This is primarily intended for the RP community, but I chose to post it here because I think it could be of benefit to a broader audience. I am curious as to why no one seems to use their character profile anymore. The character profile can be a great way to flesh out your character beyond their appearance and outfit, but it is rarely used. My own profile provides a simple description of Antos based on the in-game description and dialog of Father Antos from U4. It's not much, but it does lay a foundation for interaction. During this week's big RP quest, I had the pleasure of meeting some new characters and, as always, I checked their character profile hoping for a better description of them. As usual, the profile was blank and I simply can't understand why RPers waste this valuable resource. Players will sometimes input WTB/WTS info or the occasional quote, but it is rarely used for its intended purpose. Is you character tall or short? Are they skinny of plump? Do they walk with a limp or perhaps have a greedy gleam in their eye? What color are their eyes? Are they covered in hideous scars or perhaps a dapple of cute freckles? A little physical description goes a long way in RP. Also, fame should be more than a question of title or forum notoriety. Might we have heard rumors about their famous (or infamous) deeds? Are they well-known as the town drunk of ______ ? All of this and more could be shared in the character profile and yet it rarely is. So, I would like to encourage the players of UO:R to make more use of their character profile to enrich the experience of our encounters!
I think for a lot of folk it is an afterthought, something that is there and maybe they even intend to, but it is so easy to overlook. Personally I usually fill mine out, though I don't always remember to do it for all of my characters.
THANK YOU ANTOS! (capslock 1,000%!) It is sad when people don't put anything in their profiles! Maybe people don't know about it, you kinda just find it by accident I guess when you're clicking around. Fill out your profiles people, put a quote in there, something funny, etc, just don't put nothing!
Another thing to keep in mind is that not everyone is an RPer or have considered possibly RPing in some way or another. I know a few people who simply don't "know how" to do it, but are not outright opposed to it. I think of it like playing D&D with your friends. That is all this is, really, is D&D with a graphical interface. The little profile information you can put in? Character description
I feel I am guilty of this! As I delve deeper into the RP part of the game I will have to add to this valuable resource! Thanks for pointing it out, it has been forever since I have even opened mine or anyone else's.
Great observation, I do often pay attention to other people's profiles and any information it occurs in one out of twenty people. You certainly are right, there can be described as a fantasy of his character, or create and describe it in his own image, a lot of options. Great theme, thank you
Great post Antos. You beat me to it! I've been meaning to lay into people about their lack of profiles... But now, as i read this, i realize that i too have forgotten to fill mine in on a few characters. I am a guilty hypocrite! Thank you for inspiring me to get on top of it. RPER or not, it is a great thing to do. I would rather open a profile and see "fuck you" than nothing...
I use the profile on my tamer to list what zookeeper quest pets I have and which ones I need. Often people will be asking about what other people need/have and I can just refer to my list in my profile so I don't have to check the stables for what I have or check my scrolls for what I need every time. I can also direct people to look at my profile for the list. So, I don't use it for RP enhancement, but I do agree that profiles have utility that might be going unused.
I do remember profiles being used almost universally back on OSI - it was very rare to see an empty profile. Most profiles just listed items that a person wanted to sell or buy, but it was something.
