Adult Group Dynamics

[Murdergurl]

So I've been a member here for just a couple months short of a year. And as someone who is mostly interested in Group RP, I gotta say that it's rather dead here. I've been on a few other adult RP sites, as well as a whole bunch of Discord oriented places. I have surmised that the ERP community does not share the same enthusiasm for group RP as the non-adult sites. This is quite unfortunate for me, as this is my main interest when it comes to online collaborative writing.

See the thing is, on non-adult RP sites, the topics tend to be kind of... boring? That's probably not quite the word I'm looking for. Redundant? Juvenile?
What I see of the non-adult site RP topics, is that they are:

• a whole bunch of fandoms I don't give a damn about
• a LOT of anime (also don't give a damn about)
• are a lot of the same thing over nd over
• or just a lot of premises that I, for one reason or another, am very put off by.

BUT, I will give them this: At least the non-adult RPs try to get into settings that attempt to be fun and adventurous and plot-driven.
The problem with adult group settings, is that they basically fixate on some sexual notion, and revolve the entire RP around that. They tend to be pretty bare in plot and story development outside of that fixation. Pretty much, they are either centered around orgies, threesomes, or partner swaps. And to that I'm like... meh.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, why can't we have group RPs in adult flavor that function as a regular RP and just use the adult option to sprinkle in sexy stuff as an aside (and not the focus)? Is that asking too much? Are people not into this?

Here's the part where someone (or multiple people) suggest that I run my own group.

Short answer: No. Sorry. GMing is not for me.

Long answer: What I look for from a participatory role in a group RP is sharing the creative narrative with a multitude of other players. This not only lessens the burden of sharing half the creation process (as with a 1x1), but also makes it so I don't have to respond as often because there are a handful of others also adding into the story. If I were to GM a setting, I actually have to shoulder MORE work because I now have to deal with EVERYONE involved instead of just adding in my small part. This is the exact opposite of what I want to achieve by being a player in a group RP. I have run my own groups before. It's a lot of work, and most of the time I'm just wasting a whole bunch of creative effort when people drop out, stall, and ultimately kill my RP setting. I'm totally burnt out on trying to GM stuff for people anymore.

So yeah... Like, I said: I've been here just short of a year and I barely see the Groups section move. New ideas pop up very infrequently, and when they do, they are so overly sex-centric that it really doesn't interest me much. Why can't someone come out with a happy medium? And for the love of literacy, something NOT set in the modern day! lol

Thoughts from the collective?

 

[obieblu]

Well, I do see a lot of posts about things other than pure smut scenarios. Lots of supernatural schools and D&D-ish style groups. At least there are posts for them whether or not the rosters get filled up. Then, my experience in trying them is that they rarely get off the ground because of a lot of things discussed in this thread.

I don't know if ghosting and flaking are as regular on non-adult forums. But here, I think a clear sexual scenario is the draw to get players. For me, being MxM, there's very little for me in the groups here. While I might find a story interesting, the likelihood that there will be a compatible player or that the GM will accommodate is very low. So something that focuses on what I'm looking for comes along, that will pull me in. I imagine it works similarly for others' appetites. It comes down to sex sells, as we're all here for a taste of that. On a non-adult site, if you just want to kill monsters, there are probably a dozen groups that can provide that. If your sexual kink is getting raped by orc futas, well then a group here that specifically offers that is going to be what you read group posts hoping to find.

 

[Lady Irony]

See the thing is, on non-adult RP sites, the topics tend to be kind of... boring? That's probably not quite the word I'm looking for. Redundant? Juvenile?
What I see of the non-adult site RP topics, is that they are:

• a whole bunch of fandoms I don't give a damn about
• a LOT of anime (also don't give a damn about)
• are a lot of the same thing over nd over
• or just a lot of premises that I, for one reason or another, am very put off by.

BUT, I will give them this: At least the non-adult RPs try to get into settings that attempt to be fun and adventurous and plot-driven.
The problem with adult group settings, is that they basically fixate on some sexual notion, and revolve the entire RP around that. They tend to be pretty bare in plot and story development outside of that fixation. Pretty much, they are either centered around orgies, threesomes, or partner swaps. And to that I'm like... meh.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, why can't we have group RPs in adult flavor that function as a regular RP and just use the adult option to sprinkle in sexy stuff as an aside (and not the focus)? Is that asking too much? Are people not into this?

Not into Group RP's as I feel it is hard enough to keep it going with just 1x1. I do in the broader sense find this discussion interesting though.

I don't care about Fandom's either. Anime leaves me cold.
Yes, I have found Rape/Non Con/Hypnosis/Some over the top scenario to be common.

I have done not erotic/smut based and it really depends on how you do it, I have found some smut based/oriented RP's to be juvenile as well.

Overall, I have a problem with the term "Smut" I don't see what I want as "Smut" what I want is Shared Erotic Fiction. There is a difference, I want character driven stories that have erotica in them. Rather than "Smut" which has some weak plot that only exists to push the whole thing to the next dirty scene.

Quite often what I find erotic is how the characters think and feel about it all, how they navigate it together rather than the erotic scenes themselves. And that is the key for me "Erotica" isn't porn where it is all about Tab A going into Slot B. There is nuance to it and depth.

 

[Tinkerer Nadia]

Sorry, but this sounds like a "be the change you want to see" sort of scenario. If you won't come up with a game that is more like those non adult style group things, then you can't really expect to see them. I know it sucks but if you really don't want to be the GM it may be wise to find someone that can, though that is a big ask.

 

[Murdergurl]

Well, I do see a lot of posts about things other than pure smut scenarios. Lots of supernatural schools and D&D-ish style groups. At least there are posts for them whether or not the rosters get filled up. Then, my experience in trying them is that they rarely get off the ground because of a lot of things discussed in this thread.

I don't know if ghosting and flaking are as regular on non-adult forums. But here, I think a clear sexual scenario is the draw to get players. For me, being MxM, there's very little for me in the groups here. While I might find a story interesting, the likelihood that there will be a compatible player or that the GM will accommodate is very low. So something that focuses on what I'm looking for comes along, that will pull me in. I imagine it works similarly for others' appetites. It comes down to sex sells, as we're all here for a taste of that. On a non-adult site, if you just want to kill monsters, there are probably a dozen groups that can provide that. If your sexual kink is getting raped by orc futas, well then a group here that specifically offers that is going to be what you read group posts hoping to find.

I never said "pure smut". But very sexually centered is definitely the norm. By that I mean, the recruitment focuses most on the sexual dynamic of the setting. Whereas, what I have in mind for something I'd be interested in participating in would basically just allow for adult narrative to be possible if it comes up. One of the things I don't like about non-adult sites is that I have to water down a lot of what I'd like to write about. Not because I want to constantly write out full blown sex scenes. But because I might want to include a little more than what the site rules allow.

As far as supernatural schools and D&D stuff. Those are the exact kind of settings that bore or disinterest me on the non-adult sites. Turning those into an adult narrative doesn't make them any more appealing. Add these to the list of those topics:

• Werewolf/Wolfpack
• Vampires
• Vampires vs. Werewolves
• ANY kind of School/Academy
• Superhero RPs
• Anime-based RPs
• Multi-verse settings
• Slice-of-life
• Modern settings
• Demons/Angels/Deities
• DC/Marvel comicverse
• Stuff with too much magic
• Zombies

And yes, ghosting is a universal issue in every roleplaying community. Adult or non, it doesn't matter.

Not into Group RP's as I feel it is hard enough to keep it going with just 1x1. I do in the broader sense find this discussion interesting though.

I don't care about Fandom's either. Anime leaves me cold.
Yes, I have found Rape/Non Con/Hypnosis/Some over the top scenario to be common.

I have done not erotic/smut based and it really depends on how you do it, I have found some smut based/oriented RP's to be juvenile as well.

Overall, I have a problem with the term "Smut" I don't see what I want as "Smut" what I want is Shared Erotic Fiction. There is a difference, I want character driven stories that have erotica in them. Rather than "Smut" which has some weak plot that only exists to push the whole thing to the next dirty scene.

Quite often what I find erotic is how the characters think and feel about it all, how they navigate it together rather than the erotic scenes themselves. And that is the key for me "Erotica" isn't porn where it is all about Tab A going into Slot B. There is nuance to it and depth.

1x1s make me anxious. I don't like dealing exclusively with one other player. It puts too much pressure on me to come up with half of everything. I also don't like the whole song and dance of PMing and getting to know each other. I find it tiresome and grating. In groups, you usually just present your character, maybe give a writing sample, get approved, and then wait for the thing to start.

Well, as I said before, I don't necessarilly care for the "erotica" to be the driving force of a Group RP. I guess I'd just like a little more wiggle room for adult themes without it being central to the plot or story. Like, not a focus, just a possibility.

 

[Murdergurl]

Sorry, but this sounds like a "be the change you want to see" sort of scenario. If you won't come up with a game that is more like those non adult style group things, then you can't really expect to see them. I know it sucks but if you really don't want to be the GM it may be wise to find someone that can, though that is a big ask.

Yeah, I've heard all this before. Literally had that very quoted bit said to me. I don't know how much more I can emphasize that I don't want to GM an RP. I've had nothing but bad experiences.

 

[Tinkerer Nadia]

Yeah, I've heard all this before. Literally had that very quoted bit said to me. I don't know how much more I can emphasize that I don't want to GM an RP. I've had nothing but bad experiences.

Well that's fine but I mean we all get ghosted or have bad experiences. What do you expect? If you want a game but won't run it then it's unlikely to happen is all. It may be wise to stick with discord or more group focused drop in drop out games?

Only other option is get used to 1×1 or like small groups, of like 4 and less. Less people means less management.

 

[Lady Irony]

I never said "pure smut". But very sexually centered is definitely the norm. By that I mean, the recruitment focuses most on the sexual dynamic of the setting. Whereas, what I have in mind for something I'd be interested in participating in would basically just allow for adult narrative to be possible if it comes up. One of the things I don't like about non-adult sites is that I have to water down a lot of what I'd like to write about. Not because I want to constantly write out full blown sex scenes. But because I might want to include a little more than what the site rules allow.

Yeah, I know you didn't mean you wanted pure smut. I was just differentiating between what I see as Smut and Erotica and musing aloud as well as explaining how I see this site and others. Basically I was agreeing with you.

As mentioned, I like story and character driven erotica, I like drama, conflict and for the characters to be challenged in some way rather than horny people doing horny things because they're horny. That bores me. Twists on the usual themes and characters work for me too.

I agree about Non Erotic RP sites, I can write dozens of paragraphs were not much sex/kink etc (if any at all happens) but when it comes time to explore that I want to be able to do so without "fading to black" as they call it.

1x1s make me anxious. I don't like dealing exclusively with one other player. It puts too much pressure on me to come up with half of everything. I also don't like the whole song and dance of PMing and getting to know each other. I find it tiresome and grating. In groups, you usually just present your character, maybe give a writing sample, get approved, and then wait for the thing to start.

Fair enough. I'm the opposite, I have tried Group RP a while ago and there were just too many voices and opinions. In the end the GM gave up on it anyway. I think it would be frustrating too if your character gelled with another character and then that person left the RP. I like some order.

 

[Murdergurl]

Well that's fine but I mean we all get ghosted or have bad experiences. What do you expect? If you want a game but won't run it then it's unlikely to happen is all. It may be wise to stick with discord or more group focused drop in drop out games?

Only other option is get used to 1×1 or like small groups, of like 4 and less. Less people means less management.

I expect people not to drop out after one post. I expect people to keep to the guidelines about post length/lit/rate that they agreed to when they signed up. I expect effort. But despite what I expect when I run an RP, I honestly don't have the time or patience to undertake that kind of task anymore. I can totally contribute my small bit as one of many players. But the big task of GMing the whole story/setting around them? That's more effort than I have time for.

And small groups are fine and well. But it's still the same issue.

Yeah, I know you didn't mean you wanted pure smut. I was just differentiating between what I see as Smut and Erotica and musing aloud as well as explaining how I see this site and others. Basically I was agreeing with you.

As mentioned, I like story and character driven erotica, I like drama, conflict and for the characters to be challenged in some way rather than horny people doing horny things because they're horny. That bores me. Twists on the usual themes and characters work for me too.

I agree about Non Erotic RP sites, I can write dozens of paragraphs were not much sex/kink etc (if any at all happens) but when it comes time to explore that I want to be able to do so without "fading to black" as they call it.

I would imagine it would be nearly impossible to develope a multitude of characters with a narrative of "erotica". You'd have to have a really good set of writers together that meshed well. I think that kind of dynamic is more easily achieved 1x1. (which I'm guessing is probably another reason you prefer it, yeah?)

 

[Tinkerer Nadia]

That can and will all happen regardless, being the GM or not. At least when you run the game you can police it and try to enforce the rules. That said, just do what makes you happy but don't be surprised when people don't run games how you want. Roleplay is a hobby not a job, so people don't commit well or try to maintain consistent quality.

 

[Murdergurl]

...just do what makes you happy...

I'm trying.

...At least when you run the game you can police it and try to enforce the rules...

...but don't be surprised when people don't run games how you want...​

Apparently, I don't run games the way other people want. One of the reasons I've signed off of trying to GM anything is because I used to put in a ton of effort for nothing. I would put so much time and detail into my worldbuilding. Most of the time I would get either no interest, or I would get alleged interest but no follow through. And if by some miracle the RP actually gets to start up, half the people drop out before their third or forth post. And this is in Non-adult. The community on Adult sites seem even more... timid? It's just really hard to coax people out, ya know?

Roleplay is a hobby not a job, so people don't commit well or try to maintain consistent quality.​

I mean... I dunno about you, but I like to give stuff my best effort or just not do it at all. I'm an all-or-nothing kinda gal.

 

[Lady Irony]

I would imagine it would be nearly impossible to develope a multitude of characters with a narrative of "erotica". You'd have to have a really good set of writers together that meshed well. I think that kind of dynamic is more easily achieved 1x1. (which I'm guessing is probably another reason you prefer it, yeah?)

I don't mind playing multiple characters if that is what the RP calls for. Usually the additional character(s) are just minor roles anyway. 1x1 is better I think for more involved plots. Unless you happened to form a "Super Group" of RP'ers who have all played together in the past 1x1 or whatever and really understand what each other want and are all on the same page creatively.

 

[Murdergurl]

I don't mind playing multiple characters if that is what the RP calls for. Usually the additional character(s) are just minor roles anyway. 1x1 is better I think for more involved plots.

I'm not a big fan of doubling up (I think that's what you're referring to). I prefer to have just my one character to worry about with maybe making temp background characters to flesh out the setting. But nothing that requires any real depth.

...Unless you happened to form a "Super Group" of RP'ers who have all played together in the past 1x1 or whatever and really understand what each other want and are all on the same page creatively.

LOL. Yeah... that's not likely to happen any time soon.
I'd settle for a mundane group who will just post consistently.

 

[Cydaea]

I'm down for a fantasy-based adventurous romp with a vaguely sexual side element that plays straight something like dungeon crawling.

A lot of what I see in the OP might boil down to 'too niche for here' though. It's easy to find stuff, not so easy to find the right niche. Actually I share the disinterest in most of the things listed (some boil down to presentation as well though, like anime-fied demons and angels). But I know just like what I started with, it's kinda pointless dreaming unless I was to strike it up myself. Similarly I've been burned enough that I don't really bother to GM except for the right partner or a sufficiently promising start group. I think this is a case of 'the search goes on'.

 

[LeaT]

For me, being MxM, there's very little for me in the groups here.

We happen to have an opening for a MxM situation within our group RP, though it would also involve tolerating FxM breeding (doesn't have to like it). See also this post in our OOC thread for more specifics on the MxM role.

The overall story of our group is probably too sexually focused for the OP but it is beginning to branch out into more non-sexual scenes but it is really what the players want to write about. Bluemoon used to have a thread for 'Non-Sexual RPs' but the thread count was a minor fraction of what the sexual threads were, so yea, sex sells. It is a 'Freeform' group so while I am technically the GM, I really just set up the premise and help move things along, it isn't a ton of work. I already posted my thoughts on the "How to Make A Group RP Work" thread if it helps.

Sorry you aren't finding what you are looking for here but between Group and Minimal Sex, you are really swimming against the current I fear.

 

[Shiver]

I suppose if there are going to be sexual elements - even if they're not the focus - it makes it much harder to get a functioning group together. People's idiosyncrasies and preferences when it comes to erotic content make finding single partners challenging enough; getting a group together who all mesh well sounds nigh impossible.

 

[Staine]

The problem here is that when you do get a group of let's say 5+ writers together in a setting that promises adult content, it's going to be hard to reign it in. People are horny little bastards by nature and when one scene starts, others are going to either want to start their own to not feel left out, or find a way to put themselves into the situation too so it's probably best to let everybody get their ya-yas out early and then try to go for the epic plotline, or start with a hard and fast rule of no smut until X goal is achieved. No tolerance, somebody tries to break it, they are removed from the roleplay. Sounds rough, but if it's a story focused group you're looking for then everybody has to be on that page because it takes only one person getting too horny to have everybody's clothes hitting the floor in these scenarios.

It gets worse when you factor in that not everybody will want to 'play' with everybody sexually, meaning that while one couple in the group may find or already have excellent chemistry together you'll get some feeling left out, struggling to find a partner in the group. Preferences are a thing, for example some people would like to play the huge breasted soccer mom, that isn't my type and my character likely wouldn't be attracted to them. I'm sure my characters will find themselves entirely unappealing to others too. When everybody is confident that their characters will be able to engage, that's when people start to move out of the 24/7 smut mindset and onto the story and it will become a lot easier to progress things.

If you're not willing to start and run one yourself, then ultimately you're at the mercy of other players here though. These rules are going to be something you enforce because from looking at the group boards and from past experience, waiting until the stars align and your perfect group comes along isn't going to cut it. This is where 1x1 roleplays come in handy. The groups I have are small, just 3 person but we manage to focus on story just fine because they are people we know at least one of us is compatible with and know at least a little of their character, that they would be up for it. Setting a story focused group up with strangers is going to be hard, especially when you'll probably need to get more than you think you'll need to account for people dropping randomly, which will happen. It's also hard because everybody has their own ideas for the plot, and not all of them will be compatible. When one person takes it in a direction when another might have had a plan that just got scuppered by that new direction, one of two things have a higher chance of happening that make the roleplay more difficult. Either the person will just drop, and may have been integral to the plot, or they will try to force their idea in somewhere. With multiple partners, it's not as easy to have the discussion that gets everybody on the same page like it is in a 1x1.

If you're really looking for a group RP focused on plot I would recommend looking for a 3 person group to start, emphasize focus on plot, emphasize that you don't want to GM it and are just looking to play your part and share responsibility and make sure you all play at least 2 main characters each to make it feel like a larger group. That might be the best shot you have, otherwise I'm genuinely stumped on what advice to give here because you're looking for a unicorn.

 

[Murdergurl]

I suppose if there are going to be sexual elements - even if they're not the focus - it makes it much harder to get a functioning group together. People's idiosyncrasies and preferences when it comes to erotic content make finding single partners challenging enough; getting a group together who all mesh well sounds nigh impossible.

Well, if the sexual elements aren't really specific, I don't imagine it would matter too much. Like, just an open-general approach to the sexual element. Sorta generic, I guess? And the players pretty much just engage themselves in whatever they are comfortable. Not necessarilly with the other players, as that complicates things. But more so with whatever "NPC's" come around via the GMs narrative. At least, that's how I tried to run things myself at one point. But like I said, I had minimal participation, and very quick drop outs to my settings.

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The problem here is that when you do get a group of let's say 5+ writers together in a setting that promises adult content, it's going to be hard to reign it in. People are horny little bastards by nature and when one scene starts, others are going to either want to start their own to not feel left out, or find a way to put themselves into the situation too so it's probably best to let everybody get their ya-yas out early and then try to go for the epic plotline, or start with a hard and fast rule of no smut until X goal is achieved. No tolerance, somebody tries to break it, they are removed from the roleplay. Sounds rough, but if it's a story focused group you're looking for then everybody has to be on that page because it takes only one person getting too horny to have everybody's clothes hitting the floor in these scenarios.

So am I the weirdo in all this that would rather chase down a plot point instead of instigating a sex scene?

It gets worse when you factor in that not everybody will want to 'play' with everybody sexually, meaning that while one couple in the group may find or already have excellent chemistry together you'll get some feeling left out, struggling to find a partner in the group. Preferences are a thing, for example some people would like to play the huge breasted soccer mom, that isn't my type and my character likely wouldn't be attracted to them. I'm sure my characters will find themselves entirely unappealing to others too. When everybody is confident that their characters will be able to engage, that's when people start to move out of the 24/7 smut mindset and onto the story and it will become a lot easier to progress things.

Well, as I had responded to @Shiver , this is a simple thing to get around. The players aren't relied entirely upon each other to get their rocks off. Inorder to ease the sex element, and just to kindof nudge things along, the GM would provide instances that could be taken advantage of to this end via NPCs. I myself ran a couple setting in this nature, addressing individual characters with situations they could try to manipulate to their particular flavor of sexcapades. Of course, these were just highlights, and not at all the main plot. But as I also said, this was a lot of work for nothing, because the effort was not reciprocated. So I neither have the time nor desire to take that up again.

If you're not willing to start and run one yourself, then ultimately you're at the mercy of other players here though. These rules are going to be something you enforce because from looking at the group boards and from past experience, waiting until the stars align and your perfect group comes along isn't going to cut it. This is where 1x1 roleplays come in handy. The groups I have are small, just 3 person but we manage to focus on story just fine because they are people we know at least one of us is compatible with and know at least a little of their character, that they would be up for it. Setting a story focused group up with strangers is going to be hard, especially when you'll probably need to get more than you think you'll need to account for people dropping randomly, which will happen. It's also hard because everybody has their own ideas for the plot, and not all of them will be compatible. When one person takes it in a direction when another might have had a plan that just got scuppered by that new direction, one of two things have a higher chance of happening that make the roleplay more difficult. Either the person will just drop, and may have been integral to the plot, or they will try to force their idea in somewhere. With multiple partners, it's not as easy to have the discussion that gets everybody on the same page like it is in a 1x1.

The groups I tried to run were seeking 3 others + myself. So 4 total. That's my ideal number. More than that gives me anxiety to try and keep up with, and less than that doesn't really feel like a group.

I've been here a little under a year, and have yet to successfully engage a 1x1 to fruition. I have had some start ups, but they didn't work out for one reason or another. So getting together familiar players is a notion that requires a lot of preemptive steps that have their own pitfalls for me. But that's another discussion entirely. Pretty much everyone here on BMR is a stranger to me.

And of course, this is all assuming that I was going to GM again, which I'm not. lol

If you're really looking for a group RP focused on plot I would recommend looking for a 3 person group to start, emphasize focus on plot, emphasize that you don't want to GM it and are just looking to play your part and share responsibility and make sure you all play at least 2 main characters each to make it feel like a larger group. That might be the best shot you have, otherwise I'm genuinely stumped on what advice to give here because you're looking for a unicorn.

How would that work with not having anyone as a GM of a group? Like, if I proffer up a setting, but am not in charge of GMing a plot, won't the RP just meander into a nosedive? From my experience, a lot of Group RPs die because the GM only had a vague idea of a setting, and after a couple of posts the players are looking to them for some kind of direction. And when that direction doesn't come, the RP dies.

If I'm the one offering the setting and rules and such, that basically makes me the shoe-in for the GM. I mean, who else is going to answer questions and keep things in line to the worldbuild? It would be me, because I made it. So that will sort of put me in charge. And that's something I don't want to deal with.

That being said, I DO have a setting I've been deliberating on putting out there. Mostly because I'm afraid of it getting nowhere, and also because I just really don't want to fall into a GM role. I don't know how to present a group RP while at the same time avoiding becoming the GM. Because to me, a GM isn't just the person that enforces the rules. A GM is the one in charge of developing the plot points, and presenting them to the players as they move along in the setting. It's a lot of work. I know because I used to attempt it.

Some people can handle the load of being a GM. I'm not one of them.

 

[Staine]

Firstly, no, I don't think that makes you a weirdo, it's just that when one person instigates one, others tend to follow suit. It's like dominoes, or fear of missing out, perhaps. Following the plot is something I'm sure a lot of people would prefer but we all know the kind of site this is, the fact that it's adult in nature means you'll always find plenty of people who will try to push that early. As a fan of more slow burning roleplays, it can be frustrating at times and that's just with one partner, when you get more it becomes harder for everybody to stay on track.

NPCs don't fix the issue. If people wanted to write against one person playing several characters they would find a harem RP with one person. Not just that, but human attraction can be a strange thing. You might create NPC's for people to enjoy but if somebody sees a character in the RP that they feel a deep attraction for, they may fixate and want that character specifically even if somebody else is writing it for another, or with the intention of not having them be sexually involved. I've seen this happen, you could throw an NPC orgy at that person but they will still be fixated on the one character that speaks to them the most and the person playing that character may just not be interested. It can derail a group pretty quickly, or at least lose them a writer or two.

That's exactly how it would work. Have a plot in mind but discuss it with the partners, the general things you're looking for and let each person be responsible for adding their own piece to the story. While mine are only 3 person groups, that is what we tend to do instead of having one person GM it and most have been quite successful and are still ongoing at this point. You don't have to have one person control the whole thing, you just need to have a group that is willing to come together and write something that you'll all enjoy. The players that don't want to contribute anything, that is kind of what you'd want to avoid, a group is for the group to ultimately enjoy, if they are being led around on leashes they never get the freedom to express themselves and that will likely account for a good number of players just stopping altogether.

Unfortunately for it to work, you have to find people you trust to write well with you and advance the plot. That's why the majority of mine aren't found through a RT on the site, they are found from partners we already had via 1x1 roleplays and that is likely where your ultimate issues lie. You don't want to do that, which is perfectly valid, your reasons aren't bad ones, but they don't help achieve this goal you are reaching for. Even if you were to put up a prompt, having a writer or two who you personally enjoy roleplaying with and trust to keep the ball rolling with you can take a lot of the pressure off you and spread it more evenly, keep things alive. Bringing together complete strangers with slightly similar kinks and a mild interest is just so much more difficult.

 

[Murdergurl]

@Staine
Thank you for the advice. Keeping that last paragraph in mind, do you think it would even be a good idea to promote a group RP in a mutual running right now? Since I don't actually have any tried and true partners on here, I'd still just be having an open casting call for the roles available.

 

[Staine]

I think there is always hope, I've posted things on here I didn't expect to get a response to and made some good friends, had some good experiences, but I do think it's just difficult with groups. It's the reason that mine tend to be more custom made. One of my partners is always the same, and the other is usually somebody they or I have written with and feel would be compatible with the both of us. Please bear in mind I'm no expert on this, only on my own groups so if the other ones would or would not work out, I can't really promise one way or the other but if I was craving it, I'd give it a shot. If it failed, I'd learn from it, and try again but attempt to identify and fix what went wrong the first time, you know?

 

[Murdergurl]

Sure thing. I'll consider maybe throwing out a group idea... maybe. Like I said, I don't really know how I'm going to run it w/out becoming too much like a GM. And I'm absolutely terrible at organizing people into some kind of coherency. It's like trying to herd cats.

Also, I don't think I'd necessarilly call it a craving. But it's an idea I've been sitting on for a while, and I guess it's a good a time as any to see if people might like it. When and if I get it ready for presentation, I could give it maybe a week to see if it catches attention.

In the meantime, I AM trying to pursue 1x1s. Maybe I can hope to accumulate some good and dedicated writers in that process.

 

[obieblu]

I'll caution you that non-GMed groups are even more unlikely to last long than ones formed around only a specific kink. And without a real story, the sandbox just sort of turns into a porn hunt.

 

[Murdergurl]

I'll caution you that non-GMed groups are even more unlikely to last long than ones formed around only a specific kink. And without a real story, the sandbox just sort of turns into a porn hunt.

That's honestly kind of what I'm apprehensive about. As I had mentioned before, in my experience, sandbox groups just meander and fizzle out.

 

[obieblu]

That's honestly kind of what I'm apprehensive about. As I had mentioned before, in my experience, sandbox groups just meander and fizzle out.

Well, these forums are what they are. I wouldn't prioritize effort on an adult forum for something story heavy. It could theoretically happen, but I've never found the sort of deeply-woven, consistent groups like I learned to RP with on the old White Wolf chats.