I see the problem here as being partly one of nomenclature.
The terms "RP encouraged" and "RP mandatory" suggest a difference in how the game (in code and staff) treats roleplaying. But of equal importance to somebody looking for a MUD is the community of players and how they treat roleplaying.
Conversely, RPI seems to imply intensive RP among the community, but actually involves how the game is coded for RP.
The game and the community are linked, but not always the same. Encouraging RP helps but it is often how the playerbase develops and what they come to consider good RP that determines just what style is being encouraged or mandated.
I propose using two parallel sets of terms for describing the RP on a MUD. For the code/staff treatment of RP: RP accepted, RP encouraged, RP mandatory. For the community style of RP: RP casual, RP immersive, RP intensive. Or something like that.
|