Posted by Kim on December 12, 2015, 2:27pm
This office hour rendition was a little different than the others! I asked YOU questions instead of just fielding them (although I did that too).If you weren't able to make it, I'd love to hear your voice, too! Please leave your answers to the following questions in the comments, if you'd like me to take them into account as I plan out my priorities and the schedule of events/development for 2016!
- How did you originally find the RPR? What convinced you to join?
- If you were to join again today, what would be the one thing that someone/we could tell you about the site that you think would make you want to join?
Or, put another way, if you are trying to convince someone else to join, what do you tell them about the RPR?
- If I could only add or change ONE thing about the site in 2016, what would you want that addition or change to be?
- What events or contests have you participated in on the RPR so far, and which was your favorite? What kind of events would you like to see more of?
Thank you for all your help! Now, onward to my answers to your questions...
Will there ever be new layouts? Maybe based around certain video games, or movies? Or like a dragon theme, an angelic theme, or a demonic theme.
Yes, there will be. Typically there's anywhere from 3 - 12 new character templates released every year. This year was an exception, as I've paused all creation of new templates until I've finished overhauling all of our existing templates to address some old bugs, work better with mobile, and generally be better updated and modern. I had hoped that process would be completely finished by the close of this year, but it's now looking like January 2016 is more realistic.
Once that's out of the way, we can resume our regularly scheduled template update schedule.
Dragon, angelic and demonic are all on our list of wanted templates, so I'm certain one day they will make an appearance.Are there any new long term features that you'd love to add to the site?
oh my goodness are there features I'd like to see added!
The thing at the top of my personal wishlist right now is push notifications -- like desktop alerts or alerts on your smartphone (or heck, your smart watch) when stuff relevant to you happens on the RPR. I'm experimenting with methods to achieve this and really hope we'll see it realized in 2016.
I'm also really interested in expanding and improving on the ways in which people can find RP to participate in. I've got a bunch of ideas and various features brewing. It'll likely be a big focus in 2016.
Of course, there's also about a million and one other little improvements I've got slated for existing features and the site in general.
But I won't bore you with my laundry list.I was wondering if there would one day be the option to not only customize your own page, but also perhaps the homepage once you become an epic member. Like having a colored background and such.
No, there's not currently any plans to let people change the look of the main portions of the site. Aside from your own user profile, of course, which is already there.
Who was the wonderful and lovely artist who drew all the FOBETEO newspost arts?
Justine. She frequently helps me with RPR art. I know she has an account here but I can't for the life of my remember what it is, so I'll link her portfolio: http://www.jmarieray.com/
She's done a ton of work for us over the years, though you might know her most significantly as the artist who did pretty much all of the illustrations, comics, and video game "cut scene" art for 2015's epic week.
And has promised to help again with epic week 2016 as well! Which brings me to the next question...
Will there be any new site wide events on the horizon? Like contests, etc.?
Yes! I have a few contests in mind at present, actually. We'll just have to see how they work out with scheduling. Hopefully in the next couple of months.
We also typically do a RP prompt/challenge event in February, and then of course April is the big kahuna of all RPR events: Epic week.
If you're wondering what epic week is, it's a little hard to describe... It's a celebration of our anniversary of opening, and usually involves a gigantic plot, games, teamwork, riddles, strategizing, oodles of contests, and is really hands down my favorite time of year ever.
Will there be a Christmas event?
The Festival of Being Excellent To Each Other is our "holiday" event. I try to avoid specific holiday events most of the time, as we have people from every walk of life and every religion on-site.
Comments
- In short, RainbowToRosie. She asked me if I liked RPing and sent me here. Worth every second.
- I would say that this site is a cosmopolitan area for fanbases and opinions.
- Making it so that your progress when writing text stays like it should be if you accidently go to a different page or close the website.
- The Halloween Event. That was a lot of fun. I'd like to see more events similar to that.
Late post is late...
1) I would like to thank SanityFallen for suggesting this site to me.
2) One of the largest selling points is the community on this website. I was so scared when I first started, but the Introduction forum really opened my eyes to how many nice people were on here. Admins and RPers a loke are amazing and showing that to people will really open their mind to this site.
Side note: I actually looked at other RP websites after joining this one and I honestly can't go anywhere else now. I guess I am spoiled
3) I honestly don't know how to answer that question! (presses skip button)
4) I want to join in to the contests and games this coming year, since I am still rather new I haven't done much in that respect.
2) One of the largest selling points is the community on this website. I was so scared when I first started, but the Introduction forum really opened my eyes to how many nice people were on here. Admins and RPers a loke are amazing and showing that to people will really open their mind to this site.
Side note: I actually looked at other RP websites after joining this one and I honestly can't go anywhere else now. I guess I am spoiled
3) I honestly don't know how to answer that question! (presses skip button)
4) I want to join in to the contests and games this coming year, since I am still rather new I haven't done much in that respect.
1. I have Mist to thank for that. I was in an extended break from RP except for a little ongoing thing with him, but my appetite for RP and writing is a bit greater than his. 
Didn't want to return to places I'd been before (either due to site death or just people issues), so at his suggestion, I figured I'd try this place. 
2. Just how friendly, accepting, and encouraging the community is! I mean, just saying that can sometimes imply certain problems, but it really is what keeps me coming back all the time. That, and how easy it is to really become a part of the community and really contribute.
3 & 4. I dunno. It's hard to pick, and right now the thing I want most is a nap. Post-D&D naps seem to be a thing for me now (what with all the other players in that game being in Europe).
Didn't want to return to places I'd been before (either due to site death or just people issues), so at his suggestion, I figured I'd try this place. 2. Just how friendly, accepting, and encouraging the community is! I mean, just saying that can sometimes imply certain problems, but it really is what keeps me coming back all the time. That, and how easy it is to really become a part of the community and really contribute.
3 & 4. I dunno. It's hard to pick, and right now the thing I want most is a nap.
Post-D&D naps seem to be a thing for me now (what with all the other players in that game being in Europe).
@Kim
If at all possible, it could be as simple as a pleasing yet efficient interface. Instead of loading pages in a browser, you load them in the app and if you want to go back you don't need to load the page again. Maybe like how Wikia does their apps for games. Very useful, with all the information available on the site, but into an app that is both smooth and functional.
If at all possible, it could be as simple as a pleasing yet efficient interface. Instead of loading pages in a browser, you load them in the app and if you want to go back you don't need to load the page again. Maybe like how Wikia does their apps for games. Very useful, with all the information available on the site, but into an app that is both smooth and functional.
1. How did you originally find the RPR? What convinced you to join?
> Okay, let's see.. Last year around March, I was free and wanted to roleplay so bad. By that, I mean in a way where I know I can improve my English better as I really love learning it. I searched around and found many sites. Sadly, they were mostly quite strict with guidelines, and some failed to apply them. Until I saw a site named "RP Repository"-- I was intrigued with the site's layout and knew I had to check out the help articles, the forums, the characters, then figured, "Why not settle here?" Initially, I felt very intimidated after scanning the forums further, but then I thought, "This site could help me very well. I should embrace whatever help and fun I can get." I just loved it a lot since then. I was even more excited after creating my character's profiles with all the cool templates and widgets! Now, RPR is one of my most visited sites!
2. If you were to join again today, what would be the one thing that someone/we could tell you about the site that you think would make you want to join?
Or, put another way, if you are trying to convince someone else to join, what do you tell them about the RPR?
> That the community itself is very warm and supportive of its members -- new or regular -- and is very accepting/flexible with all styles and forms. These are only few of what makes me love the site so much, but I think these are enough to make someone want to join the site (or me, if it were to happen again)!
3. If I could only add or change ONE thing about the site in 2016, what would you want that addition or change to be?
> Honestly, not much comes to mind. Though I certainly would like the ping system as some others have suggested. It doesn't have to happen immediately as I think the site's already great as it is.
4. What events or contests have you participated in on the RPR so far, and which was your favorite? What kind of events would you like to see more of?
> I was quite inactive last year to participate in contests, and though I'm busier nowadays, I try to find time to be active. Just recently, I've participated in the holiday event, FOBETEO, and loved it a lot. I most definitely want to experience Epic Week this coming April!
> Okay, let's see.. Last year around March, I was free and wanted to roleplay so bad. By that, I mean in a way where I know I can improve my English better as I really love learning it. I searched around and found many sites. Sadly, they were mostly quite strict with guidelines, and some failed to apply them. Until I saw a site named "RP Repository"-- I was intrigued with the site's layout and knew I had to check out the help articles, the forums, the characters, then figured, "Why not settle here?" Initially, I felt very intimidated after scanning the forums further, but then I thought, "This site could help me very well. I should embrace whatever help and fun I can get." I just loved it a lot since then. I was even more excited after creating my character's profiles with all the cool templates and widgets! Now, RPR is one of my most visited sites!
2. If you were to join again today, what would be the one thing that someone/we could tell you about the site that you think would make you want to join?
Or, put another way, if you are trying to convince someone else to join, what do you tell them about the RPR?
> That the community itself is very warm and supportive of its members -- new or regular -- and is very accepting/flexible with all styles and forms. These are only few of what makes me love the site so much, but I think these are enough to make someone want to join the site (or me, if it were to happen again)!
3. If I could only add or change ONE thing about the site in 2016, what would you want that addition or change to be?
> Honestly, not much comes to mind. Though I certainly would like the ping system as some others have suggested. It doesn't have to happen immediately as I think the site's already great as it is.
4. What events or contests have you participated in on the RPR so far, and which was your favorite? What kind of events would you like to see more of?
> I was quite inactive last year to participate in contests, and though I'm busier nowadays, I try to find time to be active. Just recently, I've participated in the holiday event, FOBETEO, and loved it a lot. I most definitely want to experience Epic Week this coming April!
@Ember - can you say what you would want in a mobile app that the mobile site does not provide?
Q1. It's weird how, but ThePsychicBruiser told me about this place and I signed up. We met through deviantart through a rather conceited and egotistic person whom we suspected was young, and it just spiraled from there.
Q2. Joining again? I'm too new to answer this. Though the one thing I would advertise to people is "put effort in, get fun out."
Q3. Creation of an official app for RPR. This way I'm more inclined to get my lazy bum here to check what usually turns out to be nothing (Curse you Xenoblade Chronicles X!).
Q4. I haven't been on here long enough for an event, unfortunately.
Q2. Joining again? I'm too new to answer this. Though the one thing I would advertise to people is "put effort in, get fun out."
Q3. Creation of an official app for RPR. This way I'm more inclined to get my lazy bum here to check what usually turns out to be nothing (Curse you Xenoblade Chronicles X!).
Q4. I haven't been on here long enough for an event, unfortunately.
How did you originally find the RPR? What convinced you to join?
I lurked a lot in the past (like, a couple years before my join date), and then I lurked a lot right before joining. One of the selling points for me were the customisable character pages that just made information very organised. It was, and still is, very pleasing to look at characters one has worked on, and see this wonderfully crafted set of pages dedicated to them and their information, tailored to how the creator would like to introduce them to others that are interested in them.
If you were to join again today, what would be the one thing that someone/we could tell you about the site that you think would make you want to join?
Or, put another way, if you are trying to convince someone else to join, what do you tell them about the RPR?
Customisable character profiles, hands down. Customisation is a huge thing for me -- I love it in video games, I love having the freedom to portray and exhibit my writing and characters in a way that is aesthetically pleasing to me.
If I were to convince someone to join RPR, I would definitely start with this site having one of the friendliest communities I have ever been a part of. Everyone is so helpful and happy, and just in general nice to one another. It's so refreshing when there are communities that don't offer the same kind of warmth that RPR has in my time of being here and getting to know so many great people.
If I could only add or change ONE thing about the site in 2016, what would you want that addition or change to be?
Ohhh man... um... there's not too terribly much, to be honest. Ahaha... I'm pretty content with the site and how it is now. ; v ; I guess the only thing would be adding a pinging system like my fiancé pointed out when he joined just so it's easier to tell when someone mentioned you in a thread, or would like to call your attention to something if ever you're offline and can't immediately see it for yourself.
What events or contests have you participated in on the RPR so far, and which was your favorite? What kind of events would you like to see more of?
Epic Week was the first event I ever participated in, mostly because it happened pretty shortly after I joined at the time, and I was like, "yeah, I'm down for the art aspect of this." That was really fun to just design a mascot character for the site's new portal collage.
However, I really liked the Halloween event, maybe a little bit more. Personally, anyways. It was really fun just to have an excuse to RP with people no matter what background or universe restrictions were. It was a nice time to just pal around and start new connections, and even make new RP partners.
I lurked a lot in the past (like, a couple years before my join date), and then I lurked a lot right before joining. One of the selling points for me were the customisable character pages that just made information very organised. It was, and still is, very pleasing to look at characters one has worked on, and see this wonderfully crafted set of pages dedicated to them and their information, tailored to how the creator would like to introduce them to others that are interested in them.
If you were to join again today, what would be the one thing that someone/we could tell you about the site that you think would make you want to join?
Or, put another way, if you are trying to convince someone else to join, what do you tell them about the RPR?
Customisable character profiles, hands down. Customisation is a huge thing for me -- I love it in video games, I love having the freedom to portray and exhibit my writing and characters in a way that is aesthetically pleasing to me.
If I were to convince someone to join RPR, I would definitely start with this site having one of the friendliest communities I have ever been a part of. Everyone is so helpful and happy, and just in general nice to one another. It's so refreshing when there are communities that don't offer the same kind of warmth that RPR has in my time of being here and getting to know so many great people.
If I could only add or change ONE thing about the site in 2016, what would you want that addition or change to be?
Ohhh man... um... there's not too terribly much, to be honest. Ahaha... I'm pretty content with the site and how it is now. ; v ; I guess the only thing would be adding a pinging system like my fiancé pointed out when he joined just so it's easier to tell when someone mentioned you in a thread, or would like to call your attention to something if ever you're offline and can't immediately see it for yourself.
What events or contests have you participated in on the RPR so far, and which was your favorite? What kind of events would you like to see more of?
Epic Week was the first event I ever participated in, mostly because it happened pretty shortly after I joined at the time, and I was like, "yeah, I'm down for the art aspect of this." That was really fun to just design a mascot character for the site's new portal collage.
However, I really liked the Halloween event, maybe a little bit more. Personally, anyways. It was really fun just to have an excuse to RP with people no matter what background or universe restrictions were. It was a nice time to just pal around and start new connections, and even make new RP partners.
I found rpr because my friend purquito_drone told me about it because we rp on facebook and alot of our extra accounts for characters get taken down.
I would tell them about the individual character profiles!!!! Soooo nice!!!!
Addition of a roleplay search bar, to search by genre or add an '18+ only' feature into the current search.
Ive only been part of the FOBETO but i would love to be a part of different contests and events!
I would tell them about the individual character profiles!!!! Soooo nice!!!!
Addition of a roleplay search bar, to search by genre or add an '18+ only' feature into the current search.
Ive only been part of the FOBETO but i would love to be a part of different contests and events!
Q1: I found this site after my friend, AnimeLover17, told me about it on Miiverse, right after the Update. I was a little skeptical about it, but I don't regret it!!
Q2: Ah, well, honestly, when I first came through that door around five months ago, I had no clue what there was I could do OOC, like that chat and all. I feel like there should be more places where it tells people about these areas.
Q3. Hm, that's a hard one. I'm not technical wizard, but perhaps you could do something like Groups where people sign up for a roleplay and the Original Poster gets a GM tag which they may pass on to someone else, and that GM only thingy text can work outside of groups? I dunno.
Q4. I've only participated in two events. I believe my input here is invalid
Q2: Ah, well, honestly, when I first came through that door around five months ago, I had no clue what there was I could do OOC, like that chat and all. I feel like there should be more places where it tells people about these areas.
Q3. Hm, that's a hard one. I'm not technical wizard, but perhaps you could do something like Groups where people sign up for a roleplay and the Original Poster gets a GM tag which they may pass on to someone else, and that GM only thingy text can work outside of groups? I dunno.
Q4. I've only participated in two events. I believe my input here is invalid
A link where?
Asroc
December 12, 2015
4:06pm
Sadly, it's embarrassing how I found it. I found it through a link. Found thisplace was canon character friendly.
How did you originally find the RPR? What convinced you to join?
I was on a M.U.S.H. and saw a link to someone's profile here. I checked it out, and the rest of the site, and was intrigued. It took a while to actually join up and all, but that was how I found it. The sense of community and the way so many different styles and tastes were catered to was definitely one of the main reasons I finally joined.
If you were to join again today, what would be the one thing that someone/we could tell you about the site that you think would make you want to join? Or, put another way, if you are trying to convince someone else to join, what do you tell them about the RPR?
That it really is a large community, with people trying to come together for stories without necessarily shoving beliefs andtastes and styles and whatnot down each other's throats. That it's a thriving community, too, and one with the headmistress actually taking a part in things, actually communicating, often, with the users.
If I could only add or change ONE thing about the site in 2016, what would you want that addition or change to be?
Honestly? I'd rather either ditch the kudos system, or at least revamp it and add in a counterpoint, where people can list things they didn't like. As it stands, it's one-sided, and to my mind rather dishonest, not to mention not terribly useful. It's fine to have people say such-and-such is fine and awesome and whatnot, but what about detractors? Surely dissenting opinions are just as useful, if not more useful. Maybe someone is otherwise great but posts infrequently, or maybe they've stirred up some drama, or whatever else. While I don't think it's bad to sing praises, I just think that to be more useful, it should be more balanced.
What events or contests have you participated in on the RPR so far, and which was your favorite? What kind of events would you like to see more of?
I actually haven't, yet. Don't really have the time for many of them. :>
I was on a M.U.S.H. and saw a link to someone's profile here. I checked it out, and the rest of the site, and was intrigued. It took a while to actually join up and all, but that was how I found it. The sense of community and the way so many different styles and tastes were catered to was definitely one of the main reasons I finally joined.
If you were to join again today, what would be the one thing that someone/we could tell you about the site that you think would make you want to join? Or, put another way, if you are trying to convince someone else to join, what do you tell them about the RPR?
That it really is a large community, with people trying to come together for stories without necessarily shoving beliefs andtastes and styles and whatnot down each other's throats. That it's a thriving community, too, and one with the headmistress actually taking a part in things, actually communicating, often, with the users.
If I could only add or change ONE thing about the site in 2016, what would you want that addition or change to be?
Honestly? I'd rather either ditch the kudos system, or at least revamp it and add in a counterpoint, where people can list things they didn't like. As it stands, it's one-sided, and to my mind rather dishonest, not to mention not terribly useful. It's fine to have people say such-and-such is fine and awesome and whatnot, but what about detractors? Surely dissenting opinions are just as useful, if not more useful. Maybe someone is otherwise great but posts infrequently, or maybe they've stirred up some drama, or whatever else. While I don't think it's bad to sing praises, I just think that to be more useful, it should be more balanced.
What events or contests have you participated in on the RPR so far, and which was your favorite? What kind of events would you like to see more of?
I actually haven't, yet. Don't really have the time for many of them. :>
How did you originally find the RPR? What convinced you to join?
I originally found it when I was desperately Googling roleplay sites that would work on mobile, so it didn't take much to convince me to join The part that took convincing was getting me to stay since I was kind of all over the place at that time, but this site kind of grounded me and the community was amazing. Within a week, it felt like home, even if it was just a website. Plus, it didn't hurt that such a beautiful site has pretty much no lag, which is very hard to do!
If you were to join again today, what would be the one thing that someone/we could tell you about the site that you think would make you want to join?
Or, put another way, if you are trying to convince someone else to join, what do you tell them about the RPR?
I always tell them about the fantastic community; my friends rarely need much convincing after they see the website for themselves, though
I originally found it when I was desperately Googling roleplay sites that would work on mobile, so it didn't take much to convince me to join
The part that took convincing was getting me to stay since I was kind of all over the place at that time, but this site kind of grounded me and the community was amazing. Within a week, it felt like home, even if it was just a website. Plus, it didn't hurt that such a beautiful site has pretty much no lag, which is very hard to do!If you were to join again today, what would be the one thing that someone/we could tell you about the site that you think would make you want to join?
Or, put another way, if you are trying to convince someone else to join, what do you tell them about the RPR?
I always tell them about the fantastic community; my friends rarely need much convincing after they see the website for themselves, though
I have been away so long and am out of sync a bit, so here's a belated participation in the question thingy you posed us:
Q1: People were drawing attention to the RPR in deviantArt journals. I believe there was some sort of contest involved as well, although really just the promise of being able to make pretty character profiles was enough for me.
Q2. I do most of my rping on tumblr these days, because the TES fandom is more active there. One thing you must know about tumblr is that there's quite a negative atmosphere. People are often anxious to ask others for rp, hate runs rampant, and people may feel like they walk on eggshells with every post due to self-proclaimed social justice warriors that seem to have misunderstood everything social justice stands for. When I tell people about RPR, I tell them that RPR does have a very welcoming, kind and relaxed atmosphere, where there is no unchecked anonymous hate and where people are much more likely to resolve conflict in mature and reasonable ways. RPR always was and still is by far and away and without a shadow of doubt, the friendliest community I've ever been part of.
Q3. Oh, shush. You know it's already perfect. I have nothing but good to say about RPR. I'm sure you can think of many more ways to make it even better, but I for one am stumped.
Q4. I joined a few art contests in the distant past. I enjoyed them a lot. I wouldn't have time for such a thing anymore myself, but seeing other people's art is always a treat. I was also always happy to see other kinds of contests to cater to a wide variety of talents and interests. That's most important, I think; to have something for everyone.
Q1: People were drawing attention to the RPR in deviantArt journals. I believe there was some sort of contest involved as well, although really just the promise of being able to make pretty character profiles was enough for me.
Q2. I do most of my rping on tumblr these days, because the TES fandom is more active there. One thing you must know about tumblr is that there's quite a negative atmosphere. People are often anxious to ask others for rp, hate runs rampant, and people may feel like they walk on eggshells with every post due to self-proclaimed social justice warriors that seem to have misunderstood everything social justice stands for. When I tell people about RPR, I tell them that RPR does have a very welcoming, kind and relaxed atmosphere, where there is no unchecked anonymous hate and where people are much more likely to resolve conflict in mature and reasonable ways. RPR always was and still is by far and away and without a shadow of doubt, the friendliest community I've ever been part of.
Q3. Oh, shush. You know it's already perfect. I have nothing but good to say about RPR. I'm sure you can think of many more ways to make it even better, but I for one am stumped.
Q4. I joined a few art contests in the distant past. I enjoyed them a lot. I wouldn't have time for such a thing anymore myself, but seeing other people's art is always a treat. I was also always happy to see other kinds of contests to cater to a wide variety of talents and interests. That's most important, I think; to have something for everyone.
PlayerArc
December 16, 2015
12:39pm