Although I know that most rpgs out there have an application based on a character profile (personality, appearance, etc), some go for the "submit a sample post" option and use that to judge. Personally, I'm more a fan of this second option as because I really prefer getting a chance to rp with my character before writing up a profile about them. Although I don't mind it when people use it, I guess that I find the profile method a little constraining.

Thoughts? What's your preferred format? Why? What pitfalls do you find in each?

Personally, I prefer having a system where the new member RPs in an "Introduction" forum first and then they have a month to post up a profile. Between that first post and the end of the month, the member can freely RP to their heart's content.

Profile + Sample Post.

Describing your character and then putting them into motion are different, so I ask for both. Pitfalls... Well, with profiles, some people make Mary-Sue profiles and it's a pain to critique; occasionally they'll half-ass it or use the same profile from another site and not even bother to clear up the inconsistencies, so that is also bothersome to read. However, I don't like the whole "learn as you go" thing unless it's for a canon character from a book, TV show, movie, etc. It's a legitimate form of making a character, just now how I prefer to do it.

I personally loathe sample posts; I would only bother doing them if I really liked the site itself. Otherwise I wouldn't bother. I understand why people like them, but I find them a nuisance.

I think you can gather alot about the character and the way they write by reading the profile. Especially the parts that are for personality and history. If someone writes well in a profile, generally they would write well in an RP post as well.

On my rpg if someone wanted to add in a sample post, they are welcome to. I just don't think it should be necessary.

But ultimately it would depend on the site, a freeform one would be better suited to sample posts. But more "set" games, I think a profile is much better.

Sample and profile, for the win!

I've never thought of it this way, but I guess it kind of offers the best of both worlds. If you're the type who needs tow write with your character first, nobody's stopping you from doing the sample first and then going back to fill out the rest of the application. Likewise, if you need to lay out your thought in an organized format, that's there too.

Both. Some people can write great applications, but suck at roleplaying. I've seen it happen. Since I'm admining a canon board, what I want to see is that an applicant has a good grasp of the canon, but also that they know how to handle the said character in an actual ic scenario.

Both but their sample post can be from another site, so they just have to copy and paste some of their earlier works. I just want to get an idea of what they can do.

I've never actually started up a roleplay (was added as an admin later on a couple), but if I was creating one, I'd do profile + sample post. I wouldn't mind if the sample was from the character's point of view or not, but I'd like something to show me what a potential member's rp abilities are. Profiles make plotting between characters, etc. easier, and if characters know each other already (like in a high school RP), profiles help you determine what your character would think of another, how your character would behave around the other character, etc.

With my application games I'd always involve a sample post. Most characters sound like a Mary Sue in profile format. It's how the character is written which defines whether they really are so stereotypical...

Personally, I prefer neither. I just require they post their character and then start posting without approval. If someone isn't meeting the literacy standard then I tell them so and ask them to reread posts or (in extreme cases) get a beta reader or something. I do uphold literacy, I just find the character applications restrictive because I prefer to develop my characters through the RP itself...

However, with applications, I prefer sample posts... True representation of their RP ability and less opportunity for boredom...

For canon boards, I ask for a profile and sample, though the profile is more for other members. Sometimes it's nice for other members to have an idea as to what your take on the character is. No matter what canons, everyone is going to play them differently. Not to mention the fact that their is a lot of lee-way as to ages, and small nuances to personalities. As for the sample, I actually prefer the player take it from earlier posts that they have actually used IC. It's a more accurate way of seeing what their average post is. I know even from personal experience that sample posts can get fluffed up. I have a standard sample post that is almost a page (microsoft word page btw) and a half long. I never post that long of posts IC. I don't restrict it of course, because sometimes people just wanna try something new, but still, It is nice to know that the player has a healthy grasp of who they are trying to portray.

I gotta agree with the people who said both. Honestly, I don't ask for that much detail in the character profile, since I of all people should know how characters either change or turn out a lot differently than expected. That said, some roleplayers draft up amazing characters but can't write if their lives depended on it.

I currently just ask for a profile, but I've thought about adding a sample post, too. My game is original concept/character and very freeform, so I think it would be nice to have an idea what the player is capable of doing with their writing and roleplaying.

I'm relatively new to the whole RP thing; I'm the admin of a board which has been up and running for just over a month, and most of the players came over from another board which was shut down without warning.

Currently I ask for just a profile, but that's because I know the players. As I'm looking for players, I am thinking about changing the requirements to include a sample of the player's actual writing so I can get a better idea of how they would play.

I think it helps that, for my RPG, players can draw on several fandoms, as well as historical people for their characters, or come up with OCs. Of course, requirements are different for RPGs from other genres.

SF

We ask for a profile and a writing samle, however we tend to accept everyone and give them a week to prove themselves.

I know plenty of cases were people have done horrible applications and been great writers, and many more that were the other way around. I'd rather have a few decent profiles and a lot of great writers, then profiles I can show off and a site that suffers because of it.

Besides, applications tend to make people nervous or bored. Due to the board I have, however, some of the information is needed in order to interact with other characters. I consider it a necessary evil.

I cannot stand RP samples being used to "check how good of a writer" one is. It's so stupid. (Sorry, personal opinion there.) I don't like 14 and 15 year olds judging my writing, I guess. I write for fun, not to meet their stupid little requirements. (Gosh, I sound like some sort of elitist. x.x )

Thus, if the RP sample is part of the application, I'm not a huge fan. However, I'm open to the RP sample being used in other ways.

(PS: I prefer a profile over a sample post.)

On my board we request sample posts, but they don't have to pertain to the character you're applying with. It's just some insight into your writing style, so you could conceivably go back to an old board and just pick something you particularly liked. We do it to get a grasp on your level, whether or not you spell check, tenses used, and a glimpse into style.

After your first character you're not required to do it again since we know you. I think they're a good idea, but writing them for every character must be tedious.

And herein lies the ultimate flaw in sample post evaluation. The admins want to check for quality based off their specifications, and the roleplayers take on the, 'who the **** are you?' attitude. Only here's the problem, and it's an attitude I used to hold fiercely:

If you want to come into my game and play with these people, you have to make the grade. It is your job to prove to me that you are worth our time. My game, my rules, my standards. Don't meet them? Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out. There are other games with lesser standards, so go pick your nose on their playground.

Because I believed that in order to maintain a good gaming experience, only me and mine could be the judge of the players and their capabilities and frankly, we weren't there to teach people. We were there to have a good game and didn't have the time available in our lives to molly-coddle someone who was going to be blatantly left behind.

Over time the thinking has evolved--in fact, the way I deal with applicants now is completely different. I'm far more patient and understanding and I enjoy working with people like this. I'm more interested in the ideas--so the profile is what I use to judge people, and don't even have the option of a sample post. Not up to speed? I'll hold your hand.

Not everyone has the time or the inclination to do this however, and actually, I do believe that an admin has the right to tell you you're not up to standard on their game. Because it is their game. They know their players, they know the speed of the game, they look at your application and see something piss-poor. They have the right to deny you, even if you think it was the bestest application in the history of the world. It is not a reflection on one's writing across the board. People who get uptight about being criticised about their work are taking it too personally.

There is the biggest spider in the world on my floor...

Seriously? It winked at me. -Contains spider-

Anyway, where was I? Ah--yes. Are taking it too seriously. They make their judgements on an unknown criteria and if you don't like someone telling you 'no', then don't take the risk in the first place. Just because they deny you doesn't mean they're a bad admin. I turned down someone the first time they applied because I thought they weren't up to scratch. They reapplied, scraped in and honestly, I only did it because I thought they were ballsy for coming back.

They're one of the most valued and talented players on the board, as it turns out. Only I wasn't about to know that--it's the beauty of hindsight really.

Naturally, the other problem with both of these application processes is this:

Admins won't budge on changes.

Players will get bitchy about making character changes--everything becomes a huge inconvenience, and why?

Our egoes are paper-thin.

When I'm joining? Sample post over profile every time. I don't mind sample posts having a minimum length, but I kinda resent it for profiles. There's only so many words I can use to write my character's history when I've only just invented them.

Anyway, I don't use applications. I have a profile members can fill out if they choose to.

I just ask basics about a character: name, age, a bit of background (so that other characters know whether they can ask something technical and get a reply, or if they're speaking to a new recruit (it's a military RPG) and a brief description of what the character looks like.

I have now changed to request a brief writing sample as well, just to get some idea of how the players writes.

The character profile remains on the forum in a dedicated board so that players can refer back to it if need be. They can always be updated once players have a better handle on their characters.

Maybe I'm showing my newbishness here, but I know that Show the Colours will appeal to a small minority of prospective players, and most of those who are members aren't part of the wider RPG world anyway, so I think (I hope!) my approach works.

If I was aiming at experienced RPers, I would modify this approach a bit, and would certainly try to show some flexibility.

I like giving members the option to choose. I know some people prefer one way over another, so they might be more receptive if they can pick the way they join.

For as long as I can remember, the most popular way to join had been by roleplaying it out and having your character accepted ic'ily. (Old school rpgs, brapbrap :] )

Personally? I like less work. I usually don't like filling out a profile to join, but some do, so I give them the option. I like giving three samples of past rps, having an admin look over them, and being accepted based on that. It's fast for the joiner and the admin. So, I offer that as an option as well. Joining with a rp post is the most popular at 'Souls, so that's another option.

Since we have relinquished control of ic packs, gangs and clans to the members, there might be an admin in one running it, or there might not. So members who run the clans/ whichever choose the methods to allow newcomers to join with.

I think all have their pros and cons, so I think it's good to have all! You cover all the bases and members can join in whichever way they prefer.

Panda already pointed out how silly this is, but I thought I might let you know that... it doesn't really matter what sort of application you use, there will be someone doing quality control. If you think you're too good to be roleplaying there, then why are you trying?

I've found that applications are just a way to ensure that the member won't skedaddle after a day or two and to ensure no one realllyyy below your level wanders in.

I use the 'sample post' method for a few reason:

First off, I have found very often that writing a profile gives no indication at all as to how a person will interact with other players. I prize a person's willingness to accept criticism (provided it's given with an intent to help), to participate with things and to take chances and I personally find it very difficult to find how a person with a perfect application will respond to criticism or discipline. When I roleplay with a person and insert subtle hooks or jabs into my writing I can tell if they pick it up and if they do, how they react to it.

Secondly, it's more fun! I get to roleplay anything that comes to mind as a reply to the post an applicant puts up and sometimes we get plot ideas right from the get-go because we had an interesting idea together. I like reading through thread openers as opposed to profiles, so I don't procrastinate (and as I'm the admin that's a pretty good thing).

Third, it allows the people who need profiles and those who don't to apply, because our profile form is not hidden. THose who need profiles can work their characters out first and then treat the RP Test as a normal RP and those who can't use profiles without RPing can apply and then RP without ever putting up a profile, if they so please.

Fourth, I don't care at all about the characters that come into NMTB. As long as the players are good enough, then they can play whoever they want however they want. So I don't even need to see their characters unless I'm going to be roleplaying with them.

I don't judge applicants by grammar or spelling, unless it is so bad that I find their writing incoherent. For most people (my friends being a few exceptions xD) it's quite easy to learn basic grammar and spelling. I judge on ideas, creativity and mostly the way they respond to my reply. That's why I structure it:

THEIR FIRST POST

MY REPLY

THEIR REPLY

MY ACCEPTANCE/PENDING

At AG we use a profile, not a sample post. They're obnoxious for established members who have several characters. We know what their writing style is like and don't need to see it...but at the same time, it looks bad if they don't fill that section out, and we need to know where the new members are at in their roleplay life. So we just ask members for their previous roleplay experience in the profile...stuff like years RPing, what sort of sites they've RPed at, their average post length, etc.. That and the writing in the profile gives us a good idea of what level they're at without requiring any samples.



Small Tangent: Honestly, I'd rather not judge roleplayers through one or two posts. I like the method I'm using now, where members post a character profile and they're automatically accepted. We haven't had any howler monkeys join, but we have gotten members that really concerned the co-admin and I at first who wouldn't have been accepted normally, but they turned out to be really great contributors to the site. Sometimes we're too quick to judge new people, I think. Give the questionable ones a chance and they may surprise you in good ways...and if they don't come up to par? Stick to your guns and ask them to leave. At least you gave them a chance.

Just because Ash reminded me: once a player has been accepted they don't have to go through any process at all to make new characters.

I'd like to be able to accept players without any application process but I'm as yet too controlling to do that. FOr my next game I'm implementing a system where to join one must reply in a topic giving their name, gender, age, race/species, magic, land/position and then they are accepted. That way I can keep track of everybody and they are all one-word answers (pretty much) so it doesn't feel like a profile.

I used to only have the general character stuff like age and name and history and stuff like that, but I found that that was just too simple. I was accepting good applications then finding that the member couldn't spell, punctuate or follow general post rules, like not saying *scratches head* when the character scratched their head. I had a few standards, ya know?

I added a sample section when we changed locales, and its been working wonders.

I have the sample on another site and its really good to help me choose who can play PROPERLY. A lot of people come in all high and mighty then can't spell, and don't capitalize their character's name in their posts. <_< It just annoys me, I guess, but I'd like people to be able to use the English language properly if I'm going to be writing with them, and they are essentially representing our board.