Roleplaying gets such a laughable reputation in this game because people are really, really bad at it. I hate to generalize, but the majority of RPing I've seen has just been an outlet for mundane teenage angst. In fact, scroll down on the main page and check out the latest Addon Spotlight. The picture is HILARIOUS because it's dead accurate - everyone "in character" is a cookie-cutter dark, brooding protagonist with a deep sadness inside and an eye scar. Nobody wants to roleplay the cobbler who makes your boots. Nobody wants to be Fergus the Farmhand. Everyone is the lead from a Final Fantasy game, with a deep sorrow just begging those around to say, "Hey, why the brood?"

That's fine, if you're still angsty enough to buy into it, but when you look at WoW the game, it really doesn't support that sort of character. It's an extremely lighthearted and humorous game, plus it breaks the third wall itself every other quest.

The other thing is that RPing really amounts to writing fiction in real time, without the benefit of editing, or, for that matter, skill. So you've got all these generic, cookie-cutter personas and everyone is roleplaying the same dang role. If you think your RPing is different, well, so does every other RPer. Fact is, you probably read like an emo lyric sheet just like everyone else.

In conclusion, be thankful people don't roleplay all the time, because it would only become more transparent. Watching people dive headfirst into literary pitfalls is easier to take in small doses.

Standard disclaimer: I realize there are some RPers out there fighting the good fight. Rock on, you guys, and if you're insulted you can just pretend you're one of these people. If you do flame me, as I appear to be flaming the RP populace, at least do it eloquently.

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