Lack of Motivation?

Im going to assume a thread relating to this subject matter belongs here, feel free to move it and tell me otherwise, I mean no harm in its possible misplacement.
It seems like the RP community is rather... stagnant. Threads start and die in a matter of days, the posts are few and far between. Is it due to the fact that many NEW RP'ers are afraid to join? Or that there simply isnt a demand for RP'ing anymore. I know, as you can see by my rather pitiful stats, many have gotten busy and life has hit them in the worst way possible, but the sheer lack of interest is... Interesting.
Im not ranting out of anger, just slight confusion and inquiry. I personally would LOVE to get back into the swing of a vested, long-term RP, but as far as I can tell, motivation to create such a thing simply isnt there.

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Originally Posted by Blackwing

Im going to assume a thread relating to this subject matter belongs here, feel free to move it and tell me otherwise, I mean no harm in its possible misplacement.
It seems like the RP community is rather... stagnant. Threads start and die in a matter of days, the posts are few and far between. Is it due to the fact that many NEW RP'ers are afraid to join? Or that there simply isnt a demand for RP'ing anymore. I know, as you can see by my rather pitiful stats, many have gotten busy and life has hit them in the worst way possible, but the sheer lack of interest is... Interesting.
Im not ranting out of anger, just slight confusion and inquiry. I personally would LOVE to get back into the swing of a vested, long-term RP, but as far as I can tell, motivation to create such a thing simply isnt there.

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Well actually I have been thinking of ideas. ^.^; So has @Thunderfall. His idea of a Shadowbolts thread is really interesting, but I will let him explain. Also, when new people join in rp, they usually ditch out and leave the thread at a stand still. Makes it hard to rp when they vanish. :sad:

My issue is a lack of free time for RPing. I've "ruined" a couple of RP's by not being online during major events, and I'm worried about doing that here too. If it weren't for that, I'd definitely get involved with this part of the community :P

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Originally Posted by Whirl Wind

Well actually I have been thinking of ideas. ^.^; So has @Thunderfall. His idea of a Shadowbolts thread is really interesting, but I will let him explain. Also, when new people join in rp, they usually ditch out and leave the thread at a stand still. Makes it hard to rp when they vanish. :sad:

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I'll explain it in it's own planning thread when I get round to it :P It's my first RP idea in years, so I'd appreciate some planning input from anyone who's interested in joining!

RPers like Whirl and myself have plenty of motivation, but as he said we're often at the mercy of those who don't. The last idea we came up with together was brought to a complete standstill by the other players disappearing (it was especially annoying because that thread was our baby... almost literally). And you don't want to end up nagging people to come back to your thread so you have no choice but to let it stagnate... I wish I could think of a way to get people back into RPing for the long haul, because the prospect of RPing again for the first time in years really appealed to me when I started joining MLP forums...

I've just been so busy with work and by the time I get home, I have no energy or creativity left in me to RP. I apologize to the ones I was RPing with before I just randomly stopped. Hopefully one day, I can get back into it.

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Originally Posted by Weeping Angel

I've just been so busy with work and by the time I get home, I have no energy or creativity left in me to RP. I apologize to the ones I was RPing with before I just randomly stopped. Hopefully one day, I can get back into it.

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That's no problem Cadance. I've been meaning to make a new post in Days in Ponyville ever since the hack cost us some posts, but for some reason or another I haven't been able to bring myself up to scratch either. There is literally nothing stopping me from making a post, I think my imagination is being occupied elsewhere. Though I do plan to try and get that ball rolling again within the next week.

it's good to know that there are still people genuinely interested actually starting a committed RP. And in relation to Tunder, the idea of getting into a vested RP after nearly a year and a half of inactivity is great! If it means anything, I'm more then willing to help plan and coordinate anything involving a new, successful RP if need be. I know My stats don't show me being quite as active as I should be, but I'm more then willing to help.

I'm still drafting out the basic details in my head, like the general setup and concept, and precisely how far down the grimdark path I want to take it, but it's good to see some interest. Hopefully you should see something approaching a first draft by the end of next week.

The fact that the rp section is rather barren is the reason I don't bother to log on, because I don't enjoy shoutbox RPing as much as forum rp. Role-playing as a pony is what made me stick to this fandom in the first place. Of course I could make an rp or something of the sort, but with how inactive most threads are, and how busy people have been as of late, most of the time it seems like a lot cause.

For me, I'm always willing to do RP. The shoutbox's been a bit dead due to the lack of people I dare to poke for RP, though I am almost always to jump on and play if anyone wants me for something.
As for forum, I'm a bit slow myself, and usually can't make more then a post a day/every other day at the best. So I don't wanna join a thread when you people burn off with five posts a day a person ^_^;

We are planning a few new events though, just you wait and see~ Both for shoutbox and for the forum.

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Originally Posted by Lyssea

We are planning a few new events though, just you wait and see~ Both for shoutbox and for the forum.

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Some forum-based events would be great, because I'm almost never available for scheduled shoutbox stuff... or regular shoutbox stuff for that matter. My girlfriend doesn't want me on here during the evenings, which seems to be when everyone else is on!

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Originally Posted by Lyssea

We are planning a few new events though, just you wait and see~ Both for shoutbox and for the forum.

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I would be excited for more events, except I'm always working (without fail) on the scheduled days and times, so I either catch the tail end of everything or not at all. I guess that's okay, though.

Much as others have hinted at, my main reason for not RPing is the general lack of interest. I'm also somewhat busy, but when I would/do have time to RP... I don't want to.

The shoutbox has more-or-less become a place for what seems like a half-dozen people, and the lack of character interaction makes for very little progression or story. Not that I dislike anyone, but RPing with the same people/ponies all the time gets unexciting.

As for forum RP, that's really not my thing, but I think the same idea applies. :giggle:

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More RPers = More Activity = Regained Entertainment

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Originally Posted by Mandy

The shoutbox has more-or-less become a place for what seems like a half-dozen people, and the lack of character interaction makes for very little progression or story. Not that I dislike anyone, but RPing with the same people/ponies all the time gets unexciting.

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I would join you in the SB in a heartbeat, but as I touched on, my home life precludes lengthy shoutbox sessions. As an imaginative RPer it's incredibly irritating as I've wanted Taleweaver to turn up at Twilight's library pretty much since her conception :grumpy: I'll have to keep my eye on who's around when during the day if I ever want it to happen.

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Originally Posted by Thunderfall

I would join you in the SB in a heartbeat, but as I touched on, my home life precludes lengthy shoutbox sessions. As an imaginative RPer it's incredibly irritating as I've wanted Taleweaver to turn up at Twilight's library pretty much since her conception :grumpy: I'll have to keep my eye on who's around when during the day if I ever want it to happen.

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Honestly, it usually is better to poke someone and ask if they are free. Not that fun for people to 'show' they are available in the shoutbox if nobody answers, so people tend not to ^_^;

So it seems all things stem from two problems.
A. People aren't motivated enough to get interested in a form RP.
B. People don't have to ability to participate in shoutbox RP'ing due to scheduling issues.
There isn't really anything that can be DONE about that, personally, I don't shoutbox because I like to think and write semi-descriptive replies, and I don't get the same feel of character development and possible planning as forum(And I have a hard time jumping in when a ball is apparently already rolling quite quickly, but that's just me), but that's just my own standpoint.
All I can really think to do is wait and see what happens with yalls plans in the future.
People dont make threads because more often then not, most are passed over, maybe getting one or two replies before cliffing off. But hey, whatchya gunna do?

Don't forget the time zones, that's another part of this. Others schedules just don't mix with each others some times, like those who live outside the US. Forum RP isn't my main thing, cuz that dies out quick if others aren't going to commit to it. Idk if other would think the story's too long, but who wants a short story? A thread is supposed to play out like a real story, we want it to come out that way. I like the shoutbox RP more because it keeps going, no waiting for another's post so you can figure out how to respond. It's here, it's not, it' hot :lol: But yeah, I prefer the box more then forum, I can be patient, but there's an extent to how long I can wait. I can't wait around forever :P

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Originally Posted by Ferrarity

Don't forget the time zones, that's another part of this. Others schedules just don't mix with each others some times, like those who live outside the US.

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I was going to mention time zones, but I figured that was implied :rainderp: That's also a significant problem for me. As it is I'm lucky I currently work part time so I at least have the POTENTIAL to join the box on occasion.

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Originally Posted by Thunderfall

I was going to mention time zones, but I figured that was implied :rainderp: That's also a significant problem for me. As it is I'm lucky I currently work part time so I at least have the POTENTIAL to join the box on occasion.

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I usually work in the mornings, so the rest of my nights are usually free, but I have a dodgy schedule soI don't know if something else will come up and when. Also, if I respond late in anything, I'm also playing Xbox. I kind of multitask between the laptop and playing my 360 ^^ And I don't want to hear about PC gaming, I'm a CONSOLE person :oct: Thanks, but I'm good with what I have.

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Originally Posted by Ferrarity

I usually work in the mornings, so the rest of my nights are usually free, but I have a dodgy schedule soI don't know if something else will come up and when. Also, if I respond late in anything, I'm also playing Xbox. I kind of multitask between the laptop and playing my 360 ^^ And I don't want to hear about PC gaming, I'm a CONSOLE person :oct: Thanks, but I'm good with what I have.

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Don't worry, I'm a consoler too :ohyou:

*checks your timezone and the Skype group* Looks like you're most active around 3-4am my time :facehoof: Well that ain't happening! But I hope you don't mind if I jump you on occasion if I see you online to see if you're free.

I'm trying my best to find RP time on Fridays before 9pm my time as my girlfriend works til then, but I keep getting called in for evening shifts that day :yu:

An easy way to try and find people who you can RP with is to use the handy post which contains times in a standardized way. Easy to read, easy to tell~
You don't even have to care about timezones, we already did that for you ^^

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Originally Posted by Thunderfall

Don't worry, I'm a consoler too :ohyou:

*checks your timezone and the Skype group* Looks like you're most active around 3-4am my time :facehoof: Well that ain't happening! But I hope you don't mind if I jump you on occasion if I see you online to see if you're free.

I'm trying my best to find RP time on Fridays before 9pm my time as my girlfriend works til then, but I keep getting called in for evening shifts that day :yu:

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It's just for the others who read this, cuz I know a lot play PC games, and thanks but no thanks. I use my computer to chat with you guys who are my friends, I grew up playing console games and it can never be replaced. Can't wait to get CoD Ghosts, I've been bored for months without a new game :despair: I'm not a fan of CoD, there's just a lot of ppl to play online with.

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Originally Posted by Lyssea

An easy way to try and find people who you can RP with is to use the handy post which contains times in a standardized way. Easy to read, easy to tell~
You don't even have to care about timezones, we already did that for you ^^

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:duh: Oh yeah, I forgot about that post... :blush:

Actually can you go ahead and update my entry to bring my Friday availability up to 9pm? Also need Trailblaze added to my list of characters.

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Originally Posted by Lyssea

An easy way to try and find people who you can RP with is to use the handy post which contains times in a standardized way. Easy to read, easy to tell~
You don't even have to care about timezones, we already did that for you ^^

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Yet you still think my time is -6 when it's -7 >.>

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Originally Posted by Thunderfall

:duh: Oh yeah, I forgot about that post... :blush:

Actually can you go ahead and update my entry to bring my Friday availability up to 9pm? Also need Trailblaze added to my list of characters.

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Certainly :giggle:

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Originally Posted by Ferrarity

Yet you still think my time is -6 when it's -7 >.>

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Actually I assumed you were on -5... And aren't you on -6, now when it's DST? ^_^;

Anyhow, thread back to original purpose.

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Originally Posted by Lyssea

Certainly :giggle:


Actually I assumed you were on -5... And aren't you on -6, now when it's DST? ^_^;

Anyhow, thread back to original purpose.

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Mountain time... /o/ I. Am. Mountain. Time. >.>

I must admit that for the most part, I'd been kind of uneasy about RPing here. I got caught up with school, and the thread I'd been in kind of died.

Since then, there haven't been many threads I'd had interest in joining (and the one that I potentially could have used Arpi in would've probably resulted in getting a lot of the other people in the thread mad at me).

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Originally Posted by Arpeggio

I must admit that for the most part, I'd been kind of uneasy about RPing here. I got caught up with school, and the thread I'd been in kind of died.

Since then, there haven't been many threads I'd had interest in joining (and the one that I potentially could have used Arpi in would've probably resulted in getting a lot of the other people in the thread mad at me).

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Please explain. Why exactly would anger people about you using your RP character?

Regardless, is there anything that can be done that has not been already done/attempted to try to help turnout for both Shoutbox/Forum RP?
Like, could you start a mentor-mentee system of sorts to help young ones learn the ropes so they aren't flying blind?
Or you know, anyone have any ideas and things?

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Originally Posted by Blackwing

Regardless, is there anything that can be done that has not been already done/attempted to try to help turnout for both Shoutbox/Forum RP?
Like, could you start a mentor-mentee system of sorts to help young ones learn the ropes so they aren't flying blind?
Or you know, anyone have any ideas and things?

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While I suppose us mods could do more to encourage people to RP with us and thus learn the ropes, we currently have no plans to implement a mentor-program. It simply wouldn't be that practical.
As for other ideas there's one thing you can do, Roleplay. Activity spawns activity, so it's really the very best you can do. :giggle:
I'm usually up for some RP if I have the time, so feel free to ask at any time.

We'll look to see if there is any more ideas, feel free to suggest if you have any of your own.

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Originally Posted by Blackwing

Please explain. Why exactly would anger people about you using your RP character?

Regardless, is there anything that can be done that has not been already done/attempted to try to help turnout for both Shoutbox/Forum RP?
Like, could you start a mentor-mentee system of sorts to help young ones learn the ropes so they aren't flying blind?
Or you know, anyone have any ideas and things?

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Mostly because Arpi being there and being IC would result in him constantly having an attitude and probably being rather antagonizing. (I'm talking about the Wonderbolt Academy one)

I suppose the system could work, in theory anyway.

A formally implemented mentor system would indeed be hard to run, but I see no reason why eager rookie players shouldn't seek out such a relationship themselves. I'm not saying I can take every new OC under my wing, I don't have nearly enough free time, but I'm willing to connect. As has been said before, don't be afraid to come up and ask people on Lyssea's available RPer list if they fancy a spin, I'm sure I'm not the only one who would say yes when they're free.

The main reason I stopped RPing isn't because I lost my love of rp. It's really because my main OC got boring to rp with. One day I just stopped, and never started again. I've been working on a new OC for more than a year (off and on), and she's nearly ready. All I need is a name and a cutie mark, and she'll be ready to roll. I have no doubts that she'll be accepted, and that she'll be a ton of fun to rp with.

As far as my available time frames for rp goes... I can make a maximum of six posts every 24 hours, and each post has to be made at very specific times. I simply do not have time to shoutbox rp. God knows I wish I did, especially with Nightmare Night coming up. I had the necessary free time for the shoutbox last year, but had to work while the event was going on XD.

I've been wanting to become a bit more active around here again, and jumping back into rp seems like the right way to go about it. If I can ever devote a little more brain power to finishing these last 2 details (it's tricky, because I don't want to use anything cliche'd) I'll get her submitted, and I'll be back into things!

Could really use another good Pony Tales or Days In Ponyville thread.

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Originally Posted by William Birkin

Could really use another good Pony Tales or Days In Ponyville thread.

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Days in Ponyville isn't really dead per se I think, we just lost a couple of posts after the hack and ran into a motivational stumbling block. I've been meaning to try and get it back up and running for a couple of weeks now, I just haven't had the time.

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Originally Posted by Thunderfall

Days in Ponyville isn't really dead per se I think, we just lost a couple of posts after the hack and ran into a motivational stumbling block. I've been meaning to try and get it back up and running for a couple of weeks now, I just haven't had the time.

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Well, I'd certainly be interested in getting that thread going again. As soon as I finally finish my new OC.