Post by Joliette Thorne on Jul 22, 2007 23:47:40 GMT -5
Yes, this is an article about in-game sex.
It’s understandable that, in role-playing, a certain amount of intimacy adds to the realism of characters’ interactions. But how can you role-play an intimate relationship without incurring the wrath of admin? How much is too much? There is a line between what’s tasteful and what will be considered ‘inappropriate’ behaviour, which is what I’d like to discuss here.
Obligatory Warning: Cybering Is Bad, M’kay?
If you’re not aware of it – and by the amount of admin-bestowed STD’s getting about, many of you are not – Hollow is a PG13-rated game. This means that sexually explicit material is not permitted, on any of the channels.
If you are caught ‘cybering’ (either yourself or your character engaging in sexually explicit behaviour) you will be punished. There is a range of punishments for this, which includes p-room time and/or being given a sexually-transmitted disease for a few weeks, such as crabs, gonorrhea, herpes, or syphilis. This disease is visible when people ‘look’ at your char. Also, your name is likely to be announced by admin on the ooc channel as having been punished for cybering.
Other good reasons for not cybering on Hollow include:
1: Admin read the logs. Nothing you do is ‘private’. You might get away with it once, you probably won’t twice. Add to that the embarrassment factor of a bunch of people laughing at you. Which they will.
2: That sexy elf you picked up in the tavern could very well be some 55-year-old sexual predator in a basement somewhere, getting off on what you’re writing while pretending to be a sexy elf. Hey, free porn…
3: That “eternally 21” vampiress might, no matter how well they write, really be a thirteen-year old girl. Or boy. Unless you are a pedophile, you don’t want to be cybering any children. How would you feel, finding out the boy/girl you just wrote porn with is really a child?
Basically, if you simply cannot do without explicit sex scenes, it’s best for all concerned that you take it OUT of the game and onto IM.
I shouldn’t need to point out the utter stupidity of giving your IM details to strangers on the internet. Especially ones who want to write explicit sex scenes with you.
An Aside, On RP-Relationships:
Most ‘Cybering’ is OOC, not IC. Face it, your chars are bonking because YOU are the ones who are horny. That’s OK, whatever floats your boat, so long as you are of legal age (which is usually16 or 18, depending on the country) to be writing explicit material. But be aware that in writing sex scenes on that level, it’s difficult not to become emotionally involved on some ooc level. Which is NEVER a good idea in an RPG. This is when hearts are broken, roleplay goes out the window, plots/storylines are ruined, IM-bitchfests start…
The relationship you have in-game is, unless you are rp’ing with a real-life partner, NOT REAL. Do not mistake it for real. Don’t get a crush on your in-game lover’s PLAYER. Don’t assume your in-game lover is in any way interested in pursuing a real-life romance with you. I have seen players absolutely crushed when losing an in-game relationship they have become too close to. REALITY-CHECK is essential, for your own emotional well-being.
Moving right along… and back on topic, here’s some suggestions for...
Tastefully Portraying In-Game Intimacy
You are allowed to portray intimacy in many ways that do not involve direct references to erogenous zones (rude bits). Kissing, holding, passionate declarations of undying love, suggestively flirting.. it’s fun to play, and read, when done well. You can IMPLY your character is having sex, without going into the details in any explicit way.
Fade-To-Black: This is where you have the characters holding, kissing, clearly intending to take it further, and either ‘fade out’ the scene there by ending it, or start the next post with something like, “Afterward, they lay exhausted in each other’s arms.”
Exit, Stage Left: The characters storm upstairs in a fit of passion, making all kinds of flirtatious promises and clearly having every intention of bonking, once out of sight.
The Morning After: Your characters stumble downstairs from a room in the tavern, clothing askew and hair rumpled, with a big, goofy grins on their faces. It’s pretty obvious what they’ve been doing behind closed doors…
The Ambiguous Bonk: Did they.. .or… didn’t they? It’s possible to write a post where the whole scene is played through without once mentioning clothing being removed, hands roving to admin-forbidden zones, rude bits or anything else deemed ‘inappropriate”. Nobody reading the post would be offended, or could say for –sure- that the characters were just having sex, because it’s just all so tastefully written. But you know –something—went on…
TO BE CONTINUED:[/b] I’ll be posting up some examples of the above, when I get around to writing them. In the meantime, comments/suggestions are welcome.
It’s understandable that, in role-playing, a certain amount of intimacy adds to the realism of characters’ interactions. But how can you role-play an intimate relationship without incurring the wrath of admin? How much is too much? There is a line between what’s tasteful and what will be considered ‘inappropriate’ behaviour, which is what I’d like to discuss here.
Obligatory Warning: Cybering Is Bad, M’kay?
If you’re not aware of it – and by the amount of admin-bestowed STD’s getting about, many of you are not – Hollow is a PG13-rated game. This means that sexually explicit material is not permitted, on any of the channels.
If you are caught ‘cybering’ (either yourself or your character engaging in sexually explicit behaviour) you will be punished. There is a range of punishments for this, which includes p-room time and/or being given a sexually-transmitted disease for a few weeks, such as crabs, gonorrhea, herpes, or syphilis. This disease is visible when people ‘look’ at your char. Also, your name is likely to be announced by admin on the ooc channel as having been punished for cybering.
Other good reasons for not cybering on Hollow include:
1: Admin read the logs. Nothing you do is ‘private’. You might get away with it once, you probably won’t twice. Add to that the embarrassment factor of a bunch of people laughing at you. Which they will.
2: That sexy elf you picked up in the tavern could very well be some 55-year-old sexual predator in a basement somewhere, getting off on what you’re writing while pretending to be a sexy elf. Hey, free porn…
3: That “eternally 21” vampiress might, no matter how well they write, really be a thirteen-year old girl. Or boy. Unless you are a pedophile, you don’t want to be cybering any children. How would you feel, finding out the boy/girl you just wrote porn with is really a child?
Basically, if you simply cannot do without explicit sex scenes, it’s best for all concerned that you take it OUT of the game and onto IM.
I shouldn’t need to point out the utter stupidity of giving your IM details to strangers on the internet. Especially ones who want to write explicit sex scenes with you.
An Aside, On RP-Relationships:
Most ‘Cybering’ is OOC, not IC. Face it, your chars are bonking because YOU are the ones who are horny. That’s OK, whatever floats your boat, so long as you are of legal age (which is usually16 or 18, depending on the country) to be writing explicit material. But be aware that in writing sex scenes on that level, it’s difficult not to become emotionally involved on some ooc level. Which is NEVER a good idea in an RPG. This is when hearts are broken, roleplay goes out the window, plots/storylines are ruined, IM-bitchfests start…
The relationship you have in-game is, unless you are rp’ing with a real-life partner, NOT REAL. Do not mistake it for real. Don’t get a crush on your in-game lover’s PLAYER. Don’t assume your in-game lover is in any way interested in pursuing a real-life romance with you. I have seen players absolutely crushed when losing an in-game relationship they have become too close to. REALITY-CHECK is essential, for your own emotional well-being.
Moving right along… and back on topic, here’s some suggestions for...
Tastefully Portraying In-Game Intimacy
You are allowed to portray intimacy in many ways that do not involve direct references to erogenous zones (rude bits). Kissing, holding, passionate declarations of undying love, suggestively flirting.. it’s fun to play, and read, when done well. You can IMPLY your character is having sex, without going into the details in any explicit way.
Fade-To-Black: This is where you have the characters holding, kissing, clearly intending to take it further, and either ‘fade out’ the scene there by ending it, or start the next post with something like, “Afterward, they lay exhausted in each other’s arms.”
Exit, Stage Left: The characters storm upstairs in a fit of passion, making all kinds of flirtatious promises and clearly having every intention of bonking, once out of sight.
The Morning After: Your characters stumble downstairs from a room in the tavern, clothing askew and hair rumpled, with a big, goofy grins on their faces. It’s pretty obvious what they’ve been doing behind closed doors…
The Ambiguous Bonk: Did they.. .or… didn’t they? It’s possible to write a post where the whole scene is played through without once mentioning clothing being removed, hands roving to admin-forbidden zones, rude bits or anything else deemed ‘inappropriate”. Nobody reading the post would be offended, or could say for –sure- that the characters were just having sex, because it’s just all so tastefully written. But you know –something—went on…
TO BE CONTINUED:[/b] I’ll be posting up some examples of the above, when I get around to writing them. In the meantime, comments/suggestions are welcome.