Sibelle Grey
Worldweaver
I think the best way to attempt to limit these issues (because I honestly don't think people are going to stop dropping roleplays anytime soon) is to make sure you and the people you happen to be playing with are looking to get the same thing out of the roleplay. If people find it fulfilling, people will stay. If they're not getting what they want out of the roleplay, they will leave.
I'm with Sludge , many people think they want something long-term, but long-term takes effort. It's not as immediately gratifying and omgsofun all the time, but it's fulfilling in a different way. It's less constant tons excitement, and more figuring out how to get to that super-exciting scene in a realistic, well-paced way while developing the verse and characters (for me, at least). That can be exciting in itself. I think it's easier to be clear about what you want and actually get what you want in a smaller group. I fixed this issue for myself by exclusively participating in 1x1s, because I have less people to deal with and it's easier to communicate what works and what doesn't.
So yeah:
- communicate.
- kill anyone who's slowing you down (this is arguably useful in real life, too, tbh*) (*bad joke, not encouraging homicide)
- roleplay with people you know you can count on (ie: "This person was part of a group I was in a while back, they're cool and dedicated and as annoyed by lack of commitment as I am, lemme invite them to partake in this new project")
- avoid insta-grat roleplayers if you're looking to write more than play, or write as much as you play, and avoid people who want something novel-style if you'd prefer something low-effort. There was a 'why do you roleplay' thread a while back, and the variety of responses to that is proof that we're not all in it for the same reasons.
People commit to what they enjoy. The question is, how to find a whole group of people who can enjoy the same roleplay (for different or similar reasons) enough to commit. No idea how to do that, other than ask around and search.
*skulks back into the shadows*
I'm with Sludge , many people think they want something long-term, but long-term takes effort. It's not as immediately gratifying and omgsofun all the time, but it's fulfilling in a different way. It's less constant tons excitement, and more figuring out how to get to that super-exciting scene in a realistic, well-paced way while developing the verse and characters (for me, at least). That can be exciting in itself. I think it's easier to be clear about what you want and actually get what you want in a smaller group. I fixed this issue for myself by exclusively participating in 1x1s, because I have less people to deal with and it's easier to communicate what works and what doesn't.
So yeah:
- communicate.
- kill anyone who's slowing you down (this is arguably useful in real life, too, tbh*) (*bad joke, not encouraging homicide)
- roleplay with people you know you can count on (ie: "This person was part of a group I was in a while back, they're cool and dedicated and as annoyed by lack of commitment as I am, lemme invite them to partake in this new project")
- avoid insta-grat roleplayers if you're looking to write more than play, or write as much as you play, and avoid people who want something novel-style if you'd prefer something low-effort. There was a 'why do you roleplay' thread a while back, and the variety of responses to that is proof that we're not all in it for the same reasons.
People commit to what they enjoy. The question is, how to find a whole group of people who can enjoy the same roleplay (for different or similar reasons) enough to commit. No idea how to do that, other than ask around and search.
*skulks back into the shadows*