by Kameron M. Franklin

Created on: May 07, 2008

Anyone who's ever played a role-playing game (RPG) has a role-playing horror story: the aspiring thespian who hogged the spotlight, or the player who caused nothing but grief for everyone else because his character was "evil". Examples of poor role-playing abound.

The definition of good role-playings is much harder to nail down. It can vary based on the type of game you're playing, the medium the game is played in, or who you're gaming with. Even so, there are still some general principles that establish what good role-playing is.

1. WHAT'S MY MOTIVATION?
Role-playing is like acting (notice I didn't say it is acting). Good role-playing takes into account the motivations and goals of the character the player is portraying. A character's objectives can change, but should come as the result of an organic evolution, not simply because the player wants to.

2. PUT SOME FEELING INTO IT.
Good role-players put some energy and creativity into playing their characters. Not only do they think of unique ways to use their character's skills and abilities, but they add a little flair to the description of the character's actions.

3. STICK TO THE SCRIPT, PLEASE.
Role-playing is a group activity. A little tension and interpersonal conflict can certainly enrich role-playing, but good role-players will work out the details with everyone involved ahead of time. There is no excuse for disrupting the experience for the rest of the group.

4. HEY, THAT'S MY LINE!
Good role-players respect the roles of the other players, and give everyone time to shine. No one likes a spotlight hog.

5. HEY, THAT'S MY LINE! (TAKE TWO)
Good role-playing means you don't speak or act for anyone else's characters. This is easier to do in some role-playing environments than others. Turn-based combat situations make clear distinctions between character actions, but free-form role-playing can cause boundaries to blur, and novice role-players often make the innocent mistake of including the reactions of other characters.

6. STAY IN-CHARACTER.
Good role-players know how to separate things they know as a player, referred to as the meta-game, from the things they know as a character. This can be as simple as using the names of the other characters rather than their players. More often, it means not taking advantage of knowledge the player has that the character couldn't possible possess.

Anyone can be a good role-player if they follow these six principles. Good role-playing really adds depth to the game, and helps spark the imaginations of the other players in the group. It will also keep you from becoming one of those role-playing horror stories that circulate around the Internet.

Learn more about this author, Kameron M. Franklin.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.