Original Roleplay vs. Canon Roleplay

[HoudiniDerek]

Apr 12, 2009 11:29:52 GMT -8 Kaythara said:

I'm going to make a case for Canon RPs here since they're getting dismissed so easily. The argument is almost one-sidedly in favor of Originals so I won't bother talking about the advantages and disadvantages there.

I think most people here fail to see the opportunities presented by fandom-based RP. Having an already concretely established time line, setting, character base, and set of ground rules can be restricting and boring if you fall into the same-old established in canon. It can also be an excuse for people to be lazy and not think for themselves. When such narrow-minded people take over canon RPs, things are not fun.

However, they can also present a challenge and opportunity for growth as a writer. That seems like an odd thing to say; how can writing about what somebody else already did let you develop skill? With the exception of the main character in a novel, we get to see how the characters act and hear what they say, but the why is something we don't really know. Why do they act that way? Why do they say those things? How did they become who they are? How do they really think? Another person's mind went into making those characters and playing them effectively can mean leaving your comfort zone and seeing things from a perception not your own even moreso than what you would normally get into for a character out of your own head.

Vomiting up canon actions is easy. Keeping someone true to character while simultaneously expanding upon them and getting deep into their heads is not.

I don't think they are necessarily getting dismissed easily, but I think people are using their own experiences as to why canons are not for them. I think you touched on one of the main reasons:

Use of the main characters. Too many canon RPs allow you to write the main characters and I think that it throws people who love the story, but not the new intent off. If you have a Harry Potter RP and are students that are not mentioned or just mentioned in passing, you can get away with a lot more and still have it in the same universe.

Using canon storylines as a guideline are great because you can do other things and still have people step in and know what is going on elsewhere. I like that possibility of canon RPs, but too many people don't use that method it seems and I know from my experience, that is why canon RPs are not my favorites.

[Opal]

URL REMOVED

What exactly is the definition of Canon and Original RP?
I would say mine is original, because it came from a story I once wrote. I chose Original RP because the members who join can fit in more easily by making their own character, rather than choosing one that realtes somewhat to them.

I wanted to choose Canon RP because the characters that I based this RP on actually shape the story; but I think members would feel uncomfortable with me ordering what they should do, because thats what's supposed to happen.

Overall, I can't choose between Original or Canon, since I've visited several canon RPs and they're pretty fun too.

[„¤starr¤„]

I like original RPs better because it gives the member more of a freedom to choose their own character, instead of having to pick one that was already made for them. I also don't like canons because I don't think they're any fun. You have to follow the characters actions like they do in the book/show/movie otherwise its way out of character which I don't care for either.
So I'm definently for original RPs.

[--She's A Lady]

I like orignal
It just gives you more freedom, as you stated.
It's hard to do something with when you have to think about what went on the that book, movie, TV show....etc.
So it's better to choose freely.

[miss caligirl;]

I agree with She's a Lady, but then again I like canon rps like Twilight or HP. Or
even One tree Hill. lol! I don't mind whichever site allows me to write.

[~Sarzah~]

Well, I do like a bit of a mixture of both, I guess. If I decided to make a canon Roleplay, I would make it that other characters are allowed to join the story. I don't think I'd have the site following the book/story/etc exactly, because I find that quite boring. What I would do is add a few twists of my own to spice things up and keep people interested. However, the story that it is based on must be one that not a lot of people have played out yet. It must be different, so that it stands out from the crowd. RPs based on Twilight and Harry Potter give Canon RP a bad name, since they're just so overdone that nobody actually cares about them anymore.

So, in conclusion, I don't have a problem with Canon as long as I have freedom to twist the story a little with some characters that aren't part of it. Why get stuck on a storyline that's already been done when you can create your own version?

[asheshp]

I defiantly think its just a balance. I like to have canon characters available, but it needs an original plotline. Also there should be a choice of using a canon character or an original character. I think you're likely to get more people by using both, as others have said before. What I don't like is if they have canon characters and make you stick to canon ships. I think as relationships go its up to whoever is role playing those characters, no one wants to be stuck with someone who they end up not favoring much.

[Sharubii]

I feel that Canon RPs give you much less freedom and leeway than Free RPs, since the characters you can have are both already characterized for you and sorely limited. What would happen if an all-canon roleplay were to run out of characters to use? No one else would be able to join and roleplay, unless someone forfeited one of their characters.

Free roleplays definitely gives you more freedom, and much more space to use your imagination. You can make up your character's personality, history, yada yada. It's not set at "EDWARD CULLEN IS PERFECT THE END" or something like that.

[Kurama]

I think that cannons mess up the original story line. That is why I don't like cannon RP.

[Freya]

I've noticed a lot of RPs with original storylines feel the need to create their own "canonical" charas to be adopted, which I think is kind of silly. I'm not entirely sure how there can be canonical charas in an original story. Maybe it means the game is based on a story the admin wrote at some point and wants people to act out? It kind of defeats the purpose of making an original RPG, I would think.

[Khons Wolf]

Personally, until I see an Original RP that's anything close in-depth to a CanonRP, I'm going with Canon.

I say this because of a few simple reasons. An Original RP allows freedom? To an extent yes, but don't forget, since it's original, that freedom is at the mercy of the admin and staff, where as, a canon RP can't be limited by the admin without a clear reason for being so 'cut off'.

E.g.

In the world of [Generic ORP Name here] There are 4 races, Elf, Dwarf, Orc & Human. You may choose one of thse.

Personally in this situation, it is at the admins descrepency to allow you to break away from that mould, as he made the story, correct? Well personally I would be less inclined to add my own varying touch to that list (e.g. new race, mixed race) because the story-line isn't an existing works, you can't look at the history and think "ah.. yeah, there was a half elf once!".

Should it be canon, take a Anime Bleach RP. The 4 classes could be Hollow, Shinigami, Quincy, Bountou.

I'd be inclinded to make my shinigami half Hollow, half Shinigami, as the extensive story line (which no ORP i've seen has) permits this, its even a major plotkai!

---

My point is, Canon RP's are based on worlds made up over generally, years of developement. They have all the fine-tuning done, allowing you to become part of that world, by following its guidelines is great. Nothing is inbalanced and as a fan of that world you know the ins and outs, allowing you to use creative license on your character, because you know where your character can go regarding plot development.

In an Original RP, you don't have that 'fan-base' knowledge to say "Yeah my character COULD do that!" or "No... thats pushing the boundries". Instead, it's a matter of messaging the admin and saying "Hey... what about Half Elf Half Humans?". At this point, he/she has probably not even taken that into consideration. Now, you'll get 1 of 3 responses, either; "Yes you can make one", "Yes but I don't know what to do with them" or "No, because theyre not in the storyline [INSERT CRAPPY REASON WHY HERE]".

If he/she says yes, there's a high chance that you won't have a clue of the backstory to your 'half elf half human' race. You won't know where there place is in this ORP world and you won't have a clue how you can develop your character. Or this characters boundaries.

Now I know boundaries in roleplay makes people shudder, because for roleplaying, your imagination shouldn't be limited. BUT, the boundaries need to be in place to stop people saying "Zomg! Im a HUGE Elf Robot King With 18 Swords strapped to my face and massive guns protruding from every orrifice on Meh bodehh!!!.... immma...FIRIN MA LAZOOOOOOR!" (Example.)

Thats my view. IF someone can link me to an Original RP that defies what I've said Via PM then please do, I'll check it out, I'm open minded, i'll bow to the greater wisdom... and join the forum .

[HoudiniDerek]

You are assuming that everyone who has an original RP has a limitation on races or a solid plotline. There are canon RPs that have the same thing. After all, elves could try and be added into a Harry Potter RP just like werewolves were added down the line. It may be that all the ones you have come across or that are restricted are freelance and original, but that does not mean they all are. I have seen several that are both ways.

[Des]

Though I run an original RP, I would say the ones I like best are those which are original based on a canon-verse. This means, something like "Hogwarts" where we have none of the canons, just the classes and stuff. I prefer this because:

- As opposed to an original RP:
--You know for sure that you are interested in the topic.
--You don't have to supply the whole information from the beginning. Your RPers have a basic idea about what they are RPing. [For eg. try to create a whole new system of magic, which has limitations and weaknesses and people who are unusually skilled, with no idea of where the energy comes from, and you'll get my gist]
--It's more attractive to members who are just starting roleplaying. ["Oh...Harry Potter, I know about this, let me join here." as opposed to ."Oh..______World, what's that? I'll never understand anything."]

- As opposed to canon roleplays [which are my least favourite]
-- They provide something to do, and have more scope. I mean, if you know that Lily and James are going to end up together the marauders RP becomes really boring.
--Everyone can have an equally important character, and people are willing to join even after a few years. (Otherwise they'll just think - where will I fit into this? All the main canons are taken.)
--You can exercise your imagination. (I mean, why else do we roleplay?)

But I also like original roleplays. The ones I detest are the canon ones, for the reasons stated above. Once all the main canons are taken no one else has any place. Plus I find it HARD to roleplay a character someone else has made for me.

[pluckyclown]

I personally think that Original Roleplay is much better than Canon Roleplay, and is much easier to administrate as well looking from an Administrators view.

For example everyone knows about Harry Potter and Star Wars is a topic that most people can relate too and can base a story in their own mind off this... If the Forum is based on Canon Roleplay then without detailed explanations as to the Storyline or what the Forum is about, it can just become a large clutter of irrelevant posts.

Timelines can be set and rules can be set up with Original Roleplays and this can make it much easier to enforce the rules, as it is easy to tell when someone is breaking them... However with Canon Roleplays, only the Administrator really know's what is breaking the rules...

Hope this makes sense and this is my two cents worth anyways...

- Blackburn_jamie™

[Tini♥]

I owned both types in the past... Original and Canon... I actually own one of each at the moment. Both have their pros and cons... For example an original roleplay site gives the members the opportunity to be more free concerning their plot lines and more creative with their characters... But on the other hand at an Original Roleplay the creator of the site must create a good plotline and use all his/her creativity to make a canon list (though it's not necessary I like giving my members the choice) and of course subplots, boards etc etc

On a Canon site (usually mine were Harry Potter - like a gazillion others- or HSM -again-) the canons list are preset and the basic plotline is also set by the book author, and of course the members know the canon characters well enough to know how to play them. Also in a HP site for ex, the boards are more easy to make as well, since you know that you have to create Hogwarts, London and Hogsmeade that are the basic ones and then each admin can add whatever else they want!

But again...! Soemone who joins a canon rp must be well acquainted with the books/movie and the basic plot since then it will be a bit difficult to keep up with the other members...

I personally think that both types have their advantages and disadvantages but there are both the same fun to rp on! I can't really choose between them because I rp at both types. I started with Canon and then I started with Originals so I can't really separate which one I prefer the most