10-14-2019, 08:48 AM
Hey ya'll, so it's coming up to 1 year of me being at Discovery and in that time I've been quiet on the forums about my general opinion of the community, I've also avoided the Disco Discord for that reason, to limit myself from OORP drama as much as possible. Anyway, thought I would do some lessons that I've learnt:
Anyway, there you go, I'll probably do another one of these when it is actually a year later.
Edit Note: I don't think these are correct, they are just my personal lessons and opinions.
- As a faction leader/command, always empathize with your enemy. - To understand the thoughts that lie behind other factions in OORP terms and InRP terms, you mustn't be afraid to open up dialogue even at the most tense of situations and always try to advise on where things may go InRP. I've seen often, a disconnect between faction leaders based solely on OORP opinion of that faction and having that disconnect means many misunderstandings or poor judgement.
- Be prepared to reconsider your thinking. - Countless times I've seen things go one way and then almost being forced to go in that one direction because you yourself think that's the right avenue for the faction InRP or a character InRP. If that's wholly your character or factions opinion, then I don't mind too much but if it is an opinion formed on OORP basis of "Winning" against another faction then you should re-examine the problem. Basically always review what started problems in your character or faction and see if it could have gone a different way.
- InRP is InRP, OORP is OORP, always. - I'm a purist, always have been in RP and always will. I have friends here now, but I've always said to them that sometimes character actions should not be influenced by OORP behaviour. Too many times, I feel characters act wildly and unpredictable due to players opinion of each other. This ties into what I like to call "Lite-metagame" meaning that everyone in some capacity metagames a character based on what they know, OORP. It's kinda unavoidable, you can only limit.
- Never expect RP to come to you. - When I first started, it was very much a learning curve of "Okay, everyone is really far from each other but there are hotspots for rp". If I honestly didn't start RPing with people like Dime, Smokesden, Darkstar & Riehl then I doubt I would have remained around. You also might miss opportunities that will greatly affect your character later on. For instance, if I did not meet Immo's Alexandra Conley on Sun I doubt I would have eventually had Sun as FP9 Administrator INRP or be currently 2IC of Velvet. If I didn't meet Riehl and RPed with them, I wouldn't have the learning experience of leading a Disco faction or developed Val. Just a side thing, for the longest time I wanted to try to RP with Sombra but that has yet to happen :V
- Never be elitist, RP with everyone or, attempt to - Now, there are people who don't RP and simply hover around and power-trade, this is fine it's part of Disco. I am more talking about not being elitist with people who either have a poor grasp of English, are new or simply don't really understand RP. In my opinion, as long as they respond to basic RP you are doing then you shouldn't judge them nor honestly, make fun of them. It can be difficult, but one must ignore elitism.
- Avoid cliques, but recognise you may have to engage in them - I tend to minimize myself in OORP in order to do this, I very much feel that now I am seen as part of some clique or whatever and that's unfortunate as, I honestly have avoided them by trying to remain neutral in my opinion of them. It's very hard to avoid them, and I don't think it's possible unless you make yourself an island. You can minimize it, however.
- PVP Skill is good, but don't rely on it - Too many times I have seen judgement in some cases made solely on the fact that one player in a faction has great PVP skill. Now, don't get me wrong I don't mind PVP, it's an ends to a means but basing your faction's InRP behaviour or how they log on the sole fact that you got a "PVP God" is kinda in my opinion cheesy. If you lose, you lose. If it's not in an event or something that matters, I don't think it should bother you too much. You must always consider both sides on it.
- Find the truth of a character - Build a character on moments that feel true to that character, don't make decisions that are out of character, for that character. For instance, in my experience you must always hold onto the core aspects of individual characters so that they feel different. Or else you, basically have the problem of "Avatar" characters, where you are just rping yourself. This is not a bad thing, as long you develop that character beyond that core. I don't like feeling comfortable with my characters, I always want to see RP happen with them that develops them.
- Don't be flippant, people care - People often care a lot about discovery and being flippant, or taking advantage of this I feel is wrong. I don't like people insulting each-other, especially with some of the language used. I admit, it's the internet and edgyness is everywhere and I also admit I find it amusing but I dunno, some people are passionate about Discovery, including me.
- Never say never - Take chances in your RP, or in Discovery.
Anyway, there you go, I'll probably do another one of these when it is actually a year later.
Edit Note: I don't think these are correct, they are just my personal lessons and opinions.