10 rules for simming – from Kepler Station

I recently saw that the Kepler station roleplay had a downloadable PDF guide for roleplaying, which includes useful information not just for their roleplay, but for everyone. Here’s a list taken from their section “10 rules for simming”:

1. Creativity is key. Creative posts give life to your character.
2. Pay attention to detail. Keep up with what others write in their posts – it just might affect yourcharacter!
3. Be flexible. When you’re simming anything can happen.
4. Remember the Golden Rule: Treat others in your posts the way you want to be treated in theirs – with respect. (JPs are always a good way to interact with others)
5. For every action there is a reaction. If you put a phaser to your head and fire, chances are you’re dead. Don’t do dumb stuff.
6. Words are powerful. Use them carefully, and write so others understand what you’re doing.
7. Communicate. Talk out of character (OOC) with other crewmembers on the forum, in IM or email. It builds cohesion and can add to creativity.
8. Stay involved. You can’t always be the centre of attention… but that doesn’t mean your character can’t do anything. It is a big station.
9. Develop your character. Make sure you use traits about your character in your posts. Don’t write a BIO and then play your character completely different.
10. Be consistent. That way others know what to expect of you.

I agree with all of these, especially #7 – “Communicate”. I know that we don’t have a forum here at OngoingWorlds, but there are still a million ways we could communicate with each other to chat about where the story is heading, to get ideas, and to ask how someone’s character would react to something your character does, just to make sure you’re writing them correctly (providing you do allow people to write other’s characters in your game, some don’t as it’s godmodding, but some people do, because sometimes godmodding isn’t that bad. Anyway, getting to know everyone you’re roleplaying with really helps us all get along.

If you’ve got ideas for more rules, how about suggesting them below?

Source: Kepler Station Player Guide (PDF), from the Kepler Station website.