So what's the point in all that? We've talked about an original, sometimes comically extreme way of playing and experiencing videogames. What now?
Roleplay means immersion. Roleplay means human dimensions. And immersion, like human dimensions, are cool, because they make you take the plunge into the game. They make you feel something else, breathe a different air, live a different life.
It is by acknowledging this, by realizing it, that videogames will change and propose more immersive, more human situation. We could - we will - create gameplay mechanics that take their inspiration from plausible circumstances. This doesn't mean we should make gameplay or rules more complicated, but rather seek inspiration in what surrounds us, and in the possibilities and limitations of human characters just like us, instead of those of superheroes that are very far from what we are. The time of videogames that were only designed to make us be what we wanted to be, is gone; we will make videogames that will take us, humans, to new places, new horizons, new contexts - us, just the way we are. Superheroes are boring because they aren't us. And don't get me wrong, I'm God of War's biggest fan; but as soon as Kratos became a god, he started boring me (Kratos, if you're reading this, I'm your biggest fan! no, you probably can't read). Although in the case of God of War he started out as an almost mere human.
So from the thought of roleplayers, of people who really want to get into the game and live it as persons and not as characters, many new ideas, many new concepts, can emerge. Humans aren't flawless, they are weak, they can get tired, sick, they can bleed and die - but those new rules do not have to be constraints, they can simply be rules. Remember Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid, sneezing because you took too much time to get back his equipment. Wasn't that brilliant? That could make enemies hear your sneezing and spot you!
I remember one Tactical Ops 2.2 game, a long, long time ago. The map was called TO-Avail and in that map, there was a long bridge borded with street-lamps. I had a sniper rifle, and my orders were to make sure no one crossed the bridge. When the enemies arrived, I zoomed in to get a better view, but I couldn't see anything, because I was blinded by the halos of the street-lamps. I couldn't fire a shot, and got killed. That was really cool.
Again, take MMORPGs. Players are always whining they need more challenge, more adventure, more impressive spells, more ground-breaking battles. See what has become of World of Warcraft, in which every player now has flashing lights on their shoulderpads and has to hunt the biggest villains in the game (Arthas, Illidan, Kel'Thuzad) just not to be bored - it's supposed to be more spectacular. How the Lord of the Rings must seem boring to them, the Lord of the Rings in which Frodo and Sam spend their time traveling, eating, talking, and in the end seldomly have a fight. I'm not saying that a constant fighting can't be fun - I'm saying that maybe, a fight once in a while, in reasonable proportions (not all the Aliens versus all the Predators versus all the Marines) could be more plausible, more human-sized, and in the end more immersive.
The circumstances don't have to be realistic to be immersive, as long as they are coherent: see Electronic Art's upcoming Mirror's Edge, in which you play a girl whose only purpose in life seems not to be late. In this game, one of the most important features is immersion. I don't know how fun the gameplay will be, but immersion suffices to make the game attractive (to me, that is). And why is that? Because the main character is a mere, fallible, human. Just like you and me (although if you're an young, athletic Asian lady, maybe you could get in touch?). It's not about having superpowers, or killing thousands of enemies - it's about the fact that not being careful will lead you to your death. Just like when you starve to death in EverQuest, just like when you bleed to death in FireArms, ...
Just like real life.
7. For fun
Basic roleplay:
GTA4: When at a red light, stop your vehicle. As the clever man he is, Nico Bellic doesn't want to attract unnecessary attention.
Unreal Tournament: Always remember your deeds are broadcasted on multiplanetary TV network. Billions of people are watching you, hating you, adoring you. Think of them - crush your opponents with style.
Hitman Blood Money: Don't take the shotgun, don't take the MP5. Remember that our bald friend 47 has to be discreet wherever he goes, or his foes will spot him and kill him, which you obviously don't want to happen - I said you were masochist, not suicidal. So carry only a gun. Put the suppresser on. Wait for your target to turn his back on you. Pull out your gun, aim silently. One bullet is enough. Be careful where you reload, because you don't want to let any empty magazines, with your fingerprints all over them, behind you. And for obvious reasons, do not touch anything if 47 doesn't wear gloves.
MMORPGs: Don't automatically accept quests. Think, read the text, ask yourself questions. Does your character agree the ideals of the questgiver? Is it okay to be an outlaw, a murderer, for 1 silver 30 coppers? How would your character's clan, or your character's mom, judge your decision? What? She was killed by the Orcs when your character was five? Okay, that does give you an excuse to waste everyone - but not to take on every quest you're proposed like a robot. So turn your brain on. Start making choices.
Metal Gear Solid: Allow Snake to have a cigarette from time to time. He needs it. Assuming he has a lighter in one of his suit's numerous pockets.
Games in general: Stop running around and taking sprints because you are too lazy to wait for your character to get where you want it to get. Walk. Take your time. Enjoy the stroll. In real life, you wouldn't run like that for more than three minutes.
Games in general: When it rains, drop everything you were doing and run for shelter. In medieval times, a cold could worsen and kill you.
Games in general: Undress before taking a swim. And refrain from casting fireballs when underwater. In real life, you couldn't. Cast fireballs when underwater, I mean.
Extremist roleplay (that will get you kicked from LAN parties):
World of Warcraft: Wait in line at Stormwind's bank. When people try to overtake you because they don't see why they should have to wait, yell at them.
Diablo2: Your character can't carry three full sets of Isenhart and two of Tancred. His belt can't contain 4 rows of potions. Keep a weapon in case yours breaks, the two tomes, the Horadric Cube and one row of potion, then drop everything else, or leave it at your stash.
Oblivion: Undress before taking a swim, and leave everything on the beach, because you are NOT going to swim with all that stuff in your backpack. What am I saying here ? You don't HAVE a backpack (unless you apply the "Let's say" technique, see page 2). Oh, and undress before getting into a bed, too - you're not going to sleep with your plate armor on.
Counter Strike: Does your character have the proper training on how to use a rifle ? If not, he never buys any. When he grabs one, he is awkward and shoots his own teammates. During a multiplayer game.
First Person Shooters: The player takes a look at the health counter of his character to know in what state it is. If it's wounded, the player won't make him run. If it's heavily wounded, he'll crouch and avoid moving, mimicing an unability to move. Best if used during multiplayer games.
MMORPGs: Instances are absurd. Illogic. You slaughter the mobs, their families, their friends, their pets, then you exit the dungeon, and when you're back, so are they. Don't do instances. Don't grind. Don't farm. Plus, your character has killed literally THOUSANDS of mobs to get to level 50, he has nightmares every night. He can't sleep anymore. He can't eat. He can't have sex. He's a complete psycho.
Games in general: When available, play only in first person view. It's more difficult, you'll die more often - but at least you'll be there, inside your character's clothes, and THAT is worth the pain.
Games in general: When in a desert or a rather hot place, drop that stupid plate armor you've been carrying around. Of course you will have less protection from attacks, but I said roleplayers didn't give a damn about game mechanics. And if you failed to avoid combat and got your character killed, it's that you deserved it, you n00b.
Games in general: When there's music in the game (i. e. Unreal Tournament, Hitman IV, Titan Quest, etc.), turn it off. Unless your character hears ghostly voices, celestial music, or fights with a walkman on (which can actually be cool).
[i$h†4r1]G4nÐ4Lf_teh_Gr3y says: "i inventd rp lol"
