Styles of RPG OK, this is just to clear up all the confusion about the styles of RPG, and just to help people who might not be aware of them. I?ve been playing RPG?s for some years now, and even I haven?t seen all the styles, so these are a few of the more common ones. I?m not going to get into advantages and disadvantages here ? this is purely information. Structured RPG Anyone is free to post, but the posting style has structure. For example a post MAY (but does not have to) specifically tag one character, but another character in the vicinity may find something in that post to respond to as well, and though they are not tagged, may also respond to that post, and the one before hand, often leading to longer posts than would have been. This is the most common RP style. For example: Snape: ?Oh really, Narcissia, I don?t think you need to worry about that,? he said, reaching out for the glass just as Draco was opening the door. Jumping at the creak the door gave, he knocked the glass to the floor, spilling the blood-red contents onto the expensive carpet. ((Narcissa tagged! this tag is the optional tag - most people don't bother with actually tagging)) Draco: ?Oh, sorry!? Draco said, with an obviously insincere tone in his voice. ?I hope you weren?t going to drink that, ?Snivellus?.? Narcissa: As the door creaked open, Narcissa watched Snape?s hand going for the glass. ?Careful!? she cried, but it was too late. The glass fell to the floor, shattering into pieces. ?Oh, that was my favourite!? She glanced at Draco as he entered, a slight expression flitting over her features. ?Now, now Draco. That?s no way to talk to our guest.? Tag-based RPG. As the name implies, this is where people take it in turns to post. Normally played with small groups. Similar to the structured RPG, but only the character who is tagged may post next. This can often lead to one character being left out for some time. Using the same scene as above: Snape: ?Oh really, Narcissia, I don?t think you need to worry about that,? he said, reaching out for the glass just as Draco was opening the door. Jumping at the creak the door gave, he knocked the glass to the floor, spilling the blood-red contents onto the expensive carpet. ((Narcissa tagged!)) Narcissa: As the door creaked open, Narcissa watched Snape?s hand going for the glass. ?Careful!? she cried, but it was too late. The glass fell to the floor, shattering into pieces. ?Oh, that was my favourite!? ((Snape tagged!)) Snape: ?I?m sorry, Narcissa?.?etc ((Narcissa tagged)) etc ? Poor Draco doesn?t get a chance! Turn-based RPG. Again, as above, characters take it in turns to post, but in a very rigid and structured order. Again, usually played in small groups, though if a character has little to say, it can lead to very short posts, or none at all. Or very stupid filler posts. For example: Rodulphus: The Lestrange family are sitting down at a handsome meal together. Rod and Bella are deep in conversation. Draco, for some reason is also at the table. Rod whispers something into Bella?s ear. Bella: As Rod whispers into her ear, she lets out a little giggle. Draco: ?Can you pass the salt?? DM-led RPG Very rarely played online, this sort of RPG has been taken straight from the classic offline RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons. In this style, none of the characters know what the plot is, and so it can easily go astray! Very frustrating style in my opinion, and also leads to short posts, as each post must end if it needs the DM to respond to something in the post. (Personally, I detest this style)