Cult of RP - Real Life and Emotional Entanglements

[watchmakersylar]

I’ve noticed a trend in a lot of on line role players, and it’s not one people should be rush out to copy. The trend is the inability to separate role playing (RP) from real life (RL). Now I’m not talking about delusional people who think there are vampires hiding in their closets, or that dragons are going to eat them in ways they don’t like. Those people are just crazy.

I’m talking about people who don’t know the difference between the emotions of their characters and their own emotions. As an experienced RPer, I have no trouble separating RP from RL. If someone tells Sylar that they hate him, I don’t assume that they hate me. I also don’t think that having someone RP that they are in love with my character means that the player is in love with me.

Because people – that is fucked up. They are characters. They are not real people, and if you’re basing your emotional state on them, you need to stop sniffing glue, and more than likely drop RP as a hobby.

If you like me as a player/person, that’s awesome, but under no circumstance should you start mirroring the emotions your character feels for me. Trust me; I am not doing that with my characters.

The difference between an OK RPer and a good one is the ability to separate RP from RL. Good players don’t take it personally if the characters don’t like each other. Good players don’t sit back and think they’re going to get some sweet loving from another player because they just RP’d some good smut.

RPing is acting. It’s make believe, and that line should never be crossed. I have some dear, dear friends that I trust, love and adore, but I would NEVER fall in love with them because of the stuff we RP together. Nor would I hate them for other activities during game.

If you can’t tell the difference, stop RPing, go out into the sunlight, and find some real people to interact with. You need it.

Game is Game. The Story is the Story, and Life is Life. They are not the same thing.

Comments

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

Does that mean I can get some sweet lovin'?

;)

You are spot on as always.

[sylar.livejournal.com]

Why Liz, we've never even RP'd smut together. Want to get it on?

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

I thought you'd never ask.

[sylar.livejournal.com]

Did you practice kissing on your girlfriends?

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

I don't kiss and tell.

[sylar.livejournal.com]

Well then what good are you? :P

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

But...

but...

*pouts*

[sylar.livejournal.com]

The fangirls want to read the Smex, Liz. You need to tell!

[open-flame.livejournal.com]

*shakes her head*

Nooooo. I'm a good girl. I don't even ever use those kinda sexy userpics, honestly and truly!

[illusional-you.livejournal.com]

THIS THIS THIS!!!

I know i haven't done this for very long but to me, RPing is acting. It's a creative release. I could and would probably -never- do half the things that my characters do. BUt it's so much fun to step out of your skin and put on another's. It's building relationships, story and yes even romance between CHARACTERS not real people.

People need to get a grip. There's few people in this world that I don't like but there's plenty other characters that my characters don't like. It's nothing personal. It's fun.

*hugs*

[sylar.livejournal.com]

And this my dear is why I love to RP with you. You get it. You don't confuse character emotions with player emotions. That way leads to madness and stupidity.

[illusional-you.livejournal.com]

If I did there'd be plenty of issues.

I've also had the best teachers on Earth

[brandinsbabe.livejournal.com]

oh god, I've been finding people doing this more often lately and I just don't get it! I don't understand why it's so hard to separate RL from RP character emotions. Some people get so drawn down by it that it's ridiculous.

Anyway, THIS. I always praise the heavens when you make posts like this. I just wish the people that really needed to read them actually would lol.

[sylar.livejournal.com]

Thank you and wouldn't that be nice?

I mean yeah, I did shed some tears last week when Gabriel was so angry at Sylar. But I never ever thought Gabe's player hated me.

People are so sad.

[brandinsbabe.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah of course. It's different to feel emotional for your characters while you're writing. That just means you're writing well. But to carry on with these emotions as if you as a person were actually hurt or offended or whatnot, that's a different story.

I've shed many a tears for my chars, but not with them. hehe.

[coed-claire.livejournal.com]

A million times this. I know from experience the trouble this can cause, and it's honestly not worth it.

This doesn't mean, like you said, that there aren't some scenes that get to us. It happens. It's just a matter of how often and what we do after that.

And again, speaking from experience, the majority of people who can't tell the difference between RL and RP are teenagers who shouldn't be RPing in the first place.

[sylar.livejournal.com]

Sadly I've had this problem with people who were 26 and another who was 57. So age is no measure of maturity or mental stability.

[coed-claire.livejournal.com]

I kinda love you for that last sentence. I was just stating my experience with the matter.

[snarky-blonde.livejournal.com]

I approve of this so much.

[sylar.livejournal.com]

Thank you, sweetheart.

[snarky-blonde.livejournal.com]

Any time, cause it's true.

[darkangel-v.livejournal.com]

AMEN!

Really, it should be a measure of sanity. If you can tell the difference, you are ok. If not, check yourself into a mental hospital immediately. Do not pass go, do not collect...you get the idea. ; )

[sylar.livejournal.com]

You've been with me thru a lot of this bullshit, so I know you understand the ridiculousness of the situation. Of course the people I have rejected have painted me out to be the Anti-Christ because I did not return their LOVE.

What I want to know is - where the fuck is my 666 Merit Badge?

[darkangel-v.livejournal.com]

Indeed I have and indeed I do. Maybe a new perspective is needed. Instead of being annoyed by it all, decide to be flattered that you are just so damn good that even those that normally would know the difference can't help but be sucked in by your awesomeness. There ya go, that works. Problem solved.

As far as your Merit Badge. I have it here for you. I am keeping it with me in a secret place. Come find it. ; )

[soulreaderlydia.livejournal.com]

I'm new to this RP thing and I feel good. Well, I write some stories and RPing is like creating stories with some people and I enjoyed it. Well...I love how I can express my emotion better with RPing and it's cool to be some character and create a life for it.

I'm just telling that I have so much fun in this RPing thing and fortunately I'm not the one who can't separate RP and RL...

:)

[eriksselest.livejournal.com]

I had something clever to say, but after being locked in an organic chem. lab for a few hours I think it's best to not try. =3

Boundaries always exist. You could hate a character but be best buds with the RPer and vice-versa. When writing a story, or RPing, or even acting in a play you put a bit of yourself into the character - it's human nature. If things don't work out character-wise . . . no big deal, but I know I never burn bridges, so why bring the drama into real life?

It's all perspective and experience. =)

[bloodinmyear]

Very well said.