TBG Forums

My own opinions on the topic of Freeform Roleplay.

What is a Freeform Roleplay? (AKA FFRP)
A Freeform Roleplay is a roleplay without a GM. No one plays all the NPCs, there's no combat system, and most importantly, no designated player to drive the story.

What might make your FFRP successful?
Based on roleplays that were successful in the past I've concluded that some of the elements listed below could help make your roleplay successful and longer lived.
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[li]The setting should be a well known one, or at least one that people can understand easily so they don't have to be afraid of breaking the rules of the setting. (ie. writing a character who lives in a town that doesn't make sense in your world.)[/li]
[li]Communication. All the participants should have a reliable means of communication and be willing to communicate. Ideas, coordination, and permission (such as permission to kill someone's character or permission to timeskip) are required for a roleplay to run smoothly.[/li]
[li]Plot. Your roleplay must have a plot to keep things moving. They say conflict is the driving force between a story, so add a conflict, and encourage players to play both sides.[/li]
[li]Your time and effort. Just because you are not GMing, does not mean you can lie back. Unless someone else is creating and driving the plot (which depending on how well known your setting is, may be more difficult for them than you) the task of continuing the story falls on your shoulders. Have a plan for when your roleplay stagnates.[/li]
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What can you do to help as a participant?
The players are also responsible for the success of a FFRP, not just the creator. (Keep in mind the creator is still a participant.)
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[li]Your goal must not be to win, it must be to write a story. You cannot create your character for a sole purpose of winning. Your character can be strong, they can be heroic, but if they solve every problem in a flash, you've solved the conflict, ended the plot, and now no one has anything to do.[/li]
[li]Social characters are a must. One or two cool loners are fine, but if none of the characters lend themselves to character interaction, no one will be roleplaying.[/li]
[li]Be friendly. Your characters may be mortal enemies, the villain may be the most sadistic being alive, but in the end, the point is to have fun with others. If you and your fellow roleplayers are fighting to make things go one way or another, it's time to stop and compromise. That said...[/li]
[li]Don't be afraid to make an antagonist. He give the characters a goal, and he'll give your fellow RPers something to work with.[/li]
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Keep in mind these are guidelines are just that, guidelines, and they may be based on freeform roleplays very different from yours. The end goal is simply to have fun, and let others have fun with you.