The OOC Channel and dying RP

[Apollonja]

Today I discovered we have an OOC Channel, called sagaooc. Today, I was playing EQ for 12 hours and the /gu is as dead as the saga rp channel. However there was constant conversations ongoing in the sagaooc during my entire gaming time. So far so good, what really annoyed me was, that 90% of all topics would have made wonderful IC RP in either /gu or /saga.

Why is everyone just talking OOC? Why are there no house decoration talks between the characters? Why don't the characters plan the trip to Nekropos instead of planning all RP. Why don't the characters help eachother out on quests, instead of the players?

Got bored?

I know I got bored for sure. All alone in the forsaken and forgotten /gu

[Jezerai]

It is easy to get lazy and talk in OOC instead of having to be creative and roleplay in the GU or /saga.  OOC talk should be the exception and not the rule.  Saga is a roleplay guild.  You all joined it because of that and I presume because you like to roleplay.  Then ... ROLEPLAY! 

[Vorenn]

I need storyline to rp - there's only so many ways to chat about nothing in particular, and I have done that but I need something a little more driving.  When it comes to group planning it is a real bugger to try and plan who is doing what, when - especially if there's only an hour in which to get everything set up.  I wasn't too pleased about it either but it's just the way it seems to go sometimes. 

And it must be said as well...if you want rp, instigate it.  Your character was there, true - but she often says very little, if anything.  This is why my character will sometimes just monologue, just to get people talking.   There's a lot of "hi, how are you?"  A lot of "grats" but that's as far as conversation goes.  However, after thinking about it...what is there actually to talk about?

Also, keeping in mind new content has been released and I would expect people are all fired to rush out there and experience it - and maybe they're neglecting interaction as a result, not exactly the best course of action, but the game has just been given new candy, as it were.

I know this was advised as possibly not being such a good plan, but what about a party or some sort?  Something for people to plan for, discuss, talk about, and get excited over?  Could be anything really, but it would get people chatting and might give some impetus.

Just a thought!

[Anaris]

I've been busy finishing an HQ and crafting so I haven't been talkative in any channel much.  The Nektropos conversation started in /gu and it was lovely and IC, but then we were talking logistics so we moved it to /ooc.  Plus, there were other RP conversations going on and it was getting a bit confusing when we really were talking shop at that point. 

The only other conversation I remember seeing was with Jystana and she's not in Saga, nor would she RP in the Saga tavern because she's evil and not the type to casually stop by our Tavern (which is technically in Qeynos) to give one of our members tips on Frostfell furniture.  That would be like having Kim Jong-Il paying a friendly visit to Washington to give Obama advice on White House decoration.  Not gonna happen. My Ebil alts will never come to the Saga channel to socialize because it doesn't make any sense for them to do so, unless they were coming to vandalize the place or something.   But I don't think I've joined the ooc channel with them anyway. 

The OOC channel is optional.  You don't have to join it or pay attention to it.  I don't pay attention to it all the time.  In fact, I never used it till recently.  If you want to engage people in /gu, hijack the conversation IC and to /gu.  If you hear someone asking a question in OOC that you can answer and would like to answer IC, do it IC in /gu and I'm sure the person will follow.  I've done this a couple of times, so has Bou and Zerzal, and it's worked wonders.  Remember our new members are still getting a feel for what goes where.

Also, I don't think that the RP is "dying" at all.  There was a lot of RP going on in the guildhall itself today because most of us were/are tradeskilling at the moment and talking in /say.   

[Apollonja]

I can't judge the /say, but the /gu is unusal quiet. I might be not the most talkative person, mainly because I have difficulties in keeping track of chat and be concentrated on fighting, but I said something a few times, but I only got once a response (from Bella). And I find it odd to hijack an ooc conversation to take it IC. I have to put a reaction of my character to a not told question. It has an odd feeling about it. And as far as I can see, there are plenty of saga members online, so the evil-alt-minority does not count as reason for major-ooc.

The point is, if noone talks IC, there will be no "storyline" others can react to. If noone responds to a "storyline" it dies before it was born. We chosed the Saga because we love the hard way, don't we?

[Lyrima]

Hm.  All good points

Lyrima doesn't have nor will she ever have a 'storyline'

She's got some personality quirks that make her fun to play (and I hope interact with) but overall, she's there to do her jobs.

I could get her going with her various little hobbies about the guild hall if you like.  Sometimes I worry her zany ideas run roughshod over the other conversations going on in /gu.  It is hard to know how to balance not stepping on toes but staying true to your character/joining on going RP conversations.

[Jezerai]

Saga has never been a "story" driven guild in the sense that you have a part in a story and play it out in guild chat.  Most of us have more or less developed back stories and personalities for our characters.  While in-game, we interact with each other and the world around us as our characters.  It's more like comedy improv than it is like a movie, if that makes sense.  Someone once compared Saga roleplay to the show "Whose Line Is It Anyways?" and I think that's very true.  Someone presents a situation and we, as our characters, react.  When the elements all come together, it's magic and we have been lucky enough to have many magic moments over the years.  If you are talking ooc in the ooc channel most of the time, the chance for that ball to get rolling is almost nil.  

On the other hand, it is very difficult to discuss logistics IC and that often leads to ooc talk, which is fine in small doses.  Also, communicating ooc with a friend who is evil and would not realistically be visiting our tavern will happen.  Also, as Aphellona pointed out, when you are busy tradeskilling or fighting it can be very difficult to keep up guild chat.  At times like that, /gu does indeed get quiet ... but maybe that's because we're all off playing and having fun.

[Sons of Halas]

I have taken the suggestion seriously and will make every effort to conduct more business in character.  I get intimidated by some of you guys.  You guys have such great thought-out personalities.  I can't be around Kudzoo without laughing.  I am still trying to find my "tone" but will definitely make more efforts.

[Wayena]

Wayena jokes around a lot in the OOC channel. Or explains game mechanics in the OOC channel.

Neither of which work in the /gu channel.

Believe me, I've tried and watched my funnies die slow painful deaths. I've even had funerals for them, it was so tragic. And not a one of you showed up for them!!

I hate you all...

...not really.

[Anaris]

 

And I like Wayena's jokes...

[Jezerai]

Ditto.  I always chuckle, even if I am not in a position at the time to respond.  Please don't stop and don't think that silence equals lack of appreciation.  It takes a while to type *giggle* or the equivalent and if I'm busy dying at the time, I may not get it out.   Also sometimes, unforgiveably I'm sure, I am not paying attention to the guild chat or am afk without notice. 

[Lyrima]

sounds like I need to get on the ooc channel.  I'm not sure I've ever joined it.

And...

Lyrima only does her insanities in one place...either /gu or /saga.  Which do you want?

[Jezerai]

/gu

[Ravenns]

RPing my character has always been rough.  For one thing, Ravenns can only be  in one place in the world at a time.  If he's in some temple in Lavastorm, then that's where most of my RP attention is, naturally.  If he's in a group, then most of my RP attention goes there. 

/GU makes it necessary to be in several places at once, which I have always resisted.  I can't have a conversation about Anaris' problems with her while she is in the guild hall, RP with Zerzal while she is in her home, and talk to Noehy who is at my side...all at the same time!

I simply can't do it!  I almost never log on and sit there and RP in a channel.  I take Noehy hunting somewhere, or we log an alt.  It's just easiest to "be in the moment".  Whereever Ravenns is in Norrath, and whoever he's physically with, (as in standing next to) that's who I RP with.

What this means is that I won't get to play Ravenns with a lot of others in the guild, because he never physically interacts with them.

What would be nice is to have a monthly guild meeting hosted by our leaders, where we get together and talk about guild business.  Maybe invent ranks and have promotions and new officers (or like for new initiates...a promotion ceremony to full member) , invent awards and have a ceremony, plan a hunt or a raid after the meeting or some other activity.  Visit members' houses, or plan a party or a wedding or host an allied  guild get-together.  You can come up with a ton of ideas for a monthly guild meeting, and ppl can plan to attend well in advance.

Just a thought that apparently came out of nowhere...hee!  But honestly, I have been thinking about this for a while.

[Jezerai]

Saga has a long history of planned events, including parties, guild meetings, etc. all of which were attended by the same three people.  After awhile, I just stopped planning things (which I am terrible at, btw).  Njorn was a wonderful party planner ... *wanders off in search of Njorn*

As for the rping in guild chat, I know some guilds create a device to allow for distant communication, a talking stone or whatever.  I myself have never had trouble with the concept, though.

[Lyrima]

/gu

Oh. Oops.

[Sons of Halas]

As for the rping in guild chat, I know some guilds create a device to allow for distant communication, a talking stone or whatever.  I myself have never had trouble with the concept, though.

I would swear that I was issued one when I joined?

[Wayena]

Ditto.  I always chuckle, even if I am not in a position at the time to respond.  Please don't stop and don't think that silence equals lack of appreciation.  It takes a while to type *giggle* or the equivalent and if I'm busy dying at the time, I may not get it out.   Also sometimes, unforgiveably I'm sure, I am not paying attention to the guild chat or am afk without notice. 

Oh, believe me, even if I have an audience of one (myself), the jokes will still come. I honestly do try to put them in guild chat, but when I'm working off something someone said in OOC, it's kinda odd to do. And would make no sense in our world of Norrath.

[Anaris]

So I've decided that my new goal in life is to emulate my girls in game.  (The part about being in multiple places at once, not the part about bursting up in flames, or, well, every part about Anaris).

If they're so good at being in a tavern having a drink, in the hall wth their guildmates, and in a dungeon somewhere in Barren Sky all while having private conversations, then I should be able to do the same IRL!

Which is why I'm trying to work, play EQ, shop online, and talk on the phone at the same time.  'xcept technically I'm still in one place...  Hmmph....

Oh, and Konnar, just how drunk was your Halasian when you joined Saga?    

[Vorenn]

Saga has a long history of planned events, including parties, guild meetings, etc. all of which were attended by the same three people.  After awhile, I just stopped planning things (which I am terrible at, btw).  Njorn was a wonderful party planner ... *wanders off in search of Njorn*

There's a lot of Saga people now however...and I'll admit I would be keen for some guild hunts or events or something along those lines, even though I'm on UK time and would probably not be able to attend them.

I'd even be willing to help set up a party or event or two if/when I pass membership and muster, if only for a larf.