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.

How D&D Wrecked MMOs (For Now)

Tags

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.

A Skyplot Full of Headache

Tags

building, decor, design, house build, housing, medical center, ohgodithurts, roleplay location, rp, skyplot, wildstar

I have a plan.

I have a vision.

After finally having put up the walls, I also now have crossed eyes and probably am bleeding out of my ears.  In short, building a large, cohesive house in WildStar is becoming one of the most exhausting, frustrating and rewarding experiences I have ever had in any MMO in immediate memory.

Who knew four walls would add up to so much?

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.”

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.

Blaugust Day 6 – Community Garden

Tags

commune, community, downtime, event, festival, MMO, party place, rp

In a Daily Grind question on Massively Overpowered, the community of readers were asked if anyone among us had ever run a player event.  Now I, personally, have not done anything outside of a costume contest in City of Heroes.  Still, I had considered doing a lot more events, either in large scale or being given the chance to run a series of quests or events with a guild or an RP party.

Then it struck me….not many games let us actually DO that.  And this strike was initiated by a Sigbjorn and his post about the matter.  Looking at the comment now, Brianna Royce had pretty much said everything I was going to say…but it does bear some expounding on.  Or at least what I’d love to see to make an MMO playerbase an actual community.

Blaugust Day 3 – Bad (Guy) Roleplaying

Tags

bad guy, baddie, MMO, roleplayers, roleplaying, rp, villain

As much as I like roleplaying, there’s so many traps and pitfalls that RP’ers seem to fall in to.  Self included.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve written a character that just happens to be a “merc with a mouth”.  It’s not quite Deadpool-level, but it is a crutch that I have leaned upon rather heavily over the course of my roleplaying life.

So, I was perhaps considering how to make a villain character…but then I got to thinking of how completely awful and stupid an idea that is.

Good will triumph because evil is written poorly.