FAQ
What is the game's premise?
Is the game in real time?
How many characters can I play?
How will I decide where my character(s) live? Is everyone required to live in the same place?
How will I decide what my character(s) will do for a living?
How will my character(s) interact?
What is the game's premise?
the_metroplex RPG is an original fiction game. It will take place in the present time in the Dallas-Fort Worth (Texas) area aka The Metroplex to residents. The Metroplex has a wide variety of nationalities, incomes, professions, colleges, and cultural events. A character could be a native Texan or someone who just moved from Boston/Toronto/London/Tokyo and it’d fit. There are many universities/colleges in the area, dozens of hospitals, major law firms, big businesses all around, museums, recording studios, film companies, ranches, and oil companies all within the Metroplex area, so there’s a vast amount of inspiration out there. The only real rule regarding a character is to keep them real, flaws as well as positives, and to make them well-rounded. We are looking for interesting original characters, not a fandom character with a new name, so make sure that your character is fleshed out. The game will open on January 15, 2011!
Is the game in real time?
This will be a real time game, set in the present time with days matching to reality (i.e. a post today would be set on December 11, 2010 in the game). If it's Wednesday in our time, it's Wednesday in the game. It will not be time specific, however. Breakfast can be posted at 7am or 10pm. Also, real life events can be used to shape the world and characterization plots.
How many characters can I play?
The minimum posting requirement is once a month. We absolutely encourage anyone posting more frequently, though! To start, we are limiting each author to a maximum of five characters. This doesn't mean you have to take five, but anyone is welcome to apply for more than one. You can apply for any original character living inside your head. We accept character applications for all ages, genders, nationalities, and sexuality. Do remember that any character under 18 is not allowed to have a sexual relationship written in-game. You can also check the list of characters on the Wish List, which is a list of characters (general, such as ‘best friend’ or ‘neighbor’) that current authors would love to see filled.
How will I decide where my character(s) live? Is everyone required to live in the same place?
People are required to live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This encompasses a large space, with everything from ranch land to condos to small houses. There will probably be some characters who want to live in the same apartment complex or general area for interaction purposes, so you can make decisions about lodging once you’re cast, if you’d like.
How will I decide what my character(s) will do for a living?
The job situation is up to you and your character. Again, some characters might end up working at the same place or nearby while others will not. It is possible to use real locations in the Metroplex area, but there will be freedom to create specific places for game purposes. What they ultimately decide can depend on age, education level, and what plots appeal to you and your character. The mods will consult with you to discuss any questions.
How will my character(s) interact?
All character interaction (and solo character posts) will take place in the the_metroplex community. Characters will post and answer each other, in-character, in third-person, past-tense narrative form via threads. It will also be possible for authors to occasionally pre-thread and post in one post, should there be a time issue or RL happens. Ask the mods if you don't think you know what that means.