Emotionally step forward, or objectively step back?

[sleepykid]

I'm interested to know which of these two philosophies people use to make roleplay decisions, and why.

Granted it is a little vague, so an example from an mmo might suffice. If picking a class and settling on, say, mage, the step forward guy might try to imagine as if he actually were a spellcasting fiend, his mind privy to arcane secrets as he unravels the mysteries of time, space, and everything.

The step backward guy would probably consider his likely role, and admit that despite the game's fantasy pretensions all he'll really do is be tossing fireballs and providing utility in the form of conjured food and teleporting. Still, ranged DPS was what he had in mind anyway so it's a good fit.

Which do you tend to go for, and why?

 

[benderinTime]

I'm pretty cynical, so probably the step back.

 

[Shock and Awe]

A little bit of both, I look at what would be most useful, but also seems the most fun.

 

[Erana]

Well... Its tough for me to say, really.
I play healing classes, usually, and the point of that is all about helping others. So when I heal someone else's character, I'm helping them, thus succeeding in my compulsive-healing white mage obsessions.
Its because of this that I prefer to play fluffier MMORPGs- in say, Fiesta, its easy to think of the characters being bonked on the head by an angry giant green fairy, and falling down with all the seriousness of a, "Ouch! I'm dead. Damn." situation. In that case, my healing them is about as significant when out of context as it would be if it were the characters themselves interacting.

I'm not much for roleplaying unless its something simple and pleasant, initiated by another party.
...Until it winds up them trying to get into my digital pants.
Damn you, horny guys on the internet.

 

[ultrachicken]

I'm not sure I understand the question.

 

[gl1koz3]

I don't understand it either. The semantics of "MMO mage, fireballs, conjured food, spellcasting" equal zero. Expression is NaN.

 

[Random Fella]

A step back really but I like to imagine it as being better than just what the role is like if I were a warrior i'd say i'm defending my allies from the monsters rather than say i'm a tank and I am just taking all the damage...

 

[Nexus4]

A little bit of both, I look at what would be most useful, but also seems the most fun.

So I guess you'll stay right where you are?

OT: Step back probably, unless the game has a rich enough world to make me want to roleplay and bullshit myself silly!

 

[Istanbul]

A bit of both. I like to step back and determine the best way to fulfill my party role, but I also like to develop an in-character justification for doing so.

 

[DanielBrown]

Step back. Roleplaying has never been an intrest of mine. I find it to be extremly nerdy, really.

 

[Zhukov]

Gameplay decisions: step back.
Story decisions: step forward.

PS. Nice topic. I approve.

 

[sleepykid]

Some further clarification to those who don't understand.

Consider the archtype of the tank, i.e. the one that attracts monsters' attention and engages in heavy defense.

A step-forward kind of guy would refuse it on the grounds that it involves the highest amount of trauma among all the roles/classes, having to insult people (taunting is usually the way a tank gets attention), and wearing the most uncomfortable armor. The theme is that they try to put themselves in the shoes of whom they play as closely as possible.

A step-back kind of guy would refuse it on purely mechanical grounds, like not wanting to give up big damage just so others can, or not wanting to engage in a very complex role. The theme here is one of being very matter-of-fact and objective, their personal involvement being merely superficial.

 

[orangebandguy]

I'm impulsive and full of bloodlust. It's only ever forward!

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

I don't enjoy "role playing", so totally the "step backwards" guy.

I play RPGs for their combat systems, not for their story. A nice story is gravy.

I get more satisfaction defeating a tough enemy in Dragon Age, then I get through any of the dialogue choices I've made.