So...if I were to say...start my own RPG.

[Mattista]

...which I have already, mind you, but it blows big wookie reproductory organs (or muscles...I'm still entirely sure, I know the anatomy of a wookie about as well as I know the basement of Anna Nicole Smith's house). See, I've always been an avid fan of online RPGs. No, not those "hur, I clicked it and it died" graphical ones like Everquest. I mean like, the cheap-o kind you find on Angelfire and Geocities...where you hop onto a message board or chatroom, MANUALLY TYPE "::My character laughs maniacally as he hobbles over, stomping on the pathetic squirrel that dared to oppose him.::" or what have you before a webmaster pops in and MANUALLY UPDATES your stats on his site. Y'know. Those kind.

But of course, there's been a major shortage of those lately. More specifically, I think 98.5% of the good ones died around '98-'99. So I make my own when I get bored. Hence far, it's been quite successful, as I've gotten anywhere from ten to twenty members for each RPG--not bad, considering I run them by myself (I can very rarely find anybody to help me update). The one I've been running lately, though, has been--well, I won't recap the full statement, as you can find it above. It's the one about unnaturally hairy genitalia. It was *originally* crafted with the basis of Dragonball Z, but with original characters and more than a fair share of elements from video games and other anime (i.e., Final Fantasy, Breath of Fire, Chobits). It's a neat little RPG and all (www.db-legends.tk), it's just that I suffer from the woe that befalls most DBZ-related products: it's full of idiots. Idiots that can't roleplay. Idiots that don't understand the concept of non-numerical damage. Idiots that think I can't count. At any rate...it's magically morphing into a big pile of poo, as out of ten or so members, only three are actually doing anything (and those three are mentally incapable of zipping their own pants up without catching something). Now we come to my dilemma.

I need an online RPG idea. A good one. A creative one. A crazy one. One that lends itself to plenty of ideas, such as items and attacks and such. One with a system that won't drive me literally insane as I attempt to update it once a day or bi-daily. DBZ RPGs are always good for this, what with all the mythology and mystical-ness floating about the series, not to mention the fact that the Power Levels and such practically scream "MAKE AN RPG OUT OF ME." But then, I would be stuck in the same dilemma: New RPG. Different system. Same kind of roleplayer (the kind that doesn't). So...give me something crazy. I beg of you. You're all fine, intelligent people (pardon me while I wipe the brown off my nose). I know you can think of SOMETHING to aid this poor, bored teen.

So far in my life, I've managed two DBZ RPGs, three medieval-fantasy ones, two fighting-game based RPGs with E-fed systems, one E-fed, and...uh...I really can't remember what else. If you need anymore specification as to what I'm asking for, don't hesitate to ask. If I put this on the wrong board, don't hesitate to delete and/or move it. I just want suggestions from SOMEBODY, and my friends are about as creative as a McDonald's commercial.

[Mr. Viewtiful]

Try a Soul Calibur-esque RP. Or perhaps one which requires the use of a DDR machine, a toilet seat, and cream pie in order to save the world from ultimate destruction. Is that crazy enough for you?

[stuper of thought]

or you can creat one where the world is going to be invaded by blobs that look like poop and the only way to kill them is to throw flaming bags of cow manure at them.

[Forever Zero]

Hmm, well, like you said, DBZ is a sound concept, but execution usually fails. Many DBZ fans are also leet speakers, random flamers, and all around idiots it seems at times, and can't be trusted to do anything requireing thought. I personally would have found an RPG idea like that interesting, but it seems your are A. Abandoning it, and B. It is full of idiots, so I'll avoid it.

As for ideas for a new roleplaying system? Look through the RP section of this site is a good place to start looking for ideas. There is Sci-Fi (A little, and started by either me or batgirl only it seems...), Fantasy (Tons of it, you could practically drown in it all), or alternate world scenarios (A few unsuccesful mercenary RPs, and an interesting world scenario one come to mind.). As of right this second, I can't think up anything to help you personally, but take a look at the Eternal Night thread for an interesting idea that while a bit complicated for a simple forum RP, for something of the level you were planning, it may work.

[Mattista]

Do you think too many people would be too put off by messageboard-based fighting? I mean, I could do alot more as far as statistics and levelling up with a messageboard (where I don't have to keep up with HP changes occuring every three seconds, not to mention MP or whatever for attacks and how much damage each move should do and etc, via a chatroom). I mean, if worse comes to worse, I could just request that each player post their remaining stats after each roleplay (like, how much HP they have left after their opponents' last attack, whatever).

On the other hand, alot of people on AIM tell me message boards are too slow. On the other other hand (because I have three), people on AIM tend to suck.

[Forever Zero]

I prefer using the Forum format, just because I've never really used a message board before, but whatever works easiest. Whatever you do though, you might want to try and set up a system that allows for some sort of dice rolls online where everyone can see them and not cheat (Don't even know if this exists, but it would be cool...), because Forum RPs are notorious for God-Modding, and it seems that your last RPG was ruined by people that don't know how to RP, and dice rolls help to cut out some of the cheating that can happen in Forum RPs.

[Mattista]

Yeah, I would consider using AIM...since it's very easy to make chatrooms with it, and it has a dice rolling system where you just type //roll-dicenumber-sidenumber and bam, there it is. Whole chat sees it. Of course, not everybody has AIM...and even though it's free, alot of people are lazy.

I'm obviously going to need SOME kind of statistical count (HP, MP, levels, etc), as alot of people have trouble with "theorized" damage (you cut my arm, my arm is hurt, I roleplay not doing extensive things with that arm)...it's just going to be difficult thinking up a system that's not so complicated that I can't manage it. If there's a whole lot stats to keep up with (Strength for physical damage, Mind for technological damage, Spirit for ki or magic damage, Speed for dodging and turn rate, etc), I could get overwhelmed rather quickly in keeping up with what attacks do what amount of damage and to whom.

[Atronflame]

The problem with DBZ, is that it has hoards of fans... well, fans that suck.

Ive actually heard Rm2k Tsukuru (RpgMaker 2000) called DragonBallZ Game Maker2000. I mean... wtf. I dont know how you can even possibly call it that, considering every single DBZ game Ive ever played was incredibly cliche and/or crappy. Im dead serious on that.

But... to the point. DBZ is horribly over-used. If you want to make an RPG, dont put ANYTHING about DBZ in the title, and if you want to use things out of it, change the names/ and other stuff so it doesnt seem like a rip off or something. And, if you like things about DBZ, what is it that you like? Is it the amazingly lengthy and yet simple fights? Or, the power level? Or... etc?

Youre right about one thing, though. Large AIM based Chat-Rooms are amazingly hard to manage, what with the fact that people can instantly say something, and every now and then you'll get some jerk who will try and ruin things for everyone. Or something...

But, at one point I attempted to play a Message Board based RPG with Faith. Some of you may remember her. Others might not. Anyway.
It was called "Council of Emerelda"... and it was actually pretty well inspired, based off the world of her book. Anyway.

The problem with message boards is getting the right amount of members. If you have just 2 its going to suck. But if you have like 90 its going to get a bit more difficult to manage.

It really depends on what youre looking for...

[Mattista]

I think what's appealing about DBZ RPGs, at least online, is the fact that it's so easy to think of stuff for it. I mean, what the thirty or so attacks listed from the series, all the items they bluntly state the purposes off, the various races that are rather well fleshed out in the shows...and the power levels, the show's basically an RPG waiting to happen. In fact, it would probably make a better SNES run-and-shoot-things game than it does an anime. The story certainly lends itself that way...

But anyway. I think running an E-fed-style RPG could work out really well (it has in the past, anyway)...only problem is that so few people actually know how E-feds work, and for that matter, want to try and play one...especially since E-feds are generally wrestling-based (hence the name, E-federation).

The only people who usually know how E-feds work are wrestling fans. Wrestling RPers don't want to join an RPG based on non-wrestling. Non-wrestling RPers don't want to join an RPG based on something wrestling-related. It's like...double screwjob. As far as actually running it, though, it can be very fun and they're not overly hard to manage...it's just finding people to join that sorta thing practically takes an act of congress.

[Exoduselder]

Ahhh the joys of creating your own RPG. finding the right setting theme etc. Really this is a tough job due to the fact that practically its all been done, or has it? DBZ has like the wise atronflame & forever zero previosly stated a huge fanbase that has some fans that well lets face it might not understand some RPG concepts. So what to do it on? PIRACY! YAR SAIL THE SEVEN SEAS LOOT AND PLUNDER AND SVREAM YARGH ALL DAY!!!! just kidding. If you want ideas go to block buster or the movies. thats what i think

[Apletto]

Yeah, I used to be a major Message Board RPGer. Playing several Fantasy, a Sci-Fi, and a few DBZ. The problem is that yeah, most people are idiots. I don't know about your dates though. I came in about '97 near the hay-day of Yahoo Clubs(turned Groups) RPGing, and the Golden Age of BBS RPGing ended about 2000. Maybe Y2K killed it. Either way, I lost internet when it was declining do to living in nowhere, and got it back a few months later and it was gone.

In the old days their was a system. A system by which you joined a few of the biggest RPG's, and reading the posts daily you could tell who was a duesch and who knew what they were doing(or might be able to). And then you invited them into the private 'elite' RPG's. I remember when I came on the scene not knowing anything, but appearantly displayed intelligence and will enough, and was recruited into an RPG and moved into the elites from there.

I mean, I played DBZ with like 20 hardcore RPGers, all of them the type that ate DnD, crapped Consoles, and slept with Game Manuals, and could all write. I practically learned how to write in those RPG's. And then they died. The hay day passed, most of the elite gamers moved on(didn't have time or couldn't stand the newbs that occasionally filtered in), and there's not enough easily skimmed RPG's to find who you might train up into a Real RPGer. It got too good really, the greatness drew even the bored idiots, and they killed it.

As for suggestions: War. Anykind of war. It can be two sides fighting for a city in World War II, or it can be five species(some{or all but one} fully NPC perhaps) fighting for a planet. Whatever it is, it provides the story and gives form. People are automatically teamed(though they may switch it up) and it lets the DM have control while allowing the Players to shape the story and not feal forced along like in some RPG's. Just have people be individuals.

Also, you can do #-system, you can do straight-story, but don't do #-system just to make it easy on idiots. In the end they will just abuse or not get it, and it will be a waste of your time. When an RPG dies, don't try to tailor the next to get the idiots to play, filter out the idiots and don't let them in the next. It'll be a long haul to restart the genre again, and involve a lot of wasted effort, but it's the only way to eventually get a good RPG.

I'll propably stop by your RPG and check it out.

[Cyclone231]

Okay, to lure people who can write and aren't ***holes, you must find the sort of roleplaying which either A) is most known or B) is played only by more expertise players.
The first is any fantasy RPG. The second is an incredibly wide range of things that are unknown comparatively.
Since it is impossible to solidify the second, we will have to use the first. However, you need a world that is known only to "long time" RPGers. And what's one of the oldest video game RPGs? Yes, that's right, Final Fantasy 1! Since no ***hole who can't understand an RPG knows about it, you've got the first step done. The second step is to filter out the "sheer videogame" RPGers. For this reason, make two boards. Hide the second board away somewhere, and use the first board for everyone. Move all the intelligent roleplayers to the second for a better game. Wipe away all complete morons from the first. Rinse and repeat.

[Forever Zero]

A. I disagree with your first idea, mainly only because while fantasy is alright, it seems way overused, and I'm not as big a fantasy fan as I am other types.

B. However, that second plan is brutal, but good. It really would help to cut the cream from the crap, and in the second board it would allow for a good RPing experience, while the first board would allow the idiots to run about and not bother the big boys in the back.

I had a huge analysis I had done on you RPG that I might put up later, but my opinion is that while it seemed like a good idea (I like the idea of mixing multiple things together, like FF + DBZ + Animes + whatever into one big RPG with a DBZ engine), you weren't orignal enough. You had four planets, but didn't say anything about them. You had something like eleven races, but still gave no details about what made them different. Everyone could use the same skills, and almost everyone could use the same items (Mystics and Robots have their own items, but you never say if they can use everyone else's items...). Basically, it all began to feel blah. You need more uniqueness in your RP, so you should have described what really makes an angel different from a demon different from a robot different from a Persocom (What is that?). Like I said, I had more on that, but I can't remember it all.

Oh, and one last point, I'm not sure I liked your PP system (Reminded me of the worst parts of Pokemon...) and you PL system was slow. I understood your points about training, and how noobs abuse it, but it makes advancement insanely slow, and people like at least a moderte speed.

[Mattista]

Well, I was planning on doing planet and race descriptions later (as they were rather extensive--I had the descriptions for Saiya-jins and Mystics done on Wordpad, and they were around 800 words each). As for the uniqueness, same thing. The Attack and Item list was, for the most part, at its core--I was adding new items and abilities every two to three days. In fact, most of the Mystic Gear wasn't added until fairly recently.

At any rate, I'm STILL considering doing an E-fed system. I could easily filter the good RPers via the fight scheduling, and just put the crappy RPers into less important, shorter bouts...thus keeping them from the blunt of the roleplaying. Main issue is--and I've been asking around as to what this is--that the E-fed system isn't "exciting enough." People who join RPGs usually want to control their characters action-for-action, move-for-move, at least (rather, especially) when it comes to fights. I need to find some way to develop a fighting system that's E-fed-based...but...not. Grargh.

[Apletto]

I need to find some way to develop a fighting system that's E-fed-based...but...not. Grargh.

As a rule: Anyone who can write well can think well, and anyone who can think well can RPG well if they aren't jerks.

It is intrinsic to writing well. Now, the inability to write doesn't make someone an idiot, or a bad RPGer, but the ability does pretty much make someone a good one. So if you make it a written RPG then you can easily skim the good off the top and dump the rest in the toilet even at just a glance. And then actually deal with content, intelligence, and effort out of a much higher class of RPGer and a much smaller amount of posts.

[Forever Zero]

Hmm, okay, I guess I was a bit hasty. I was looking at other established ones that already had that, and if you were updating as you go, that works. Uniqueness if definatly the way to go, and it works to get there over time after the core system is established.

Otherwise, I agree with Apletto. If your going to do a system and it works, people will still join. It isn't the RPG's sytem that attract people, it is the ability to make a good RPG that people want to get involved in, regardless of system.

[Apletto]

Also, never be affraid to kick a dead beat. Less members may be less fun, but a jerk who kills the RPG ends the fun for good.

[Forever Zero]

Hey Mattista, don't know if your checking out here or your RPG site anymore, but two things. 1.) Do you think there could be any way to revive the RPG you have now with rewritten rules? If so, I might have some suggestions, and I might be interested in joining. 2.) I checked out your site, and basically the only people that actually RPed there have decided you left and seem to have left the RP. Just sort of informing you, as part of the "If you had any intentions to try to revive that RP" idea of part one.

Other than that, we, or at least I, am interested in updates on your old or new RPG. How about an update in this thread on what you decided on, or if your still thinking?

[CheshireThief]

If you still want ideas for new ones, what about A) A Zelda based RP. I know I'd play that, and you'd probably get a few more as well. B) Try making one that has a keyed down version of DnD rules... You could have race and class and level and everything, but have it more about story, less about dice rolls. C) What about a Sci-Fi Occult kinda game? These are just a couple of ideas off the top of my head. Just trying to help you out. Feel free to use these ideas. Also feel free not to use them. Up to you, I guess. If you need more players when you start one though, just send me a private message, I'll join.

[Jack of Spades]

Man I gotta follow all those long posts with my little one?
Anyway the setting I'm using in my next DnD campaign is set in Prehistoric times except it has all the normal PC races in it. So I say try a Caveman RPG.