A Guide to Getting Started in International Incidents
Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 1:00 pm
A Guide to Getting Started in International Incidents
[ Stickies ]
As a new player in international incidents, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the size and varying quality of posts in the forum. With threads of various tech persuasions coexisting with one another, it is understandable that one might not know where to start their roleplaying experience here. It's generally advisable, however, that you read the "sticky" threads which are pinned at the top of the forum. Reading the stickies is the first thing that any new player should do before posting in this forum, as you're likely going to make a fool of yourself if you refrain from initially doing so.
[ Taking Advice and Seeking Help ]
Upon reading the stickies, you can attempt to make a roleplaying thread or seek advice and help concerning issues not addressed in the stickies. As a new player, it's best to assume that you know nothing. Other players whom have more experience on the boards will be willing to help you if you request assistance, and you'll probably find yourself receiving lots of advice when you first join the site. It's best that you take most of that advice, albeit it's important to know who's advice is worth taking. Be willing to take advice and accept criticism with an open mind, because a vast majority of roleplayers here want to help others succeed. A good source for credible instructions and critiquing can be found at the NationStates Mentors Hub, located here here. Be willing to take advice, accept criticism, but also be mindful that not everyone knows what they're talking about.
[ Writing Conventions and Post Length ]
The problem with most new posters in international incidents is that they are unaware of the standard this forum maintains; if you're over the age of thirteen and are capable of writing coherent sentences, you really have no excuse not to be, at the very least, a decent roleplayer. Using proper grammar, punctuation, spacing, and spelling is all that's really necessary to make a half decent post. It's also useful if you put single spaces between your paragraphs, which is something that new players seem to avoid for whatever reason. The typical post in International Incidents consists of multiple paragraphs and is elaborate enough to convey what needs to be said in a story. Bloating a post with superfluous information irrelevant to the plot really isn't necessary, though thats a matter of preference, and it is a common misconception that length equates to post quality. Regardless, making multi-paragraph posts with proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, et cetera is essential in becoming a decent roleplayer. One-liners written in textspeak or without punctuation aren't going to help a new player fit in here. Writing posts in Microsoft Word is a great way to ensure that your posts have proper spelling and no severe grammatical issues.
[ Post Content and Common Sense ]
If you’re capable of posting multiple-paragraphs with decent grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling, the next challenge many newbies face is that the content of their posts often becomes an issue. If you’ve read the stickies, you probably know what godmodding and wanking are, so you’ll know that it’s ideal that you avoid doing such in your roleplay posts. It’s best to ensure that what you post in a thread is fitting for that thread, and that it will be tolerated by your fellow roleplayers. Using common sense when posting is always worthwhile. Before posting something, a newbie should ask themself, “does it make sense for me to post this given the circumstances in this thread?”
[ Military Technology and Tactics ]
The next issue that far too many new players have trouble with is the usage and utilization of military technology and tactics in roleplays. It would be silly to assume that most users of Nationstates have a vast knowledge in regards to the military tech/tactics that that plan on employing in roleplays, but users are still expected to do their research before posting with a certain piece of equipment or tactic. A simple google search and a few minutes of research can help a newbie avoid making a fool of themselves by misusing a piece of military equipment or a tactic, and can also help a player avoid overestimation of a weapon’s capabilities. If a roleplayer has any questions or concerns pertaining to the utilization of modern military technology or tactics in a roleplay, it is advisable that they visit the NSDraftroom or seek information from reliable internet resources. If a player roleplays a nation of the future technology persuasion, they can ask for advice here.
[ Out-of-Character Understanding of Roleplay's Nature ]
Lastly, it is advisable that a new player understands the nature of roleplay on Nationstates. Roleplay is a collaborative effort at writing a story on these boards, and is in no way a competition. Winning wars in-character and becoming powerful is not the point of the game – writing stories is the point of the game. New players and old players alike should be willing to take losses, make compromises when necessary, et cetera. It is far too common that a new player will join the site and attempt to become “the most powerful nation.” In doing so, they tend to reject losses in conflicts, act arrogant when cooperation in a roleplay is necessary, and generally be dicks. As a new player, it is encouraged that you understand that Nationstates roleplay is not a competition and that compromise and out-of-character cooperation are the two most important keys in successfully writing a roleplay. It is also worth noting that the use of superlatives when describing an aspect of one's nation, such as "best" or "largest," is frowned upon because the Nationstates universe is too vast to accurately conclude who or what possesses such titles.
[ Conclusion ]
Ultimately, if you read the stickies upon joining, write multi-paragraph posts and use proper writing conventions, use common sense when posting, do research before using military technology or tactics, and understand that roleplay is not a competition, any newbie should be able to adjust to the II forum quite well, and pretty quickly. You'll definitely make mistakes during your time in International Incidents, but people will call you out on it and you can make adjustments as you see fit. Upon grasping the aforesaid concepts and applying them to your participation in II, the rest of your roleplaying experience is really a matter of trial and error. You'll improve as you become more experienced on the site, but grasping the above concepts and ideas early on can help accelerate your initial rate of improvement.
[ Site Rules ]
Reading the rules of Nationstates is also advisable to any new user of this forum, as doing so will inform you of what behavior is and is not tolerated on Nationstates.
[ Stickies ]
As a new player in international incidents, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the size and varying quality of posts in the forum. With threads of various tech persuasions coexisting with one another, it is understandable that one might not know where to start their roleplaying experience here. It's generally advisable, however, that you read the "sticky" threads which are pinned at the top of the forum. Reading the stickies is the first thing that any new player should do before posting in this forum, as you're likely going to make a fool of yourself if you refrain from initially doing so.
[ Taking Advice and Seeking Help ]
Upon reading the stickies, you can attempt to make a roleplaying thread or seek advice and help concerning issues not addressed in the stickies. As a new player, it's best to assume that you know nothing. Other players whom have more experience on the boards will be willing to help you if you request assistance, and you'll probably find yourself receiving lots of advice when you first join the site. It's best that you take most of that advice, albeit it's important to know who's advice is worth taking. Be willing to take advice and accept criticism with an open mind, because a vast majority of roleplayers here want to help others succeed. A good source for credible instructions and critiquing can be found at the NationStates Mentors Hub, located here here. Be willing to take advice, accept criticism, but also be mindful that not everyone knows what they're talking about.
[ Writing Conventions and Post Length ]
The problem with most new posters in international incidents is that they are unaware of the standard this forum maintains; if you're over the age of thirteen and are capable of writing coherent sentences, you really have no excuse not to be, at the very least, a decent roleplayer. Using proper grammar, punctuation, spacing, and spelling is all that's really necessary to make a half decent post. It's also useful if you put single spaces between your paragraphs, which is something that new players seem to avoid for whatever reason. The typical post in International Incidents consists of multiple paragraphs and is elaborate enough to convey what needs to be said in a story. Bloating a post with superfluous information irrelevant to the plot really isn't necessary, though thats a matter of preference, and it is a common misconception that length equates to post quality. Regardless, making multi-paragraph posts with proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, et cetera is essential in becoming a decent roleplayer. One-liners written in textspeak or without punctuation aren't going to help a new player fit in here. Writing posts in Microsoft Word is a great way to ensure that your posts have proper spelling and no severe grammatical issues.
[ Post Content and Common Sense ]
If you’re capable of posting multiple-paragraphs with decent grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling, the next challenge many newbies face is that the content of their posts often becomes an issue. If you’ve read the stickies, you probably know what godmodding and wanking are, so you’ll know that it’s ideal that you avoid doing such in your roleplay posts. It’s best to ensure that what you post in a thread is fitting for that thread, and that it will be tolerated by your fellow roleplayers. Using common sense when posting is always worthwhile. Before posting something, a newbie should ask themself, “does it make sense for me to post this given the circumstances in this thread?”
[ Military Technology and Tactics ]
The next issue that far too many new players have trouble with is the usage and utilization of military technology and tactics in roleplays. It would be silly to assume that most users of Nationstates have a vast knowledge in regards to the military tech/tactics that that plan on employing in roleplays, but users are still expected to do their research before posting with a certain piece of equipment or tactic. A simple google search and a few minutes of research can help a newbie avoid making a fool of themselves by misusing a piece of military equipment or a tactic, and can also help a player avoid overestimation of a weapon’s capabilities. If a roleplayer has any questions or concerns pertaining to the utilization of modern military technology or tactics in a roleplay, it is advisable that they visit the NSDraftroom or seek information from reliable internet resources. If a player roleplays a nation of the future technology persuasion, they can ask for advice here.
[ Out-of-Character Understanding of Roleplay's Nature ]
Lastly, it is advisable that a new player understands the nature of roleplay on Nationstates. Roleplay is a collaborative effort at writing a story on these boards, and is in no way a competition. Winning wars in-character and becoming powerful is not the point of the game – writing stories is the point of the game. New players and old players alike should be willing to take losses, make compromises when necessary, et cetera. It is far too common that a new player will join the site and attempt to become “the most powerful nation.” In doing so, they tend to reject losses in conflicts, act arrogant when cooperation in a roleplay is necessary, and generally be dicks. As a new player, it is encouraged that you understand that Nationstates roleplay is not a competition and that compromise and out-of-character cooperation are the two most important keys in successfully writing a roleplay. It is also worth noting that the use of superlatives when describing an aspect of one's nation, such as "best" or "largest," is frowned upon because the Nationstates universe is too vast to accurately conclude who or what possesses such titles.
[ Conclusion ]
Ultimately, if you read the stickies upon joining, write multi-paragraph posts and use proper writing conventions, use common sense when posting, do research before using military technology or tactics, and understand that roleplay is not a competition, any newbie should be able to adjust to the II forum quite well, and pretty quickly. You'll definitely make mistakes during your time in International Incidents, but people will call you out on it and you can make adjustments as you see fit. Upon grasping the aforesaid concepts and applying them to your participation in II, the rest of your roleplaying experience is really a matter of trial and error. You'll improve as you become more experienced on the site, but grasping the above concepts and ideas early on can help accelerate your initial rate of improvement.
[ Site Rules ]
Reading the rules of Nationstates is also advisable to any new user of this forum, as doing so will inform you of what behavior is and is not tolerated on Nationstates.