Storytelling via Clothing

Tags

character customization, character development, ffxiv, final fantasy xiv, MMO, mmo character customization, mmo cosmetics, mmorpg, mmorpg cosmetics, mmorpgs, mmos, no promises though, roleplay, roleplayers, rp, this will maybe be the last time i talk about this topic, xiv

This will probably be my last post about MMO outfits. Maybe.

Before I begin I should update you all on the personal goings-on of my Final Fantasy XIV character. She recently has had a couple of character breakthroughs involving an in-character fight with another member of my guild, some introspection about how good that fight felt, learning how to harness her combative strength and come to grips with it by learning how to use a gunblade on the sly, and slowly sinking deeper into a life of underground crime and debauchery as the person she fought with takes her under his wing to learn how to be a contraband smuggler.

All of this has been a delight for a number of reasons. It’s finally allowed my character to have some progression; it’s finally seen some character daggers actually get used by people; and as a writing exercise, it’s given me the opportunity to finally challenge myself by writing a character that can be soft, alluring, and loving as well as a badass without falling into edgelord traps. On top of that, though, it’s allowed me the chance to create new outfits.

Style Matters in MMO Classes

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city of heroes, class, classes, coh, doing it wrong, ffxiv, final fantasy xiv, MMO, mmo class, mmo classes, mmorpg, mmorpg class, mmorpg classes, mmorpgs, mmos, roleplay, tera, xiv

One of the Discords that I’m a part of featured a conversation among some players of Final Fantasy XIV who were discussing the different tank classes in the game. It was interesting to watch unfold, as the tete-a-tete mostly featured one person who was all about the DPS numbers and skill potency figures while the other was about how the class felt, and it’s not often I get to witness two disparate viewpoints discuss things (let alone in a rational matter).

It got me to thinking about my own experiences with classes in FFXIV, and then with other classes in other MMOs, and throughout the little bit of navel gazing, one common thread stood out: When it comes to MMO classes, style will always trump substance for me.

Latent Friendship is Magic

Tags

community, ffxiv, ffxiv community, final fantasy, final fantasy 14, final fantasy xiv, friendship, MMO, mmo community, mmorpg, roleplay, roleplayer, roleplaying, xiv

Recently I’ve gotten back into Final Fantasy XIV a lot more than I had previously. This wasn’t kicked off by recent awful events, by the way, and it wasn’t necessarily spurred on by the larger Endwalker expansion reveals (though that did have a small part to play in things). Mostly, my return was fueled by friends. Friends that I sometimes play with and people that I’m not necessarily friends with.

Allow me to explain

How D&D Wrecked MMOs (For Now)

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d&d, dm, dnd, dungeons and dragons, gm, MMO, mmorpg, pen and paper, pen and paper rpg, pnp rpg, roleplay, roleplaying, rp

I’ll be the first to admit that, right from the offset, this is probably the most first-worldliest of first-world problems. That said, it’s something that I felt important to write about; how running my very own D&D stories has brought more engagement, entertainment and joy than any other MMORPG experience I’ve had thus far.

Yes, even my much-beloved City of Heroes.

“…you two-timing sunuvabitch…”

Multiple MMO’ing is Okay

Tags

characters, choice, MMO, mmo'ing, multiple games, roleplay, rp, universes, worlds

I play multiple MMO's not because they all fail at something, but because I choose to live unique lives and explore multiple worlds.

— Chris Hughes (@wolfyseyes) February 6, 2016

This rather declarative tweet is the brainchild for this whole post.  It’ll probably be a bit short, to be honest, but it’s essentially a call to anyone else who feels this way. Or perhaps it’s more a pat on the shoulder to let those who maybe feel like they’re “doing it wrong” know that no, you’re doing it right.

We’re Not All Horny

Tags

arousal, roleplay, roleplayers, roleplaying, rp, sensuality, sex, sexuality

This is a touchy subject.  I hope it doesn’t rub anyone the wrong way.

Okay, this is the last one I promise.

I’ve run in to this prevailing idea that roleplayers are consistently looking to use RP as a means to get their rocks off.  That the only sort of RP is ERP (erotic roleplay for the uninitiated).  I’m here to tell you that, like most assumptions made on the internet, it’s just not true…and at the risk of inciting the memetic “#NotAll____” response, I’m going to outline why.

Death of the Author

Tags

character, narrative, purpose, roleplay, rp, sorry, story, this is probably my woriest post ever, writing

Snow, she decided, was incredibly boring to see already.

The cold wasn’t an issue–Steel Wolf was dressed for that, more or less.  It was the snow.  How it coated everything in her vision.  How it sat on every surface.  How it even floated across the very air.  It was a relentless, oppressive blanket of boring, chilling white.

The immense Roegadyn woman shrugged in to her armor, the fur-lined collar pulling up closer around her neck and ears.  The wind cut across her form like a series of magical blades.  She had elected to keep her chocobo stabled at the fort that was behind her, the idea being that she would be able to more nimbly adjust to whatever danger the lands of Coerthas held.  She was beginning to regret the decision.

Then, she heard a shriek of fright.  Forms in the distance, one trying to pull away from the other two.  Steel unhooked her massive battleaxe from the baldric lashed across her chest and broke in to a full run.  Questions could be asked later.

Race and Roleplay

Tags

characterization, MMO, races, racial traits, roleplay, rp, writing

Someone in a XIV roleplay forum I frequent very interestingly suggested a thread about how a game’s race steers character creation and player interaction.  It got my head whirring, and so I thought instead of making or replying in said suggested thread that I put up my thoughts here.

I mean, far be it from me to ignore a strike of inspiration…even if it is being worked out while I’m at work.

“Can we stop talking now? I have MMO blogs to write.”

The Delight of Outreach

Tags

community, forum, message board, MMO, playstyle, roleplay, social media, twitter

MMO’s are things that can be done solo, which is fine and well and wonderful…but at the same time, there are things that are just better together.  I have tried to just get by on writing headcanon for my character in Final Fantasy XIV, but that’s more an exercise in writing than it is engaging with others.  MMO’s are best when you find like-minded folks to be with.

But in a gaming age where groups are assembled through a finder algorithm, is there really a point to it anymore?  Are MMO’s losing their social side?  Not really.  You just have to do a bit of legwork.  Which isn’t really work at all.

Calling it “legplay” just gives it a whole different context.

Blaugust Day 30 – A Skyplot Full of Plans

Tags

blueprint, Exile, home, housing, medical center, plan, roleplay, rp, skyplot, wildstar

A few days ago, I had written a blog about WildStar’s housing.  I also admitted to my own annoyance at my level of skill.  But, just like anything that requires an amount of skill or personal ability, that should only be able to improve with practice.  Kelzam Duskthorn himself has mentioned that he has made maps for old FPS games for a long time before entering WildStar, so it would stand to reason that he has all those many months or years of practice under his belt to aid him.

So, what if I really tried?  What if I applied myself to a concept, and really focused to make it come to life?  What if I also outlined this process as I go along for my blog?

Basically, I’m going to Bob Vila this shit.