About this Subforum: Level 1 - Casual RPs

[School Of Dedicated RPers]

Level 1 - Casual RPs

This is SDRP's Level 1 subforum where the Casual RPs hang out after they're done. Casual RPs are ones in which the GM put in the minimum of effort to create a casual story that demands very little from its players and exists only to have fun. There is nothing wrong with running or playing in a casual RP. They are a good place to start as the simpler stories and lower standards are less overwhelming when learning how to RP in general. Even if you've been playing for years there's no rule that says you can't stay with the casual games. It just means you aren't willing to put in much work and are not looking to improve.

What is this subforum for?

Simple RP Archive: Lack of depth, complexity, and demand in characters, plot, and world make an RP simple. See below for more specific standards.

Messy RP Archive: Some RPs try to fit into a higher level of complexity but fall short due to technical or organizational issues in their setup. These RPs can usually be brought up to the next level if you follow the suggestions given by the Crew that placed you here. See below for more specific standards.

Who can post here?

DO NOT start threads here. The Crew will determine what level your RP (which should be started in the main forum) belongs in and move it there once it's had its run. At this time we will only be moving inactive RPs to their level sumbforums. If your RP ends up here you can continue posting replies to it but do not start new threads here. If you want your RP moved back to the main forum just ask a Crew to move it.

For information on how to start RP threads please read the How do I start an RP? section of the SDRP Guide.

What if I want to move up?

Sometimes an RP will grow out of the level it started in. These RPs can be moved up to a higher level with Crew approval. To do this just PM the guild mule (). Include the following in your graduation request:

• Title the PM 'RP Graduation Request'
  
• Link to the RP you would like to be moved up
  
• Explain why your RP belongs in a higher level
  
• Give specific examples with links to posts where these examples exist

Only the thread creator should submit requests for RP graduation unless the creator has abandoned that thread for longer than 3 months and the players have managed to keep it running.

 

[School Of Dedicated RPers]

What are these standards things?

Standards are minimum requirements for a given classification - in this case a measure of RP quality. The lower the level, the lower the standards, the lower the quality. Casual RPs are ones that meet the very minimum of our standards.

The following are the characteristics of a Casual RP.

Technical Writing
Technical errors include mistakes in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Casual RPs often have some technical errors but are not so rife with them that the writing is difficult to read. The following technical errors are discouraged even in a casual RP:
- Improper capitalization. The beginning of every sentence should be capitalized as should proper nouns (names).
- Using :: or ~ or * in place of quotation marks or to show action.

Preparation
Preparation helps players join the RP. Preparation includes the length and detail of the setup and any explanation of rules. Casual RPs have some preparation but it is not extensive. Casual RPs will have at least a few paragraphs to describe the plot, setting, and expectations of the RP. They will include rules and explanation of how to join but there may not be much information on the world and most of what is explained will usually be brief.

Style
Skillful writing and wordplay should be used to give an RP some style to engage and entertain the reader. Casual RPs rarely have much style. However they are not completely stiff or stream of conscious either.

GM Character(s)
A GM's character should reflect the level of effort that the GM expects from the other players without taking center stage. Casual RPs often either do not have a character profile for the GM, the profile shows a lack of realism, or the RP is clearly centered around the GM's character as the "main" or most important character with little room for any other characters to make a splash.

Screening
A screening process should be stated clearly within an RP's setup. Casual RPs will usually screen new players, either by using a character profile or by viewing a sample of RP, but the screening will be simple and sometimes ineffective as casual GMs sometimes still allow poorly designed or inappropriate (for the RP) characters.

Aesthetics
GMs should put effort into their RP to make it organized, readable, and eye catching. Casual RPs often do not. Many casual RPs have only a few (or one) posts for their set up. Sometimes casual RPs are hard to read and look unprofessional.