Breakfast Topic: Are you a closet roleplayer?
by Peter Anargirou 
May 25th 2011 at 8:00AM
Most players don't actively roleplay in World of Warcraft -- however, it sure seems like some people do without realizing it. Tabards, when not being used for reputations, are usually picked for cosmetic reasons, as are mounts and non-combat pets. Faction loyalty can be seen as another type of roleplaying. A lot of people seem to hate Garrosh, even though his character doesn't actively affect raiding or PVP.
Personally, I like to think about what my character would think of things. I might not roleplay in game, but I know his political opinions. I've created some backstory for why he feels the way he does and why he became his class. After seeing his mother die, he knew he had to be a healer, and the priesthood seemed the best choice for someone distancing himself from the more barbaric ways of the Darkspear. There are even some quests I've completed that I've felt my character, story-wise, would never have actually done (such as killing Alliance members without provocation). Despite these tendencies, I don't actually engage in any roleplaying in the game.
Do you ever do any kind of roleplaying, even if it's in your head? Have you thought about your character's personality or history? Do you ever think about how your character feels about the various faction leaders and the recent changes in power?
Filed under: Breakfast Topics, Guest Posts
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
MattKrotzer May 25th 2011 8:06AM
I'm a roleplayer. I'm quite open about it, though. I know a lot of people who "closet RP." It amuses me, because several of them never actively roleplay, but are very vehement about things like gear appearances, costumes or lore issues. Great topic, Peter!
Avan May 25th 2011 8:42AM
Is being interested in the lore really roleplaying, though? I think not. Discussing questions like "what direction is Sylvanas headed in" or "is Nozdormu the leader of the Infinite Dragonflight" isn't roleplaying, as there is no role to play when talking. Granted, discussions about what some of the implications are for your character is dipping into RP territory (pretty significantly, I might add), but the mere act of discussing the lore is not RP.
Kurtis May 25th 2011 8:47AM
And "lore" is an anagram of "role", so...
MattKrotzer May 25th 2011 8:52AM
Agreed, being into the lore doesn't make you a closet RPer.
However, I think if you start arguing about Garrosh as warchief, or why Varian Wrynn isn't fit to lead the Alliance, you're probably investing some portion of your character's viewpoint into it, putting yourself in their position and questioning why things are the way they are.
I rather thought that was the point of the article. How many people are RPing without even realizing?
Moeru May 25th 2011 9:22AM
I think everyone RPs to a point when playing a game. No one sees themselves as a person sitting in a chair pushing buttons. Even if you're playing the role of the jerk DPS who keeps spamming DPS charts and thinks they're awesome, chances are you don't go around work flashing your performance reports to everyone and telling them they suck. People act differently in game, like they do in real life for different situations. The exception, of course, is people living simple lives (which is okay, not saying these people are stupid) and are as genuine in real life as in game. But for the most part, people tend to play roles when they play a game, even if it's not tied to the game's lore or story.
Personally I feel it helps to give my characters story and personality, but I find that RP in WoW is too drama-driven, and that generally adventure is discouraged, which is what I would want. I've known only one person who could make adventure RP fun and he stopped playing, so for now I just RP for myself.
Cowboy May 25th 2011 8:13AM
i wish i had the nerve to roleplay like my D&D days....Its best I dont, cause those female belfs would get me in trouble
Elmouth May 25th 2011 12:38PM
It's not so much nerves as it is growing up.
It's easy as hell to roleplay when you're twelve, but the older you get, the more things you have going on in your life, the less interesting and the harder it gets to roleplay someone else.
Draelan May 25th 2011 1:40PM
@ Elmouth
I disagree with your reasons why growing older makes RPing harder. It's not that it becomes harder or less interesting, it's because "playing make believe" as an adult is socially frowned upon.
Imagine if you will, a park. You have a group of children there, playing a game, say, Cops and Robbers. They could be running around and playing their role as either a "cop" or a "robber" with great enthusiasm and you probably wouldn't bat an eye.
Now, imagine the same situation with a bunch of fully grown adults. Same game, same enthusiasm, but you'd likely have a very different reaction.
It's part of why D&D players have such a social stigma associated with them, and while the anonymous nature of the internet may help some overcome these boundaries and be able to RP in game, even if they never would in real life, it's still a bit of a leap of faith to get there.
Also, for the record so there's no misinterpretations, I have no issues with roleplayers, and am a closet roleplayer myself. I'm just pointing out why I think people have a tough time with roleplaying. =)
Noyou May 25th 2011 5:07PM
@Draelan
Agreed very much. As somewhat of a writer I do still cling to my childish nature for the most part and it helps me think of things differently. Whenever creating characters it helps having different perspectives to lean on and flesh them out. I do not know if I am a closet RPer as much as I am a sometimeRPer. I do make active choices for mounts/shirts/companion pets based on my toons. Even if it is more because I don't want to be repetitive I like for them to have their own identity. And every one and again I will /e a line or two as my char would in the game :)
Elmouth May 26th 2011 2:41PM
@Draelan
Social stigma doesn't affect anyone on the internet...
Fox Van Allen May 25th 2011 8:13AM
Awwww, Foxlight.
Thayer May 25th 2011 8:44AM
Took me one brief second to glance at that pic and realize it was Foxlight, and then I got all nostalgic. We miss you on Zangarmarsh!! :( Come back and visit anytime, we'll welcome you back with open arms. You don't need a WoW Insider article to play with us! Foxlight needs playtime too!
AudreyR May 25th 2011 8:47AM
I still miss that shirtless paladin.
Alas, young Foxlight!
Wherever have you gone.
I'd return your shirt, if you'd return.
You don't have to put it on. ;)
Matt May 25th 2011 8:17AM
For the longest time prior to WoW, I refused to play any race/class that could be seen as Evil, such as Dark Elves or Shadow Knights. But my boyfriend had rolled Horde, and while not evil per say the blood elves had been made playable characters and they were the only model I liked of the Horde races. So I wrote a back history that my Blood Elf's family was running a caravan through the Barrens when those nasty saber riding Night Elves killed everyone leaving my young Blood Elf an orphan. Found by a Tauren Shaman, the young elf was raised among the nature loving cow men. And so she's not full out evil as many Blood Elves are.
Shinae May 26th 2011 12:40AM
I guess this doesn't matter if you're not RPing with others, but just so you know...
The first appearance of high elves in Kalimdor was only about 10 years ago (from current game time) when they came over with the Alliance to defend Hyjal against Archimonde. After that, the Scourge tore through Quel'Thalas and the surviving high elves became known as blood elves (unless they defected). Considering it takes 60 years for an elf to reach maturity, your raised-by-tauren elf was either already pretty close to maturity or is still a child.
http://wow.joystiq.com/2011/05/08/all-the-worlds-a-stage-elves-and-timelines-in-roleplay/
I don't mean to rain on your parade, as I appreciate anyone discovering the enjoyment of RP. I just want to help you avoid confusion and wierd looks if you ever do RP with others.
Ebrion May 25th 2011 8:18AM
I plany DnD and Larp, damn right I roleplay in WoW.
MusedMoose May 25th 2011 8:19AM
Oh, definitely. I tend to think like my character when I'm playing, so I know whether or not they'd do certain quests, I know the professions they'd take, I know what goals they'd pursue. I think it comes from playing tabletop RPGs for years - it's hard for me to play a fictional character, in any medium, and *not* start RPing, even if it's just in my head.
For example, when playing my fire mage, I tend to think of her giggling maniacally when she sets off Combustion or just does a ridiculous amount of damage, 'cause that's the kind of loony she is. ^_^ And somehow I imagine her looking forward to the new Hyjal dailies in 4.2, because it means she'll get to own a bird that's on fire, and what's cooler than that?
Mortenebra May 25th 2011 8:51AM
I agree with you wholeheartedly, MM (may I call you MM?). I actually feel like I wouldn't be able to play my character, class and role as fully, or as well, without getting into the head of my character... Or letting the character be in my head, as it were. I have a tendency to smirk when things run up to me and, when they're about to deliver a crushing blow, suddenly get frozen in place; and I like to think that my hunter smirks at the same time, because she is just that smart and confident. When a creature is making a beeline for a healer and it decides that the orc warrior with plate armor and a shield is a tastier target, I silently congratulate myself on another MD well done.
And to top it all off? Even as a raider and all, I get giddy when I do things that DON'T involve my damage or dps. I feel like I don't do my character justice if I'm just standing there firing arrow after arrow. She has more tools in her arsenal than that. She's more than just an efficient and potent damage-dealer. Despite all that, she really likes animals. My hunter's fondness for her pets (and no, there's no suggestive theme here) stems from my RL lack of pets, no thanks to allergies. I love the loyalty and security of dogs; my character's wolf is her main pet. But I also love the grace and power of cats, which matches the attitude and personality of my hunter. That, and kitties are cute!
It's kind of like the end to Season 3 of "The Guild," when Sid's character starts talking to her. My character really is everything that I wished I was, right down to her lack of hesitation when she hears that Crossroads is being attacked (yet again) on the winds-- that is, I see a message on Global Defense. She straps on her gear and heroically flies her drake to Crossroads and turns the offending Alliance player into a pincushion to teach 'em a lesson. In real life, I freeze when I see someone do something wrong or less than scrupulous, afraid to get involved because I'm not sure if I can throw a punch or take a punch. There's no feign death irl, unfortunately.
bldavis59 May 25th 2011 1:45PM
I am the same way, i may not RPWalk or do emotes, but i definetly think of my characters when i play
For example, my Tankadin in wrath was a crusader of the light and sought to bring down arthas
he was prot to protect his fellow crusaders, and when he wasnt needed for that purpose, got himself a biga** 2hd weapon and beat the crap out of scourge (seriously, when i would get bored i would go to IC and solo any and all elites i could find!)
my current main toons are
dranei warrior that feels it is best to help protect those weaker then you, but when you are alone you kill things MUCH faster with fast strong strikes with a 2hd weapon (prot/arms)
dwarf priest who just wants to help everyone, but is disgusted by the shadow (he is holy/shadow right now, but that is just cause i am too lazy to get him respecced to holy/disc i raid as holy)
nelf druid that is in tune with the primal nature of being a druid, and thus enjoys ripping into his foes with his claws in cat form, or bashing thier skulls in with his big bear paws (lol yes he is a lil bloodthirsty)
and my main has been and always will be my dwarf hunter..he was my very first toon and the reason i bought wow
anyway - if you played through the alliance intro to TH, you saw the kind of dwarf Gleagh is
Flintlocke, Fargo Flintlocke ......
LESS TALKIN MORE SHOOTIN!
enough chitchat, LETS BLOW SUMTHIN UP!
then again that is how my rogues are too...
all of them are goblin engineers...BIG BOOM! lol
i recently transfered to a RP server, and have found myself enjoying doing more and more RP through whispers with various RPers i have ran across on the server.
so i guess i am a pseudo-closet RPer I RP, but only through whispers, or in my own head!
velaij May 25th 2011 8:20AM
I have played since the beginning of TBC, but only recently have I RP'd anything: A belf fury warrior (because it's funny to think of a belf as a raging berserker), and a goblin rogue who, before the shattering, made a profit selling stolen inventions (his most unsuccessful caper involved a rocket powered water bottle).