Frankly, there are sites that are simply rude, uncouth, and uncaring. Sometimes they don't even realise it, other times it's intentional.

I was prompted to bring this up over an issue I had at a certain site I found. They won't even let people do friendly chat before having to do a horrifically long and complicated template for one, even then, they would demand it be like... ya sure, 500 words long?

So... I bring this discussion up about what you believe in involving such situations.

Oh-I've come up against sites like these. Generally, they seem to have the best intentions for their members ahead of everything else. They just don't see how absolutely ridiculous that they're being about things. It seems, in your case, they want things to be organized and precise. I've been on roleplays that I filled out more forms and templates then I did roleplaying. On the flip side, I've been on roleplays that the character application was hollow and straight into roleplaying. There needs to be a balance or organization and necessity.

I'd see no reason to stay on a site that you feel the administrators are being ridiculous such as that. Unless the plot is that extravagant and you can't imagine yourself leaving it, then there probably isn't too much of a reason to stay then. Perhaps you could voice your opinion of their methods via PM or a thread in an appropriate forum. Administrators are generally very sensitive when it comes to their creation, so make sure if you go that route that your opinion is very mature and constructive, because if they smell anything but that they may attack.

The one I just went into 'smelled' me in the first place, suspicious before I even had a chance to argue. So, there are sites that you cannot even remotely get a word in edgewise.

Hrm, whilst some applications can be pretty annoying, having to stretch your muse out for 500 words, or even an essay, some sites wish to present an advanced image to the potential members. I do agree it's a bit.. too extravagant, asking for mini-essays in the applications, but on the plus side, it allows other members to read through the oher applicants and to get an overall idea of just what that character is like. But, there are the sites who seem obsessed with trying to get only the best roleplayers in, and pressurise all of the newer roleplayers to buck up their skills and get into the right level.

I'm trying to understand, Developous - are you saying you had to fill out a template for OOC chat separately, or that they wouldn't allow any OOC chat at all before you filled out the (very long) application (which takes them a long time to process)?

I've encountered the second before, and the members were very, very rude about it. Plus, the rule about that was in a subforum instead of their main rules forum. And they called me a 'newb'!. Only a newb admin would put a rule like that in a chat subforum, and then not set the permissions to back it up (ie only allow the member group to post in the application forum). When I tried to ask about it, I got a warning that I would be banned, because they were 'advanced' and only accepted 'advanced' players. All it showed me is that they were the 'newbs'.

I so agree with you, Roswenth.

I had a few run-ins with so-called "advanced" boards. What I have learned from it is that most of them are run by people who think they set the standard for all good writing when in actuality, many are fair writers at best who shove so many adjectives into their prose that I feel like tearing my hair out.

I have read posts that are just endless glitzy garbage. They go on for twenty-seven paragraphs about their character's emotional turmoil and then in the same post, we get another fourteen paragraphs on their character's sorted past. And they must not forget to note every detail in the room with strings and strings of adjectives all lined up like little, fluffy ducklings, regardless of whether it really lends anything to the character's situation.

The minute I get even a hint of snobbishness from a board, I am gone. I come to boards to write and have fun. It's a hobby. It's not a membership to some stinking country club. This is why the boards I admin on have scaled way back on application crap and are focusing more on seeing a good roleplay sample and allowing for diversity in writing styles.

That is something I rarely come across on advanced boards; diversity of writing. The admins usually want everyone to write in the same style they do or they don't make the cut. It's a drag really. And dull as hell to read.

So Developous, I would leave that board in the dust. I am sure there are plenty of other boards that would be a better fit. Let that board have their anal rules. It likely won't last long before it's a dust town. This roleplay stuff is like that- boards come and go really fast- you'd think that admins would recognize this and work on creating a welcoming environment.

((omg-- I think I just ranted right over your rant.))

I'd have to agree with you, RyanA, whenever I see paragraphs after paragraphs where someone has just put whatever word they can think of, so that it's along the lines of 'Oh! I like that word! I'll put it into my description, it'll count towards the __ words!', it just annoys the heck out of me. I do have a rough guideline of the length for each descriptive part (200 words OR 2 paragraphs), but I certainly don't pressurise anyone into an essay description. Though I wish to encourage a solid intermediate-advance ideal, I don't want to alienate people who wish to join but struggle.

Whenever there is a board that appears to be too high in its own world, I do have to admit I end up leaving it, and just deleting its bookmarks. I would rebel against the system, but I doubt that's the best way to go, hn?

RPG boards (and any board, for that matter) reflect people in real life: wherever you go there's bound to be some that you adore, and some who you can't stand. Task is to just identify which is which and to move on x]

I like to be friendly to most writers and not only allow the Ultimate Writers of This Universe and All Others In Existence members. I do want it to be at least 5-7 sentences though, which I believe is pretty fair. I absolutely HATE applications that give you a certain amount of words to put into your personality, description and history. Setting the amount of words just makes things difficult.

I do go to Infomy and Entropy though, their application is long and annoying as well. But they have an interesting plot that I like. I'm never making a second character there though. lol

GLorious, now I feel insecure about my site. Is this post merely a ploy to have me crying in the corner?

I admit there is a line between too MUCH RP, and not nearly enough. There are the types who are so dearly in love with their own (picturesque and unbelievable) characters that the whole RP tends to revolve around them. And possibly their 5 paragraphs of plot.

I've always hated this style of RP, with the melodrama. It feels narcissistic. I think too many guidelines is pretty scary...
But I'll admit myself something of a hypocrite on that note.

I suppose it all depends on what you're looking for in an RPG.