Other What is the number one reason you stop replying to, or stop participating in roleplays?

[AliceNWeb]

So are you saying that you need to talk OOC and get to know your RP partner as a person? I'm not the type to do that. It's awesome if you are, I have nothing against that, but for me... All I need to know is their interests and what direction they want the RP to go in. If our likes and dislikes line up, and we have a decent storyline planned out, then we start RPing, and I don't really talk to them about stuff outside the RP unless they want to. (I'm not opposed to small talk at all, I just don't ever initiate it.)
I mean... the worst that can happen is that the RP doesn't turn out how you like, and at that point it's easy to politely tell your partner you've lost interest, then move on. In the best case scenario you'll find a fantastic RP that both of you love a lot.

As for group RPs, I don't do them since they're far too stressful and irritating for me. I've GMed and joined plenty in the past, and no matter which side I'm on (creating an RP or merely participating), I hate keeping up with them. I lack the attention span to read tons of posts that I missed during the day or so I wasn't online to keep up...
Then of course there are those group RPs that die before they can even start, and those are kinda disheartening too. For some reason, I find it less disheartening and easier to move on and find more RPs when I'm doing 1x1s?

it's just... if you're exclusively looking for compatability there is a certain air of personal interest that goes into that. So of course jumping into a 1x1 rp with someone you've never talked to before or roleplayed with before is the greatest high stake's gamble you could make on an RP partner. You know nothing about their dynamic - personal or public. You're merely throwing yourself to the winds. Whereas if it's someone you've talked to several times over the site and have a better idea of the kind of person they are or at least the things they like... those RP relationships will probably tend to last longer - because you have more to talk about. It doesn't have to be super personal but if the two of you have a world-building synergy... probably a better chance for a successful and healthy roleplaying partnership there than someone who is bound by expectation and rules for the experience; it allows natural growth and conversation.

 

[PhoenixMire]

it's just... if you're exclusively looking for compatability there is a certain air of personal interest that goes into that. So of course jumping into a 1x1 rp with someone you've never talked to before or roleplayed with before is the greatest high stake's gamble you could make on an RP partner. You know nothing about their dynamic - personal or public. You're merely throwing yourself to the winds. Whereas if it's someone you've talked to several times over the site and have a better idea of the kind of person they are or at least the things they like... those RP relationships will probably tend to last longer - because you have more to talk about. It doesn't have to be super personal but if the two of you have a world-building synergy... probably a better chance for a successful and healthy roleplaying partnership there than someone who is bound by expectation and rules for the experience; it allows natural growth and conversation.

Which is great if you're looking for that kind of thing, but I've found RPs that work fine in the past by merely discussing likes, dislikes, and plotline ideas.
Your way of doing things sounds utterly exhausting to me, lol. I think it's awesome that it works for you, but for me, I'd feel tired trying to keep up with both OOC and IC chats and posts, and I'd feel like I was trying to make friends with everyone, and that's too tiring for me. I'd rather see if my interests line up with someone else's and then start an RP. I've found some amazing RPs in the past doing that.
Plus... if I'm on really friendly terms with someone, that means I have a harder time saying no to them than to a stranger... so if a friend approaches me and wants an RP, I'll struggle to tell them I'm not interested. (I've had this exact experience in the past and it was horrendous.)

 

[AliceNWeb]

Which is great if you're looking for that kind of thing, but I've found RPs that work fine in the past by merely discussing likes, dislikes, and plotline ideas.
Your way of doing things sounds utterly exhausting to me, lol. I think it's awesome that it works for you, but for me, I'd feel tired trying to keep up with both OOC and IC chats and posts, and I'd feel like I was trying to make friends with everyone, and that's too tiring for me. I'd rather see if my interests line up with someone else's and then start an RP. I've found some amazing RPs in the past doing that.
Plus... if I'm on really friendly terms with someone, that means I have a harder time saying no to them than to a stranger... so if a friend approaches me and wants an RP, I'll struggle to tell them I'm not interested. (I've had this exact experience in the past and it was horrendous.)

No I think the strings are getting tangled because I've yet to reveal the context of my own experience. My experience is joining a few roleplays and attempting to randomly RP - sometimes I'll find a person that I really click with. Because of that I've got a relationship with an rp partner that works really well. They're the GM and I'm a roleplayer. Being more connected on one term or another just means that there is more open communication. I can send them a character draft or idea for the RP and they can shoot me feedback. Having an RP relationship like I do with one person out of many is heavily reliant on communication. Meaning that if I give them an idea they can honestly give me feedback - that's a mutual trust thing. We can talk to each other openly about issues or things we agree upon without it having a negative impact on the roleplay itself.

Again this isn't a common thing but that's sort of the point of searching for a roleplay partner is to find someone that can genuinely improve your roleplay abilities and someone you can do the same for or even just contribute a few ideas

 

[PhoenixMire]

No I think the strings are getting tangled because I've yet to reveal the context of my own experience. My experience is joining a few roleplays and attempting to randomly RP - sometimes I'll find a person that I really click with. Because of that I've got a relationship with an rp partner that works really well. They're the GM and I'm a roleplayer. Being more connected on one term or another just means that there is more open communication. I can send them a character draft or idea for the RP and they can shoot me feedback. Having an RP relationship like I do with one person out of many is heavily reliant on communication. Meaning that if I give them an idea they can honestly give me feedback - that's a mutual trust thing. We can talk to each other openly about issues or things we agree upon without it having a negative impact on the roleplay itself.

Again this isn't a common thing but that's sort of the point of searching for a roleplay partner is to find someone that can genuinely improve your roleplay abilities and someone you can do the same for or even just contribute a few ideas

Makes sense. Of course communication is important, and there won't be any such thing as a good RP without it.

 

[AliceNWeb]

Makes sense. Of course communication is important, and there won't be any such thing as a good RP without it.

Exactly we can't force anyone to be a certain way or have certain opinions, it's just best to listen and be as accepting as our personal moral's will allow us to be. You either click or you don't and there isn't anything wrong with that.

 

[Onmyoji]

For me real life is the 99% of reasons why I may drop a rp. I always warn potential partners that it may happen, because real life takes priority and uses up all of my energy. I have health issues as well. Despite always trying to let my partners know about my absense, sometimes I can't notify about those things on time and my partners assume I left for good. And to be fair, being constantly tired is the main reason I lose interest in roleplays.

The other 1% is total lack of organization and communication, like, they won't even notice if someone leaves because everyone is too busy doing their own thing. I rarely join groups, but when I do, it's usually the reason I leave.

 

[AliceNWeb]

For me real life is the 99% of reasons why I may drop a rp. I always warn potential partners that it may happen, because real life takes priority and uses up all of my energy. I have health issues as well. Despite always trying to let my partners know about my absense, sometimes I can't notify about those things on time and my partners assume I left for good. And to be fair, being constantly tired is the main reason I lose interest in roleplays.

The other 1% is total lack of organization and communication, like, they won't even notice if someone leaves because everyone is too busy doing their own thing. I rarely join groups, but when I do, it's usually the reason I leave.

That is completely normal. Real life takes priority over anything online and I firmly believe that I think most people just want to know rather or not you'll be able to participate - details aside a quick "got some shit going on" will suffice. No one will blame you for it. The silent drops are the worst because you don't know if it was your roleplay, the story, your relationship as an RP partner, etc. People just wanna have that bit of closure. Even if it's weeks or months afterwards. I think it's important to shoot your GM a message and let them know whats up.

 

[Juniper_Wolfe]

I actually haven't roleplayed in a long time, but when I did the reason I stopped was because it was getting too personal. People were trying to air their beef through roleplay even though it made no sense plot wise. People were trying to boink each other (which is fine to do your own thing) but doing it as a way to be in an actual relationship. I think my last straw was when someone created their own character, tried PMing me as a newbie in order to fish out personal information about me and other people I knew (so tried to catfish me basically). After that didn't work, lo and behold saw that person use that character in a rp I was in. It was some weird shit.

Also having impatient partners drives me crazy.

 

[Edna]

I am known to be a sporadic replier and I have a not-so-good reputation when it comes to activity. Most of the time, schoolwork tends to hold me back. I’m not saying I’m going to neglect that person for a month, but there’s no way I can accomplish one day replies. A lot of partners I find to have beyond unrealistic preferences when it comes to their partner. Sure, it might be doable for some people. What they need to realize is that there’s a life that needs to tended to. This is not a profession, this is a hobby.

Kudos to you if your passion is that powerful though. I myself like to create in-depth stories based with complex character definition & overall narration, but my motivation isn’t the most steady. XD

 

[AliceNWeb]

I am known to be a sporadic replier and I have a not-so-good reputation when it comes to activity. Most of the time, schoolwork tends to hold me back. I’m not saying I’m going to neglect that person for a month, but there’s no way I can accomplish one day replies. A lot of partners I find to have beyond unrealistic preferences when it comes to their partner. Sure, it might be doable for some people. What they need to realize is that there’s a life that needs to tended to. This is not a profession, this is a hobby.

Kudos to you if your passion is that powerful though. I myself like to create in-depth stories based with complex character definition & overall narration, but my motivation isn’t the most steady. XD

Well you can do what you can do and as long as you're willing to communicate when you won't be available then I don't see an issue. It's just a common curteousy so the gm and other RP'ers don't wait around for you

 

[Jackstack]

So your main issue is?

Woops, for both in-general and specific games, it's out-of-my control situations, such as other people not responding.

 

[AliceNWeb]

Woops, for both in-general and specific games, it's out-of-my control situations, such as other people not responding.

Ah okay thanks for clarifying I was a bit confused haha

 

[queenofpeace]

I am new to this site, but I rped a lot on a different site where this happened there too.
If the issue is that I simply stopped feeling inspired by the plot (i.e, it isn't moving in any direction, characters are boring, we finished the main plot) I will probably just tell my partner that I no longer have muse for that plot and try to brainstorm something new.

I also tend to write lengthy replies. If my partner isn't able to keep up (they just ramble about something that is irrelevent just for fluff) then that's just boring and often I will just ditch those as they aren't real suitable partners for me.

Or if I'm busy and I have taken on too many rps, I'll downsize. Sometimes I'll let my partner know other times I'm mean and don't Cx

 

[AmethystWallflower]

I tend to suddenly lose all inspiration to write anything causing everything that I do try to write just total garbage. Those periods tend to last several days to upwards of over a year. I will usually let whoever I'm writing with know that I'm basically out, unless I'm totally disconnected, which has happened too. I've lost motivation to rp after several failed partner attempts & being bailed on mysteriously myself. I can't lie, I'm a stickler for length in the terms of literacy & grammar & I'll drop away after so many replies that lack the details & such that help carry a story along. I just recently returned after about a year or so due to some partners that turned out to not match so well after planning & communication.

 

[scorpiodragon]

Losing interest overall in the plot.

Not feeling the rp/setting/charries anymore.

 

[apolla]

Personally, I don't give a flying fuck if someone ghosts me. Meaning I'm probably not gonna chase you down and grab you by the collar and ask why you stopped responding. Why? Because I've dropped roleplays for various reasons. Yeah it does kinda suck when you're really feeling a roleplay and someone stops responding, but I have other things to worry about, really.

For 1x1's:

• poor grammar, etc. basically, if you don't try, i won't, either.
• being a selfish prick. i roleplayed with someone on this site once who wrote beautifully. long, quality posts that i always looked forward to. but then, little by little, the roleplay became all about their female. so i dropped it like a hot fucking potato.
• this one isn't as easy to pinpoint or explain, but basically, if we don't mesh well. i love chatting ooc and getting into things.

For groups:

• GM's who take a fucking year to start a roleplay
• people who take a year to finish a fucking cs
• favoritism

Just to name a few.

 

[MasterRed]

Oof I’ve dropped out before. Real life just completely got in the way, and when I looked back here all of the RPs I was in just... died. I feel really bad tbh, I wish I told them but to be honest I just completely forgot to and was so new to role playing I didn’t realise it was rude not to.

 

[Shuusuke]

I don't usually give short answers, but...The reason I stop replying to or participating in a roleplay is when it's dead.

 

[loveablelorrie]

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I'm actually turned away by people who use realistic faceclaims. Idk why or how to explain it, it just weirds me out.

I tend to want to leave an RP if I feel like our expectations aren't meshing well. Sometimes my RP partners have an entirely different expectation for the direction our RP is going to take, and I might not necessarily like that direction, which makes it hard for me to continue. Sometimes just discussing the future of the RP can help, and sometimes it doesn't, so those are the times I'll want to leave...

You should be open to suggestions like if you give me an idea and i have ideas to make it better be open not shut it down.

 

[PhoenixMire]

You should be open to suggestions like if you give me an idea and i have ideas to make it better be open not shut it down.

Lol I never do that. I am always very open to other people’s suggestions and trying new things. However, there are certain things I loathe in an RP and simply can’t do, and when my RP partner wants to do one of those things, then... well, I won’t.
Even then I still discuss that with them - I tell them that I don’t want to do that, and would they prefer to do something else instead? If they’re still stubborn about their idea then that’s when I nope it on outta there.

 

[AliceNWeb]

I think I'll add people not respecting each other's boundaries here as a personal reason.

 

[rae2nerdy]

I think I'll add people not respecting each other's boundaries here as a personal reason.

Preach it. Or interest checks that are basically — “You have to follow all of my requests to the letter but I get to do whatever I want.”

 

[Purple Kitti]

I think the partner search here on RPN is a bit disjointed. Afterall to find an RP partner that is worth while you generally have to at least go through a couple roleplay together or exchange life experience through PM's to some degree. I feel like throwing the bait out and waiting for someone to bite is a poor way to build roleplay relationships. Afterall - we only know each other through as many previous encounters we've had together. I think personal conversation or perhaps exploration of group RP's is far more helpful; generally because there's a lot more one on one talking before you jump into a roleplay. You know what I mean?

I just got back on here today for the first time since I joined in 2015 (whoah, I didn't realize it had been that long!) and still haven't played on here partly because of that reason (moooooossssstly because of my absence, though, haha). Since 2011 I've been in exactly 2 (3?) group RPs, all else being 1v1. Now, I *LOVE* group RPs, don't get me wrong, but they are so very problematic sometimes. People dropping out kill it, of course. But being left behind by two or three pages kills it for me too. If you're doing so well without me, well then, I guess I'm not needed, so bye. As an example, I was in a small group RP where the person who *started* that game in the first place posted her character charging up an attack, and then had to go to bed. I put in my post and left also. We both came back the next morning and had three or four pages of reading to discover that the whole battle had been completed and ended because abso-freaking-lutely everybody else kept going. @_@

I have tried and tried to come up with creative ways to solve the problem of leaving players behind, like move order, only being allowed to post once or twice in between someone else's posts, etc. all to no avail.

So when I joined here I figured I'd try a 1 on 1, but it's like you say, how do I even get a good player when I have no knowledge or experience of the other person as either a person OR a role player? It seems like filling out profile skeletons and including an RP sample can only really get you so far, so what then? And I just really don't want to join a group RP right now, because as I said they are troublesome and I would like to see a creative solution to all of those that I mentioned. I also don't have stable Internet connection, (hence my absence) which could potentially endanger my "playability", you know?

By the way, if anyone has any good creative solutions to these points about group RPs OR 1v1, please let me know!

Edit: Oh I forgot my other pet peeves. One is if my partner is overpowered, particularly AUTODODGING. I had to quit a 1v1 because my character was NOT. ALLOWED. TO. SUCCEED. AT. ALL. After about 12 or so posts, I gave up.

Another problem is if the tone/ genre is too radically varied. I was in a very serious battle-based, dark and somewhat edgy RP where there was one character who was ultra perky, starry-eyed, and comedic and trying to love-and-sunshine-and-rainbows everybody into submission. @_@

Annnnd... players who seem to have no idea that other people are playing. Another group RP example: one of my friends set up an RP with the stated intention of developing a specific aspect of her character, meaning naturally the spotlight should have been on her. But pretty much everyone else was main charactering the entire time. Not only that, but they basicallly either did not interact with other characters (they came with their own crews, like "one of the students threw a book at her, another called her vicious names" etc., or they only interacted with others in a way which played up the importance of their own character over the others).

I did inadvertently do the "main charactering" in somebody else's RP once because I didn't know it was intended for developing a particular character's story, but everybody enjoyed my part so much I came out of it with a really well-developed character that lived through a few more RPs afterwards. XD

 

[Onmyoji]

By the way, if anyone has any good creative solutions to these points about group RPs OR 1v1, please let me know!

The only solution that helped me with the problem of group RPs of leaving people behind was a strict post order. Only one reply per person in a specific order. Yes, some people don't like it and drop out because it slows down the rp by a lot, it does require players to have a similar mindset, but when it worked it worked like a charm. And honestly, it was the only way I could participate in group roleplays and enjoy them.

as for 1x1s I totally agree. But the thing is, like in real life you never know if the person you just met is going to be your friend or you'll just say hi and do small talk for a couple days and then forget about each other for all eternity, I don't think there is a way to know beforehand if your rp would last long, or if you'd match with the person in writing style or no, even if you request a writing sample. Only time can tell, and only trial and error. At least that's what I believe.
When you find a really good rp partner, bad internet connection or breaks in rp would not matter at all. And even then there is no 100% guarantee you won't suddenly stop roleplaying after a year or two of daily replies. Like, I have a few partners that we write rp replies with only once per month or two. And we still are excited about our rp progression and not planning to drop it. Finding them took a while, but was totally worth.

tldr; the current system of looking for rp partners is not perfect but I don't think there can ever be a perfect one.

 

[PaulHaynek]

When I realize that me roleplaying is just me indulging in useless escapism that will not change anything in my crappy life. Depression and self-loathing then hits and I then think that people I RP with either RP with me out of pity or think I'm an ass RPer and they just don't want to back out because of politeness. Thus, I think I'm doing a good thing by dropping RPs.

But hey, that's good ol' Paulie for you. (: