I kind of find it hilarious that Spandex is equated with lack of realism while some body armor is. Any fantastic material that some how stands up to the pressures of super heroing is far beyond the norm no body armor does what this game requires perhaps some sort of powered armor or all nudist group is what he's looking for?
*comes in late*
...
*evesdrops*
...
*buts in*
I normally just stay out of this type of thing as my "alignment" and the "alignment" of others doesn't mesh, often.
I totally get what the OP is looking for, I think we all are looking for that (if we get down with the RP).
I have never been able to RP in any MMO I have tried. The format is all wrong. Action oriented and fast paced game play at odd with the often slow typing of others just doesn't mix well. I have absolutely nothing against RP (especially the OP's style of RP) I used to regularly play PnP RP games like Champions, D&D, CYberPunk 2020, early Vampire/Werewolf and RIFTS. The group I gamed with had fairly strict rules while playing concerning RP...
If it's said at in the room we're playing in, it's in character.
that's it.
In an MMO the ((ooc)) nonsense detracts from the immersion. Then there's the current 'passing' RP comments like,
"wwwwsssssSUpr Dude hear to save teh day!".
We've all seen them, cheesy boasts with typos and a software bug (or whatever causes that). So I thing what makes for good RP, well the OP gets most of it, humanity and humanity lost, interesting and broken characters the give the entire RP group a reason to "suspend disbelief" thus adding "realism" to the experience.
I've experienced this with tabletop RPGs. I've been to Sigil at the center of the multiverse looking into a portal to that leads to a primematerial world housed in a cabinet in the storage room of a bar full of nearly indescribable creatures (D&D 2nd edition Planescape). I've Infiltrated the Night CIty Arasaka Tower while my roommate perfomed an impromptu rock concert to steal weapons to sell to the Nomads on the edge of the DMZ and sat back and watched while Arasaka's hired mercs slaughtered them because the Nomad leader sold my fixer a bad Deck that fried my friends neuralware processor, leaving him in a coma (Cyberpunk 2020).
All possible by flawed characters/players in a RPG where they can actually speak to each other. MMOs prohibit this RP utopia with the confines of typed speech.
A final word to the OP, what you need is a good pen and paper group or a SG that uses Ventrillo/Teamspeak in a somewhat required fashion.
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I'm pretty sure that the heroes of the silver age were still meant to be, you know, people.
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No, they didn't act like fully fleshed out people. Unless the only people you happened to know where extremely conservative with a whole laundry list of items they won't even allow themselves to say, I imagine. The comics code was a huge hindrance on portraying real life situations. I can see the appeal of silver age comics if you grew up watching BAM! POW! Batman on TV, but otherwise I don't get it. The pulp era was so much better, to me, and so was everything once the CC dropped a little. Silver age comics are nostalgic the way people imagine the 50's was, rather than how it actually was.
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A final word to the OP, what you need is a good pen and paper group or a SG that uses Ventrillo/Teamspeak in a somewhat required fashion.
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Wow, I can't think of a thing that would make me want to RP less than listening to people trying to talk in-character over ventrilo. Ugh. Ultimate immersion breaker.
((Why is the (( )) nonsense? Sometimes it's better to go ((House is on fire. BRB)) than to have your character say, "Er... those tacos I had for lunch are getting to me -- I'll be back in a few." It's certainly better than having that curvy redhead your hero hangs out with speak in a deep, gruff baritone over Teamspeak. 
But, different strokes...
And I understand completely what the OP is talking about. I got it right away. Sure you can have realistically played characters in a fantasy setting. There's even a literary genre called fantasy realism.
It can be a lot of fun to play a Silver-Agey superhero. And contrary to what many believe, you can even have interesting dramatic moments with those type characters. But it's also fun to play your character with realistic emotions, reactions, and -- in as much as the game allows -- realistic consequences for their actions.
I don't see what everyone here is arguing about. Even the "real" world is largely based on our perceptions of it. One person's real world might be a world based on hard work and moral living. Another person might see that as fake, and their world is based on scrapping and scraping and "do unto others before they do unto you". One person's idea of "real" is a benevolent god with whom they can have conversations and from whom they gain help and guidance. Another person might argue that kind of belief to be the ultimate expression of escapism and delusion.
I believe you do what you need to to get by in life. And I do what I need to to have fun playing my game. If it means (( )) and angsty role-play, then -- GO ME! ))
((Damn wife agro, gotta go raid the bed!))
Teeheehee
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((Damn wife agro, gotta go raid the bed!))
Teeheehee
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((You been eavesdropping on my rp?))
No >.>;
((Are you sure? >:1 ))
Nah, used to make those jokes seven years ago back in EQ when during raiding one of our male leaders would say, "Crap, I gotta go. Sorry all, have fun with the rest of the raid." Then we'd all give the whole "Wife agro"-nod... 9 out of 10 times that's exactly what it was xD
((Hehe! Can't think of a better excuse to go afk though. ))
I could think of a few but getting "some" seems to have all the dudes nod in agreement. Just hope your leader isn't a woman. xD
Ours was, so it was funny to see her [censored].
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Nah, used to make those jokes seven years ago back in EQ when during raiding one of our male leaders would say, "Crap, I gotta go. Sorry all, have fun with the rest of the raid." Then we'd all give the whole "Wife agro"-nod... 9 out of 10 times that's exactly what it was xD
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You know you said this and it reminds me of my better half. Shes the one who got me into playing MMOs in the first place. We both play together and yet its still possible for me to catch wife agro
It sad that we men just cant win even in the virtual world.
Well, I'll admit the teamspeak/ventrillo idea wasn't thought through all the way, forgot about folks that play alternate gendered toons. However, I suddenly think that the Venture Brother's character Dr. Mrs. the Monarch (nee Dr. Girlfriend) was inspired by just such an occurrence.
Also the nonsense I speak of regarding ((ooc stuff)) to me is nonsense because I can never remember to do it. It's a hassle to type when keeping 'in the moment' with any RP comments while engaged in combat. It's bad enough that a group often rounds a corner while I'm 5 steps behind trying to type. That's when 7 other people see the, "wwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaasssss9(hld up,, need d to getet a drink))00" comment from me. I was basically admitting to being 'that guy'.
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And for those who want the tl;dr version: So what if it's a comic? it can be a good, realistic comic.
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Box Office Poison was a great realistic comic. Not sure if it'd work as an MMO. But it was a fantastic read.
There are a lot of realistic comics out there, specially since it is easier for independants to get out. As for the limitations of RPing in MMO's, it takes some getting use to. the standard (()) and the *action* and the bunch of other little details. I think that most of those that look for the more deep RPing is because they are PnP RPers. Only down side is that you end up hanging around and basically doing nothing while the conversations happen, so you can easily play 2 or 3 hrs without a single xp.
As for the Ventrilo coment...at first I thought it might be a good idea. Till I realized that the busty redhead my toon is hitting on might sound like a late night trucker.
I could never RP on a voice chat. It would break any suspension of disbelief I may have. I've never managed to sit through a tabletop RP session without wanting to laugh, frankly.
The OOC stuff and the parentheses? Don't bother me at all. I simply separate the conversation into two parallel tracks - if I am inclined, more. I can easily be having an RP session on one tab, and a friendly chat OOC with the same people on another, and it doesn't break immersion.
The tendency to pull Dei ex Machinae or otherwise finagle with basic realism? That breaks my immersion instantly. I make sufficient room for throwing fireballs around - barely - I have no space left for a godlike entity with perfect morals.
Now, because this sort of thing annoys me, I must add this:
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Do I play a 17 year old kid who just found his abilities,reading comics his whole life he wants to be like them and live by a better standard then jabbing a blade in someones eye,or shooting someone in the crotch,Sure he is barley keeping a D average in school,drools at ever big busted female toon.And should it come up great.But we are not reading a comic here we are playing a MMO many of us with limited time so forgive me if I don't have the ex-junkie,abused, car stealing,Hellion bangin kid who get his powers and now wants to be the world's Supra bad [censored].If that is your perception of realism have at it!!
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Pardon, but how is time or lack of thereof relevant? Do you suppose that more time online somehow correlated with more angsty characters? or, perhaps, with realistic approaches? I confess, I am confused. I never managed to spot the tendency you speak of. In fact, I am a little upset that you seem to imply those of us who want to stick to realism simply "don't have a life".
Secondly, consistency of comic universes has nothign to do with realism. Not that I read comics - I don't, due to disinclination and inability (yes, I am a literati snob) - but I do know they are created by a dozen authors and a score of artists over decades. Even a single author with one series cannot be completely consistent. How do you expect twenty to succeed?
Cynics of the world, unite!
Taking Care of the Multiverse
First I like to thank the OP interesting comments,but now I am confused which for me is very easy.Let me help you out, if I wanted to say you didn't have a life I would simply do so with no remorse or care of consquences in doing so,also I am truely not smart enough to imply anything through witty or not so witty words,sorry just isn't me,whatever your issues are those are yours to deal with!
Now as far as time goes do I believe someone with 7.2 hours of game time a day can flesh out thier toon,create small vices and angst compare to someone who has 2.5 hours a day and STILL accomplish certain apsects of the game,yes,yes,yes but maybe thats just me,as I said before I ain't that smart maybe time has no factor whatsoever *shrugs*
And finally by your admission you don't read comics but still had something to say on the matter in my post,so let try another avenue.In any literature,movies or tv show there is a realism created by that shows verse and many times there is a "bible" of the characters so that when other writers come in you don't have the characters break the realism of the show,so for example Lets not have the Cheerleader suck someones brain through a garden hose with no explaination,then later episodes never do it again (Ok David Lynch aside :P)) yes 20 writers will have versions and not stay consistent with other writers thats going to happen but when Batman starts to fly back and forth to the sun via is own natural ability with no explaination and now its taken as matter of fact,IMO "Realsim" of that comic has been broken.
Lastly I am not saying anyones dark,moody,violent,battered,angsty,hateful,powerfu l,vampire,witch,demi-god,soldier for hire isn't realistic,but don't point your finger in my chest and say my young,brash,adventerous,american loving,spandex wearing isn't realistic,be happy in your world as I will be in mine.
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The tendency to pull Dei ex Machinae or otherwise finagle with basic realism? That breaks my immersion instantly. I make sufficient room for throwing fireballs around - barely - I have no space left for a godlike entity with perfect morals.
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SO the idea of Someone like Ghandi ot Mother Theresa, or what have you with superpowers is unrealistic? I've met plenty of real people over the years with strong moral codes, maybe not as common as more flexable types but they aren't unrealistic.
But reality is probably stranger than most people who cry for realism would want to believe, for example there was a man during ww2 who fell out of a plane without a parachute and survived with minor injuries. Completely unrealistic.. but it happened.
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I could never RP on a voice chat. It would break any suspension of disbelief I may have. I've never managed to sit through a tabletop RP session without wanting to laugh, frankly.
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I discovered crochet. The need to concentrate on my stitchwork helps me maintain a poker face. It was absolutely vital during one campaign where I was essentially playing a double agent and pretending to be an ally to the rest of the PCs at the same time. You have no idea how hard it is to keep a straight face when you see the rest of the table getting perplexed over being thwarted by some juicy machinations you managed to set up without their being any wiser.
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If SCORPIO doesn't pan out for you, give the Guardian Angels a look if you like. Though it does sound like they might be closer to what you're looking for, so good luck with 'em. I don't know any of them but their concept is very cool.
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That's true, it is cool. :P
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If SCORPIO doesn't pan out for you, give the Guardian Angels a look if you like. Though it does sound like they might be closer to what you're looking for, so good luck with 'em. I don't know any of them but their concept is very cool.
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That's true, it is cool. :P
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The man lies! We torture orphans...
No really on the topic at hand I've always been more for the "realistic" themes. Vigilantes, mercenaries, normal people who fight against mounting odds. Normal people who just happen to be really good at what they do.
I struggled the few times I tried to play the classic cape, I had trouble getting into the theme. I've been part of two more realistic groups now and loved both.
I guess its kinda the difference between say the Marvel Universe and the Marvel Max universe. Little bit more gritty, little bit less glamor and shine. And characters I have an easier time relating to.
Well ok, and playing the tough as nails rifle and explosives toting chick is just fun.
Regular humans are boring
Also, Guardian Angels has a catgirl now, I think.
And a Raccoon Girl...
And a Bat Girl (me)
So yeah..
Characters!:
Pinny - Scrapper
Shadewing - Defender
@Pinny
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Regular humans are boring
Also, Guardian Angels has a catgirl now, I think.
And a Raccoon Girl...
And a Bat Girl (me)
So yeah..
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We've got three catgirls at this point, actually. Though I'm pretty sure none of them are "kawaii" or whatever. Though I guess if they were... tough.
And a QR to those who seem very worried about the big, bad "realistic" RPers raining on their parade for whatever reason. I won't presume to speak for anyone else on this thread, as I forget who was saying what. But I don't think I've ever witnessed anyone who wasn't an obvious griefer or moron give anyone a hard time about not being "realistic" enough. Almost no one on this server really gives a damn what kind of character you want to play so long as you treat other RPers with respect and don't try to shove your personal tastes down their throats or otherwise be a disruptive pain in the neck. There will always be a small handful of big mouths who'd like to convince you otherwise. It's reactionary hype, don't buy it.
*Breathes out slowly* I almost never ever get into these because I am not going to change anyones mind nor are they going to change my mind.But when we use the word "Realism/Realsitic" in a on-line Superhero game this term is vague at best.Now there can be different perceptions of realism depending on each person,and I really don't give a flying fig what your perception of realism or realistic theme is if you like it go with it but don't poo-poo in front of my parade saying Silver age toon's or even Golden age toon's is unrealistic.
Do I play a 17 year old kid who just found his abilities,reading comics his whole life he wants to be like them and live by a better standard then jabbing a blade in someones eye,or shooting someone in the crotch,Sure he is barley keeping a D average in school,drools at ever big busted female toon.And should it come up great.But we are not reading a comic here we are playing a MMO many of us with limited time so forgive me if I don't have the ex-junkie,abused, car stealing,Hellion bangin kid who get his powers and now wants to be the world's Supra bad [censored].If that is your perception of realism have at it!!
It's funny even the BIG TWO comic universes can't keep thier "Realism/Realistic" universe in order or the word "Ret-con" would never be used."Umm Martian Manhunter has heat vision,no,no he is afraid of fire,ok its Martian vision,later he uses heat vision again.Sasqautch from Alpha Flight lifting a 747 umm he isn't really that strong,bah he is now.Gladiator lifting the FF tower without it crumbling or just recently Wolverine having his complete flesh melted off his skeleton and surviving hmmm isn't all of this just the writers Perception of the character's "Realsim?"
I don't know about anyone else I like rp'ing I love toons that are flawed and overcome great obstacles and I love playing toons who has a high morale standard who loves thier country it depends on the toon,but honestly every time I take the Tram,lvl my toon,pick a power, "Realsim'Realistic takes a back seat to fun.