Original Roleplay vs. Canon Roleplay

[Gia_Sesshoumaru]

Personally, I agree with Short of Daybreak, and anyone else who might have said both.

I like the freedom of Original RP's, but I've found that it's hard to get people to go to them and stay there, for some reason. It might just be me... Anyway, with original RP's, you can make it what you want - you are not bound by the rules of whatever Canon some people choose to go with. It's nice.

With Canon RP's, it's easier in a way because you have a set plot, timeframe, etc... to go with, and you don't have to worry about creating it all yourself. Of course, I advise a unique aspect to make it unique or it gets boring.

In fact, the only site I've ever had that has worked is a Canon RP (the Avatar: The Last Airbender site that Kami's talked about). None of my original ones (or other canons have worked). Why? Go figure. *shrugs*

All in all, I think there are good things to both.

[darkbandit]

I know having the new guy show up and give his word isa bit awkward, but i'm not the shy type, online of course.

My statements mean nothing to many, but it's a freedom I adly use. I have only been on RP forms for three years now. I often find myself at a loss of what to type and amazed at the 1000+ word count posters.

I believe that original is the perfect way to go. It may not be 100% original, magic, shifters, and just about anything else are already taken.

I was handed off a RP site from a friend. He had orginally had it as a HP RP site, something I had seen enough of already. I decided to use shifters, not just werewolves, but any animal or beast you can think of is aloud. I even made up a quick, cople hundred word, history to the point of where you begin.

So far, I've only gotten a few active members, but all of them agree that it is a really good background story to go off on. They have the freedom to do what tey want, and everything they do affects the next partof the plot, when it gets updated.

I hope I haven't been rude to anyone. I read the first few posts as the 394 was way too many to go through at one time. I believe 100% that Original is much easier. You can be as leniant or strict as you want and have as much freedom as possible to go along with it.

[Shrike]

Personally on my RP forum, a Star Wars one, I have it so that you can have either. This probably defeats the point of both but it is fun to have a mix. You can have an original character interact with a canon character which makes the decisions the player of the canon character must make much more interesting as they have to make a logical decision but whilst staying in character.

When it comes to locations I find it best to stick to canon things. When I started the RP I had it set so that everything was the same as it was in the canon timeline and then we RPed from there so that it now is more original.

If I did have to choose though, I would have to say that original is best. You can tailor a character to suit you and how you want to play. The only thing with that is that if you let people get too extravagant with their creations then the whole thing gets too OTT.
Unless you like that...

[×[itoshii-rai]×]

Both are actually pretty good. Depends, though, since one or the other is just too boring, and it's better if you have both. Why? Well, plainly because you should be able to make your own characters in a series, along with having something you already know well to RP as.

With customs, you have a freedom on what to make the personality, and all of that other crap that doesn't really go along with everyone else. Canons help newcomers to the series understand it a bit more...I just don't like them much. Original, no contest.

[Thor]

I don't think you can pick one that's better or worse, because essentially... if it's debatable, then people are going to have differing opinions. I've met many people who want original RPG's, and many others who prefer cannon. It's simply preference. I think it's just about advertising and populating your RPG in the right way to attract the right crowd. In a sense though, all RPG's are original and cannon alike... for example, my bear RPG. You can do anything you like within the rules, but we have plots that we have thought up that require our own cannon characters. Nothing can be completely freedom. And I'm yet to encounter a successful cannon RPG that has no originality. I think it's a matter of favoring one, but adding the right amount of the other.

I personally prefer original RPG's, but I don't think it's possible to lack total cannon structure in them.

[AH! APRIL!]

i like the challenge and the way original sites actually make me sit down and think. the same stuff, different day role plays are old. and yes, i have been on both types of sites. i usually stay on the ones that challenge me.

i like that you do not have guide lines. if you want to change something, you can. you do not have a book or show always imprinted in your head telling you what you are writing is the complete opposite of what you are trying to formulate in your mind.

artist freedom. and yes, writing is an art form.

original. you get to think outside the box.

[Matthew Jameson]

Original all the way. I love being creative and just being spontaneous when good ideas come to me. The extra work is no problem for me, all that matters is that I'm having fun and it's all for the purpose of having others enjoy it. I've tried canon Harry Potter forums, and I just find that it gets boring and monotonous. I can pull it off, but after a while the adrenaline drops and I just sink away.

Just the idea that I created this idea, and that it is mine makes it all worth while, and keeps me coming back every day.

[Hitoban no Fokkusu]

I like having original sites, but most people have this kind of comfort zone thing where they want one specific thing and they want to be this person and that person. I have an original rp, but it's an animal rp so you don't find many of those with cannons. But I've seen some sites, like Blood and Chocolate take-offs, that do have cannons. I just don't think it's a very creative way to run a site.

[matrix934]

I prefer a mix of canon rp and original rp. I have a Digimon forum RP which has all the basic concepts of Digimon - the Digital World, evil digimon, digivices, and all that other stuff. But instead of making people play as the characters from the show, they have to make their own characters. In my forums, it's your turn to be the heroes, and the villians.

[Sic In Principio]

well nothing is completely original, it always stems from some work or group that someone was inspired by. Take any RPG on the advertising board, even if they have original plots, they come from something. Having a mix of original plot with a canon back story is the way to go for me i think

[BlackDragonEX]

I tend to make/join RPGs when I'm bored of the game/Anime/whatever the RPG is about. So I tend to prefer Non-canon as they mostly seem to be set in a differant time and place, which makes them a refreshing change.

[REBELLIOUS ANGELS RP]

As an admin and as a member I have always prefered canon rp's I love being able to be a part of something that I have read or seen (books or tv/movies) and become a part of that world. Help develop the characters, etc. I also love that you don't always have to follow the canon straight down the line, you can put new twists in it, have it head in different directions!

Also if you allow orginal characters on a site that is canon then you sort of get the best of both worlds. But that may just be because as I said, I love canon rps

[SKiTTLEZ]

I go for Original Characters.

It gives the members a more option. Sure, a few cannons would be nice if you can't think of a character idea. But an all cannon site? It gives the members a very small chance to use their creativity. Some cannon characters I see have a whole plot. Someone may like their personality, but not the sub-plot. And the sad thing is, some admins won't let you change the sub-plots.

[Sachi]

I think they're both good ideas for a site. If you have a site with canan characters, and original characters, then the members have a choice. It makes things easier for the plot, but also gives time in for new ideas and plots. With just original characters you are constantly being shown new plots, some that don't even go in with the forum. With canons you are able to stick to one plot, or maybe one or two mini-plots off on the side. They both have their ups and downs though.

[Not Wildmaven (Harris™)]

Personally, I prefer role plays with a basis to follow, but set in a different time. For example, Harry Potter. We all know about the books, and the popularity of them, but by taking the universe into a different time, several hundred years or so, after the life of Harry Potter, one can unsure an original plot, and receive the membership of hardcore fans of the series. I see this as also being a good way to keep a forum active, assuming it’s not too insane of a plot.