What is role playing?

From USS Andronicus: System X

What Is It, Exactly?

Role playing is, surprisingly, playing a role. Specifically, creating a character and writing, acting, or in some other way being that character—substituting his existence for your own. There are a great deal of different kinds of role playing; there’s live action role play where a group of people come together, create characters, dress their part, and start a “campaign”—a story line involving each character and a “dungeon master” who directs the story; there are computer games such as Assassin’s Creed and Mount&Blade; MMORPGs which are online games such as World of Warcraft, Guild Wars, and Runescape; and online sites like the USS Andronicus which are text based. A lot of people enjoy creating characters more than any other part of role playing, but it doesn’t end there. Once you’ve created your character, then comes the more difficult, and potentially more fun and rewarding part—playing. Role playing usually takes place with groups of people who’s characters interact and develop alongside each other. New players, don’t get discouraged! It takes time to get the hang of role playing, and often even takes experienced players time to get to know their own characters—those characters tend to take on a mind and personality all their own. For the purposes of the USS Andronicus, everything you read in this section will pertain to play-by-forum role playing.

Why Do It?

Role playing is fun. That’s really the only reason. Playing a character born, raised, and muddling through the futuristic world of Star Trek is a great way to immerse yourself in and become part of the fictional worlds you love. One could argue that text based role playing increases reading comprehension, improves grammar and writing ability, and develops the imagination, but people do it primarily because it is an enjoyable hobby. Role playing is also a great way to make new friends—sometimes from across the world—who enjoy Star Trek or any other genre as much as you do.