How to play in the D's Open Role Play Area

"I just don't get how the Open RP works" is something I see a lot of, so I'm here to help out.

My qualifications are this: Other than actually playing in the D's ORP my first forum RP was actually on a HUGE adult site. How huge?

Threads: 799,392, Posts: 41,356,289, Members: 1,373,302.

HUGE.

A lot of it wasn't even about adult topics per say, as it was divided up into different interests and some of the most intelligent people I've ever met wrote there. It was sorta like reading Playboy for the articles. The most popular thread right now in the ORP section has 2.257 posts 47,887 views. I know whole boards with less.

I point this out to show that ORP can and does work.

But enough about them, let's talk about us. Our forum is located here: D's ORP. When you open it you will see that it's divided into sections (I personally think the OCC section should be at the top).

Step One: Have an idea.
Maybe just talking about it in the Cbox or you put up an interest check and there were a few nibbles but not enough to build a board around. The ORP is PERFECT for fleshing out ideas, getting a feel for things before you commit yourself.

Step Two: Put up an OCC thread
There are four reasons for the OCC thread

1. Announcement: Hey, let's play THIS concept
2. Setting/Plot: Here's what it's about
3. Character Concepts: Who'll you need or be playing and PB's if you use them
4. More plotting, notes, reminders to posts, LOA's

Step Three: Put up the opening post in the right forum
Like the first page of a book, make that first post engaging, and set the tone for the rest of the RP.

Step Four: Follow and link it
Follow both threads so you know when you have a nibble and link the OCC in the first RP post, and the RP thread in the OCC thread.

Easy peasy you are on your way!

Felix, how does this work out for people who don't like to do a lot of OOC chatting?

For example, does just putting up a new IC thread without OOC threads work?

Or, can a person just join into an IC thread without doing OOC chatting? Or will people become upset?

Thank you for putting this up, it is very helpful.

Yes to all of the above.

The OCC topic is more of a file folder of important info, and you don't NEED one if you are the starter, you can put a lot of info right at the top of the IC thread instead and a "JUST JUMP IN".

However, if someone does have an OCC it's good to use it. However, it's not for chatter/getting to know you usually, it's just for important ORP items. Besides, on a board like the D there are PLENTY of other avenues for unrelated 'chatter'.