Head Game Master
A step by step tutorial on how to stop standing around waiting for something to happen.
Step 1: Decide to do something
If you're like most players, you wait for the roleplay to come to you. This is an ineffective strategy for two reasons. First, it relies on others to do things. If everyone is standing waiting for something to happen, then nothing will ever happen. Second, the amount of time you spend waiting is time that could be spent doing something, which would be far more enjoyable.
Therefore, the first step in doing something is deciding to do something! But how do you decide what to do?
Step 2: Decide what to do
A good place to start is to make a mental list of everything you could do in the position you hold. Whether that's talking to a specific person, aura farming, or simply utilizing available space, there is often a broad list of things you could be doing. I will list a couple examples below that may apply to your role/job:
- Visit an SCP Chamber
- Go to the cafeteria and order food, inspect the facilities, or organize an activity.
- Get a checkup in medbay
- Ask someone high up a hypothetical question
- Intimidate a lower ranking person
- Do something mildly illegal (but not full on treason, yet).
- Perform or get permission to perform maintenance on something important.
- Start a rumor
- Run a training, or get permission to do a drill.
- Wellness spot-checks of random people
- Tool/weapon calibration checks of random people
- Vaccine clinic pop-up complete with consent forms
- Hypothesis group research, come up with a test as a group!
- Micro-audit a department
- Make up budget items and ask the department leads where they got the money
- Breach rehearsals/figuring out the quickest path to X location
- Protest about D-Class rights
These are just some of the many things you could be doing!
And don't let yourself be bound by the idea that it has to be something physical. Action commands like /me or /it are great for self-sustained roleplay!
In fact, you could just walk up to people and ask them if they're doing anything interesting. Maybe they need help!
Let's also consider that your everyday actions could spark something. Interact with your environment, items, and map around you:
- Try and throw something away in a trash can, but its full of trash!
- Try and use a vending machine
- Try and use a SCIPNet computer for non-scipnet activities
- Try something!
These are just some of the many things you could decide to do.
Step 3: Just do it!
Now that you've decided what to do, there's just one thing left! Actually do it!
There are a couple things that can assist you in this.
The first is Staff/GMs. You can make sits to ask for RP Enhancements, or to be overseen by a GM if there is one available.
- Keep in mind that you are not guaranteed a GM for asking, they have free agency in this regard.
- Staff can spawn props for you to use.
The second is your superiors (if applicable). They can spawn up to 15 props!
- Roleplay leadership is meant to be like the "yes, and" for improv, while still being realistic to their job and the SCP Universe.
- Most leaders will find a way for you to be able to do what you want, instead of flat turning you down.
- Keep in mind though, if your idea is stupid and completely unrealistic to SCP, its gonna be denied no matter what!
Finally, normal people around you!
- The point of roleplay is to interact with others. If you involve others in your activities, it is far more likely to lead somewhere.
As a last note for this step, don't be afraid to violate the law!
In-Character law is not equivalent to server rules.
And with bodycameras, well, let's just say they're gonna have a hard time proving you did anything at all!
But don't take it too far! Your job will generally dictate your "loyalty" and nobody likes thoughtless TreasonRP.
Step 4: Your actions have consequences
If the previous steps have been applied correctly, then congratulations! You've done something!
Now its time to reap what you sow.
If you have performed an action, that action will have consequences. Whether that is good or bad, don't be afraid! Embrace it.
After all, its all just roleplay.
One of my biggest pet peeves is when people complain nothing happens, but also don't try to do anything.
If you assume that what you want to do will be denied, its worse than not trying at all.
I understand that it can be frustrating when there are so many roadblocks to actually doing something. But if you persevere, good things can happen.
Step 1: Decide to do something
If you're like most players, you wait for the roleplay to come to you. This is an ineffective strategy for two reasons. First, it relies on others to do things. If everyone is standing waiting for something to happen, then nothing will ever happen. Second, the amount of time you spend waiting is time that could be spent doing something, which would be far more enjoyable.
Therefore, the first step in doing something is deciding to do something! But how do you decide what to do?
Step 2: Decide what to do
A good place to start is to make a mental list of everything you could do in the position you hold. Whether that's talking to a specific person, aura farming, or simply utilizing available space, there is often a broad list of things you could be doing. I will list a couple examples below that may apply to your role/job:
- Visit an SCP Chamber
- Go to the cafeteria and order food, inspect the facilities, or organize an activity.
- Get a checkup in medbay
- Ask someone high up a hypothetical question
- Intimidate a lower ranking person
- Do something mildly illegal (but not full on treason, yet).
- Perform or get permission to perform maintenance on something important.
- Start a rumor
- Run a training, or get permission to do a drill.
- Wellness spot-checks of random people
- Tool/weapon calibration checks of random people
- Vaccine clinic pop-up complete with consent forms
- Hypothesis group research, come up with a test as a group!
- Micro-audit a department
- Make up budget items and ask the department leads where they got the money
- Breach rehearsals/figuring out the quickest path to X location
- Protest about D-Class rights
These are just some of the many things you could be doing!
And don't let yourself be bound by the idea that it has to be something physical. Action commands like /me or /it are great for self-sustained roleplay!
In fact, you could just walk up to people and ask them if they're doing anything interesting. Maybe they need help!
Let's also consider that your everyday actions could spark something. Interact with your environment, items, and map around you:
- Try and throw something away in a trash can, but its full of trash!
- Try and use a vending machine
- Try and use a SCIPNet computer for non-scipnet activities
- Try something!
These are just some of the many things you could decide to do.
Step 3: Just do it!
Now that you've decided what to do, there's just one thing left! Actually do it!
There are a couple things that can assist you in this.
The first is Staff/GMs. You can make sits to ask for RP Enhancements, or to be overseen by a GM if there is one available.
- Keep in mind that you are not guaranteed a GM for asking, they have free agency in this regard.
- Staff can spawn props for you to use.
The second is your superiors (if applicable). They can spawn up to 15 props!
- Roleplay leadership is meant to be like the "yes, and" for improv, while still being realistic to their job and the SCP Universe.
- Most leaders will find a way for you to be able to do what you want, instead of flat turning you down.
- Keep in mind though, if your idea is stupid and completely unrealistic to SCP, its gonna be denied no matter what!
Finally, normal people around you!
- The point of roleplay is to interact with others. If you involve others in your activities, it is far more likely to lead somewhere.
As a last note for this step, don't be afraid to violate the law!
In-Character law is not equivalent to server rules.
And with bodycameras, well, let's just say they're gonna have a hard time proving you did anything at all!
But don't take it too far! Your job will generally dictate your "loyalty" and nobody likes thoughtless TreasonRP.
Step 4: Your actions have consequences
If the previous steps have been applied correctly, then congratulations! You've done something!
Now its time to reap what you sow.
If you have performed an action, that action will have consequences. Whether that is good or bad, don't be afraid! Embrace it.
After all, its all just roleplay.
You are not your character. Your character is not you.
Sometimes things won't go your way. And that is okay.
It is okay to lose.
It is fine if you win.
And sometimes, nobody will come out on top.
Sometimes things won't go your way. And that is okay.
It is okay to lose.
It is fine if you win.
And sometimes, nobody will come out on top.
One of my biggest pet peeves is when people complain nothing happens, but also don't try to do anything.
If you assume that what you want to do will be denied, its worse than not trying at all.
I understand that it can be frustrating when there are so many roadblocks to actually doing something. But if you persevere, good things can happen.
Donator
Senior Administrator
SCP-RP Staff
Resources Team
Group Moderator