Original Roleplay vs. Canon Roleplay

[Nacku]

I like original characters too but I also like it very much if people try to create a character to be a dynamic off an original. For instance instead of Laurel & Hardy, Laurel & Hutch LOL!

[Owlstar]

I think both are good ideas. RPs based off of media can help people think of what to write easier, and it can be more fun for some with a fixed story line. Though most people add a twist to media based forums for it to be more fun. Original RPs can help people write better because they have to write from scratch instead of having a storyline already set for them. A con for each is that media based forums are a bit overused and people can get bored RPing something that they already know what's going to happen (assuming the admin sets it during the actual book, movie, etc.). For original ones, people can have a harder time thinking of what to write with no preset storyline.

[»Kamui]

Personally, I can't stand most canon RPs (and I loathe fan-fiction). I get no satisfaction from RPing other people's creations, and I have trouble doing so.
The only exceptions (which I still tend to stay away from) would be a canon that has a very open universe. For example, Pokémon. There's gotta be a ton of individual trainers wandering around, completely independant of Ash & company. That's fine. But if someone wants to play Ash or Brock, I'm out.
Also, I'm okay with settings derived from existing media. For example, a generic magic school would be meh. But if someone labels it as a "non-canon" or "alternate universe" Harry Potter RP, I'm out.

See, it'd just be boring (for me) to RP something exactly like it happens in the book, movie, etc. At the same time I really get annoyed when an established character, event, pairing, etc. is altered or ignored... and let's not even mention throwing original characters in with canon characters...
Call me a "canon purist", but it's just a major pet peeve of mine when people break canon. If I like something, I like it for what it is. Sure, sometimes I wonder about "what if..." scenarios, but I have little desire to actually act on them and attempt to impose my own changes on someone else's creative vision.

[Rell-Renh]

From what I've read so far there are pro's and con's to both. I've played both and been an admin of both. There certainly are pitfalls and drawbacks to either format but what I think I've gathered from reading this so far is a hybrid seems to bring together the strengths of both.

I like to call this Semi-Canon.

It is whatever universe suits you. Whether it be Star Trek, Harry Potter, Some Anime, Pern, Twilight, or Trueblood.

In any of these it is possible to create an original style RP that uses NO canon characters and just uses the rules of the universe in which it is set. An original plot set in a canon universe can provide lots of opportunity for original thought. A fan of the Canon works knows how that universe is supposed to operate and can function there with an original character they decide to create.

[tlbzeph]

I really prefer original, it just seems like if your going to be roleplaying charcaters, you might a well use some of your own creation.

[Taylor]

I like canon concept (ie. Harry Potter) with original characters, or at least the option to create them. I'm actually horrible at playing most canons, and so I stick to what I know best - the characters I created in my own mind.

I do have an original forum, however, and I love it. We have absolutely no canons except the characters members request as relations to their own.

Also, going with pros and cons - original is better for plot. You can do anything to it - whereas canon RP, some things just wouldn't fit. Canon is better if you don't want to spend time on details. Once again to use Harry Potter - if you mention the Ministry, people know what that is. But if you brought up a school or government building in an original RP, you might need to describe what it looks like, what sort of people go there, who works there, ect.

My two cents.

[[ saga ]]

I think original, mainly for the fact that with a Canon, I personally feel too much pressure to have to act and roleplay like the certain character that I've chosen to be. . I also love the creativity in creating characters; thinking of their looks and abilities and personality. For me, it's more fun. Although, if you do have an exisiting character you really like. . that can sometimes be as good. Lol.

[Short of Daybreak]

I've been thinking; would running a canon site be more of a challenge than an original? In some ways, I think so. As an admin of an original RP, I know the plot backwards and forwards, I can explain better how things work. And I DON'T have to worry about anyone being out-of-character 'cause it's their own creation. If they wanted to do something not describe in their personality, that's fine! Character development!

To run a canon RP would be a little harder. Usually, a canon RP always has the forum admin's creative twist to make it interesting. But you have to make sure the person who claims that character is roleplaying them correctly, keeping them in-character, otherwise it kind of ruins the story. I mean, depending on the siutation, the canon can still have some character developement. You should only play a certain charrie (or start a forum about a certain series) if you are totally immersed in it. It's like writing FanFiction; if you aren't very immersed in it where you know how the characters think and know how they'd react in that situation, well, it won't be enjoyable, will it?

I've been debating on making a canon RP 'cause well, I love Tsubasa Chronicles, and so far an RP based on that does not exist, so why not make your own? Now I am only considering making my own 'cause I have finished the series, I know what timeframe I want it, I could probably easily play any of the main characters 'cause I am so immersed in it (it's about the only fanfiction I write for). So, I'd be a pretty good canidate to see if people are playing them correctly. I think only huge fans of a series would know how to properly run a canon forum.

[rosie1994]

I agree with Short Of Daybreak.

I think you have to be a big fan of a canon rp to be able to do it 'right' without peeving anyone off or even just to understand the character you're playing.

Personally I love original rp's because creating the character is my favourite part. Trying to decide they're personality, they're family, their looks and definately their history. It just gives you so much more to work with in the long run c:

[Keeper]

In my personal opinion, original roleplays are much easier to join, if not anything else. Sometimes I don't always have the time to research about a certian book or movie and often times I don't even want to. With original roleplays I'm allowed to let my mind run free to whatever I feel I want my character to go through - it's like writing you're own novel with other authors. Everytime that I've created a site, it's been an original plot, or at least a twist on something I may of heard from somewhere else.

[lb]

I would want to be an admin of one with original characters with a few cannon characters. This is because having purely cannon characters allows little room for multiple people to join. Instead you're stuck with how many characters you have made, etc. But for original characters you have greater variety and perhaps a lot more twists and turns.

[Short of Daybreak]

Jan 26, 2011 13:23:44 GMT -8 Keeper said:

In my personal opinion, original roleplays are much easier to join, if not anything else. Sometimes I don't always have the time to research about a certian book or movie and often times I don't even want to. With original roleplays I'm allowed to let my mind run free to whatever I feel I want my character to go through - it's like writing you're own novel with other authors. Everytime that I've created a site, it's been an original plot, or at least a twist on something I may of heard from somewhere else.

Yes, that is true, however; a canon RPG is usually designed for the fans who already know the fandom by heart (or at least, they should XD!!!). And so the fan would most likely know how that charrie acts and thinks, so it's easy to them. But you're right; more creativity with original. But canon doesn't stop creativity; it's having your favorite fandom in a whole new, unique situation.

[Naminex3]

I have a Kingdom Hearts roleplay; Sure, it is BASED OFF OF a canon series, but the storyline, and plot is originally written BY ME. It doesn't follow the video games at all, and it can have canon and non-canon.
I've already seen alot of fanbase on KH, and other Square Enix games on proboards before.

[[Yols]]

I think people are generally taking the concept of "canon" waaaay too seriously, which is why many don't like it. Sure you have to do your best to imitate the character, but throw this "I have to be as good as the original" out the window. Because that's never going to happen. As long as you try your best and have fun with it, chances are you're going to be close enough and others will enjoy RPing with that character.

As a person who generally *only* plays canon characters there is satisfaction and creativity within that RPing genre. As Naminex says, the plotting is everything. It's kind of like being writers *for* whatever the RP is based off of (For instance, there is a book series for Buffy and Angel and they arent written by the original writers - so its kind of like writing for those things). Just because the characters aren't original does not mean you're trapped in a box, at all. And most if not all sites veer waaaaaaay off the plot line of the original, so you're not RPing the storyline word for word.

There's also an element of "acting" to it, which is a creative form in its own right. I view it that way. A mix of acting and writing.

[Kurama]

I have chosen Original and Cannon, simply because I have great original ideas. But, at the same time, it may be easier basing off of books, movies, ETCETERA. Therefore, I have made both, for those to decide which one to join.