Mm, having played SWG myself for about a year (far past the NGE so I never got to play it before that), and having RP just about all the time, I do have to agree that the community wasn't really the greatest

But for anyone really looking for RP, hands down I have to say to come to City of Heroes (Virtue Server).  No way I can really say how much RP there is (as well as some not so good, though its avoidable).  Its just a hugely well put together situation since just about any character can fit in the CoH universe (Fantasy, Space, etc) with some modifications.  Though the best RP you will find in Super Groups obviously.

Obviously its still a lot of hit and miss, just depends if you happen to join a less then great SG, but really, by far you should try CoH.

I never considered myself a RP'er in SWG but found myself doing it quite often.  I tended to do things on my own or in small groups, whether hunting krayt, kimo's, or doing corvette runs.  Not much RP went on then, just chatting with friends.  When my bars would go black and I had to find Doc's or Ent's, that is when the RP would kick in and I liked it very much.  The odd times when one or more of us would be flagged after killing Imp NPC's and opposing faction players would race by then stop for PVP would bring about RP also.

I remeber many times when I would have to get new armor and weapons made and Haanoverfist would give me grief for breaking his creations and threaten to charge me double to replace them.  So many different ways to become immersed in RP even when you didn't consider yourself a RP'er.  Things changed and did away with most of the game aspects that promoted RP, though some players still strive to keep it alive when SOE tries to make it harder for them.

With games like WoW where you find yourself grinding to earn funds to raid and in raids you are using VoN programs during raids to coordinate, you find very little if any RP'ing occuring.  I'll keep waiting for another game to come out that offers all the things that made SWG worth not just playing, but being a part of the community. 

Tomrin Alindale - Scylla Server (RIP)

Kraig Tarlson - Scylla Server (RIP)

Few points about topic:

1. When I first meet RPers in Eisley it was my mos memerable moment in SWG EVER. Not one instance, not all things devs added in NGE is worth 1/10 of that moment.

2. Too bad SOE wont bring back old pre NGE servers for RP community

3. I think, that maybe if those guys who work on SWG emulator ever manage to get online oroginal game and open full RP server than that old RP feeling will be back.

Let's hope they wil make it

SOE did not understand that I was only roleplaying about 4 years ago but with the lack of players on most of the SWG servers these days , one would have to come up with some idea of amusing themselves.

Roleplaying that you are on a single player game - I can see that.

i wanted to RP in  SWG but i came right when the hologrind began.  even the coveted preCU was not RP friendly.  i tried to RP a novice scout.., now i'm a PK spy who never /replies, chats, or accepts invites.. 

SWGs community, new or old, will suck any RP spirit you have out of you, and replace it with a jaded thirst for virtual blood,  a craving for cheap GCW points, and a hunger for the most hateful of hate tells.

Never RPed in MMO's, that's what I play pen and paper games for (also my typing skills leave much to be desired). I'm sure the author could find a group to learn them with if he lives in even a medium sized city in the states. Game shops usually have groups the play in house and welcome newcommers.

What a great piece on role-playing in MMO's, /applaud.

I enjoyed role-play on occasion, with a particular group of folks that were really into that.  I also did a lot of adventuring with non-roleplayers. 

Things that helped roleplay for me, and immersion in general were the early option to equip any weapon, and use various types of armour.  I also liked the apprentice system that linked you up with others in your profession that had a higher level of skill.  I loved the active pub life in the cantinas, and felt this was encouraged by systems like mind buffs and healing of battle fatigue.  Having camps that allowed certain buffs and heals also added to role-play, as did going to the med-centers for healing.

All of the diverse professions with their interdependent systems, the realistic crafting, buying and selling of goods also helped.  I loved going to tailors for outfits for upcoming events (like ingame weddings), had to have a tux right? lol :).  Gun shopping was one of my favourite pastimes.  I also loved hunting to get meat for a chef friend of mine.  He'd then make the best foods and drinks to help me be a better hunter.  Very, very cool, very immersive, and great for role-playing.

I think someone got the idea that people don't like this in a videogame, and tbh, I just think they're wrong.  I don't know anyone that said, "wow this immersion really sucks."  People loved it.  What they didn't love was being unable to complete their quests, having targets spawn in trees, or trying to use skills that didn't seem to work properly.  They also didnt' like quests that consisted of gunning down 10 guys standing in a field around a flag that was supposed to represent an enemy base.

I really think SOE and LEC got some bad marketting research that led them to do what they did to their game.  I could go into the flawed sampling design and confirmation bias in the results, but I'd probably even bore myself with that.  I do hope, though, that some MMO company with an attractive IP (Ryzom looks kinda like this, but I don't know what a "Ryzom" is) realizes the great potential in immersive game systems like SWG used to have.  I'm kinda hoping that StarTrek Online will have immersive elements to it.  I guess time will tell :). 

Originally posted by BlackOpsAce

Mm, having played SWG myself for about a year (far past the NGE so I never got to play it before that), and having RP just about all the time, I do have to agree that the community wasn't really the greatest

But for anyone really looking for RP, hands down I have to say to come to City of Heroes (Virtue Server).  No way I can really say how much RP there is (as well as some not so good, though its avoidable).  Its just a hugely well put together situation since just about any character can fit in the CoH universe (Fantasy, Space, etc) with some modifications.  Though the best RP you will find in Super Groups obviously.

Obviously its still a lot of hit and miss, just depends if you happen to join a less then great SG, but really, by far you should try CoH.

I have to agree with this.  I play CoH on Liberty mainly.  Virtue is notorious for its role-play community.  If you're not a role-player, people in game warn you not to play on that server lol.

Originally posted by Moirae

Originally posted by hipiap

I'm sorry...but Whine more.

 

It has been Daym near 3 years since the NGE changed everything, and while I miss AFKing professions for the Hologrind or AFK'ing dancer Xp for the exchange in the Village for Force XP....and I miss Bol's to the North Spin Groups...

 

 

I am sick of you all whining.

 

Would I change it back? Yes.

Would I keep the new content? Yes.

 

Will it ever happen?  No

 

So get over it

{ Mod Edit }

rofl... I couldn't have said that better myself. In fact, I've said that on here many times, and been reported so I hope your post stays. Its something these people need to hear. They act like their lives are over because the nge hit. It gets very tiring.

I just don't understand why you guys would keep reading threads then that talk about the "good old days" etc..  If it bugs you so much, why read it?

If other people want to discuss something that matters to them, why intrude and tell them they're idiots?

Do you go out of your way to listen in on others when they talk about things that don't interest you in rl?  Do you jump into the conversation you dislike and tell people to shut up and call them names? 

It really seems like this is what you're doing here.

Man I so agree.  I've been playing SWG, MxO, and even Second Life and I rarely if ever find dull immersion.    Even those that are "RP'rs" spend alot of time simply chatting ooc about their new toys.  In SL you would think this would be custom built for full immersion but not really.  Even there it is all pvp or raunchy based rp.  Never a mixture or anythign that resembles LIFE. 

But I still search.  I found that when i couldn't find what I needed I simply created it.  I did on sl and I am trying on SWG.  It is really hard to get people to slow down and see the beauty of SWG.  I know the changes the devs made years ago made things difficult but I feel it really shouldn't matter...not to a RP'r.  So any low level characters out there (Imperial or Rebel) or any others, feel free.  I am will to do what ever is needed to form a group of pure RP's.  We do not have to be o the same side, nor do we even have to mission or grind.  RP is about more than just the moment...it is about the association the story of this person and that person.  In my humble opinion.

Rex Obviate

vREXv Obviate on starsider.

Originally posted by hipiap

I'm sorry...but Whine more.

 

It has been Daym near 3 years since the NGE changed everything, and while I miss AFKing professions for the Hologrind or AFK'ing dancer Xp for the exchange in the Village for Force XP....and I miss Bol's to the North Spin Groups...

 

 

I am sick of you all whining.

 

Would I change it back? Yes.

Would I keep the new content? Yes.

 

Will it ever happen?  No

 

So get over it

{ Mod Edit }

AFK'ing is not RP'ing..  it is AFK'ing, your points are moot

To all the fellow roleplayers - from SWG days or otherwise... here's hoping we'll all find a new home soon, developed by the kings of RP video gaming, BioWare.

Cheers

Originally posted by TARDISjunkie

Some games are, I think, inherently more hostile to RP than others.  EVE Online, for instance.  Gimme a break.  I know some people supposedly manage it, but how they do it without hallucinogens is beyond me.  Don't get me wrong, I love the game (despite its uber-grindiness and PvP-centricity)...I just can't get into it.  If some EVE-RP'er were to contact me with the intent to prove me wrong, though... *hinthint* ;)

Ironically, I think WoW has some of the best untapped potential for RP.  The varied environments, the different races & factions...and yes, once you get past the jarring cartooniness of it all, it's actually quite pretty.  Unfortunately, it'll never happen.  Not until the dead rise from their graves, the rivers and seas flow red with blood, cats and dogs live together...mass hysteria!  :p

i disagree completely. EVE is the only game where i can roleplay, because it is the game that gives more power&options to the player. i can be evil, really evil, or i can be good. i can be a thief, or i can be a pirate. and on every case, the game gives me tools to really commit to my choice.

for example, how can i roleplay a thief if i cant steal? thats something most mmorpgs forbid, stealing from other players. or, how can i be a pirate or an assassin if i cant fight anybody anywhere without having to compare our levels? what is the reason for pirating if there is no loot to recover?

not only that, fighting for resources and territory gives another powerful excuse to roleplay. there is a reason to fight the other corporations. you want what they got.

meanwhile, RP on WoW, or EQ, or even LOTRO, is only an excuse to speak with "thee"s and "thou"s. but options are very limited. you can only attack those of the opposing faction. you can only advance through fighting. i mean, how interesting. i can be a healer, but to gain XP i need to kill. no XP for healing. how can i roleplay then? also, the lack of non-fighting classes. i cant be a full crafter. i need to advance my fighting levels to advance my non-fighting skills. that is stupid.

open-ended, skill based mmorpgs are RP heaven. WoW is as far as can be from there.

Originally posted by ssstupido

riginally posted by TARDISjunkie

Some games are, I think, inherently more hostile to RP than others.  EVE Online, for instance.  Gimme a break.  I know some people supposedly manage it, but how they do it without hallucinogens is beyond me.  Don't get me wrong, I love the game (despite its uber-grindiness and PvP-centricity)...I just can't get into it.  If some EVE-RP'er were to contact me with the intent to prove me wrong, though... *hinthint* ;)

Ironically, I think WoW has some of the best untapped potential for RP.  The varied environments, the different races & factions...and yes, once you get past the jarring cartooniness of it all, it's actually quite pretty.  Unfortunately, it'll never happen.  Not until the dead rise from their graves, the rivers and seas flow red with blood, cats and dogs live together...mass hysteria!  :p

 

i disagree completely. EVE is the only game where i can roleplay, because it is the game that gives more power&options to the player. i can be evil, really evil, or i can be good. i can be a thief, or i can be a pirate. and on every case, the game gives me tools to really commit to my choice.

for example, how can i roleplay a thief if i cant steal? thats something most mmorpgs forbid, stealing from other players. or, how can i be a pirate or an assassin if i cant fight anybody anywhere without having to compare our levels? what is the reason for pirating if there is no loot to recover?

not only that, fighting for resources and territory gives another powerful excuse to roleplay. there is a reason to fight the other corporations. you want what they got.

meanwhile, RP on WoW, or EQ, or even LOTRO, is only an excuse to speak with "thee"s and "thou"s. but options are very limited. you can only attack those of the opposing faction. you can only advance through fighting. i mean, how interesting. i can be a healer, but to gain XP i need to kill. no XP for healing. how can i roleplay then? also, the lack of non-fighting classes. i cant be a full crafter. i need to advance my fighting levels to advance my non-fighting skills. that is stupid.

open-ended, skill based mmorpgs are RP heaven. WoW is as far as can be from there.

I agree with you.  I do think SWG does give tools for great rp or even what I like to call immersive grinding (for lack of a better phrase).  My wife and I have had a great time rp'ing the legacy missions with a few new friends...We do the missions as group in character and cruize around visiting planets and bars during off times.  As a whole we are in character 24/7 and when we come across others who are same we mingle. 
 

I think some people look for a certain kind of structured rp rather than just "live".  Either is fun but i enjoy being the Bounty Hunter or Smuggler and never knowing what I could run across.

Sure I am always up for structure.  In fact a just made a friend I will rp with.  Basically he has his character and I have ine and we live our lives with the inention of them crossing paths in the near and far future.  I love the slow burn. 

Hope to see others.

Rex

Maybe we cant put CCP and George Lucas in a room for how ever many years it would take to get the job done right.

Id miss EVE but a real Star Wars MMO would be incredible.

S*D

First off I wish to say thank you for your article. I also wish to applaud those old SWGers who still, to this day, mourn their loss. My husband and I, as original SWGers, share your pain. We, too, cheerfully spent our paychecks (3 accounts)  to be part of a world full of  so much more than killing orcs and grinding levels. As first a master creature handler and then a master bio-engineer it was a sad day when SOE came to our house on Chilastra and personnally shot all of my pets in the head with a gun called the CU and a silencer called an NGE.

Of course we have spent the rest of our game days looking for another RP game, including games mentioned by others in this thread, but so far we have failed.

Still hope lives eternal but what I don't understand is why no other game developer has heard our cries? It seems to me that a new game comes out almost weekly (ok monthly) yet no attempt has been made to appeal to a ready make, eager to pay, clientile such as the one SOE turned their collective noses on (I was there the night all the playersr complained in game about the changes and were booted out of Theed and several other towns).

Still in all articles such as this one may someday make some dev see the light. Devs if you doubt me look around the net.. there are still, after all these years, websites devoted to the tailors or architects or CH's like me from the old SWG. Want to walk down memory lane? Go check out the Galaxy Girls of SWG website.. it's a touch of the old days (but then so is my avatar) or do a search on YouTube and watch players in the cantinas havinig the time of their lives. /sigh

I was doing some research on my old hometown of Vagabond's Rest on Starsider and found this article. 

Mandash Grim is the name, a crusty old freetrader captain (who didn't actually have a ship for a year or so until JtL came out), and one of the founders of old VR.

Some folks might be interested to know that with the recent voluntary, free, server transfers Starsider is way out on top in terms of population.  Roleplayers everywhere.