New Players (PLEASE READ!)

[The New Student Dean]

Unfortunately Lilith, the staff has decided to use this, for the public, so that we may address this, in full.

Lilith:

Hey, I.. I think I'm leaving the site, but I'm afraid to in a way because it's the only place I can talk to you on. But, I don't feel welcome here, on this site. It isn't that I haven't tried. I've had threads with people.. and was starting to get somewhere, but they always stop posting or.. I do n't know it just doesn't feel welcoming here, it's so hard to start, not that I'm looking for something like a IC boyfriend or anything, just something.. and this crowd it's so.. tough. I mean, my welcoming thread was great, but.. when I actually got in there to rp I feel like I'm being shunned for being new and I'm not the only one. I've talked to others that started about the time I did and they've all begun to leave just because no one but the other newbies will rp with them and in a way that's just.. sucky.

So .. I don't know.. I just.. I can't find a spot here you know. I'm glad you did, I'm glad you still rp. But I've tried, and I just feel like everyone is either lost in their own little stories or they just don't want to rp with the new people because they fear we suck without giving us a proper chance. I have no idea, but, I think I'm leaving, I'm not sure, I pop on her daily but I just.. can't find a place to try again, everything seems so closed so unwelcoming. Well, that's why I wrote you, just to let you know I might leave..

Jonathan Winters:

Alright. Thanks for the message.. but if it's okay with you, would it be alright if I shared this with the rest of the staff?

The thing is this: IC-wise, many people have already established a personality, a way in which they'll interact. Most people here are mellow, and/or apathetic to an extent. Trust and the whatnot has been slowly built up.

But have you noticed something? The people who participate the longest in the spam thread have a tendency to stay here the longest.

Initially, I joined here on Arcane Academy in 2006. I found no one to RP with me. I started again at a later point, a few months later when my enjoyment with Arcane Academy had died.. and thrust myself complete into here. There is a balance here.

While yes, this board was made for RPing, this is also a place where people go with their problems, share it with others, and for the most part, they are accepted. The Spam threads that you see reduce the amount of random threads that pop up, but then hold much of the people's feelings, that of the oldbies. Those who don't even try usually come off as people who we can't get to know. We're not isolating ourselves on purpose. But there seems to be this.. 'shared mentality'. Have you noticed that? Many people on here are similar. Heck, people like Dylan and Justin barely post IC, but they stick with us for such a long time, because of the spam thread.

And then, you also have to take into account the busyness of RL. A large storyline is already underway here. The problem is people like me, people like Chi, hell, majority of people here are busy in RL. However, we've stuck through with it, thick or thin. And we haven't been turned away.

If you haven't found your place here, it may not just be the right time. But this is definetely one of the right places. I've been here officially for 9 months. Those have been my observations, and while it took time, I think.. this has been the perfect place. I just didn't realize it until some time had passed.

Lilith:

Sure, you can share it with staff if you like. And about the spam thing.. thing is.. I never have anything to add to those places. It's why even on AA or on Twilight, or any other site I'm on you won't see me around the OOC section a lot. It really isn't my thing and I think there are others like me out there, that don't thrive on the OOC, we come to role play because it's a role play board. And I like Xin as much as the next girl or I would be on five of their sites. I beleive there is ONE Xin I have not been on, and it's the one that Keith has made. But that's a personal reason, I've been on 499 before it died, I was on the original Xin 1, before it closed, and am not on Hircine, 552, Ballaton, Hargrove, and this. But I found that here it's just so hard to be I guess, accepted into the community, I feel ostracized for being new.

I know people are busy. Heck I'm busy, I don't sit on my computer all day, I do all kinds of things and am running errands and doing what I need to get done, I do however get on in the evenings to check on my sites and things. I know people are busier than me, and I can accept that, the problem I have is that it's hard to find people that will rp with me period regardless if they are posting daily or not. it isn't that I hate waiting a few days for a post, heck with the guy I'm STILL waiting on it's been eight days, and I' still waiting, I think he's gone personally. So it isn't waiting that I hate, it's the lack of actual effort to help the new kids fit in.

My friend, who plays my brother on this site is also intending to leave. He accidentally skipped someone in posting order and 3 people, not even the girl he skipped, three unrelated people, PMed him about it. 3!!! For skipping her ONCE! I understand a quick warning or something but .. three?! A little much, and since then he has felt very unwelcome here, because he is afraid to make an wrong move again because of what happened last time. I'm glad you found your home here, mine was AA for a long time, I felt so lost when I first left AA. But then I created Twilight, and it is my home now, I love my site, not just because it's mine but because of the community of people we have there.

So, I'm still contemplating leaving. As I said, I'm not sure what I'm doing. Not yet, I might try a little more, it's just, hard for me to keep trying when I feel like its getting me no where. But you can share this with the staff that is fine.

---

---

---

There was a reason I didn't respond to this. This is addressed to everyone. Yes. Everyone.

Because my response, I wish to make it known, so that both old players and new are aware.

We all have stories to tell. Everyone, wrapped up in their own. But you see people posting in other threads, right? Then should you not expect the same treatment?

...In the same way, you ask, can I make friends right away, and gain their trust?

But this is not a matter of 'trust'. You must understand. There IS an OOC part to RPing. There IS real life. Some people cannot keep up with posting, unless they pull all nighters. I am living proof of that. So is Aureus. And especially Mitsuki. As I explained in my own aforementioned PM, this is a community.

I do my best to reach out to the new players when possible. So does Aureus. Many players around here do. But there must be the same amount of consistency that you must reach out to us.

Immediately, for most beginning RPers on sites like this is, "I'm a new guy, so, I should start out with an intro thread!" And that idea isn't wrong. But these are other people. Attain the first level of intimacy with them first, by making their acquaintance via PM. Ask them if they'll RP with you. Hell, make a post asking for someone to RP with you. They will. Don't be afraid of the old players. Old players! Offer to RP with the new ones! Though we are aware of it, rarely do we think of it consistently that they need someone to help beckon them in.

But for the commitment to be completely, new players must not take advantage. Commitment, commitment, commitment, I stress this a lot. Perhaps you don't have to post in the OOC thread to make yourself known. You just want to RP. But realize that your character.. is, or at least should be a part of yourself.

So... for the new guys? I have a few 'suggestions'. Not rules.. just suggestions from things I've learned myself:
-Join in oldbie threads. Yes, you want to develop your own character. Yes, you have this right, but by making this sacrifice, you get to know someone a little better. After all, if you know someone IC and OOC, then they'll be more inclined to RP with you. Doesn't make sense to RP by yourself, ja?
-PM people to RP with you! Read threads. See who joins a lot of threads, and would possibly want to RP with you new guys! Don't be afraid, we don't bite! ^_^
-Include names (usually after pming them), to join your thread! Yes! And I'm not just referring to other new players like yourself, either!
-Stick with it! If it looks like you're just another generic RPer who's trying to be 'different' from everyone else, and doing the cliche, 'Okay, no one RP's with me, so, I'ma just going to go inactive for a while, and see people posting in my threads'... Basically, if we don't see you RPing, old guys will probably assume subconsciously (yes, its a bad habit) that you're just gonna ditch us. Disheartening, ya?

New guys... we want to welcome you in with open arms. You gotta be free with us, gotta let us know! We're not psychic, but we certainly don't want to intentionally ignore you.. You are our lifesource, the energy to the site. You don't realize how much of an impact you make, nor do you probably realize the fact that we love it when new people start joining our site.

Please. Don't just pack it up and leave. Make the commitment. You may find more then just a heroic character or vile villain in the works, if you do...

Any questions, and complaints, feel free to use this thread. Oldbies! Any comments? Any words of encouragement? Yeah, we give people warm welcomes in the incoming/departing category, but, we wanna let them know that they are loved, and they aren't just gonna be said 'hi' to, and then left high and dry, y'know?

^_^ I hope this helps. *throws a kibble*

[Aureus]

Another thing that I think needs to be added to this thread is the fact that a lot of people, like myself, only stop replying when things get boring. So, it's not even about you being new, sometimes it's just about you being boring. So just totally throw your ideas out there, even if it seems like they won't be accepted, because chances are if it's fun and new, people will want to participate.

Another thing that applies to me, another probably other members, is the fact that we've been doing it for a long time, and this style of RPing is getting old. It happens with anything if you do it enough. A result of this is sometime we'll only RP with certain people. For example, there are many times when I'll put all my attention on threads with Chi, because of our relationship OOC.

So I guess the main point of this whole rant is: Do what's new and fun, even if you're not sure of it.

[Winters]

While we're on that though.. its generally not a good idea to force things onto RPers, without their OOC consent.

^_~ Y'know what I mean?

Example: Max wants to come up with a scenario where she has to convince some people to parade around school. Naked.

...She asked me if I wanted to join, I agreed.. all that's left is to come up with some sort of justification as to why, and how she would convince me.. XD...---

I'm getting a brainstorm, as I post this.

Edit: For my own... the main point is: It's generally not considered polite to force changes onto an RPer that would result in a permanent change in how that person RPs them, personality wise, without their consent.

[valekin]

I completely agree with the above, as a member of the staff.

I don't recommend new players rping with valekin because of his level of insanity and violence. Jason King would be a safer bet for your character.

I'm very open to playing with the new players, but if you don't show interest in playing with us older players, then we'll feel as though you're forming your own clique, and not becoming a part of the greater community.

So yes, I often don't join the threads the new guys make, but that's for their character's own safety. As they don't know what Valekin's entirely capable of, only people that know what he's capable of and what they're getting into are suggested to join threads with him.

If you feel like you aren't a good roleplayer, or your skills need some refining. Talk to me, I've been rping for eleven years, and I'll tutor anyone at it, as I love the game.

[chihiro]

OOH OOH CONTRIBUTION!!!

And I will make it in a list, because lists rawk:

1) PMS are great. Its a way to talk to people and ask them to rp or for help. If you want soemthing to do or want to help develop your character, then dont hesitate to ask! I can't remember how many times I've asked Mikey (Winters/Thrush/Kaufman) for help, even on the stupidest or littlest thing.

2) No question is ever stupid. Chances are, if youre confused or lost about something, there is someone else who is feeling the same way, or has felt that same way along the way.

3) This rp runs on OOC power. <3 If you havent noticed...we are on our third spam thread. Learning about eachother OOC helps with interaction IC. Well, sometimes, because you might also just talk to people OOC that you havent rped with IC. Communication is key to pretty much anything, so if you log on and realize you either dont have the time or inspiration to post a thread, drop by the spam thread and say hi!

4) Characters w/ complicated plotlines. Characters that have been here for longer (in this instance I will use Chi) often have very developed plotlines and may tend to rp with the same circle of people just like any regular person will tend to hang around the same people. But that doesnt mean we arent open for change. Chi is always willing for a friendly spar or a lunch friend. If you wanna rp with someone or see if they are busy or something or if your characters would get a long, PM!!




...am I missing something? Probably. I guess the only thing else I can add in closing is just to reach out! And that's to EVERYONE. Heh.


...Okay, I'm done.




EDIT: No I'm not. Heh. PS, I'm a staff as well so feel free to ask any of us if you have a question. If you want somewhat tame people to RP with, you can PM either Chi or Miss St. Vincent. They aren't deranged or cannonballistic like Valekin, heh

[Jason Harris]

aureus said:

Another thing that I think needs to be added to this thread is the fact that a lot of people, like myself, only stop replying when things get boring. So, it's not even about you being new, sometimes it's just about you being boring. So just totally throw your ideas out there, even if it seems like they won't be accepted, because chances are if it's fun and new, people will want to participate.

Think of a better excuse to stop replying, please. If you think something gets boring YOU find a way to make it interesting. Take the character "Thrush" for example, is he boring? No. He does something interesting every post. I know not everyone can think of something random and crazy to do every post and it might even be out of character for them to do that, but you should be able to think of something to change things up when you feel it's getting boring.

Now about the oldbies opening their arms to the new kids. Well everyone starts with an intro thread and they are usually all the same. You can only do the same thing for so long before it gets boring. Sadly if the intro thread doesn't get replied to the new people usually take that as "people don't want me here" so they leave. My advice to the newer people is to look around for a thread you find interesting and jump into it. Skip the intro thread and jump right into the mix of things.

[chihiro]

Oh, oh! I can add to that.

If you want to start a thread, make sure to keep it open for a character to relate to a reply. If you place it at a minute to midnight in the walk-in freezer and the McDonald's downtown, it's going to be really hard for someone to think of a reason why theyre character would be there. Try something simplea t first, like the park, or the beach, or the mall, and you can always branch out from there.

If you're looking for something more precise and unique, send out a PM to a few people to see if they would like to play in that kind of scenario. You can also post it up in the spam thread if you just want to throw the idea out to the general public.

[Jenna Scorn]

akada said:

Eh. If they want to play, all they have to do is ask and I will play.

[Keith]

I have to say I enjoy 259's environment over 552's environment. To be honest, the Spam threads in the OOC is one of the best damned things so far.

We get to goof off, cut loose, and get it out of our systems without fucking up the RPing in general. The OOC serves as a hub for other players to talk about non-roleplaying related stuff for the most.

The Spam thread helps alleviate possibly online drama. Of course people do have their arguments. But here, it really doesn't escalate into a possible flame war.

On a side note, the Spam thread is the only place where I can give Thrush regular Brimstone Delta enemas and get away with it. ^_^

Also, the OOC threads give us something to do whenever we're not in the RP mood. I myself am still on my hiatus from RP. But it's not going to stop me from chilling with you guys in the OOC.

Though Lilith said it's an RP board, you have to treat it as more than an RP board. It's basically part of the Xin community. Take a look at all of those MMORPGs, when people don't feel like RPing, they'd probably let loose and talk on the forums.

The OOC is basically a place that lets us cool down.

[Lilith]

I have tried, and I will try again, making this public is fine, because it's an issue I know I'm not alone in feeling. I will try again, and see if it's any better, but I find that it's actually HARD to rp here. And I RP to get away from the stresses in my life so when it's HARD to actually do something that I do for leisure and stress relival it makes it that much more difficult to want to stay involved.

About PMing people, sure PMs are one thing and they're great too for being like Hey wanna rp? But when you do that and you get your reply and what not then you start feeling like maybe you're bugging them, maybe they open they're box and are like 'damn, another thread'. And I know I don't want to feel like I'm intruding on anyone.

And all of the above stuff is about how we as new people should be running into threads with old people and throwing ourself in the midst of everything. But don't you realize, as a new character, that probably doesn't want to get beaten on their first day of rping how scary that is? I mean, here you guys are, all suped up on stats and lots of rping with people you've rped with for the past months and then in comes Joe with his one post, and he walks into some thread where people don't want him. That isn't cool, if a thread is well into it's story you can't just jump in you'll put a halt on the thread while everyone's character tries to figure out what the heck Joe is doing posting in their thread. I mean I know that some entry threads are boring, but they could be fun, someone above me said, I beleive it was Dylan, said that YOU had to make it fun. Well make it fun! Most rpers will go with the flow but when you're entry thread sits there for days with 0 posts and 16 reads you're thinking.. what did I do wrong?

And the OOC, I"m sorry, but I'm not an OOC person. I just can't get into a community like that. I'm more of an instant messenger kind of person. I just, can't post random things, it's not in my nature and I think Winters knows that best, I've never been that way even when I was the huge player on other sites, I am not an OOC person. I never have been. I think that to make the members feel like that HAVE to post OOC to be accepted isn't fair, that can't be the only place that you can be accepted into the rp community here. I understand that it's cool and a lot of people like it, but some don't. I'm not just whinning for myself, I'm saying this kind of as a new person just starting this site, I just think that it's too hard to be welcomed here. I know that people are busy, like I stated in my PM I"M busy.. I'm married, so I have a house to run, errands to do, groceries to by, I have a husband to take care of etc. Not to mention that I'm having a house built and I have all kinds of other things on my plate. So it isn't that I'm not busy and am complaining that others are, it's that I just feel like the established community is so tightly knit together that there is little room for new people unless we post OOC and .. frankly that just isn't some people.

I'm probably only ostracizing myself even more by posting this, but I just felt that staff should know how I and some others felt.

[Aureus]

I don't think it's required to post in the OOC, PM people, or talk with them through IM, but the fact of the matter is it helps A LOT. If you don't want to, that's fine too, just expect things to be a bit harder. And unless people specifically stress that a thread is closed to only a few people or that it's important for a story line, feel free to jump in. That's how things work in reality, so you're going to have to overcome your nervousness, etc.

[Karel]

Boobs.

In all honesty, boobs.

And no, this is not spam (might need to think a bit as to why I say this).

[Jenna Scorn]

lilith said:

And the OOC, I"m sorry, but I'm not an OOC person. I just can't get into a community like that. I'm more of an instant messenger kind of person.

I used to feel the same way.
I was all about MSN and such.

lilith said:

I know that people are busy, like I stated in my PM I"M busy.. I'm married, so I have a house to run, errands to do, groceries to by, I have a husband to take care of etc. Not to mention that I'm having a house built and I have all kinds of other things on my plate. So it isn't that I'm not busy and am complaining that others are, it's that I just feel like the established community is so tightly knit together that there is little room for new people unless we post OOC and .. frankly that just isn't some people.

I graduated last year, and had to get a job.
And I have a busy life too, ya know?
But thats why I like the OOC on these forums, b/c unlike MSN or any other IM'ing service you can post something and go to bed and check on it in the morning or whenever!

You can hold full conversations without having multiple windows open.

Is any of this making any sense?

aureus said:

I don't think it's required to post in the OOC, PM people, or talk with them through IM, but the fact of the matter is it helps A LOT.

I'm with Aureus, you don't need or even have to post in OOC, but it does help a lot if you establish some sort of friendly bases with the other players on this forum, or any other forum.

aureus said:

That's how things work in reality, so you're going to have to overcome your nervousness, etc.

Exactly.
So jump right on in.
The waters fine.

[Aureus]

novazero said:

Boobs.

In all honesty, boobs.

And no, this is not spam (might need to think a bit as to why I say this).

Unfortunately he's got a point. Hiroko said it too.

[Zack Asiv]

Jesus, alright, nomination time, I need 2 volinteers for newb patrol, I know Hiroko would be all over that shit, but I need at least one other to be apart of the newb patrol.

As a member of the newb patrol you will be expected to join all newb threads, and help with any questions or what not the newbs may have. Also there are some qualifications. No rapists, no murderers, no insane people, and no one prone to violantly damaging the newbs.