Roleplaying

Role-playing

Role-playing refers to the changing of one's behaviour to assume a role, either unconsciously to fill a social role, or consciously to act out an adopted role. While the Oxford English Dictionary defines roleplaying as "the changing of one's behaviour to fulfil a social role, the term is used more loosely in three senses:

• To refer to the playing of roles generally such as in a theatre, or educational setting;
• To refer to a wide range of games including computer role-playing games, play-by-mail games and more;
• To refer specifically to role-playing games.

How to roleplay

There are various ways in which roleplay can be adopted, and used in the online gaming world. In almost every different MMORPG game there is different levels of roleplay, and Roleplayers. One of the most common ways people roleplay heavily is to type out their actions as they imagine themselves doing them - and to use various emotes in the game to help get the image across - people often do this by enclosing their actions in different icons (normally * or -). There are also some games which have specific scripts implemented so that gamers can type /me and then enter an action they see their character doing. Here's a simple example of the later:

What you type.	What shows up.
/me weeps quietly to himself.	Jamie weeps quietly to himself.

This type of roleplay can be implemented into Wurm, however it isn't often seen being used in a serious event - normally just between friends when they feel like having a laugh. There are much more simple ways to roleplay, it all depends on how much you're willing to do. Different ways can range from simply using formal language - instead of typing in "text language", to creating an entire persona for your character, and going forward with their ongoing story-line. Also other ideas have been brought forward to really go with your role, if you're a priest actually say your prayers - and be kind to other players (HoTS exempt). There are bundles of different ways for you to develop your character and enjoy roleplaying - the main tip on how to roleplay - ignore what other people might think and let your imagination run wild!

Roleplay and Wurm

Role-playing in Wurm isn't exactly popular - however there's many people out their who would no doubt join in with you if you commenced come light roleplay. It has been suggested that villages welcoming roleplay have a sign outside their village saying something along the lines of: "Roleplay Welcome", just to let you know that if you try roleplay, you can expect some in return. Fact of the matter is; Wurm is a roleplaying game - it has an in depth storyline and hundreds of chances to roleplay, it just takes people to start some off. Just be wary however, that some Wurmians might not be too fond of roleplay as some people find it a little strange (which is definitely isn't), so if you find some one like this just be fair and don't try to impose roleplay on them - in return they shouldn't try to make you stop. A fair deal right?

Reasons to Roleplay

Wurm Online is a roleplaying game, like it or not. It was created with an in depth storyline, various factions and lots of different chances to do so. The whole game is about wilderness survival - and its not something you can do everyday. That is what separated Wurm from other boring grinds like World of Warcraft and Last Chaos, it is one big sandbox with hundreds of different options to do. In that respect it is fairly close to real life, so it makes it very easy to roleplay. The main reasons to roleplay still is it is fun! Wurm can get to be a bit of a boring grind at times too, don't forget. Sitting their all day repeating the same right click manoeuvre can be a little tedious - so introduce some roleplay, give yourself something fun to do. Roleplay brings a whole new area to Wurm, giving players old and new the opportunity to have some extra fun along with the everyday happenings in Wurm.

See also

• List of roleplayers