as I can of that which I could never experience in reality, from medieval elven ranger to Star Wars Jedi Knight. Quite simply, virtual reality.

Oh, and also because it is fun...most of the time...

 

[MonMarty]

I literally don't believe any of the reasonings given aside from the one Chronicler gives, and I think you're all lying to yourselves.

 

[Gwyndo]

I literally don't believe any of the reasonings given aside from the one Chronicler gives, and I think you're all lying to yourselves.

Click to shrink...

That's unnecessarily nasty...

 

[Anvyn]

Because I've got nothing better to do.

 

[krios41]

pritty much what anette and chron said.

 

[Simcity_4]

Because I like experiencing things that I don't think I could experience IRL through rp (Like getting my face gored off, or being a vampire, Or being a blacksmith) Stuff like that.

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Who gored your face off? :3

 

[MonMarty]

That's unnecessarily nasty...

Click to shrink...

I mean it in the most heartfelt endearing way though. I don't believe anyone role plays just for the fun of it, it's a form of escapism.

 

[Farryn]

"Cause I have something worth living for" - Harry Potter.
Seriously though. I RP because its basically a chance to step into the shoes of someone you couldn't be in the real world. Like being a brave adventurer, a cunning noble, a murderous assassin, and so on. It allows you to experience new things you wouldn't experience and that you can express your emotions freely without being judged. Also, RPing is very fun and allows you to make new friends, especially if the friends have very similar interests as you do.
Not to mention RP helps me to understand a character's emotions and how they react in certain situations, so I can use these in my book writing. My writing improved since I've joined Massive (basically the character development has) and I am glad to have joined this server and to RP.

 

[Annju]

I mean it in the most heartfelt endearing way though. I don't believe anyone role plays just for the fun of it, it's a form of escapism.

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I know that my characters, in some way shape or form, reflect me/my personality a little bit. They're all little parts of me I can't be in the real world, or really wish I could make happen but for some reason can't.

It is an escape for a lot of us, but it's also fun! So its a win-win situation for just about everyone~

 

[Pandalorian]

Because it distracts me from everything I have going on at the moment. Its a nice escape, stepping into someone else's shoes, even if they are being brutally murdered.

 

[Johto_Jo]

I mean it in the most heartfelt endearing way though. I don't believe anyone role plays just for the fun of it, it's a form of escapism.

Click to shrink...

I sometimes enjoy myself far too much...

Uhm, yeah. Escape. Chron's right. Marty's right. I guess I'm just not wholly comfortable in my own skin, so I turn to role play for a means of relief-- to feel what it's like to be someone else. To be brave, to be promiscuous, to have a scaly, mineral-like armor all over my dakkar body. My parents think I'm incredibly weird and are even worried that I'll never step outside to see the light of day again. It could be a phase, but I think I'm here for the long run. I enjoy role play, I actually do. Writing is one of my favorite things to do and since I'm not the best at animating things, words help me get across what I tend to think up in my head. I also adore the sort of collaborative effort that role play here helps to flourish.

To answer your question, I role play because I can let loose the parts of me that don't normally surface in reality. I can be brave and self-assured, opinionated to a degree that everyone hates me, or sleep around-- just without the consequences. <3

 

[Bensonio]

I do it somewhat because I can create a person who has all the qualities and things I want to have. You can create someone so identical to your hopes and dreams that I gain some personal satisfaction from playing them. My character Valdimar for instance is an example of this- Confident, well-liked, devilishly handsome XD

Alongside this, it gives me a creative boost. Personally, I am someone who finds writing endearing; and whilst it can be tiring and time-consuming, I can put my boundless imagination to paper and reap either the rewards from it, or see where I have gone wrong and can improve. In the context of RP, roleplaying allows me to improve my creative and writing talent; permitting me to practice putting my extensive conceptions of ideality and fantasy into a situation where others can add to it.

Also, what Marty said kinda- if I'm bored and all my friends have buggered off, just crack open the laptop and escape into fantasy

 

[Suzzie]

I mean it in the most heartfelt endearing way though. I don't believe anyone role plays just for the fun of it, it's a form of escapism.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, it really is.
I am the most anti-social person you'll ever meet. I never meant for it to kinda get that far, but it just happened, due to my treatment from others.
Roleplay is a place where I can be myself, in different ways. I can create my characters based on me, or the person I /want/ to be. I usually always run to roleplay or the like after a bad day, or if something bad happened, as it allows my mind to freely slip away into the bliss of my imaginary word. Oh and I get the chance to actually talk to people. I'm normally ignored by everyone.


Either /that/, or I'm just a crazy loon.

 

[Cruallassar]

I mean it in the most heartfelt endearing way though. I don't believe anyone role plays just for the fun of it, it's a form of escapism.

Click to shrink...

But then that would include my reason as being a good one as well.
And of course roleplay is fun! That often isn't the core reason, but it certainly helps.

 

[HereticTakao]

Because it is something that gives me a actual reason to love the end of another School day. It keeps me up for 20 minutes at night thinking about it. It gives me something to do on Minecraft than grief and raid, and play mini-games.

 

[OldManJ98]

I for 3 main reasons.
1) It is a lot of fun
2) it helps me escape from my real life, everyday struggles, stress, and pressure
3) It lets me be someone I wish I could be, with traits that I wish were mine. In RP, I feel important and special, for reasons I can control. I like that

 

[Ponyrock]

My reason's are a kind of mix. The main one is that I can be a better me. Someone that I can't really be IRl. I mean, all my character's have one or two sides of me but they are way more skilled. I am not sure a way to become a trained killer Drow in real life. Anyone have any tips to do that?
My point really is; My character's resemble me in some way but they are a better me and I can escape and be them every day.

 

[Mattium_]

From my observations I have noticed a very few reasons as to why someone role-plays.
Most commonly, teenagers using their character as a form of escapism away from their present life.
Other reasons may be a interest in literature, or narratives, and so involving themselves in this world, gives them a chance to participate, and add to the complexity of the story.
But over-all I think we can all agree that most people have a bit of a un-healthy obsession of "Role-play" due to the inability to control aspects of their own life.

 

[Cruallassar]

From my observations I have noticed a very few reasons as to why someone role-plays.
Most commonly, teenagers using their character as a form of escapism away from their present life.
Other reasons may be a interest in literature, or narratives, and so involving themselves in this world, gives them a chance to participate, and add to the complexity of the story.
But over-all I think we can all agree that most people have a bit of a un-healthy obsession of "Role-play" due to the inability to control aspects of their own life.

Click to shrink...

There is one other. The desire to experience other forms of life through the eyes of another kind of person, other then themself. For example, the desire to experience the life of a medieval noble, or an orc warrior, or a Jedi knight...etc. Roleplay doesn't quite fulfill that, but it comes as close as possible.

 

[Macroreptilia]

Snippity snap.

Click to shrink...

oh my god. the feels man
the feels
And this is also probably the only true thing as Mon said.

 

[1000phoenix]

Im seeing a nice pattern in everyones reasons. A form of escape from real life matters, have yet to see too much interest in writing, and that many people see that their characters as parts of them. Anything I missed?

 

[fantuinn]

I rp because I can only type.
I grow incredibly fast for reasons I do not know, and my body doesn't know where it ends. I hate writing and only recently did I get salvation through an I.E.P. My teachers disliked me quite a bit. Fellow students made fun of me, I only found a few friends.
It didn't help that I was a giant that was about as strong as a potato.
Then I found minecraft.
So many new things! Soon I had a bunch of friends through confidence and similarities!
I eventually found massive and it increased even more.
I finally found a place were I can be accepted.

 

[Cruallassar]

All the people with social issues...
I would like to add one thing to what I said earlier. I am one of the people who does not want to escape reality. Reality sucks...at least in comparison with roleplay...but it is necessary, and it is not that bad compared with alternatives. No, I roleplay because I want to experience different kinds of reality. Really, has anyone here not watched a movie or read a book and thought about what it would be like if they were in it? Well, roleplay is how I get into it. And I can help create the story in the first place. Its great practice for when I am creating my own stories from start to finish. I want to be different people, in different universes...preferably better ones then the one I am and am in, although both better and worse are still good.

 

[boynamedfish]

All the people with social issues...
I would like to add one thing to what I said earlier. I am one of the people who does not want to escape reality. Reality sucks...at least in comparison with roleplay...but it is necessary, and it is not that bad compared with alternatives. No, I roleplay because I want to experience different kinds of reality. Really, has anyone here not watched a movie or read a book and thought about what it would be like if they were in it? Well, roleplay is how I get into it. And I can help create the story in the first place. Its great practice for when I am creating my own stories from start to finish. I want to be different people, in different universes...preferably better ones then the one I am and am in, although both better and worse are still good.

Click to shrink...

Well said...

 

[LadyTeddington]

Both my reality and the roleplay I'm in is pretty cool. It could be better, I'll admit it. But I suppose there are some things in real life that I'd like to leave behind, so roleplay is an escape for me too I guess.

 

[Macroreptilia]

//_u
Life is pain.
@RadonDragon

 

[ChibiKitten]

I role-play for the exact same thing! For me it IS my reading time! It's a book that never ends! Buahahahaha! But I also role-play because it helps me with my English and grammar! Also, I learn new ways of writing and how I can improve my own writing style that includes more descriptive and luring words that actually sound great when used! ♥

 

[ChibiKitten]

oh my god. the feels man
the feels
And this is also probably the only true thing as Mon said.

Click to shrink...

Did someone say feels? ; A;

 

[RadonDragon]

Because I've got nothing better to do.

Click to shrink...

it's a form of escapism.

Click to shrink...

//_u
Life is pain.

Click to shrink...

//_u
You just can't understand me and my pain. Because life is pain.

 

[RadonDragon]

//_u
You just can't understand me and my pain. Because life is pain.

Click to shrink...

But okay, all humor aside, I RP because it's fun. I RP because it's something I like to do. I RP because there are so many people, both wonderful and horrible that I can meet and that I have met. I don't RP because I need an escape from life,because I have problems, or something like that. I'm pretty content with myself, the good and the bad. And if I'm lying to myself, then so be it, because I'm living in a pretty happy delusion.

 

[Laach]

I have never roleplayed to escape from anything.

I'm not the type of person who acts like somebody else for my own sake.

I don't roleplay because it will improve my reading/writing skills.

My reason for roleplaying doesn't include the ability to experience new places or people

Fun isn't what keeps me roleplaying day in and day out

Having the ability to control a situation or make a change is only an unintended side affect

None of these are the main reason I roleplay

I roleplay because I was told that I wanted to be the very best, like no one ever was. To catch them was my real test. To train them was my cause.

And then I grew up, and my reason for roleplaying changed. I wanted to be the superhero. The person who stopped crime and was unstoppable.

And then I made friends, and my reason for roleplaying changed. I wanted them to be the hero. I would act as the villain, only to let them win so they could experience the satisfaction of defeating an unsurmountable and god-modeing obstacle.

And then school got hard, and my reason for roleplaying changed. I wanted to read the very best, like no one ever has. To get better grades in English class was my test. To derive inspiration from literature was my cause.

And then my friends grew up, and my environment and reason for roleplaying changed. I learnt how to roleplay with a full community rather than a single friend. And I desperately wanted to share the wonderful skills I had acquired from roleplay with this community.

And then my school grades plummeted along with the roleplay relationships I had gained. I was forced to change my entire approach to roleplay if I ever wanted to keep doing it. And thus I began plotting for when I would return to the environment after my grades rose. Turning that time away from my roleplay friends like a vacation on Eye of The Tiger Island.

And then I returned... and I wasn't the only one who changed. Everyone had moved on, and I could no longer roleplay with the ones who did remain. I was separated from the ones I loved, and had replaced that love with a fragile and broken hope.

And then I lost my will to roleplay, and my reason for roleplaying changed. I wanted to feel the joy and friendship I once had for my previous roleplay partners. But there was so much competition more capable than me, that whenever I roleplayed I always thought, "Why would you roleplay with me when there are other roleplay partners who can make you happier?" And I would drop the roleplay shortly afterward because I knew they would be better off without me. Giving the excuse that I was not in the mood to avoid the question of why I dropped it.

And then I drove myself insane, and I fooled myself into believing that my reason for roleplaying was a selfish one. I wanted nothing more than to tarnish those better options. Leaving me as the only choice for true roleplay. My roleplay character personifying that frustration and rage. And a plan to inflict all of it onto others.

And then I came to this thread. Foolishly hoping that if I was honest for once, that maybe things would change for the better.
But God knows what good comes from me when being honest.
.
.
.
So in short, I roleplay because roleplay is truly a great thing. Not for any specific reason. Not because I hate my life or anything. But because its one of the things I love the most.

 

[boynamedfish]

I have never roleplayed to escape from anything.

I'm not the type of person who acts like somebody else for my own sake.

I don't roleplay because it will improve my reading/writing skills.

My reason for roleplaying doesn't include the ability to experience new places or people

Fun isn't what keeps me roleplaying day in and day out

Having the ability to control a situation or make a change is only an unintended side affect

None of these are the main reason I roleplay

I roleplay because I was told that I wanted to be the very best, like no one ever was. To catch them was my real test. To train them was my cause.

And then I grew up, and my reason for roleplaying changed. I wanted to be the superhero. The person who stopped crime and was unstoppable.

And then I made friends, and my reason for roleplaying changed. I wanted them to be the hero. I would act as the villain, only to let them win so they could experience the satisfaction of defeating an unsurmountable and god-modeing obstacle.

And then school got hard, and my reason for roleplaying changed. I wanted to read the very best, like no one ever has. To get better grades in English class was my real test. To derive inspiration from literature was my cause.

And then my friends grew up, and my environment and reason for roleplaying changed. I learnt how to roleplay with a full community rather than a single friend. And I desperately wanted to share the wonderful skills I had acquired from roleplay with this community.

And then my school grades plummeted along with the roleplay relationships I had gained. I was forced to change my entire approach to roleplay if I ever wanted to keep doing it. And thus I began plotting for when I would return to the environment after my grades rose. Turning that time away from my roleplay friends like a vacation on Eye of The Tiger Island.

And then I returned... and I wasn't the only one who changed. Everyone had moved on, and I could no longer roleplay with the ones who did remain. I was separated from the ones I loved, and had replaced that love with a fragile and broken hope.

And then I lost my will to roleplay, and my reason for roleplaying changed. I wanted to feel the joy and friendship I once had for my previous roleplay partners. But there was so much competition more capable than me, that whenever I roleplayed I always thought, "Why would you roleplay with me when there are other roleplay partners who can make you happier?" And I would drop the roleplay shortly afterward because I knew they would be better off without me. Giving the excuse that I was not in the mood to avoid the question of why I dropped it.

And then I drove myself insane, and I fooled myself into believing that my reason for roleplaying was a selfish one. I wanted nothing more than to tarnish those better options. Leaving me as the only choice for true roleplay. My roleplay character personifying that frustration and rage. And a plan to inflict all of it onto others.

And then I came to this thread. Foolishly hoping that if I was honest for once, that maybe things would change for the better.
But God knows what good comes from me when being honest.
.
.
.
So in short, I roleplay because roleplay is truly a great thing. Not for any specific reason. Not because I hate my life or anything. But because its one of the things I love the most.

Click to shrink...

*claps* Beautiful...

 

[Cyan Cats]

I think I've always wanted to be all these other crazy things or people, but people avoided me for that reason, I wanted to play, say, some random made up game where I was some sort of made up thing, and they just played tag, or house.

When I found Massive, I was like "These are my kind of people!" and now it's like you look back and realise how much you have changed.

(this is why people don't like talking to me irl, I go onto different subjects >.< )

 

[Sollomon666]

I'm not sure if I agree with the people saying it is just a matter of escapism. I come on and Roleplay for the stories that are built within just one sitting with several people, and the fact that it is a medieval fantasy genre just tops the cake. Writing has always been a passion of mine, and an environment where I can come on and write stories out as they happen with other people just gives a feel that you can't really get anywhere else. It's also really fun. There are endless possibilities to what you can do, although it's not real life, it allows your imagination to reach a place it wouldn't originally. Like for me, I had fun creating a person who has so many personalities it would make your head spin, not just for me, but for the people who this person interacted with in the server, so having that ability to mold a story through the views of several other people is just plain awesome.
It is all a medieval learning experience when it comes down to RP in massive, the things you learn to do and the things you learn not to do as well as some tips you get along the way while seeing how others conduct themselves in the same environment you are in. That all being said, I do see how this could be a form of escapism for some people, but to go and generalize that we are all here for the same reason doesn't really make much sense.

I am not here to escape anything ^_^​