Sorry if a lot of the below will be obvious, but I'm just winging this post, so it might contain a mixture of things that you already know and things that might help.
I found that when I play games that involve decision-making (such as Mass Effect, for instance) that there is a lot of myself in those characters and the choices they make. I think that even my FL chars have a lot of common with me (it might be a wrong approach, but heh, it works for me).
The most important thing is to act as your character would, so you need to know what he or she would do under certain circumstances. That's why yourself could be one of the easiest roles you can play. If you do that though, make sure not to use your actual name, origin, and appearance, that would be stretching it too far.
Note that the fun part of RP comes from being someone you aren't, so don't be afraid to work in some character traits that you're comfortable with (those can be borrowed from movies, books, games, etc.). The important thing is not to overdo it and not to import stuff that wouldn't make sense in Freelancer universe (playing, replaying, or watching the Freelancer campaign can help with that).
With that figured out, determine the basics of your character: what they do for a living and where they come from, that sort of thing. At this point you don't have to go into too much detail about your characters; they may as well get fleshed out along the way, as questions are asked (once you answer those questions, it's set in stone though). Being inspired by characters from other media is ok, as long as it's subtle enough. I've just figured out for myself that subtle comes down to not importing character names entirely. Traits and/or pictures are ok.
In a nutshell, here's what it comes down to, in my opinion:
Know the basics about your character and pretend that you're playing a role on stage (stay in character).
There's nothing wrong with learning more about your character as events unfold.
Add some character traits that you're comfortable with and can maintain.
Make sure that your character can or could exist in Freelancer universe. FL campaign is a good reference. Imports are possible, but should be subtle, so as not to ruin immersion.
Always stay in character (it helps with immersion; you're always on set, acting).
Grammar is important for immersion. Mistakes and typos happen to all of us, but proper capitalization and full stops alone can help a great deal.
Most importantly, HAVE FUN! Because that's why we're here for.
I hope this helps. As you play, you may want to develop your character further, list their goals, strengths, weaknesses, goals, etc. I don't think I ever went that far though, I mostly keep things in my head.
Nerva Regis and the others have *EXCELLENT* advice, and this one from sindroms is one I've actually used with my AI.
(10-24-2017, 08:25 AM)sindroms Wrote: There is an approach that I was told by a friend of mine for a WoW RP server they used to teach for newcomers.
Essentially, forgot any sort of idea regarding creating a new character from the ground up.
Basically, import a character you know personally inside and out. From a movie, game, book or whatever. Import them in everything but name and place them into Freelancer.
You can completely skip any sort of confusion and complications that comes with a new character from the ground up, because you already know how -that- character that you have picked will react to any situation the game throws at you. Once you have gotten accustomed to that, you can start tweaking the character bit by bit until it becomes an original creation.
When I was told this approach I was surprised that it isn't standard practice, really.
I am pretty certain one of our newcomer went with this suggestion and is basically running a more gritty Uncle Iroh in Space on the server. Sounds very odd when you state it like that, but within the roleplay environment, nobody will even guess that is the case unless you tell them.
Although I play myself in the Sirius universe, I do feel at home doing so, because every roleplay I've done, I've roleplayed as either myself or a character I know of, interacting with the world around me/them. My AI, Honya and Pale Bride, are heavily based on by Nodoka Miyazaki from Negima and *Hyun-ae from Analogue: A Hate Story, in fact, Pale Bride is an old nickname they gave the latter in the logs in the game. I do have plans one day to flesh out the two AI into their own characters, this recent activity with IRG being a first step towards that.
You shouldn't be ashamed to base in-RP characters on those you know or idolize from other media. Believe it or not, what makes a character is not just the Character themselves, but their environment around them. I'm spoilering this for the sake of those who are reading the manga:
Nodoka for example, in Negima, starts out as a extremely shy schoolgirl who has a fear of boys. Being around Negi, her teacher, over time - erodes this fear and, being involved in Ala Alba, the group that Negi forms down the line in the series - eventually turns her into a badass. This is a perfect example of the environment and other characters molding a character into a evolved version of their former selves. If it were not for Negi, Nodoka wouldn't have changed, or something else would have happened to her.
The same could be said for my character. Until I met Marisa and moved to Freeport 11, I was a drifter, making money to get by with no direction whatsoever. Peti's character, as well as my character's home, gave me direction, gave me purpose.
Two things you should do when Roleplaying, is allow other characters to influence your characters (as long as you're okay with going down the routes that will ensue from such influence) and make sure your characters have drive, have purpose, not just for themselves, but for you to play as them. Otherwise you'll burn out easily.
Sidenote:Catbert's statement on Imports is good too. Honya and Pale Bride do make sense in universe (given they're technically not the same as the characters they're based on), but I'd honestly call this the border between indirect and direct import, and I genuinely hope fleshing out the two of them drags them away from the wrong side of the border.
Thing is, and perhaps it was told many posts above (but i'm way too lazy to read it), there is no proper RP. There are always few criterias that you must follow and some that can be considered at various situations.
First of, direct imports. That means roleplaying as not your own character, but as a character that already existed in some kind of universe, be it game universe, cinematic universe or even anime universe. If you want to create a character that somehow referes to already existing character - that's fine, but try not to overuse it. Also, furries and ponies are prohibited. Don't use them. Never. And if you don't know what the hell a Furry is - never google it, don't traumatise yourself.
Second, grammar. Whatever you type must be in comprehensible english, but in specific cases you can use native slang of your own character, be it an outcast, a gaul or coala (coalitioner). The best way to learn english is to speak to those who speak it. And as soon you start typing faster, than better it will be for you in extreme situations.
Third, your own character. Always know that your own character is a separate personality and it exists on it's own. However, whenever your character gets in the game, you represent them and your job is not to screw it up as playing as them. The best way is to think the way your character would think, but in the same time don't lose your gears and stay yourself. To calculate - don't get consumed by your own character, be your character's master.
Fourth - variety. Don't ever end up doing same thing over and over and overand over again. There is always a second chance and a second path.
And Fifth - fun. Roleplay "is just an excuse to do whatever you want to do. God damn if it isn't fun." If you don't enjoy whatever you do - don't do it, switch off. If you don't enjoy it at all - throw back, but never abandon it. Just take a week or two off and come back with a refreshed mind. Make a game enjoyable for yourself.
So that's it. Grab your gear, make your character and remember - this is the place where you get the real gaming experience!
Well to be honest, when I was a newcomer back in the days, 2011, I was kinda startled with the game. But then I joined BAF, and the reason I have a decent skills in RP, not my words to elaborate, is I met Thunderer. It may sound a bit strange but he introduced me to randomness at its best. Get your character formed with your personality, for if you know something, you know yourself, and then occasionally throw in some randomness, even if its some mad part of yourself. Its hard to explain really, and if Thunderer is not in some trouble with his RL, I would recommend talking to him for a bit, even to get some advice's if possible. Kind regards mate, I hope I helped you even a bit.
These tips are al great and have told me some very good ways to get started, tough it seems as playing just my self would work best and is acctually something i always did. It does sound as a good point to start and it allows me to read some books and see if i can find an character who could fit into the game.
My grammar is problematic at times, still learning on a daily bases to spell it all correctly but sometimes i want to type too fast. Trying to make it an habit to spellcheck everything and altough conversations are not as fluent like before i do see improvements.
Also by reading some of the content already created i started to overthink this whole rp thing, but now i realize most of you just kinda rolled in to that level of rp and started exactly like me. Now that fictive mountain has become a lot smaller for me, agian my thanks to you all.
I will try to join a faction with my current character (Erik-Kieber) develop my character and i am shure my roleplaying skills will improve when i do so.
Many thanks agian to you all, stay frosty out there and see you guys inspace