Topic: How to start a successful RPG

For those of you new to our RPG's here's a guide of how to create your own.

When writing an RPG there are a few key areas you need to consider:

1.    Setting
2.    Plot
3.    Rules

Setting:

Make sure you let everyone know what era you are setting your RPG. Let them know where they are also.

Plot: Give a clear idea of plot. For instance saying “War on Tatooine” is too vague. Why is there a war? Who is involved in the war? How are the characters involved?

Example: The war on Tatooine started when Jabba the Hutt got too greedy and started moving in on the Sandpeople.

You’ve now stated the where, the why and given a rough idea of the time.

Now since this is your RPG, your character will be key to the story. So you could pick to be Jabba the Hutt or the leader of the Sandpeople.

Do an intro explaining who you are and why you are there. A summary of your character is also good to use:

Name:
Age:
Species:
Gender:
Appearance:
Personality:
Weapons:

Example:

Name: Gen’har Nex
Age: 38
Species: Tusken Raider
Gender: Male
Affiliation: Sandpeople
Appearance: Bandaged outer body, typical garb of his species
Personality: Very territorial and passionate about his people, hates outsiders
Weapons: Gaffi stick, scavenged blaster

Gen’har stood on the sand dune with his bantha. He surveyed the surrounds, knowing that the evil Hutt’s minions were coming. The battles were becoming more frequent and it was only a matter of time before the war got even more heated.

His people had been preparing for the invasion. He watched them as they distributed weapons evenly amongst their ranks.

This has left things open for others to insert the characters into the action, they can either be preparing with the Sandpeople, or incoming with Jabba’s troops. Once things are established you can move the storyline along.

Rules:

Each RPG should have a list of rules. That way people know where they stand. Here’s a basic list of rules you can use or improvise on:

1. You may create any character you want.  Clarify their name and species so others can follow their actions easily.

2. You can kill characters you create but you can't kill other people's characters unless they say they have been killed in battle with you.

3. You can have any weapon you want but you can only have what your character could physically carry - otherwise they wouldn't be able to move.

4. Be consistent, eg if someone says they blew up a building, don't suddenly be assaulting it.

5. If you have sustained many wounds you will have to either get medical help or eventually die.

6. Follow the storyline, sure add a few twists and turns but allow others to see where you want to go so they can help you get there.

7. Have fun.

Now you have an overview on how you can create an effective RPG, good luck and remember the more you read the better you will write ;)

Wow Mel! Great job! Many new members will be happy with this :D

Totally! Although Mel will do great RPG rules and RPG's themselves because she has started quite a lot and they are very successful.

Well done Mel. I shall consider this information when I make a new one. I'll have a wee think about it. :)

hehe good guide.

Hey, my inbox is lower so you can join now and tell me stuff.

Oh and a good addition to that list Mel: All those times ppl start RPGs and have something like

Armor: 90%

What's that???? No one ever gives a maximum or tells what it means. It just makes no sense.

Like Val said, people post like

Name: nOOb
Age: 10
Weapons: 50% or some write it like 50/100
Armor: 70%
Power: 30%
Force: 80%

WTF?!?!?! It makes no sense at all.

Well it depends where you've done RPGs before. Some places might use that scheme. I think War Hammer does something similar - I'm sure Adeptus will correct me if I'm wrong :P

It's still a good point that it's NOT a system used here, and anyone wanting to introduce it needs to have a complete set of rules as to what it means, how it's applyed, and so on; or offer a link to such information.  Otherwise it's just totally ignored

Just refer to the Grindhouse RPG for all questions on how to set up a "good" RPG... just don't follow its path to untimely death...

Thank you!

This is the best way to go in creating an RP. It's easy to read, easy to understand, and if everything goes smoothly can last a good long time.

seriously...some of the best RPGs here have been the most detailed...

as a longtime RPGer and GM...i suggest that ppl keep in mind not to focus just on what u want out of your story...but to remember what your PLAYERS want...after all your doing it for them.

If not...lol...go write a Fanfic, or something...

This should prove to be very useful to the new comers of the RPGing field...Good job Mel.

However if its to detailed people get bored with it VM

Awesome guide Mel, should help a few of the members already here (you know who you are) and some new ones

Yes.  Adeptus makes a good point.  Keep in mind if you have one grand plan for your RPG, don't plan all the details.  The thing that makes RPGs so fun is rolling with the punches so to speak.  You have to be on your toes a lot and ready to take what's thrown at you.

Huh.  That's a lot of bad cliches.  :P

got me there, vod...

nice one...

Honestly have to say I skipped a lot of your character sheet. Not really concerned with all the saber mods :P

more for me than you guys...and im trying not to be so unecessarily detailed.

works out that ive been so damn busy lately...

Just a quick-note to add: A good RPG usually will take some thinking before starting it up. So make sure you have plenty of details to supply to viewers. Throw in some twists too.

Side note: Try not have too many spiefics. Let folks make their Character sheet their way.
For joiners: Don't think you have to wait for some one to join before you before you join, most RPGs DIE that way.
READ! The othe peoples post COMPLETLY! Because you always want to be on the same page as the other RPGers.
Don't try to become the Big Cheese......that spot is reserved for the RPG creator, unless he/she says othe wise.
Be respectful to you fellow  RPGers!
If you want a new character kill 'em off! but be consitant...don't make a character one day and kill 'em the next. AKA: 2 min. Characters.

You need specifics sometimes, because alot of people dont seem to understand that something on the character sheet need to be filled out a certain way for it to work, of course this depends on the RPG but it still matters. Some RPGs need certain unique fields.

Try to be detailed when you fill out a sheet.

Grindhouse...damn, it's too bad that died out, I like the whole zombie apocalypse setting. Everyone's pretty much scattered now though, it's kinda sad.

Another reason to have a more detailed sheet is that if you have to take the time to make a character, or its one you like, your more likely to try to keep it going. You're less likely to give up.

I din't say not to be detailed
What I mean is don't make someone have their character sheet the way you want to be done before youlet them join....its aggrivating.

I know what your saying. Sometimes people just want well thought out characters in their story, not two minute ones. It's their RPG.

Sounds good to me! :D

thanks for the help :):):)

Yes, but remember, just because someone character sheet is short doesn't mean they won't stick with that character.

the point is, details make a character better.

Of course they do! But sometimes people don't want to have to type for 30min.

I find when you make a character that takes 5 minutes its like nothing.  But when you take an entire day to write up the entire character sheet there is a great sense of pride in that.  So you value your character more and are looking to make all your hard work pay off.  Although it makes it harder to say goodbye.  *sniff*  RIP Jack *sniff*

If you dont have the patience to sit down for half an hour to make a good character how can you have the attentionspan to follow an RPG that could last a month or even more?

And don't forget you also need IMAGINATION :)

Also, if you're doing a Star Wars-themed RPG, you should include this link

http://www.dimfuture.net/starwars/random/generate.php

Thanks Fett II for the great name generator.  Also I like to play more then Gm an adventure. But I like to Gm for my son he is 10. Is there any ideas on how to simplify a game for some one that young. I play characters to help him out. But how do you simplify things so that someone that young can understand?

I hate to state obvious, but it seems that the RPG threads haven't been posted on in over two months...just saying. I wonder whats going on?

Hehe now i just need an RP buddy ^.^

Samantha, there are many RP buddies who frequent the boards. Go ahead and start a new topic and you'll see replies soon enough. :-)

Anyone ready to start an RPG? This topic has been a handy resource for starting one.

Feedback always appreciated, too, as times change with using forums vs. social media.

Forums are still a lot better! :D
Social media is just like watching your family and friends being bored doing nothing. It works so well only because it's everywhere. If you could spam the WWW with buttons bringing people here, like social medias do, you'd get more members and more activity. But at which price? o.O

This is a great tutorial about how to build a good RPG. It's also a lot to digest to any noob RP maker. I always wanted to create a RP about Piracy. Would anyone be interested? If people would like a new Pirate story/RP I could make it. :)

Go for it, Terra! That sounds great. Beyond just users here already, I'll do the promotion for 'ya on our social media channels, to bring attention to the boards.