Role-Play in PBW Games ?

[Hornet X1]

I am seeking suggestions regarding improving role-play in PBW games.

Can any of you offer tips on game setup rules and other things that you believe improve the role-play element in the game?

What can a game owner do to foster role-play amongst players?

What things in particular lead you to select an RPG PBW game over a comparable one?

In-character diplomacy is fun, but it still often boils down to your typical cut throat gaming. How can I add spice to these Messages?

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

Hornet X1

[Phoenix-D]

Well, one thing I've done a couple times is an evacutation. The first time it was the race's "mission" to go kill some race that wasn't in the game. Did I mention I was the second place player and all my stuff disappeared at once

Also did that in a recent Dimension X game. I was getting thrashed, so I evactuated all my civilains to places outside the galactic sector. (in game terms I spaced them then abandoned the planet, but go with me here)

from the same game
"Do not despair at the poor showing of your fleet. Take heart in the fact that you are at least better than the Levolrie. Their ships fall apart at the mere sight of my fleets. Yours at least have to be fired apon before they disintegrate."

heh. That's a pretty good summation of how we did. I don't think the bloodthirsty gaming is at all out of character for some (maybe most) races. This particular war started out as a territorial squabble between geoschmo and me, and through a little wheeling and dealing it eventually spirled out of control to involve pretty much everyone.

Phoenix-D

[Jmenschenfresser]

First off, I would consider making a mod which makes planets very hard to kill and even harder to take over. This will stop casual destruction as it might take a full sized fleet just to glass one small colony...or several fully loaded troop transports to do the same. Here player's targets will get smaller. Instead of conquering systems, you'll just worry about a planet at a time.

The real problem here with role play is that it is difficult to actualize a goal which is playable.

For instance, in the history game, I am having a problem coming up with a story line that a) goes along with my race, and b) can involve something in the actual game...other than just me writing about it.

What can you do in SE4 but conquer the universe? Peace for so many years is quite boring. A % larger than the 2nd place player could be worked in, but then again, that could kill the role play once someone nearly hits the goal, and the rest gang up on him.

Only real thing you can do is just be constantly creative. My grand plan, if I ever get the cohones to start, is a role play mod. In this mod, under the advanced traits, you would pick a certain type of empire to play....say religious, or rebel or pirate or trade empire or psychotic monster men from beyond the alpha quadrant...you get the drift. In any case, whatever empire you pick, only gives you certain techs, certain strengths and certain weaknesses. The mod wouldn't put you down a certain path per se, but it would limit you from veering from what you are as a race.

Anyway, that is my dream mod for roleplay. we'll see. Trick is to make it just as fun to play a vast trade empire as it would to play a small pirate confederation.

[tesco samoa]

I think over time you will find out who roleplays and who does not.

It is hard to stay in character all the time.

But at the beginning of the game tell people they have to play their nature and demeanor.

Culture should be used to flavour the conversation.
And tell people to set there races up with this in mind.

Make them write descriptions.

Then as the Game admin. Accept those who meet these standards.

When I meet a race I read all this and act appropriately with them.

If there is no description then I am at a state of war with them.

IF they are peaceful and I am peaceful I start talking.
If they are bloodthursty or impulsive then I act differently.

[capnq]

I've occasionally thought about what victory conditions would promote roleplaying, but I haven't come up with a good answer yet.

For in-character diplomacy, I like to write in a style that fits the background I've imagined for the race.

When I'm playing my Rrurrr, I often speak of Honor, and mention the Ancestors a lot.

example...my mi-go alwayz whizperr with no capital letterrz...few conjunczionz...the only punctuazion they uze iz the ellipziz...

[The Mi-Go also "roll" the letter 'r' and replace most 's' sounds with 'z'. ]

[tesco samoa]

it would be a hard to make a victory condition on roleplaying

I think the longer games promote it due to the fact it is the only thing that will keep you interested in the game in the long run.

[Hornet X1]

The only victory condition to enhance role-play which I have been able to develop falls under what is called "house rules" in the PBW FAQ.

The Galactic Council idea is inspired by the Master of Orion 2 game. Basically, each player has a vote on the council to elect a Galactic Emperor. Players can barter for votes in the game. From a role-play perspective, being crowned emperor is not the only way to "win", you could for example aspire to be the Emperor's Master of Fleets or Intel, if you feel your empire is not strong enough to contend for the crown.

I feel that the way I have written the rules for the Galactic Council for my current game are flawed, especially for games with many players.

Here is a copy:

********

The council will meet every 30 turns once all human controlled empires have met in the game. This does not mean that they must remain in contact.

You should post which human controlled empires you have met in the "Contacts" thread. We can use this as a tool for game play, and a method of knowing when everyone has met.

Remember, it is possible to use diplomacy to request an empire to place you in contact with another empire.

Whither or not said empire will do so is entirely their decision.

It requires a unanimous vote of the council to declare a Galactic Emperor and end the game. A 3/4 majority vote (4 out of 5 currently) can lead to a unified war against the dissenting empires. During this war any member of the Emperor in wating's coalition can call for a vote of no confidence resulting in a re-vote in the council thread. If the coalition wins the war, the game ends if no empire calls for a vote of no confidence.

The Galactic Council thread will be a role-playing thread. I realize that not everyone is a skilled writer (including myself), just do the best you feel you are able to do and most of all have fun.

The empire with the highest score, as displayed in game, is considered the "host" of the council for role-play purposes. However, for the first meeting of the council allow my empire to host, in order to set the tone for future meetings. As host it will be my responsibility to make the opening post and provide you with information to role-play with.

How diplomats from neighboring empires are welcomed, what your delegates say publicly for everyone, and what they say behind closed doors in private meetings, are a few things you might want to consider for role-play in the Galactic council thread.

********

This was the best I could come up with at the time. It was designed with a small number of players in mind. I am currently unsure of how to improve on it.

Thank you all for the tips.

Hornet X1