[Discussion] Number of Characters In an RP

[LordCowCowCowCowCowCowCowCow]

Let's get this place a bit less empty shall we?

 

Okay so I've lately become fond of having RPs with 8 or less characters. It feels less cluttered and more focused and easier to give people things to do. I have considered never going over 10 characters again for any of my RPs even.

 

So I'm curious what y'all think about how many characters RPs should aim for. And how often new characters (and second characters) should be allowed in.

 

What kind of RPs are best to have small numbers and what large?

 

How soon is too soon to add more?

 

And other such related topics.

[Andx]

It's an interesting topic, one I recall discussing with Aix in the past.

 

I've been around YCM's RP section for a while and from that experience I think I can say I've seen a few trends. I've seen big rps with a lot of characters in them. They tend to go really well so long as the pace of posting is fast. It's kind of a big hype train if you will. These sorts of rps tend to spit out quite a few pages but then abruptly die off. I'm not entirely sure of the cause as it seems odd that a large group of players would all simultaneously lose interest in an idea. I think it could have to do with the host. The more characters running around the more there is to manage.

 

On the other hand you have small RPs that either never got enough excitement to start or are deeply wounded should even one of the few participants lose interest or whatever other circumstance.

 

I think YCM of late has settled into the pattern you follow Cow (gee I wonder why) of having 6-10 characters and taking a slower pace than back in the day.
 

Rather than discuss genres I'll distinguish what types of aims for the RPs fit the different sizes. Small cast sizes work best when the RP is plot driven and everyone needs to stick together. A tight group continually goes through different challenges and obstacles and it keeps things going even if at a relaxed pace. Large rps need to either be slice of life (which YCM has never really done successfully) or be widespread action focused. Large casts will by nature need to have freedom to explore the world and always be doing things so as to keep everyone interested and involved. It's far too difficult to move a large group in one plot line and going for the strict story driven focus would require splitting the group up into smaller groups which can be taxing on the host but is doable.

[(GigaDrillBreaker)]

For the most part, I think a small cast (6-8) is the way to go. Less distractions, easier to keep things in line and moving forward.

 

That said, RPs like Hyde's MHARAMO work because they have such a large ensemble cast. Despite all the difficulties of coordinating upwards of 10 participants, the feeling of it simply doesn't exist without such a large group of people.