Viewpoint Is it common to roleplay something fandom based, but not from said fandom at all?

[Cherri]

Heya! So, I've been wondering, how rare is it to base a Roleplay plot off of a fandom, but then not actually Roleplay anything from the fandom. For example, role-playing the same Heroes/Villains/Quirks thing from Bnha/Mha, but not actually role-playing Bnha/Mha.

 

[Onmyoji]

There are quite a few roleplays set in fandom universe / based on fandom but not using canon characters or following the story at all.
A lot of group fandom roleplays are like that. Also lots of multiverse roleplays that use traits from different fandoms.

 

[Cherri]

There are quite a few roleplays set in fandom universe / based on fandom but not using canon characters or following the story at all.
A lot of group fandom roleplays are like that. Also lots of multiverse roleplays that use traits from different fandoms.

I see! Yeah, I've always wanted to do a roleplay based around certain fandom ideas, but not actually in the fandom. I just didn't know of that idea made sense at all and such.

 

[Onmyoji]

That's the magic of roleplaying, you can make it however you want and try all sorts of crazy ideas XD
Whether people would join it or not, that's another story. Depends on the fandom and requirements and luck

 

[Idea]

It’s kind of hard to tell, because most people don’t actually label those things as being that. If someone were to make a superhero plot that’s a rip-off of MHA they’d still call it an original plot. So “how common is it” is a really difficult question to answer.

That said, throughout my time here on RPN I have seen a number of instances, mostly in group RPs, of people mentioning in the interest check that the roleplay is “heavily based on X fandom” or “basicallly x fandom”. Furthermore, my own 1x1 interest checks have for some time now included a “rip-off” section in the fandom part, for when I want to play something based on a fandom that I don’t think works as a straight-up fandom (maybe there is a problem with the setting, or a lack of info, or maybe what I want is the story or character dynamics and not the setting) but would still like to play with someone who knows and enjoys that fandom as well.

Hope this helps, best of luck and happy roleplaying!

 

[Cherri]

That's the magic of roleplaying, you can make it however you want and try all sorts of crazy ideas XD
Whether people would join it or not, that's another story. Depends on the fandom and requirements and luck

XD True there!

True there as well! I know that a lot of people stick to only fandoms or only originals, so it does sound a little tough to do at times.

 

[Cherri]

It’s kind of hard to tell, because most people don’t actually label those things as being that. If someone were to make a superhero plot that’s a rip-off of MHA they’d still call it an original plot. So “how common is it” is a really difficult question to answer.

That said, throughout my time here on RPN I have seen a number of instances, mostly in group RPs, of people mentioning in the interest check that the roleplay is “heavily based on X fandom” or “basicallly x fandom”. Furthermore, my own 1x1 interest checks have for some time now included a “rip-off” section in the fandom part, for when I want to play something based on a fandom that I don’t think works as a straight-up fandom (maybe there is a problem with the setting, or a lack of info, or maybe what I want is the story or character dynamics and not the setting) but would still like to play with someone who knows and enjoys that fandom as well.

Hope this helps, best of luck and happy roleplaying!

I see, I see! That does make a lot of sense. I think what makes a rip off plot of a certain fandom is that it doesn't actually occur inside of the fandom and it doesn't have anything to do with the fandom characters, it's sort of like taking a trope or a theme from it and molding it into something that you can Roleplay. At least, that's how I've always seen it. But I've noticed a lot of people either stay strictly to fandom roleplays or strictly to original roleplays, so it always sounds a little tough to rip off a small idea from a fandom, if that makes sense?

 

[Onmyoji]

Speaking of that, sometimes for rare fandoms what people do is make "original plot based on fandom" so that people who don't know the fandom could still join. Pretty much what Idea called a 'rip-off' lol

 

[Cherri]

Speaking of that, sometimes for rare fandoms what people do is make "original plot based on fandom" so that people who don't know the fandom could still join. Pretty much what Idea called a 'rip-off' lol

I see I see! Yeah, that makes a lot of sense!

 

[Idea]

I see, I see! That does make a lot of sense. I think what makes a rip off plot of a certain fandom is that it doesn't actually occur inside of the fandom and it doesn't have anything to do with the fandom characters, it's sort of like taking a trope or a theme from it and molding it into something that you can Roleplay. At least, that's how I've always seen it. But I've noticed a lot of people either stay strictly to fandom roleplays or strictly to original roleplays, so it always sounds a little tough to rip off a small idea from a fandom, if that makes sense?

Yeah. If I may make a recommendation, I would ask myself "Do I need people to know of the fandom to roleplay this?"

If you do need people to know of the fandom, then I would inform them that this is based on the fandom, maybe point out that you basically want to play that fandom but with X changes.

However, if you don't need that, I would try to find the core aspects you want to take from the fandom, and try to rework them into an original plot / setting with those core elements, but otherwise changed.

I think the first might appeal more to the fandom crowd, whereas the second could by-pass the filter of the non-fandom crowd by being an actual original plot and setting.

 

[Cherri]

Yeah. If I may make a recommendation, I would ask myself "Do I need people to know of the fandom to roleplay this?"

If you do need people to know of the fandom, then I would inform them that this is based on the fandom, maybe point out that you basically want to play that fandom but with X changes.

However, if you don't need that, I would try to find the core aspects you want to take from the fandom, and try to rework them into an original plot / setting with those core elements, but otherwise changed.

I think the first might appeal more to the fandom crowd, whereas the second could by-pass the filter of the non-fandom crowd by being an actual original plot and setting.

I see, I see! That does make a lot of sense. What's always appealed to me is just taking an idea or two from a fandom and molding it into an original Roleplay plot. I've never enjoyed actually role-playing fandoms, but I've always liked the ideas of certain ones, so I've always been wondering how to make it original. This helped a lot with that, thank you!

 

[nerdy tangents]

So I do both variations of this exclusively. So I will break down how they work and what I call them.


AU or Alternate Universe roleplays
So these are set in a small corner of an established universe. This can be in a different location (ie Canon takes place in England the roleplay takes place in Canada). A different time period (or Canon takes place in 1990s the roleplay takes place in 1900). It can even combine different canons into a whole new universe (Ex. In one Canon there are superheroes, in another Canon there are witches/wizards in the AU roleplay there are both)

You can mix in match what you use from canon but it typically acknowledged that you are using some version of the established universe. This is great for people of varying levels of engagement with the series. The only issue is that you as an individual need to know a LOT about the canon itself in order to alter it as needed.

Inspiration Roleplays. Basically these typically start with me saying “Have you read/watched X.” As an example “Have you watched Kiki’s Delivery Service?”

If the answer is yes then I say “Great I like the feel of the magic in the series, kinda of whimsical and every day practical combined. I have an idea for a world that uses those elements and blah blah blah (I won’t bore you will the full spiel)”

If the answer is no I briefly describe the elements of the canon I am borrowing.

“Oh so it’s a movie about a young witch leaving home and setting up a delivery service. I like it because it assumes magic is just a cool talent your born with and that you basically have to find your own way in the world as soon as you master it. It’s super fluffy and slice of life which I adore. Here is my idea for the roleplay ....”

I do both versions as I said and they tend to work out great. The thing to be sure of is that you know how to describe the fandom (or fandom elements) your using clearly. Don’t just say “it’s like the plot of the first Harry Potter book” cuz that isn’t going to be helpful if someone has never read the series.

 

[Cherri]

So I do both variations of this exclusively. So I will break down how they work and what I call them.


AU or Alternate Universe roleplays
So these are set in a small corner of an established universe. This can be in a different location (ie Canon takes place in England the roleplay takes place in Canada). A different time period (or Canon takes place in 1990s the roleplay takes place in 1900). It can even combine different canons into a whole new universe (Ex. In one Canon there are superheroes, in another Canon there are witches/wizards in the AU roleplay there are both)

You can mix in match what you use from canon but it typically acknowledged that you are using some version of the established universe. This is great for people of varying levels of engagement with the series. The only issue is that you as an individual need to know a LOT about the canon itself in order to alter it as needed.

Inspiration Roleplays. Basically these typically start with me saying “Have you read/watched X.” As an example “Have you watched Kiki’s Delivery Service?”

If the answer is yes then I say “Great I like the feel of the magic in the series, kinda of whimsical and every day practical combined. I have an idea for a world that uses those elements and blah blah blah (I won’t bore you will the full spiel)”

If the answer is no I briefly describe the elements of the canon I am borrowing.

“Oh so it’s a movie about a young witch leaving home and setting up a delivery service. I like it because it assumes magic is just a cool talent your born with and that you basically have to find your own way in the world as soon as you master it. It’s super fluffy and slice of life which I adore. Here is my idea for the roleplay ....”

I do both versions as I said and they tend to work out great. The thing to be sure of is that you know how to describe the fandom (or fandom elements) your using clearly. Don’t just say “it’s like the plot of the first Harry Potter book” cuz that isn’t going to be helpful if someone has never read the series.

Thank you!!