Original Roleplay vs. Canon Roleplay

[fantasmic]

Nov 18, 2009 0:38:06 GMT -8 sochii said:

I'm offended by those who think role-playing canon characters is about laziness. Some people are more inspired when role-playing or writing about canon. I like to role-play canon characters because I feel like there's still potential in the story and character. Like...it's not finished and I can fill in the blanks.

I find it just as challenging to role-play a pre-made character than an original character because you don't want to change the character you love.

I support both, though.

Here, here! I get so frustrated when people say it's laziness, or butchering the character. I stay true to the canon line, with the final outcomes of the story and things like that. But what's wrong with filling in the blanks in a story where many times, even the most fleshed out character isn't followed twenty four seven and sometimes hours, days, or weeks and months go by without a detailed play by play of their actions. I think it actually takes more writing talent and creativity to properly play a canon than it does to make an original, particularly when so many people make originals that are spin-offs of their favorite canons anyway. Who's being lazier, those tackling the challenge or those willing to face it with fingertips typing furiously? :]

But I do like original role plays too. It takes a lot of work, and frankly there aren't many "original" ones anymore for me to get very interested. They're mostly small towns, bands, vacation resorts, and mental asylums. Or some vampire twilight-meets-Anne-Rice disturbia. xD!! But when original sites are maintained properly and a lot of real creativity gets pumped into them, I'll definitely take a look around. I'm more likely to look at some Area 11 RPG than another attempt at small town romance.

[``Megara Spice]

Dec 23, 2009 18:05:43 GMT -8 Abstract Aeon [RP] said:

I am Admin of an Original concept and I think it's easier. A Canon Role play is harder because you're restricted to that one movie, book, etc. You don't have freedom to do whatever you want. But an Original concept is also hard for an admin because sometimes it gets hard to think of an idea, or what is or isn't restricted, or to answer many questions from members.

;D

This is not always the case. If you are RPing within the book/movie/tv show itself (like during the time that it happened; i.e. Harry Potter's 7th Year OR Twilight: New Moon, etc) then there are obviously restrictions HOWEVER if your RP is set before/after the book takes place there is a lot of room for freedom provided you abide by the laws of the story that have been set up by the author (i.e. in Harry Potter we are told of certain events that happen: James Potter's death, Voldemort opening the Chamber of Secrets, etc then theres the fact that Parseltongue is only passed through Salazar Slytherin's line and the fact that people cannot be brought back from the dead).

There is also the chance to make it an AU/AR (Alternate Universe/Alternate Reality) Rp where you can change things around and make it different to the story (perhaps Sirius Black didn't die or perhaps Bella doesn't get with Edward and instead chooses Jacob or something like that). Theres a lot of room for creativity and ideas if you take the time to sit and think about it rather than just springing on the first idea that comes to mind

I think it actually takes more writing talent and creativity to properly play a canon than it does to make an original, particularly when so many people make originals that are spin-offs of their favorite canons anyway. Who's being lazier, those tackling the challenge or those willing to face it with fingertips typing furiously? :]

This is certainly true. It takes more still trying to stick to a character that has already been developed, who as a personality and a certain way of thinking about things, than it does to stick to a character that you are familiar with and have created.

[Weezze]

The only problem I have with cannon role play is when you’re just following the plot (with extra bits) and you have to try and get your characters to match, but this is mainly because I’m not very good at it and prefer to have my own personality and there are some characters (Chuck Bass) that I would never role play simply because I don’t think I can. But if it’s a role play based on something and is in the future, past or alternative universe then I really enjoy role playing it, feeling that I have more freedom.

I think that overall I do more original role plays but that is simply how it’s turned out and the reason my site is original is because I like to use my creativity and always feel that I won’t do the T.V program, film, book, etc, justice if I tried to do a cannon.

[jannmthomas]

I've always hated non-canon role plays. I don't like the fact that things are made up compared to storylines with a soild foundation. In example, Lord of the Rings, is all made up but it has established itself with its own world, Middle Earth, that somehow it becomes 'realistic'. I just don't like fiction-fiction. I'm more of a non-fiction-ficiton fan.

[``Megara Spice]

Dec 26, 2009 8:55:29 GMT -8 Weezze said:

I think that overall I do more original role plays but that is simply how it’s turned out and the reason my site is original is because I like to use my creativity and always feel that I won’t do the T.V program, film, book, etc, justice if I tried to do a cannon.

I can understand your p.o.v on that. At first I was the same, unable to do a canon justice but over time I think I'm one of the lucky ones who has developed my skills so that I can play canons. Theres the little issue of me being unable to play canons who have strict events though (for instance I can't play Harry or Ron or Hermione as canons because everything is set for them, but I have no problem RPing their children, does that make sense?)

I think its more centred around how people percieve the character as to whether they believe the Rper is doing it justice or not. BUt thats just my opinion.

I've also noticed that people tend to have the knack for canons or they just don't, but as I said before, having canon's whose stories are not determined (but they are still canons) gives a lot of room for creativity, just the same amount as an original character would, you just have the benefit of playing someone directly related to the main storyline.

[greymalkin]

I'm offended by those who think role-playing canon characters is about laziness. Some people are more inspired when role-playing or writing about canon. I like to role-play canon characters because I feel like there's still potential in the story and character. Like...it's not finished and I can fill in the blanks.

I'm definitely in this camp. I find it much more creative to take a 'known' character and make him/her fresh and new. And am I the only one who ever read the latest installment of someone's adventures and screamed "aaaaaaugh! He would never have done that!"?

I'm not a big fan of preset storylines (especially outcomes) though. Fandom continuity up to the point where the game begins, sure. After that, just let it evolve on its own.

[``Megara Spice]

Dec 26, 2009 13:27:02 GMT -8 greymalkin said:

I'm not a big fan of preset storylines (especially outcomes) though. Fandom continuity up to the point where the game begins, sure. After that, just let it evolve on its own.

Kudos for this XD

this is what I was trying to say (and perhaps lacking at saying given that I really should not be posting at stupid hours of the morning...) its my main reason for choosing future rp sites where the story has already happened (the book/movie/etc) and the characters now have children or are married or whatever happened to them after the story finished. this means that the stories themselves give you the history where as you make the future of the story with your own creative ingenius while taking on a character who has a) been created by the author but they have not grown up or whatever (i.e. the children of the Weasleys) or b) someone you have created who is related to a canon (i.e. a second child of Draco Malfoy). but thats just me

[Owlstar]

I think both are good. The media based ones could help some people come up with ideas if they need help, and it can give people a more comfortable surrounding if they are familiar with the subject. Original RPs are good because it shows the person is able to think of something without going with the crowd. It could get boring seeing many RPs that are the same subject (Harry Potter, Warriors, etc.), and originality is good. But some people may be unsure about original RPs because they wouldn't know what is going on or what could happen when RPing. *shrug* It could go either way.

[MISSIN'you]

Mine is set on the SAW movies, but it "fallows" the plot a bit, but it is mixed up so more can happen. It takes place 150 years into the future and people have almost went extinct. ... Well, you'd have to read the plot to actually get it, LOL! But, it just depends on when and where it takes place (IE: at the time if the book, across the world from where the book takes place, things like that).

[GRANGER DANGER]

Dec 26, 2009 13:27:02 GMT -8 greymalkin said:

I'm definitely in this camp. I find it much more creative to take a 'known' character and make him/her fresh and new. And am I the only one who ever read the latest installment of someone's adventures and screamed "aaaaaaugh! He would never have done that!"?

I'm not a big fan of preset storylines (especially outcomes) though. Fandom continuity up to the point where the game begins, sure. After that, just let it evolve on its own.

I can agree on this first and second part.
If someone has a canon character, they should play the canon character as it has been portrayed in the movie/book/comic etc unless it's an AU (Alternate Universe). Otherwise to me it seems like they are ruining the character and their traits.

And yes, plotlines should only go so far. I mean, if we all already know how it is going to end, why would we roleplay it? We'd have to stick by certain guidelines and nothing else because if we make it our own way it'll destroy the end. I think everyone has the creativity on a roleplaying site to change how things go.

Maybe i'm just opinionated. :)

[MARS P.D. Dispatch]

Each has their merits and their flaws. The adaptation has the benefit of being a known quantity with a built in fanbase. There will be people specifically LOOKING for Harry Potter or what have you that may not be looking for an original site outside of generalities of genre (say, a horror site). Second, adaptations are much less work for the staff and players. The staff will not have to come up with a world from whole cloth and the players can easily pick-up a canon that is integrated into the world rather than have everybody make originals that may not mesh with each other. Secondly, even newbies can just go to Wikipedia and get a crash course in the work. If creators of something original want the same effect, they'd need to write a treatise on their work themselves.

On the other hand, original settings are unrestrained by what else is out there. Even a Star Trek RP set on a ship other than the Enterprise will have the trappings of the universe. An original site can be and go anywhere but therein lies one of its weaknesses. If the staff are not careful they might build something they cannot handle. Even something as simple as tone, unless considered can be detrimental. If you're doing something based on the Godfather, it is unlikely to be a comedy. Instead, if you have an original war forum, it could be harsh and deadly like All Quiet on the Western Front or satirical as the war scene in Duck Soup. Only trouble comes if you don't have an idea of which you and your players want.

Personally, I went with an original work simply because I find creation of a new collective work easier without the walls set by another author, even if that also means a lack of foundation as well.

[aaronm]

Personally, I'm more of a canon RP than an original RP.

I suppose it's a matter of taste as well as being easier for me, in which most of the work is done for you, and all you'd need to do is fill in any blanks as you wish and continue the adventures if possible. It's always fun to come up with new stories for characters to interact with, especially in regards with crossovers, such as combining Great Mouse Detective or An American Tail IV [i.e. the detective Basil paired with Nellie Brie, sly supersleuth reporter], or Secret of NIMH with Redwall.

I don't mind original RP's, though sometimes it can hurt my brain trying to come up with something decent that's not too silly or oddball, or too weird. I'm not too good with OC's as a whole, as opposed to making one spur of the moment for an NPC.

[garth]

I have always gone with Original RP's 100% I find that Canon sites are impossible to really get into your character because your character is not you, but someone else's character. Even when I did Star Wars sites I made sure that there we're little to no characters. The only time I would have canon's is if the plot required it.

[Frogs.]

I can adapt to either. It all depends on how it is played out and what not. Like if it is an Original roleplay I prefer that it be very creative and the staff have spent a lot of time working on it. Though if it is a canon as long as it looks interesting and sounds like fun I think members will join.

I've had trouble deciding lately which I like best because there can be awesome Original RPs and awesome Canon RPs, but if the canon is over something I haven't read or don't know much about I usually stay away. Also if you don't have the freedom to make your own character. Like on a Percy Jackson RP if the only characters you can roleplay are from the book then I usually stay away as I like atleast some creativity.

So overall I'd have to choose Orginal to moderate Canon, which would be something where you have the creative freedom to make your own, but is similarly based to a series.

[Trip and Fall]

I prefer original role plays to canon ones, but I don't have anything against those who like canon role plays.

I think it's boring to use characters already created by someone else. I like coming up with a completely new character, simply because I don't have to follow any guidelines already set up. In some ways, a canon is more difficult than an original because you have to work within a certain set of rules already set up by someone else.

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